10 Day North Island Explorer

• Get up to $220 cash back per person when you book with us

• A 10-day trip around the North Island of New Zealand

• Experience the famous Cathedral Cove & dig a mini-Jacuzzi at Hot Water Beach

• Visit the fantastic Blue Springs & the stunning Okere Falls

• Relax in River Valley's Spa & Sauna & enjoy a beach day at Hahei Beach

• See a living Maori & geothermal village – learn about the daily way of life

• Enjoy a native rainforest guided cultural walking tour

• Learn a haka and learn to weave flax with a local iwi (tribe)

• Eat a traditional Māori hāngī meal cooked in an underground oven

• Sail on a private charter around Lake Taupo & visit the breath-taking Huka Falls

• Wander through the National Army Museum, then enjoy an epic night out in Wellington

• All accommodation: Hostel (8 Nights), Shared Cultural Experience (1 Night)

• Meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

• Transport: Comfortable mini-bus

New Zealand’s North Island is an adventure lovers' backyard. Rich in Maori history and tradition, there are numerous reasons why you should choose to discover this epic road trip from Auckland to Wellington.

Sparkling lakes, ancient forests, geothermal rock pools and bubbling mud baths, 30m exploding geysers, extinct volcanoes, and that’s just scratching the surface. Secure your getaway now, as this tour will be unmissable!

Day 1: Auckland to Thames to Coromandel

A nice early start sees you leave Auckland and head to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Here, you'll see why this region is a favourite for Kiwis on their summer holidays and why it's constantly regarded as one of the most stunning parts of the world.

However, first, take a quick lunch stop in the Goldmine town in the historic Thames. Then you'll visit the famous Cathedral Cove beach (as seen in multiple Hollywood feature films). You have the option to do a free 30 min walk one way to this beautiful spot. Alternatively, you could choose to do a kayaking tour as an optional add-on.

Depending on the time of the tides, you may have time today or tomorrow to grab a shovel and dig a mini jacuzzi at the unreal Hot Water Beach.

After an epic day of sun, sand and surf, it's time to head to your accommodation in Coromandel township, where you can explore the local kai (food) – and from there, the night is yours!

Transport: Minibus with an approx driving time of 4 hrs
Accommodation: Hostel 

Day 2: Coromandel to Matamata to Rotorua

After breakfast, it's time to head south. From Coromandel, you'll head to New Zealand's tourism mecca – Rotorua. On the way to this geothermal wonderland, you will have the option to get lost in the magical world of Hobbiton or check out some of the clearest springs you've ever seen.

After you check out a beautiful waterfall, arrive in Rotorua, where you will be welcomed by a local tribe and be guided through Ohinemutu Village. Here you will experience a living Maori and geothermal village and learn about daily life.

The rest of the day is yours, so you can immerse yourself in more traditional Maori culture in Rotorua or try out any of the exciting, adrenaline-filled activities in this town.

Transport: Minibus with an approx driving time of 3 hrs
Accommodation: Hostel 

Day 3: Rotorua

With far more to do than you can fit in just one day, You'll stay an extra night in Rotorua, so you have a full day of free time! There are plenty of optional paid activities on offer all around the city to keep you and your new mates busy.

Explore Te Puia's world-famous Geothermal Valley and Kiwi Sanctuary, and learn about Maori history/culture with an option for a buffet lunch, including the famous Maori' hangi'. So whether you're an adrenaline junkie and want to tackle the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall or if zip-lining through the forest canopy sounds more like you, your guides will be sure to offer you all the best experiences based on what you're looking for.

Accommodation: Hostel 

Day 4: Rotorua to Lake Aniwhenua

After breakfast, it's your last day to enjoy this culture-filled town! You'll have free time today till the afternoon to tick off your last bucket list activities!

At midday, you will head over to start your overnight cultural experience close to Lake Aniwhenua. You will be welcomed to the Ngati Manawa tribal lands, learn about the history of forestry to their people, and stay overnight with them.

See hangi (cultural meal) being laid in the ground, and enjoy a haka lesson and weaving class. Then, see your hangi being pulled up from the ground and enjoy a buffet feast followed by storytelling around an outdoor fireplace! This is as authentic as it gets!

Transport: Minibus with an approx driving time of 1 hr
Accommodation: Shared Cultural Experience

Day 5: Lake Aniwhenua to Taupo

Wake up early and enjoy a breakfast prepared for you by your local hosts! Then, pack for the day ahead as you will be guided on a cultural walk through a Jurassic Podocarp Native Rainforest. See 1,000-year-old Totara, learn about Rakau Rongoa (Natural Medicine Plants), and hear and hopefully see some native and endangered birds in their natural habitat. Listen to their history as you walk in the shadows of giants and tread where dinosaurs once roamed.

