Tour the North Island In A Week (Or Less!)

Can I do New Zealand in a week, you wonder? You can see parts of New Zealand in a week, but you need more time to see it all. The North Island is packed with 829 kilometres of diverse beauty from Cape Reinga to Wellington. Here are some ideas to tour the North Island in less than a week.

Explore the Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is the perfect place to explore if you are short on time. Home to 150 undeveloped islands rising from turquoise waters teeming with dolphins, quaint and historic small towns, Kauri forests and the historic grounds of Waitangi, there is plenty to see and do. It is the perfect place for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, sailing and relaxing in one of New Zealand’s most popular and scenic coastal destinations. From here you can visit Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s northernmost point. All tours take in these sights and cruise to the Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett.

Have a look at these 4- 7 day Bay of Island tours.

On the Water with G Adventures

If you like an active holiday and being in and on the water is your thing, you can have a day in Auckland before you head off to tour the Bay of Islands in as few as four days. The four day G Adventures Bay of Islands tour takes you snorkelling in the marine reserve of Goat Island Marine Reserve before heading to the Bay of Islands to stay in a house boat on the water for the night. Out on the water you can swim, fish, kayak or kick back and drink in the idyll of the surrounding scenery.

A Premium Coach tour with APT or Scenic

If the comfort of a luxury coach and accommodation is how you travel and you like to be on the water cruising, you might choose the 6 day Brilliant Bay Of Islands tour with APT or the Bay of Islands Explorer with Scenic. Relax on your premium coach as you travel north after a day in Auckland. Once settled in your first class accommodation in the Bay of Islands, you can spend the next two days enjoying the signature experiences, such as a visit to the Treaty of Waitangi Ground and a cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. You can also daytrip to New Zealand's northernmost tip at Cape Reinga.

Want to see more?

To see more of the North Island, choose an itinerary that takes you on a tour of the island's attractions from Auckland to Wellington. On Kirra’s 6 day Northern Rapture, travel from Wellington on the Desert Road to Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo. Marvel at the geothermal wonderlands in Rotorua for two days before you head to Hobbiton and onto Auckland via the beautiful beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula.

From Auckland, adventure seekers experience the Best of the North Island with GAdventures in seven days. Take the road less travelled from Auckland to Raglan where you can kayak the bay and surf the black sanded swells. Explore Waitomo Caves en route to the many adrenalin fuelled activities that await in Rotorua, as well as the geothermal action. Continue to be thrilled with white water rafting as you travel onto Taupo and Wellington.

Full of youthful energy and want a bit more variety? Contiki’s 6 Day Sun and Steam trip combines two days in the Bay of Islands with two days in Rotorua with a night in Auckland in between. After dolphin spotting, relaxing, cruising and exploring the Bay of Islands, enter the world of Hobbiton Village on your drive south before you experience the natural wonderland, adventure and traditions of Rotorua's geothermal region.

New Zealand in a week? Absolutely! You will want to go back for more. Have a look at our New Zealand tours to see options for longer tours too.