Hinterland's Latest News - March 2024
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Welcome to our new page where we can keep you updated on all things Hinterland Tours and also our larger group of travel and tourism operations which make up Mount Classic Tours Ltd, the parent company of Hinterland Tours.
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You can also sign up to receive our monthly newsletter
A great new show
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Based on the Sunday Times bestseller which inspired one of this century’s most treasured films, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel takes us on a journey to India with an eclectic group of British retirees as they embark on a new life.
The luxury residence is far from the opulence they were promised, but as their lives begin to intertwine, they are charmed in unexpected and life-changing ways.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a joyous comedy play about taking risks, finding love and embracing second chances, even in the most surprising of places.
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Great Barrier Island
Another trip is planned for 2024.
Fly direct to Great Barrier from Tauranga for a great short break on this amazing island. Visit stunning beaches, kauri forests, wildlife reserves, bushwalks and much more… Just 40 minutes by plane from Tauranga, Great Barrier Island is a unique and much less visited part of New Zealand. We spend 3 nights on the island, getting to know the locals and enjoying the un-spoilt scenery, which is teeming with birdlife and covered in native bush. Our local guide will take us to all of the best spots so we can really enjoy this 'one of a kind' getaway.
Taranaki Garden Fest
Another trip is being planned for 2024 to this amazing garden festival.
Join our new tour itinerary to one of New Zealand's iconic garden festivals, the Taranaki Garden Festival.... This world renowned event showcases stunning public and private gardens of New Plymouth and the Taranaki region. With our new route this year we have our first night in Whanganui, travelling through the Tongariro National Park on the way. On day two we visit the Tawhiti Museum in Hawera on the way to New Plymouth where we stay for three nights at the Plymoth International Hotel.
New Foodie Tour dates
See the listings for our new dates
Following recent success of our small group "foodie" tours we are pleased to advise that we will now be running these tours on the last Wednesday of each month.
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Our next trips will be:
June 30th - Food Tour with Cidery add-on $99pp
July 28th - Food Tour with French cafe add-on $99pp
Aug 25th - Food Tour with Winery add-on $99pp
Sep 29th - Food Tour - standard tour $75pp
Oct 27th - Food Tour with Fish N Chips add-on $99pp
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If you want any of the above options on another date and can get a group together we can run additional tours as needed. Just click on the tour name for info.
BOI & Northland
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Latest trip in March 2021
Another successful trip to the Bay of Islands and Northland with a small group.
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We added an extra day to make this a more relaxed program, and on this trip we ran it in reverse order to suit the available accommodation.
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We now include the Hole in The Rock cruise from Paihia, the glowworm caves at Kawiti and lunch at the Duke of Marlborough in Russell.
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With stays in Omapere, Taipa and Paihia, chance to really see all the best of this wonderful area of New Zealand.
Seniors Expo - Tauranga
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Saturday and Sunday 27th & 28th Feb
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Visit us on stand 10 at the Tauranga Seniors & Travel Expo held at the Bay Park Stadium in Tauranga.
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See what great deals we have on offer for the Expo duration only and be in to win a $250 voucher to use on any of our great tours each day.
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Saturdays winner was Janet Gray of 5 Rose Lane Papamoa, congratulations on winning the $250 voucher at the EXPO.
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Sundays winner was Judy Steel, so congratulations to Judy, we will be in touch today.
Despite the move to Covid level 2, the show went ahead with a strict limit of 100 persons at any one time, so thanks to all visitors for being so patient!
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Click on the image to the right for more details.
East Cape & East Coast
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Latest trip in February 2021
Just returned from our new extended 6 day / 5 nights trip around the stunning east coast of New Zealand.
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Added an extra day in Gisborne so we could see and do more. First night was in Whakatane where we had hoped to take a short cruise to Whale Island, but was cancelled on the day due to the weather, instead we visited Te Puia in Rotorua which all enjoyed before heading back on schedule to the Maatatua Marae in Whakatane for a very special visit.
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Then on to Te Kaha resort, Lottin Point and the last 2 days in Gisborne. The weather came good after the first days rain and wind, another great trip.
Chathams Islands at last!
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Hot news - January 2021
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We are really pleased to advise that we have finally secured both flights and hotel accommodation for the Chatham Islands.
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This is a really hot destination at present and seems to be on everyone's bucket list now that international travel is not possible.