Fill your water bottles from the pure waterfalls, and enjoy a picnic lunch infused with traditional cuisine – "Forest to Fork". See the tallest moss in the world, and enjoy 'forest bathing' – connecting with nature and enjoying the health benefits of simply just 'being' at one with the forest.

After this epic experience, it's off to your next destination – stunning Lake Taupo, stopping in at the breathtaking Huka Falls on the way. Here, 200,000 litres per second of crystal clear water flows from the lake into the start of New Zealand's longest river – the Waikato River.

Once in Taupo, optional paid activities like bungy jumping, skydiving or jet boat riding are available. Alternatively, ask your tour leader to point you towards some of Taupo's lesser-known gems or the many free activities available.

Finally, for sunset, you will board an exclusive yacht charter around the lake! Enjoy dinner on board, and feel free to order a few beverages for this epic experience.

Transport: Minibus with an approx driving time of 1 hr 30 min
Accommodation: Hostel 

Day 6: Taupo to Tongariro National Park to Taupo

After breakfast, you're free to explore the town and do as many activities or see as much as you want!

There is also an option to go for a trek and tick the Tongariro Alpine Crossing off your bucket list! This is heralded as the best one-day trek in New Zealand and is regarded as among the top ten single-day hikes in the world.

If you're not keen on that, you are welcome to spend the day in Taupo exploring the activities on offer or come for a drive and explore the town of Ohakune. You will all meet back in Taupo to explore the local cuisines with the crew! Then the night is yours!

Transport: Minibus with an approx driving time of 4 hrs
Accommodation: Hostel 

Day 7: Taupo to River Valley

After a few hours in the van, you'll arrive at New Zealand's best-kept secret – River Valley. This afternoon you'll chill out and enjoy the stunning lodge with an on-site cafe and bar, saunas, and spa. Using the lodge as a base, you can go on a rafting adventure, a horse trek, or explore some of the local rural back roads on an e-bike. Of course, you could simply relax beside the river and enjoy some delicious food, many of the ingredients of which come from the on-site organic gardens.

Tonight you're in for a treat as you'll be served a farm-to-table dinner with fresh seasonal vegetables harvested from the gardens and free-range organic or grass-fed local meats.

Transport: Minibus with an approx driving time of 2 hrs 30 min
Accommodation: Hostel 

Day 8: River Valley to Wellington

Enjoy a cooked breakfast before heading south from Taihape. You'll stop at the home of New Zealand's army base to stretch your legs and have some lunch.

From there, trek on to the nation's capital – Wellington! Once in 'Welly', grab some dinner and hit the streets of this incredible city on a local pub crawl. Doesn't sound like your cup of tea? No problem! The night is yours to explore what is often referred to as NZ's coolest city.

Transport: Minibus with an approx driving time of 4 hrs
Accommodation: Hostel 

Day 9: Wellington

After breakfast, the day is yours! Get lost in Wellington. Visit a local cafe, take photos of the local street art, head along to New Zealand's famous national museum – Te Papa (it's FREE!), or have your mind blown at Peter Jackson's famous 'Weta Workshop'. There are plenty of exciting things to choose from in New Zealand's coolest city.

Accommodation: Hostel 

Day 10: Wellington

Today is your last day and time to check out! After breakfast, you will wrap things up and say goodbye to your new best mates! 

Departure Info
Tour departs from the meeting point at Haka Lodge Auckland, 373 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland (meeting location may change, please check your final documents for the confirmed location).

• The minimum age is 18 years

• You must arrange and take out comprehensive travel insurance prior to the tour departure date if you are internationally travelling to New Zealand for this tour. If requested by your tour guide, you must produce evidence of your travel insurance prior to the commencement of the tour

• You are entitled to have one piece of main luggage weighing no more than 23kg and one-day pack weighing no more than 7kg

• All changes and cancellations of bookings by you must be made in writing by emailing The Operator. They will not regard a booking as cancelled unless email written notice has been received by them  from you

• Cancellations or changes can only be made up to 14 days before the departure date of your tour. Any cancellations or changes made within 14 days to the departure date of your tour will be rejected, and the relevant booking price cannot be refunded. If the cancellation is accepted, a refund of the total booking price (less the $99.00 deposit and any applicable credit card fees) will be paid to you

• No refunds will be available for cancellations within 14 days of the departure date. If your booking was made via a travel agent, please contact them directly to discuss your options