Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll meet someone at Auckland Airport who'll get you to your hotel. After that, the afternoon and evening are yours to wander around the local neighborhood at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Explore local Auckland area
- Day 2
Auckland to Russell
Head north over the Harbour Bridge to Reed Memorial Park where you'll walk through the canopy of kauri forests with trees over 500 years old. Stop at Whangarei Falls, then travel to the Bay of Islands. Check out the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and its museum, and later take a ferry across to Russell, a quiet seaside village.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk through elevated canopy at Reed Memorial Park
- View Whangarei Falls
- Explore Waitangi Treaty Grounds and museum
- Ferry to Russell
Landmarks/POIs Harbour Bridge Reed Memorial Park Whangarei Falls Bay of Islands Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Day 3
Russell
Pick between two options for the day: a coach tour along 90 Mile Beach out to Cape Reinga with lunch included, or a boat cruise to see the Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett Lighthouse with its Grand Cathedral Cave. Once that wraps up, a local guide takes you on a walking tour through Russell's historic streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch (Option 1 only))
Included Activities
- 90 Mile Beach tour to Cape Reinga with picnic lunch (Option 1)
- Hole in the Rock cruise to Cape Brett Lighthouse (Option 2)
- Historic Russell town guided tour
Landmarks/POIs 90 Mile Beach Cape Reinga Cape Brett Lighthouse Hole in the Rock Grand Cathedral Cave - Day 4
Russell to Auckland
Drive back to Auckland through small rural towns and along coastal stretches. In the city, you'll get a guided tour covering the harborside, taking in views across the water, visiting smaller villages in the area, and spending time at the Auckland Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Auckland city sightseeing tour
- Auckland Museum guided tour
Landmarks/POIs Auckland Museum - Day 5
Auckland to Whitianga
Travel south across the Hauraki Plains to Thames, then up the western coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula. At Driving Creek Railway, you'll ride a narrow-gauge train up 120 meters to the EyeFull Tower for countryside views from above. From there, head across to Whitianga on Mercury Bay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Driving Creek Railway journey to 'EyeFull' Tower
Landmarks/POIs Hauraki Plains Thames Coromandel Peninsula Driving Creek Railway EyeFull Tower Mercury Bay - Day 6
Whitianga
Spend the day around Coromandel checking out white cliffs, golden sand beaches, and clear turquoise water. Head to Hot Water Beach where you can dig out your own natural hot spring pool (depending on the tide). Walk along Hahei's beaches and visit Cooks Beach, named after Captain Cook. Get back to Whitianga by taking a ferry or driving with your guide.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hot Water Beach visit
- Hahei beach walk
- Cooks Beach visit
Optional Activities
- Ferry ride back to Whitianga from Cooks Beach
Landmarks/POIs Hot Water Beach Hahei Cooks Beach - Day 7
Whitianga to Rotorua
Follow the Pacific Coast Highway past coastal towns like Whangamata and Tauranga. Do a bush walk with views down to Okere Falls, then head inland to Rotorua, which sits in the middle of Maori heritage and geothermal activity. Visit Te Puia, an active geothermal area with an indigenous arts center and a kiwi conservation project.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic bushwalk with Okere Falls views
- Te Puia geothermal site and Kiwi conservation project visit
Landmarks/POIs Whangamata Tauranga Okere Falls Te Puia - Day 8
Rotorua
Choose between two activities: explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley with bubbling craters and colored steaming lakes, then cruise on Lake Rotomahana to see silica terraces forming; or do a guided tour of Hobbiton on a ten-acre site. That evening, you'll have a 4-course fusion dinner at Tamaki Maori Village with traditional songs and seasonal food by Maori chefs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (4-course fusion feast at Tamaki Maori Village with Maori traditions and seasonal cuisine)
Included Activities
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley tour with Lake Rotomahana cruise (Option 1)
- Hobbiton Movie Set Shire guided tour (Option 2)
- Te Pa Tu Tamaki Maori Village experience with 4-course fusion dinner
Landmarks/POIs Waimangu Volcanic Valley Mt Tarawera Lake Rotomahana Hobbiton Movie Set The Shire Green Dragon Inn Tamaki Maori Village - Day 9
Rotorua to Napier
Head south to Huka Falls, then to Lake Taupo where you might spot the volcanic peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro (the Mordor mountains from Lord of the Rings). Continue to Napier, a seaside town with an interesting past. Walk through the city, then have dinner with wine at Mission Estate Winery, set in vineyards started by missionaries back in the 1800s.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with glass of wine at Mission Estate Winery with panoramic views over Napier)
Included Activities
- Huka Falls visit
- Lake Taupo visit
- Napier city exploration
- Mission Estate Winery tour and dinner with wine
Landmarks/POIs Huka Falls Lake Taupo Mount Ruapehu Mount Ngauruhoe Mount Tongariro Mission Estate Winery - Day 10
Napier to Wellington
Travel to Wellington, New Zealand's capital, known for its artists, writers, filmmakers, and good cafes. Look at the Parliament Buildings including the famous Beehive. Ride the cable car up to Kelburn Lookout for city views, then go down to Te Papa, one of the world's best museums about New Zealand's land, people, wildlife, and culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Parliament Buildings sightseeing
- Wellington cable car experience
- Te Papa museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Parliament Buildings Beehive Building Kelburn Lookout Te Papa - Day 11
Wellington
Your trip wraps up today. A transfer takes you to Wellington Airport for your flight home.
