East Cape Escape 2025

24-30 November 2025

We take the road less travelled and view beautiful churches, discover isolated bays and relax on beaches with pohutukawa backdrops. We ride the rails at Awakeri, walk to visit the East Cape lighthouse marking the easternmost point on the North Island, and dine with locals at Waihau and Tokomaru Bays. We enjoy an opportunity to soak in the mineral pools at Morere Hot Springs, and immerse ourselves in the areas rich culture. 

Day 1

Monday 24 November - Travelling to Rotorua

We meet at a favourite café in Palmerston North this morning, with transfers from surrounding areas. Morning tea (included) gives us a chance to mix and mingle to catch up with friends and welcome new ones. Following morning tea, we travel through to Taihape for our lunch (own choice and cost) before continuing our travels to our destination Rotorua. We dine in tonight at our hotel.

Day 2

Tuesday 25 November - A Buried Village and Riding the Rails

This morning we make our way out to Te Wairoa Valley, where we discover an important piece of Bay of Plenty’s history, Te Wairoa Village, a peaceful spot that belies the devastation wreaked by the Tarawera eruption which buried the entire village in 1886. This scenic drive out to the village skirts the shores of the beautiful Blue and Green Lakes, and we will also have the chance to view Lake Tarawera. Armed with a picnic lunch (included) we journey through to Whakatane via the Hongi’s Track Scenic Reserve, and the charming twin lakes, Rotoehu and Rotoma. Our adventure today enroute is to ‘ride the rails’ with the self-drive Awakeri Railcarts. This evening we take a short but picturesque drive over to Ohope Beach where we dine out at a local restaurant.

Day 3

Wednesday 26 November - East Cape Adventures – Travelling to Hicks Bay

We travel to Opotiki this morning, stopping to view the Hiona St Stephen’s Church, significant in the early history of this town. From here the Pacific Coast Highway hugs the coast for almost the entire journey through to Whanarua Bay. This unforgettable drive winds past rocky coves, sweeping beaches and slopes clad with pohutukawa, and provides unlimited opportunities to view the smouldering cone of White Island on the horizon. We stop to view the charming Raukokere Church and take a short detour into Waihau Bay to enjoy lunch at the Waihau Bay Lodge (included). At Whangaparaoa we leave the coast behind for a short time as we journey across the top of the cape to remote Hicks Bay, whose sweeping stretch of beach we overlook from our cliff top motel. We dine in tonight.

Day 4

Thursday 27 November - Culture and Coast – Travels to Gisborne

Departing Hicks Bay this morning our travels today take us through many of the small culturally rich communities that feature on the East Cape. We visit East Cape Manuka where we discover an enterprising business producing honey, manuka oil and cosmetics from locally sourced manuka. At Te Araroa we stop to admire the world’s largest pohutukawa “Te Waha O Rerekohu”, and then, moving on to Tikitiki, the intricate woven panel work inside the historic St Mary’s Church there. We pass Mount Hikurangi – the first place to see the dawn each day, and at Tokomaru Bay the sea is again our backdrop as we enjoy lunch (included) at the ‘local’. We enjoy a further stop at Tolaga Bay to explore its historic wharf jutting 660 metres out into the sea. Our day ends in Gisborne, where we will be staying for the next two nights. We dine out at a highly recommended restaurant tonight only a five minute walk from our accommodation.

Day 5

Friday 28 November - Discovering Gisborne

We discover the sights and attractions of NZ’s most eastern city today, taking a drive up to the scenic viewpoint of Kaiti Hill, where great views can be had of the city, of the harbour, and of the iconic Young Nicks Head. We visit the Tairawhiti Museum and Art Gallery that has a reputation as one of the very best, most innovative regional museums in New Zealand. A drive along the waterfront reveals several monuments to remind us of Captain Cook’s historic landfall on New Zealand shores, before we journey out through the scenic Ngatapa Valley to Eastwoodhill Arboretum. We enjoy a picnic lunch (included) in this leafy setting before taking a guided stroll among some of the 4,000 different trees and shrubs of this magnificent collection, ranging from majestic sequoia’s, oaks and elms, to the prehistoric trees of Gondwanaland. Next up we take the short trip up the road to Rere falls. One of the most charming waterfalls in New Zealand, surrounded by farmland, the falls are located on the Wharekopae River. On our return, we enjoy time to rest and relax back at our hotel, before dining out again this evening.

Day 6

Saturday 29 November - Museum of Technology and Mahia

Departing Gisborne this morning we visit East Coast Museum of Technology, a true nostalgic diamond in disguise, ECMoT is a perfectly imperfect museum. The Museum had its beginnings in 1969 when a group of transport and technology enthusiasts got together to mount a display of items as part of the Cook Bicentennial Celebrations in October of that year. On display are historic artifacts from the Tairawhiti region, showcasing technology and development relevant to Gisborne and the surrounding area. Continuing our travels we take a scenic detour out along the Mahia Peninsula for a picnic lunch (included) at Mahia beach. We then continue to our Napier accommodation to enjoy our last dinner together.

