North Island
Auckland to Wellington via Napier
8 Days
This tour encompasses some of the classic high lights of the North Island – from the gateway to New Zealand, Auckland, through the thermal wonderlands, to art deco city of Napier nestled in the Hawke’s Bay wine area to our cool little Capital, Wellington. A great introduction to the North Island.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Auckland City of Sails
- Geothermal Areas
- Maori Culture
- Art Deco Napier
- Wineries
- 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 Auckland to Rotorua
Pick up your hire car this morning from downtown Auckland and head south over the Bombay Hills, through the Waikato farmland to Rotorua.
There are several options for stops and detours today, whether it is the Hamilton Gardens, Hobbiton movie set or Waitomo Caves. The Waitomo Caves are one of New Zealand’s natural wonders – glow worms, limestone formations – there are a variety of ways to explore, walking, boats, cave tubing, adventure caving – depends on the cave – there is definitely something for everyone here – whether its open caverns or tiny squeezes!
Day 4 Rotorua
A day spent exploring Rotorua. Rotorua is a centre both rich in Maori culture and a geothermal / volcanic wonderland and plenty of opportunity for active adventure. You can’t miss its sulphurous smells, but there is a lot more to it than these!
Some of our ideas include: a helicopter trip to White Island, a scenic flight over Mt Tarawera, a visit to the Buried Village, a Maori cultural evening and hangi, a mountain bike ride or walk through the redwoods at Whakarewarewa, a soak in the Polynesian Spa or visit to the museum.
Day 5 Drive to Napier, Hawkes Bay
Start with the thermal reserves of Wai-O-tapu or Orakei Korako south of Rotorua, with their bright colours and bubbling mud, take a dip in a hot water river, cruise to the Maori Rock Carvings on Lake Taupo, marvel at the mighty Huka Falls where Lake Taupo empties into the Waikato River, all before you arrive in the Art Deco Capital, Napier.
Day 6 Napier
A whole day in the Hawkes Bay Region – Art Deco, Gannet Colony, Biking and Vineyards – enough to satisfy the historian, the naturalist, the exercise addict and the bon viveur.
Day 7 Drive to Wellington
A pretty drive, through sheep country and tracing part of NZ Wine Route. Bird lover or not, everyone will enjoy the experience of coming up close to our rare and native birds at the National Wildlife Centre at Mount Bruce. Have lunch or coffee and a wander around charming Greytown before heading over the Rimutakas into Wellington.
Day 8 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
• Spend another day in Taupo and walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
• Short on time? Drive to Wellington from either Taupo or Rotorua. Fly to the South Island from Hawkes Bay.
• Returning home from Auckland? Fly to Auckland from Hawkes Bay
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.