8 Day North Island Highlights Private NZ Tour

Day 1 – Arrival Auckland

You will be welcomed to NZ by one of our friendly guides (or company representative if you’re on a self-driven tour) and ‘The Road Trip’ begins. Sights on your private city tour today could include a visit to one of Auckland’s inner city beaches, Mission Bay where it is possible to see stunning Pohutukawa trees. The trip could also take in sights such as Mt Eden, a stunning viewpoint and one of Auckland’s most famous volcanic craters, and perhaps a gander at one of The Road Trip’s favourite look out spots that boasts great views of both Rangitoto Island and Waiheke Island. This afternoon you can take a trip to the top of the Auckland Skytower and view the City of Sails from above (optional – extra cost). Tonight serves you up the possibility to eat in one of Auckland’s many waterfront restaurants as you watch the world ‘sailing’ by (optional – extra cost).

Day 2 – Auckland to Whitianga via Coromandel – 210km (4 hours drive)

South you go. Leaving New Zealand’s largest city you head for the Coromandel, one of the key locations for the New Zealand gold rush in the 1800s. En route depending how you feel there may be time for a walk through one the region’s many Kauri Tree forests, where you will encounter the flora and fauna of New Zealand’s North Island at its best. You follow the coast road to the town of Coromandel, where you will take a trip on ‘The Driving Creek Railway’- New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway, with a working pottery and wild life sanctuary (included activity). From there you will take the stunning inland route to the coastal town of Whitianga, known for the famous Buffalo Beach and its palm trees that line the shore.

Day 3 – Whitianga

This morning you will visit the world famous Hot Water Beach. This is one of the only places in the world where one can discover thermal water underneath a beach! Water in places can be as hot as 70 degrees Celsius though, so approach with caution. Bring your swimming gear, as you will have the opportunity to dig your very own thermal pool and bathe in its waters (35-40 degrees Celsius in the right areas). You can also take a walk to one of New Zealand’s most stunning beaches; Cathedral Cove. This afternoon upon return to Whitianga, the evening is free for leisure activities. Options include; a boat trip to a marine reserve, walking along Buffalo Beach and Horse-riding at a local farm (optional – extra cost).

Day 4 – Whitianga to Rotorua – 232km (4 hours drive)

Today you make your way south through the kiwifruit growing district of New Zealand, The Bay Of Plenty, known for its mild all year round climate. You will visit a kiwifruit farm en route and have a look up close at how they grow and the many products that can be made from them. You arrive in Rotorua late afternoon where you can take a city tour, featuring Kuirau Park mud pool reserve and view the stunning government gardens and lakefront. This afternoon/evening you could experience a relaxing soak in the thermal waters of the famous Polynesian Spa (optional – extra cost)

Day 5 – Rotorua

This morning you will take a guided walk around Te Puia and experience mud pools and geysers and visit the Maori Weaving School and Kiwi House (included activity). This is a chance to see our national bird up close. This afternoon is free for leisure activities. Options include: Rotorua Gondola and Luge, a trip to Rotorua Agrodome to experience zorbing, a self-guided walk through the stunning Waimangu Volcanic Valley + boat ride on Lake Rotomahana, a visit to a kiwifruit farm, a trip to The Buried Village of Te Wairoa, or a visit to the spectacular Redwoods Treewalk! (all activities listed are optional – extra cost). Tonight you will enjoy a Hangi and cultural performance with our native Maori people (included activity).

Day 6 – Rotorua to Tongariro National Park – 145km (2 hours drive)

You leave Rotorua today and head south towards one of New Zealand’s three Unesco World Heritage sites; Tongariro National Park. Your first stop for the day is Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland – a Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. You will see New Zealand’s largest thermal mud pool, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours (included activity). Heading south and stopping at the mind-blowingly powerful Huka Falls en route, you will reach Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Arriving in Tongariro National Park, you are surrounded not only by active volcanoes and the beautiful Mangawhero Falls but several LOTR filming locations, including areas used to portray Mordor, the rocky wasteland of Emyn Muil and the stunning volcano of Mount Ngaurauhoe, known by LOTR fans as the one and only Mount Doom!

Day 7 – Tongariro National Park to Wellington – 331km (5 hours drive)

If you are feeling active this morning there is a possibility of doing one of the many stunning short walks in the Tongariro National Park. One of The Road Trip’s favourites is 2 hours long featuring native bush, volcanic views and stunning waterfalls. Heading south you arrive in Wellington in the afternoon to discover New Zealand’s capital city. You can take a city tour taking in sights such as Mt Victoria – Wellington’s most spectacular viewpoint with 360 degrees of the city, harbour and mountain ranges in the background, Te Papa – our national museum, or Zealandia – A huge wildlife sanctuary on the outskirts of the city.  In the evening perhaps have a wander through the bustling streets of Wellington where you can enjoy a meal on the waterfront (optional – extra cost).

Day 8 – Departure

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your next adventure. We trust that you have had ‘The Road Trip’ of a lifetime.

“Our tour guide Dave was outstanding, I cannot praise him enough for everything he did for us in accommodating us and catering to all our needs, information and on top of that a most interesting and terrific guy to be around.”

Group of 14 people from Australia and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – March 2019