Day 7

Sunday 30 November - Farm Produce and Homeward Bound

Homeward bound today, but before we do, we visit the famous Hawkes Bay Farmers Market, where we will have the opportunity to wander at leisure around the market, listening to local music and discovering the diverse range of products grown and produced in Hawke's Bay - from hand-made cheeses, breads and preserves to seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. There is no fresher place to shop for a wide range of local foods and forage for lunch (own choice and cost). Finally we return to Woodville where we farewell friends old and new, and meet connecting transfers for those travellers continuing on towards Palmerton North, Wellington and Wairarapa.

The cost of the tour includes

  • Accommodation
  • 2 course or buffet dinners
  • All Breakfasts
  • All coach travel
  • Te Wairoa Buried Village
  • Devonshire morning tea
  • Ohope Chartered Club – dinner
  • Awakeri Rail Adventures
  • Hiona St Stephen’s church
  • Waihau Bay Lodge – lunch
  • East Cape Manuka
  • Te Puka Tavern, Tokomaru Bay – lunch
  • Tairawhiti Museum
  • Eastwoodhill Arboretum
  • Rere Falls
  • East Coast Museum of Technology
  • Napier Farmers Market

Departure Detail

Before you book a tour with Tranzit Tours, please take the time to read and understand these Terms and Conditions below.

Pricing Validity

All costs associated with each tour are outlined in full within each tour itinerary. All pricing quoted is valid for the dates of tour when booked.

Reservations and Payments

Bookings for all Tranzit tours can be made through any Tranzit Coachlines Reservations Centre or an approved Travel Agent. Any person making a booking for others shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions on behalf of all individuals they are booking on a tour and it is the responsibility of the person making the booking to bring these Terms and conditions to the attention of those individuals booked.

A deposit as stated in the Tour Itinerary is payable to secure the booking.

The balance must be paid in full by the date stated in the Tour Itinerary.

Any reservation made within fourteen (14) days of the tour departure must be paid in full at the time of booking.

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.Cancellations 44 – 8 days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 15% of the total tour cost, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.

Cancellations within 7 days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 25% of the total tour cost, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.No refunds will be made for cancellations made within one day of departure or once travel has commenced. Refunds will not be provided for unused portions of a tour, unless the Customer can provide genuine reason and documentary evidence that services were unable to be utilised (and a refund if applicable is available from the other provider) in which case the company will review each request and may provide a partial refund at the sole discretion of the company.

Cancellations of one half of a twin share booking will result in the Customer cancelling being charged the cost of a single booking, if the Company is unable to match the twin share booking with another Customer.

Alterations by the Customer

The Customer may transfer their booking to another person for the same tour and commencement date, but only if the other person satisfies all of Tranzit Tours requirements in relation to the tour and provides us a completed Booking Form. The Customer must notify Tranzit Tours in writing of the intended transfer at least 30 days prior to the commencement date of the tour. A $60 transfer fee per person/per transfer will apply (in addition to any supplier change fees).

Cancellations or Postponements by the Company

Tranzit Tours reserves the right to cancel, reschedule or postpone a tour. With the exception of the Force Majeure section below, Tranzit Tours will:In the event of a tour being cancelled by the company prior to departure and not postponed – refund the total amount paid in respect of that tour or provide a credit, but will have no further liability to the Customer.

In the event of a tour being postponed – rebook the Customer for the new departure date or provide a credit, but will have no further liability to the Customer.

In the event of a Force Majeure event that occurs prior to, or during, a tour such as but not limited to fire, flood, volcanic eruption, earthquake, avalanche, severe weather, power outages, labour disruptions, pandemic, government controls or other events outside Tranzit Tours control that interrupts the ability to operate the tour in full or in part, or if Tranzit Tours determines that the quality of the tour or the health and safety of the Customer would be compromised, Tranzit Tours reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or shorten the tour and will be excused and released from its obligations without liability of any kind. Customers will receive a credit for postponed tours. For cancelled or shortened tours, refunds in these circumstances will be in full less any unrecoverable costs (i.e. expenses already incurred or fees charged by other providers).

The Customer will be advised of any increased tour costs as a result of the postponement. Credits will be equal to the value of the payment made and must be used within 12 months. Customers are strongly advised to take out travel insurance.

In the event of cancellation or postponement by the company, Tranzit Tours is not responsible for any consequential loss incurred by the Customer. Customers are again advised to take out travel insurance.

