Auckland to Wellington via Coromandel and Central Plateau
11 Days
This tour takes you from Auckland, City of Sails, New Zealand’s gateway to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, and then to the complete contrast of the volcanic areas, including the most active, White Island. There is an opportunity to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing before heading into Wellington our cool little Capital.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Auckland, City of Sails
- Coromandel Peninsula
- White Island
- Taupo
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Wellington – our Capital City
Day 1 Arrive in Auckland
Day 2 Auckland
You will need today to find your feet and get over your jet lag. Explore the city centre, get out on the water, take in a museum, round of the day with a glass of wine overlooking the viaduct harbour – there is plenty to keep you entertained while you relax and adjust to New Zealand life.
Day 3 Drive to Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula
Pohutakawa Coastal drive, historic gold rush town of Thames, kauri trees, options for short walks and the Driving Creek Railway and Potteries of Coromandel Town – your first taste of country New Zealand.
Day 4 Coromandel Peninsula
Spend the day exploring this delightful peninsula – walk to Cathedral Cove, dig yourself a hole and relax in your personal spa on Hot Water Beach, take a glass bottom boat tour, kayak, or visit the Lost Spa. Finish off your day with a glass of something strange from Purangi Estate – there is no end to Kiwi ingenuity.
Day 5 Drive to Whakatane
You will get a taste of both modern and historical gold mining today, as you look down from the viewpoint of the operational open cast mine at Waihi before venturing into the Karangahake Gorge and its network of tracks and tunnels of the old gold workings. Drive across the Bay of Plenty with its kiwi fruit orchards arriving in the coastal town of Whakatane. You will have time this evening to visit Mataatua Wharenui, “the House that Came Home” – one of the largest and finest of the Maori meeting houses.
Day 6 Whakatane
White Island, 50km off shore, is New Zealand’s most active volcano – there are few enough places in the world where you can get so close. Take a day trip out here and see for yourself. Or if wildlife is more your thing, take a trip to the pest free, bird reserve of Whale Island.
Day 7 Drive to Taupo via Rotorua
Spend a couple of hours in Rotorua visiting the museum, or the Polynesian Spa before heading towards Taupo. The drive along the lakes as you approach Rotorua from the east is stunning and we will let you know of some short walking options. Wai-O-tapu and Orakei Korako on the road between Rotorua and Taupo are in our opinion the best of the best of the thermal parks – spend a couple of hours in one (or both!) and head on in to Taupo at the end of the day. There’s even the chance for a swim in a hot river today.
Day 8 Taupo
Beautiful Lake Taupo, with its backdrop of 3 snow capped volcanoes of Tongariro National Park! Enjoy it – take a boat trip to the Maori Rock Carvings, sea kayak, troll for trout – even have a swim – there are no eels – they can’t get up the Huka Falls! Visit these impressive falls and the other stops along the way in The Wairakei Tourist Park, watch the Aratiatia Dam spill water – no shortage of things to do, and all within a minimal distance of Taupo itself.
Day 9 Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Often billed as one of the best wilderness day walks in the world. Fitness and mountain savvy required – if this is you – ancient lava flows, emerald and blue lakes, red crater, “Mt Doom”, geothermal areas, tussock and native bush – there really isn’t a walk like it – it will literally be the high point of your trip on the North Island.
Day 10 Drive Wellington
Barren, wild, exposed and sometimes closed in winter because of snow – the Desert Road takes you through a spectacular volcanic landscape. Stop off at the National Army Museum at Waiouru and learn some history of the Maori Battalions before heading across the rich farmland of the lower North Island, along the windswept Kapiti Coast and into Wellington.
Day 11 Wellington
Our Capital City. Whether cities are your thing or not, you can’t help but be enchanted by our administrative and cultural capital, Wellington – it is buzzing, beautiful, cosmopolitan and vibrant.
From Wellington, head to the South Island, fly back to Auckland or on to your next destination.
Some alternatives you may consider:
• Precede this trip with a few days in Northland
• Interested in Art Deco? Drive to Napier on day 9 or 10 and on to Wellington.
• Short on time? Fly to the South Island from Rotorua
• Returning home from Auckland? Drive back to Auckland from Taupo via Waitomo Caves.
Remember – our knowledge, your journey – so mix and match bits of these itineraries so that they suit you! Nothing is fixed. We will talk and email as much as you wish until you get what you want– this is YOUR holiday.