Our operations team have secured places for a wonderful 8 day trip departing on the 28th October 2021, with 7 days on the islands to see and do all the sights and activities on offer.
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It will sell out fast so please get in touch to reserve your seats, full details of the great itinerary will uploaded in the next day or so.
Christmas on Waiheke
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December 2020
What a great time we had on our Waiheke Island trip this Christmas, the weather was perfect and our group of 25 travelers really enjoyed each others company.
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We first spent a couple on days in Auckland seeing the sights of the city plus a trip out to the west coast gannet colony at Muriwai. Christmas Eve we dined at the Orbit Restaurant atop the Sky Tower, amazing views and wonderful food and service.
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Christmas day we took the ferry to Waiheke and after checking in to our beach front accommodation headed out for a special Christmas lunch. With three days on the island we had time to both explore many of the sights and also relax in the glorious weather.
A group photo at our beachfront accommodation on Waiheke Island, why not sign up for our 2021 now as places will sell out quickly.
North Island Train Trip
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November 2020
For our first trip on the Northern Explorer this season, we had a great group of travelers join us for the trip from Auckland to Wellington, one of the worlds great train journeys. After an early start in Auckland [our first nights accommodation] we boarded the train for the trip south, passing through stunning and varied scenery, arriving into Wellington in good time for dinner at our waterfront hotel with great views of the city and harbour.
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Our next day in Wellington started with a guided tour of the Scale of War Exhibition, time for lunch and then a guided tour of the best bits of our National Museum of Te Papa. A short city sights tour on the way to the airport for the afternoon flight back to Tauranga rounded out the day.
South Island Highlights Tour
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Oct/Nov 2020
Our first long duration tour of the season since taking over Hinterland Tours. Twenty travellers from the Tauranga area embarked on am 11 day / 10 night program. We visited most of the South Island highlights, including the Coastal Pacific train to Kaikoura and the Tranz Alpine from Christchurch to the west coast. Two nights in Queenstown let us enjoy the cruise on the historic Earnslaw steam ship to Walter Peak Station.
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The feedback was great but we will be extending this tour to include Milford Sound and Te Anau next time, for the ultimate South Island experience, now 14 days and 13 nights.
East Cape & East Coast Tour
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October 2020
We have just returned from our second tour this season, a really enjoyable 5 day jaunt around the East Cape and coastline from Tauranga to Gisborne with 17 very satisfied travelers. While the weather started out a little damp on day one, by the time we got to Lottin Point the sun was out and the temperature was rising. For the final day in Gisborne the mercury hit 30c but cooled as we travelled back to Tauranga to a more comfortable 20c
We explored a lot more than was originally planned so if you fancy taking this trip with us then check out the new updated itinerary which now lasts 6 days on the web site here which we will be running in February 2021.
Bay of Islands and Northland
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September 2020
We have just completed our first Hinterland tour this season, a 5 day visit to the Bay of Islands and Northland. With six of our original group of 16 travelers cancelling at the last minute due to Covid19 concerns, we ended up with a friendly group of just 10 on our luxury Mercedes Benz 18 seater minibus, so plenty of room all round. The weather was stunning the whole way and certainly lived up to the winterless north reputation.
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We will be repeating this tour in February and April 2021 but will be extending the program to 7 days and 6 nights so we can see more but also have more time to relax, see here.
TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Winners
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August 2020
Our cruise ship shore excursions specialist operation, Shore Trips & Tours have just been awarded one of just 6 recipients in our Bay of Plenty region as
this year's TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Winners.
We are the only tour company from the group, the others being: BayStation, Mount Hot Pools, Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers, and Surf Shack Eatery This award places recipients in the top 10% of attractions, accommodation and hospitality worldwide.
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So you can be sure that the great service the Shore Trips & Tours team have been delivering to attain this accolade will now be the standard we will offer as we undertake the new range of Hinterland Tours throughout New Zealand for all of our local clients.
Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival
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August 2020
Mount Classics Tours Ltd [our parent company] has again been appointed as the official provider for the 2020 Garden and Art Festival, one of the country's leading festivals in this sector. The festival runs from the 19th to the 22nd November 2020.
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So whether you want to take a place on one of the smaller group shared tours that will visit each of the 4 areas over the 4 days of the festival, or book your own private vehicle with a driver/guide so you can select your own program, then just visit the official Festival web site here for details.
A great opportunity to visit some of the amazing private gardens in our region.