Alterations by the Company

Before Tour Commencement: If a major change to the tour needs to be made before departure, we will inform the Customer of the change as soon as practicable and will advise of any consequential price increase or decrease.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.

Insurance

Tranzit Tours recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover against things like lost or damaged luggage, accident or sickness, loss or theft of personal belongings and documents, or the need to cancel or shorten your tour.  Please note that special conditions will apply for pre-existing medical conditions with all travel insurance policies.

Health and Fitness

Tranzit Tours are generally able to accommodate most fitness abilities; however, some tours may require a certain level of physical fitness for full enjoyment of tour activities. The Customer must inform Tranzit Tours, at the time of booking, of any health or fitness restrictions that may limit participation of tour activities or put the Customer, tour staff or other customers at risk. The Customer acknowledges that their suitability for a tour, or any activity within a tour, is wholly the Customer’s responsibility.

Payment of a deposit by the Customer to secure a Tranzit Tour acts as a warranty that:

o   the Customer is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in the tour, and

o   the Customer does not have a health, physical condition or disability that would create risk to themselves, tour staff or other customers, and

o   the Customer indemnifies Tranzit Tours from all actions, claims and demands arising out of any want of health or fitness.

Tranzit Tours reserves the right to decline a booking on medical, health or fitness grounds at its sole discretion.

Tranzit Tours reserves the right to remove a Customer from a tour, or quarantine a Customer on tour, if their health and/or fitness interferes with the tour or staff safety or other Customers safety or tour experience in any way. Any additional costs associated with a Customer’s removal from tour or placement into quarantine, shall be borne by the Customer. Refunds will be made in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. 

Authority on Tour

Tranzit Tours are operated by staff with decision making authority while on tour. By travelling with Tranzit Tours, you agree to accept the authority of the driver/guide and their decisions are final in all matters likely to affect the wellbeing, safety or experience of any customer or staff member on board. Failure to adhere to reasonable requests or any inappropriate behaviour that is degrading the experience of other customers, may result in the Customer being removed from the tour. If a Customer is asked to leave a tour, any costs associated with returning home will be borne by the Customer and any unused portion of the tour will not be refunded.

Responsibilities

Tranzit Tours include goods and services provided by other operators such as hotels, attractions and transportation companies. Customers are advised to familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions on which these services are supplied. Accordingly, Tranzit Tours will not be responsible and will be excluded from liability for any loss, damage, omission or acts being negligent or otherwise, committed by other goods and service providers used in connection with the tour.

Tranzit Tours is not liable for any loss, damage, delay, or injury caused to the traveller or their baggage whilst under the care or control of a third-party provider. A Customer’s baggage and personal effects shall be carried at the owner’s risk as provided for under the Carriage of Goods Act.

Tranzit Tours is not responsible for any losses or additional expenses to the Customer due to tours impacted by Force Majeure events that occur prior to, or during, a tour such as but not limited to fire, flood, volcanic eruption, earthquake, avalanche, severe weather, power outages, labour disruptions, pandemic, government controls or other events outside Tranzit Tours control that interrupts the ability to operate the tour in full or in part, or if Tranzit Tours determines that the quality of the tour or the health and safety of the Customer would be compromised.

Acceptance of Risk

The Customer acknowledges that all Tranzit Tours may be subject to risks and dangers beyond that which might be experienced by the Customer at home. Except as provided in law, the Customer acknowledges that they assume all risk and Tranzit Tours is not liable for misadventure, death, injury, delay or loss which occurs during the tour.

Seat Rotation

For the enjoyment of all travellers Tranzit Tours operates a seat rotation system which all travellers must participate in as a condition of booking.

Photographs

Photographs used to market any Tranzit Tour depict typical scenes experienced, but the subject matter may not necessarily be seen or experienced whilst visiting a destination within a tour.

Whilst on tour, the Customer may be included in photographs and/or film taken by the guide or driver. These photographs may be used for future promotional advertising purposes and by booking on a Tranzit Tour the Customer authorises the use of any images they are captured in to be used without further consent or any payment of any kind. If the Customer does not authorise the use of their image for promotional purposes, they must make this known at the time of booking.

Privacy Policy

Any personal information that Tranzit Tours collects about the Customer may be used for any purpose associated with the operation of a tour or to send the Customer marketing material in relation to Tranzit Tour products. The information may be disclosed to our agents, service providers or other suppliers to enable Tranzit Tours to operate the tour. Tranzit Tours will otherwise treat your details in accordance with our privacy policy (available on our website).

Applicable Law

The laws of New Zealand govern these Terms and Conditions to the fullest extent allowable.

"The door to door transfers on the Tranzit Travel Club tours are such a bonus. Being picked up at my door and dropped back after our travels made things so easy!" Mary