Day 28 Explore Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Auckland

Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Rydges Auckland Hotel

Activity Note: Today’s transfer by coach will take approximately 4.5 hours, with stops along the way. One of today’s activities will include a 1.5 hour, easy-to-moderate walk over trails with loose gravel.

Breakfast: Served at the hotel beginning at 7am, featuring continental and hot breakfast options.

Morning: We'll begin our 4.5-hour journey to Auckland around 8:30am. Along the way, we'll stop for about 20 minutes at the Arapuni Suspension Bridge, stretching nearly 500-foot-long suspension bridge, and hangs over the Waikato River. Arriving around 9:45am, we'll have the opportunity to walk across the bridge and take in the views of our surroundings before we depart for a short drive to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, known locally as "The Maunga." This conservation project aims to reintroduce endangered species and rare plants back into a controlled habitat that closely resembles a prehistoric environment. Covering more than 8,000 acres of land, this project has helped to grow the populations of rare tuatara lizards, endangered Hamilton's frogs, long-tailed bats, and indigenous dactylanthus plants. Upon arrival around 10:15am, we'll set off on a 1.5-hour guided bushwalk to learn more about the efforts to save these native species of flora and fauna.

After the conclusion of our discoveries at Maungatautari, we’ll take a short drive to our next stop in Cambridge.

Lunch: We’ll enjoy lunch around 12:15pm at a local café with a menu of fresh seasonal fare.

Afternoon: We'll continue on to Auckland for another three hours, arriving around 4pm. We'll check into our hotel and set off on an orientation walk with our Trip Experience Leader. Depending on where we stay, our hotel may feature an on-site restaurant and swimming pool. Your room may also include a telephone, wireless Internet access, and private bath.

Dinner: Seek out a local favorite restaurant to enjoy on your own or sit down at the hotel restaurant to eat. Your Trip Experience Leader will provide recommendations on the best spots to try.

Evening: The evening is free for you to get acquainted with Auckland, the final city on our adventure "Down Under." Perhaps you’ll set out to enjoy the city by night or make use of your hotel’s amenities.

Freedom to Explore

Make the most of your time in Auckland with these suggestions for independent exploration from our local regional office. Your Trip Experience Leader will lead the activity with the most traveler interest.

Delve into New Zealand’s history at the Auckland War Memorial Museum: With daily Maori cultural performances and internationally significant Maori and South Pacific collections to explore, the Auckland War Memorial Museum is a must-see destination to experience the country’s rich culture. Housed in an historical building within a tranquil park with beautiful views of the harbor, the museum is a place to discover and learn about New Zealand's stories, its place in the South Pacific, and its people. Whether you spend an hour or a whole day, you will gain a deep understanding of New Zealand’s fascinating culture and heritage.

How to get there: 10-minute taxi ride from hotel, or Hop On, Hop Off bus (fee varies subject to number of stops).
Hours: 10am-5pm, daily.
Cost: $15 USD per person.

Discover the exhibits at the Auckland City Art Gallery: Admire historical and modern New Zealand art, including pieces focused on controversial and ground-breaking themes. This gallery boasts the most extensive collection of national and international art in the country and frequently hosts rotating international exhibitions. Notable New Zealand artists represented here include Gretchen Albrecht, Marti Friedlander, C.F. Goldie, Alfred Henry O'Keeffe, Frances Hodgkins, Gottfried Lindauer, and Colin McCahon.

How to get there: A 15- to 20-minute walk.
Hours: 10am-5pm, daily.
Cost: About $13 USD.

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