auckland to whakatane

...take the scenic route with apex car rentals. Sample extract from "New Zealand Driving Holidays" guidebook Auckland to Whakatane chapter.

The Coromandel Peninsula is one of NZ’s most-loved holiday destinations. Its spectacular coastline provides a mix of sandy bays and rocky coves, while the rugged, volcanic backbone is cloaked in a dense robe of native forest and boasts some of NZ’s best hiking. From the old gold mining town of Coromandel, with its laid-back artisan community, across to Mercury Bay’s magnificent Cathedral Cove on the east coast and south to Whakatane and the Bay of Plenty, visitors will find a region with a rich gold mining history and a wide range of activities to enjoy. We take a three-day drive and visit a migratory bird sanctuary, discover old gold mines and stamper batteries, hunt for flounder, call in to visit local potters and artisans at their home studios and take a life-changing trip to the live marine volcano of White Island off the coast of Whakatane.

day three: whangamata to whakatane

Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations

After a light continental breakfast inhouse we depart and drive to Waihi, an old mining town where gold bearing quartz was discovered in 1878. There are many quaint buildings lining Waihi’s main street, including several old miners’ cottages. We stop for lattés at an antiquated coffee shop and discover that gold and silver production still continues at the Martha Mine, but it’s hidden well from view.

Interest piqued, we explore the town’s colourful past at the Waihi Gold Mining Museum and Arts Centre, then climb aboard a vintage train which puffs its way along these historic tracks to Waikino station, where the Victoria Battery began its ear-splitting work in 1896. Returning to Waihi we leave town and travel south on SH2 to Katikati, driving alongside the harbour to Tauranga. Here we order a delicious wood-fired pizza for lunch at Mills Reef Winery before continuing south on SH2 to Te Puke, where the NZ kiwifruit industry had its beginnings.

Outside Longridge Park we debate whether to take a guided tour of a working kiwifruit farm. We choose instead to continue to Whakatane and join a tour to White Island, an active volcano which puffs and splutters endless tons of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere, some 49 kilometres off the coast.

On the wharf we join 16 others and board Pee Jay, a luxury launch purpose-built for the journey. We’re thrilled when hundreds of bottlenose dolphins join us for the ride, merrily ducking and dancing on the bow waves...

Please click the link to download the full Auckland to Whakatane scenic drive, courtesy of apex car rentals new zealand... the kiwi way

To read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of the following links:

• Auckland to Bay of Islands and Northland
• Cape Reinga and the Far North
• Auckland's West Coast Beaches
• Waiheke Island
• Auckland to Whakatane and the Bay of Plenty
• East Cape and Poverty Bay
• Whakatane to Hawkes Bay
• Rotorua - Maori Culture and Adventure Activities
• Hawkes Bay to Wellington
• Wairarapa- The home of Martinborough Wine
• Wellington to New Plymouth
• New Plymouth to Auckland

• Picton to Christchurch
• Akaroa and Banks Peninsula
• Christchurch to Queenstown
• Queenstown fabulous Queenstown
• Christchurch to Dunedin
• Dunedin to Te Anau
• Stewart Island
• Fiordland to Milford Sounds
• Central Otago
• Queenstown to Greymouth
• Greymouth to Nelson
• Murchison
• Nelson to Golden Bay
• Nelson to Picton

purchase nzdh online

If you would like to purchase a copy of this stunning nz pictorial guidebook online please click here (RRP $24.95 NZD plus postage)

view today's best deals for auckland to whakatane rental cars

With apex rental cars the longer you hire the lower the daily rate. Please click the link to view today's best auckland to whakatane rental car deal.