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Christmas in Gisborne 2021

21-27 December 2021

This tour has been fully sold for a number of months, however, the wait list has now cleared and if you want to join this for either a single room $3855 or twin/double $3260 - ring us on 0800 471 227 to join this tour

Our annual Christmas celebration returns. Enjoy the festive season and be the first to see the sunrise here in this stunning and unique corner of Aotearoa.

Day 1

Tuesday 21 December - House and Gardens – Food – and Good Company

With transfers arranged from Wellington, Kapiti, Palmerston North, Wairarapa and other surrounding areas, we meet in Palmerston North for morning tea (included), with time to catch up with old friends or meet new. This afternoon we visit Gwavas Garden and Homestead at Tikokino on the SH50 route. With a little time to wander both grounds and the house, this is a rare opportunity to view this beautiful historic family home and garden. Hosted by Phyllida and her husband Stuart, our visit also includes lunch. Parts of the country gardens were laid out in the 1880’s and the homestead was built in 1890.

Arriving in Napier, we check into our accommodation set on the Marine Parade with walking access to late afternoon retail therapy or perhaps a hot soak at Ocean Spa, Napier’s premier heated outdoor pools and private spas directly opposite our hotel. We dine in tonight.

Day 2

Wednesday 22 December - Lakes Abound

Our first lakeside view is Tutira for morning tea Tranzit style. We then begin the epic journey into Lake Waikaremoana, translated meaning ‘sea of rippling waters’, covering 54 square kilometres. Located in Te Urewera, it is in the heart of Tuhoe country. Today is all about stopping along the route and taking the whole day to enjoy what short walks and views we can access. We pick up a picnic lunch (included) from Wairoa enroute to Lake Waikaremoana and return to Wairoa where we stay tonight enjoying a welcome dinner in-house.

Day 3

Thursday 23 December - We Join the Beach Culture

Today we discover just why the Mahia Peninsula is a playground for Kiwis, including Rocket Lab whose Launch Complex is located on Ahuriri Point. Carrying our picnic lunch (included) on board we visit many of the well-known beaches here – Opoutama, Mahia and Mahanga to find out what the attraction has been for many families returning year after year to their favourite space. Mahia, or in its full form “Te Mahia mai Tawhiti”, means “the murmuring of home”. We visit Morere Hot Springs with time for a soak (included) and/or walk amidst their beautiful nikau palms. We reach Gisborne mid afternoon with time to settle in to our accommodation (home for the next 3 nights). The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy. We dine in-house tonight.

Day 4

Friday 24 December - It’s All About the Bays

Armed once more with a picnic lunch, we explore north of Gisborne and visit Tolaga Bay to walk its historic wharf jutting 660 metres out into the sea. This is a Category 1 Heritage New Zealand site and is perhaps the longest wharf of it’s type in the Southern Hemisphere. We have time to rub shoulders with the returning families to check out the Te Puka pub, an iconic ‘watering hole’ in Tokomaru Bay. A short detour takes us to Anaura Bay and if time permits we can check out Waihau Bay beach on our return to Gisborne. We dine in-house once more.

Day 5

Saturday 25 December - Christmas Lunch and Local Treats

With today’s focus on enjoying a ‘top notch’ lunch at our local hotel, we take a short scenic drive around town and then out to a local favourite, a short, flat walk in Gray’s bush Scenic Reserve – described as featuring a significant remnant of the tall kahikatea forest that once covered much of the Gisborne plains. We have time also to visit Waikanae Beach. Following lunch all those looking for more local treats can jump onboard to visit Wainui Beach with time allowed to take a short but steep walk in Okitu Bush Scenic reserve whose lookout provides good views over Wainui Beach. Dinner tonight is back at the hotel.

Day 6

Sunday 26 December - Eastwoodhill and Returning to Hawke’s Bay

This morning we say farewell to our Gisborne base and journey out through the scenic Ngatapa Valley to the Eastwoodhill National Arboretum of New Zealand. This is a must do for all those visiting Poverty Bay. A property featuring over 4,000 different trees and shrubs within its magnificent collection, ranging from majestic sequoia’s, oaks, and elms, to the prehistoric trees of Gondwanaland. A picnic lunch (included) is enjoyed as we retrace our journey now heading south which will provide a different aspect. Our last night together is Napier city where we enjoy dinner in-house.

Day 7

Monday 27 December - Last Treats Before Travelling Home

This morning we follow the Tukituki River in the shadow of Te Mata peak and journey out to Kairakau Beach, a secret spot on the Southern Hawkes Bay Coast, to enjoy Tranzit style morning tea. Our lunch today is at Woburn Homestead, described as an exquisite 7 bedroom home with 6 bathrooms, built in 1893 and listed Historic Places Trust. It is also a luxury B&B. Our hosts are delighted to offer us a Colonial New Zealand experience, with antique china, bone handled cutlery and authentic furnishings. We’ll find ourselves stepping back in time to enjoy Victorian country living on a grand scale as our final treat. Following lunch, we make the journey back to Palmerston North/Woodville, allowing the group to disperse, after fond farewells, to home locations.

The cost of the tour includes

  • All coach travel and sightseeing excursions
  • Good quality accommodation
  • 2 course or buffet evening meals
  • All breakfasts
  • Morning tea on most travelling days
  • 'Meet and greet’ morning tea, Verdict Café, Palmerston North
  • Picnic lunches days 2, 3, 4 and 6
  • Christmas Day lunch at the Emerald Hotel
  • Gwavas Garden and Homestead – house and garden tour including lunch
  • Morere Hot Springs entry to pools and walkways
  • Eastwoodhill National Arboretum of NZ entry
  • Woburn Homestead – lunch and tour of house and gardens

Departure Detail

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Cancellations, Postponements and Alterations
Cancellations by the Customer

  • Cancellations 45+ days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 15% of your deposit, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.
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Alterations by the Customer

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Alterations by the Company

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  • Tranzit Tours reserves the right to alter a tour (including the itinerary) and substitute accommodation facilities should unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, the company reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control.  Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour.  Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour.  The company will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations, or those closures made at the tour provider’s discretion.
  • Tranzit Tours will inform the customer as soon as practicable and will advise of any consequential price increase or decrease.

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Seat Rotation

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Thank you to the Tranzit Tours team! Mum has not stopped talking about her bucket list tour to the Chatham Islands - Jasmine Novak