North Island Explorer

Upon arrival into Auckland you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day offers free time for you to explore the local area.

Auckland – Russell. Today we depart Auckland and travel north via the iconic Harbour Bridge before reaching the Reed Memorial Park. Here we walk along an elevated canopy through what remains of the original kauri forests, featuring kauri trees which are at least 500 years old and gaze at the picturesque Whangarei Falls, a natural wonder that dates back over 2 million years.

From here, we continue to the Bay of Islands, an enchanting region of 144 sub-tropical islands scattered across warm, shallow waters and bays teeming with natural beauty and marine life. Known as the birthplace of New Zealand, the Bay of Islands is steeped in Maori culture and early European history. Here our adventure starts at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where we uncover the story of Waitangi, including the signing of the 1840 treaty between Maori tribes and British settlers. Whilst here we can explore the magnificent meeting house and visit the museum. Following this we take a ferry to the charming seaside village of Russell.

Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in.

Today we have a choice of two excursions to explore the picturesque surroundings.

Option 1 is to travel by coach along 90 Mile Beach to the very tip of New Zealand, Cape Reinga. This is a full day tour and a picnic lunch will be provided.

Option 2 sees us taking a Hole in the Rock cruise to Cape Brett Lighthouse. During this cruise we will watch in awe as the captain guides us through the famous Hole in the Rock and into Grand Cathedral Cave (conditions permitting).

Once we return to Russell we will meet a guide who will teach us all about this historic towns exciting history.

Russell – Auckland. Our journey takes us back to Auckland, travelling through rural towns and past picturesque beaches before arriving back in the 'City of Sails.' Here we will enjoy a sightseeing tour where we explore its lively harborside, take in sweeping panoramic views, and explore charming villages. We also enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the Auckland Museum.

Auckland – Whitianga. Today we head south across the Hauraki Plains to Thames before continuing up the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula. The coastal drive along this route is truly breathtaking. On clear days, be sure to watch for the SkyTower, visible across the Firth of Thames. We pay a visit to the nearby Driving Creek Railway, where we climb 120 meters on a narrow-gauge line to the 'EyeFull' Tower, offering panoramic views of the picturesque countryside and back over the Hauraki Gulf. We continue our journey across the peninsula until we arrive at the resort of Whitianga on Mercury Bay.

The Coromandel region is a vibrant canvas of white cliffs, sun-kissed golden beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush green forests. In the summer, vibrant scarlet hues emerge thanks to the blossoming Pohutukawa trees. One of its most renowned attractions is Hot Water Beach, where natural hot springs bubble up through the sandy shores and during the right tide conditions you can create your own "spa" pool in the warm waters.

Stroll along the beautiful sandy beaches of Hahei and visit Cooks Beach, named in honour of Captain James Cook who sailed into Mercury Bay in 1769.

From Cooks Beach you can choose to catch the short ferry ride back to Whitianga and walk to our accommodation or travel back with our driver.

Whitianga – Rotorua. Setting off in the morning we follow the Pacific Coast Highway through the coastal towns of Whangamata and Tauranga before turning inland to visit a scenic bushwalk with views of Okere Falls. Then it's onwards to Rotorua, the epicentre of Maori heritage and New Zealand’s geothermal activity. Here we visit Te Puia, an active geothermal site, the nation’s centre for indigenous arts and crafts, and a Kiwi conservation project.

Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in.

Today we have a choice between two different activities. Option 1 is a visit to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley which is the site of the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886. This monumental event reshaped the landscape permanently, giving rise to the valley we explore today. As we wander through we encounter bubbling craters and brilliantly coloured steaming lakes. We embark on a cruise across Lake Rotomahana to the location of the silica terraces where we witness the gradual formation of new silica terraces.

Option 2 is a Middle-earth experience with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set where we explore the iconic Shire. Our guide will walk us through the ten-acre site, sharing insights on how the movie set was brought to life. We get to see the Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, The Millhouse, and other film structures, witnessing the transformation of this beautiful Waikato farmland into Middle-earth's Shire.

In the evening we head to the Tamaki Maori Village for Te Pa Tu. The experience aligns with the Maori lunar calendar, offering Maori traditions, songs, and seasonal cuisine within the forest village. We enjoy a 4-course fusion feast designed by Maori chefs and served outdoors or in the dining room, depending on the weather.

Return hotel transfers are included, and we join other travellers for this enriching experience.

Rotorua – Napier. This morning we head south, visiting Huka Falls and onwards to Lake Taupo. If clear skies permit, from here we should be able to see the peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, where lays the volcanic terrain that acted as the backdrop of ‘Mordor’ in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. We continue our journey to Napier, a joyful seaside town that had a tragic birth which we learn about today as we explore its sights on foot.

Our journey today has brought us to the North Island’s wine country, so this evening we are treated to dinner with a glass of wine at the Mission Estate Winery. First set up by missionaries in the mid-19th century, today these vineyards produce award-winning wines. We enjoy a tour of the winery before enjoying our dinner with sweeping views over Napier.

Napier – Wellington. This morning we make our way to New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington, home to artists, writers and filmmakers with a trendy cafe culture. We see the magnificent Parliament Buildings, including the iconic 'Beehive' building before heading to the Kelburn Lookout. After taking the cable car down to the city centre we go to the Te Papa, one of the most exciting museums in the world where we have a lesson in the land, people, wildlife, landscapes and culture of New Zealand.

Today our adventure in New Zealand comes to an end. A transfer takes you to Wellington Airport for your flight home.