Ultimate North Island 10 Days
North Island
The best of New Zealand’s North Island. Combine this with our 11-day Ultimate South Island tour to experience New Zealand.
Travel Style: Private driver I Self-drive I Independent Coach
Accommodation Style: Motel I Hotel I Boutique Lodges
Day 1: Auckland
Suggested activities for Auckland
Explore: Auckland
New Zealand's self-proclaimed "City of Sails" is the country's largest metro area. Resting between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, this urban paradise has something for everyone. Surrounded by native bush, rainforests, and an abundance of beaches, Auckland is a playground for both the city savvy and those with an eye for adventure. Central museums and galleries can be explored on foot.
Nature: Boat Cruise to Rangitoto island
Rangitoto Island is the largest and youngest of the many volcanoes that make up the Auckland volcanic field. It erupted around 600 years ago but is extinct now and safe to explore. During your cruise to and from the island enjoy fantastic views of Rangitoto Island and Auckland's cityscape. On reaching the island you can walk to the summit (1 hour direct) for great views of the Hauraki Gulf and over Waitemata Harbour, looking back towards Auckland
Day 2: Auckland to Rotorua
Travel to Waitomo Caves and then onto Hobbiton before arriving in Rotorua
Suggested activities
World Famous: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
In the heart of New Zealand, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Hobbiton is located just outside of Matamata - in the heart of the lush Waikato farming region. Here you can visit such iconic Hobbit locations as Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill, and the Party Tree, with a guide sharing behind-the-scenes tales and insight into the making of the films.
Day 3: Rotorua
Suggested Activities for Rotorua
Culture and Nature : Te Puia Te Rā Guided Experience
Te Puia is one of the country's premier indigenous experiences, with its spine-tingling ceremonial welcome, and stunning Kapa Haka cultural show which features traditional ancestral storytelling, song and dance. Enjoy food that has been cooked using the geothermal energy used for centuries, quite literally giving you a taste of Māori culture. You choose what you want to be cooked for your lunch before heading off on a special guided tour of Te Puia.
Culture and Food: Te Pā Tū Cultural Tour and Hangi Dinner
Journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions. Enjoy the night's festivities with the people of Tamaki Maori Village as you are treated to a banquet of succulent foods cooked the traditional Māori way. Discover the Māori village as it comes alive to the sound and activities of tribal songs, dances, myths, and legends and browse throughout the largest after-hours tribal marketplace in Rotorua. Includes a hangi buffet feast that has cooked slowly underground.
Day 4: Rotorua to Taupo
Suggested Activity
Adventure: Huka Falls Jet Boat Ride
The Huka Jet is 30 minutes of pure fun and exhilaration, skimming close to cliffs, sliding past trees, feeling the adrenalin of full 360-degree spins. The excitement continues right up to the base of the foaming Huka Falls, where you get a spectacular water-level view of New Zealand's most visited natural attraction.
Day 5: Taupo
Suggested activities for Taupo
Explore: Taupo
The town of Taupo sits on New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo, and this beautiful and serene body of water is reason enough to visit. The lake is actually a volcanic caldera formed following a massive eruption in the year 186 AD, which is considered to be one of the largest and most violent eruptions known.
A host of activities can be undertaken here: bungy jumping, sky diving, fishing for trout in the lake and rivers, kayaking, sailing, horse riding, and walking and hiking to name but a few.
Nature: Private Guided Scenic Highlights Tour of Tongariro National Park with Adventure Outdoors
Experience the best of Tongariro National Park with this Scenic Highlight short walks and drive tour. It has a relaxed pace with stunning views.
Day 6: Taupo to Napier
Suggested Activities
History: Māori Rock Carvings Cruise
Journey to the Māori Rock Carvings in comfort and style with a stunning tour of Taupo’s bays. This unique 90-minute tour should be on your list of ‘top things to do in Taupo.
Day 7: Napier
Suggested Activities for Napier
Explore: Napier and the Hawke's Bay
With its Mediterranean climate and Art Deco style, Hawke's Bay is an attractive holiday prospect. As the nation's first winemaking region, a visit to one of its 30 wineries is a must. For the truly enthused, head out on a tour of the vines. Those into Gatsby can enjoy the chance to view prominent Art Deco landmarks on a 1930s Vintage Car Tour.
Food and Drink: Twilight Odyssey Progressive Winery Dinner
Take a scenic drive through the vineyards as you learn about the region and its wines. Enjoy a full interactive wine tasting alongside gourmet platters at a boutique winery. Last, take in the breathtaking panoramic views from Te Mata Peak while enjoying a glass of bubbles – you'll see the sun set from 399m above sea level, overlooking the glimmering lights of the Twin Cities.
Day 8: Napier to Wellington
Suggested activity
Explore: Cape Palliser and the South Coast
Just around 45 minutes south of the town of Martinborough will bring you to one of the most spectacular coastlines in the country. View rocky shores and tiny picturesque settlements as you head towards the magnificent views from the Cape Palliser lighthouse. New Zealand fur seals make these rocky shores and outcrops their home and offer some great photo opportunities.
Day 9: Wellington
Suggested Activities for Wellington
Explore: Wellington
Wellington City, New Zealand's capital, sits on a wonderful deep natural harbour and is surrounded by bush-clad hills. The city centre itself is quite compact (only around one square kilometre), so exploring on foot is relatively easy. From your city centre accommodation you can easily stroll to cafes and restaurants around Courtenay Place, and New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa, is also close by.
Nature: Zealandia By Night Wildlife Sanctuary Tour
Taking a night tour of Zealandia wildlife eco-sanctuary is an unforgettable experience and one we highly recommend. It's a conservation success and safe haven for some of New Zealand's rarest native animals like the iconic Kiwi bird and Tuatara lizard.
World Famous: Wētā Workshop Experience
Visit Weta Cave Workshop and get up close to the props, weapons and costumes created for The Lord of the Rings, Power Rangers, The Great Wall, Avatar, District 9, and more. See artists at work on the tour stage and peek through windows that look directly into the Workshop. Hear stories from the Weta Workshop crew, who in many cases have also worked on the films themselves.
Day 10: Wellington
It’s time to leave or journey onto the South Island for the second part of your New Zealand vacation.