England Cricket Tour to New Zealand 2019

bBreakfastLLunchdDinnercCocktail party

Friday 15 November

FLY FROM UK TO AUCKLAND

Please contact us for a tailored quote for your flights, including UK departure airport, stopover options, airline and class of travel.

Saturday 16 November

IN FLIGHT

Sunday 17 November

AUCKLAND

Upon arrival in Auckland, you will be met and transferred to the Stamford Plaza Hotel. Remainder of the day is ‘at leisure’ to recover from the long journey.

Monday 18 November blc

HALF DAY TOUR
WELCOME COCKTAIL PARTY

This morning enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of the ‘City of Sails’. Highlights include the panoramic city and harbour views from Bastion Point; trendy Parnell Village; the lovely bays of the waterfront drive and the vibrant Viaduct Harbour area.
Enjoy a private 1-hour guided tour of Auckland Museum. Gain insider knowledge about Auckland Museum’s treasures from experienced guides. Over a fascinating hour they will share their stories of the Museum’s most important and fascinating objects in one of New Zealand’s most outstanding historical buildings. Encounter exhibitions that will excite you with the artistic legacy and cultures of the peoples of the Pacific; the monumental carvings, buildings, canoes and taonga (treasures) of the Maori; and the diversity of cultures which now combine to form the rich tapestry of race, nationality and creed which is modern New Zealand.
Enjoy lunch at Harbourside Bar and Grill, in the Auckland Ferry Building. The view from the restaurant’s extensive terracotta-tiled terrace of the ferry traffic, passenger liners and yachts is sensational. Harbourside is a spacious restaurant but has an intimate atmosphere ideal for private get-togethers. The classically inspired yet creative menu includes the best of New Zealand’s seafood.

Remainder of afternoon at leisure to explore New Zealand’s largest and most cosmopolitan city.
This evening join your Tour Director and the other members of your tour group for our ‘Welcome’ Cocktail party. Includes canapés and drinks.

Tuesday 19 Novemberbl

AUCKLAND – WAIHEKE ISLAND

Mid-morning depart Auckland and cruise by ferry across the sparkling waters of the Waitemata Harbour to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf. The island is a summer holiday retreat, although increasingly many of its permanent residents commute daily to Auckland city. It is well known for arts and crafts, beautiful beaches and boutique wineries.
The tour will commence with a drive along the scenic northern route, taking in spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf and beyond to the Coromandel Peninsula.
Visit three unique vineyards learning about the wine-making industry and sampling their produce. Enjoy lunch at Stonyridge Vineyard. This is a relaxing location, set amongst vines and an olive grove. The cuisine has an emphasis upon fresh seasonal produce.

Late afternoon transfer back to the ferry terminal and cruise back to Auckland City.

Wednesday 20 November b

AUCKLAND / TAURANGA

Today we travel south across the Bombay Hills and cross the Hauraki Plains before ascending over the Kaimai mountain range and dropping into the Bay of Plenty region.
Tauranga is the largest city in the Bay of Plenty and is just a 15-minute drive from one of New Zealand’s most popular beach towns, Mount Maunganui. Downtown Tauranga has several historically significant areas to see. The Strand waterfront area is modern and always buzzing, and is home to a number of cafés, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs.

Thursday 21 – Monday 25 Novemberbc

1^st TEST – BAY OVAL, MOUNT MAUNGANUI

England will have the honour of playing in Mount Maunganui’s very first Test match. History will be made!
Daily coach transfers included.

Tuesday 26 November bd

TAURANGA / ROTORUA

This morning we farewell Tauranga and travel to Rotorua via Lake Rotoiti.
Located in the heart of New Zealand’s famous thermal region, Rotorua forms part of the geologically active ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’. We visit Te Puia for an exclusive guided tour which provides a premier Maori culture experience combined with an introduction to the magnificent geothermal activity in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. Whilst in the valley see the boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces, hot springs and geysers including the famous Pohutu Geyser which can erupt up to 30 metres high, depending on its mood. Visit the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are learning the traditional carving and weaving skills of their ancestors.
It is then on to Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Set amidst beautiful native bush with meandering crystal clear freshwater streams and deep fern fringed pools, Rainbow Springs is a showcase of New Zealand’s natural flora and fauna. Enjoy a guided tour which includes the opportunity to see the rare Tuatara lizard, New Zealand’s only reptile species and the Kiwi bird in the special nocturnal enclosure.

This afternoon we will check in to the Novotel Lakeside Rotorua for a one night stay.

This evening we visit Tamaki Maori Village for a cultural experience and hangi dinner. Experience the warmth of the Maori people during an evening of ceremonial rituals, powerful cultural performance, storytelling & hangi feasting. Enter the replica pre-European Maori village, witness the earth being scraped carefully away from the hangi pit and enter their ancestral Meeting House to relax as their family entertain you with a cultural performance before dining on the traditional hangi buffet dinner (Maori feast) cooked the traditional Maori way in an earth oven.

Wednesday 27 November b

ROTORUA / TAUPO

This morning we leave Rotorua and drive through the Kaingaroa State Forest, one of the largest planted forests in the world, to the fascinating geothermal borefield at Wairakei. We then visit Huka Falls and marvel as the mighty Waikato River thunders through the narrow canyon before taking a thrilling ride on a Hukafalls Jet boat. Enjoy the 30 minutes of thrills, fun and excitement jetting along the beautiful river, lined with native bush, sheer rock cliff face and hot water streams. Hold on tight as you experience thrilling 360-degree spins. From your unique vantage point on the jet boat you will have the best water level view of Huka Falls – New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction.

We then continue on to picturesque Taupo. Set on the shores of Lake Taupo, the town is a popular holiday destination for New Zealander’s. The pace of life here is relaxed and laid-back. Lake Taupo is New Zealand’s largest lake and is a world-renowned spot for trout fishing.
Check in to the Hilton Lake Taupo for one night.

Thursday 28 November bl

TAUPO / WAITOMO / HAMILTON

Today we depart Taupo and travel north via the small town of Whakamaru, Te Kuiti in the King Country renowned as the ‘Sheep Shearing Capital of the World’. Stop en-route for an included lunch.
From here it is a short journey to Waitomo – famous for assortment of limestone caves lying beneath the earth.
Enter Ruakuri Cave through the spectacular spiral entrance designed to respect the sacred nature of the caves. Tread narrow corridors, stand in vast caverns and hear the distant thunder of subterranean waterfalls on the Huhunui River. Your guide will bring you up close to glowworms, elaborate cave formations, underground rivers, myths, legends and sacred Maori sites.
Depart the limestone country surrounding Waitomo and travel north through rolling countryside featuring dairying and horse breeding into the Waikato district then on to Hamilton, New Zealand’s largest inland city.
This evening check in to the Novotel Tanui Hotel for 6 nights

Friday 29 November – Tuesday 03 December b

2^nd TEST, SEDDON PARK, HAMILTON

Seddon Park is another of New Zealand’s county-type grounds so suited to the smaller crowds that Test matches draw in NZ. The result is a fantastic atmosphere. England last played here in 2008 losing to the Black Caps despite Ryan Sidebottom’s memorable hat trick. Daily coach transfers included.
During the Test match, we will host a private Cricket Cocktail Party where you will have the opportunity to meet and chat personally with our high profile cricket personality. Canapés and drinks included.

Tuesday 03 December bdc

Join us this evening for our celebratory Farewell Dinner. After a pre-dinner drink, we will sit down to enjoy a three course dinner, including beer wine and soft drinks.

Wednesday 04 December

Say farewell to Hamilton as you either depart NZ on your return flight to the UK or continue on to our South Island Highlights extension