Iconic North

Meet your fellow travel companions at a Welcome Reception and dinner at The Grill, and share stories of your day-one wanderings. (D) Stay: Horizon by SkyCity Auckland

Those sails on the harbour? They come from a long and fascinating history of boat-building and sailing, as you'll discover on an America's Cup tour at the New Zealand Maritime Museum. The water is your backdrop as you skirt the harbour toward dreamy Mission Bay and Bastion Point. There's nothing like an epic view to set your soul soaring. (B) Stay: Horizon by SkyCity Auckland

Leave Auckland behind and journey into the countryside for an exclusive family-style Be My Guest lunch in the Red Barn on a working dairy farm. Over your farm to table lunch prepared by the onsite chef, get a feel for country life as you're invited to roll up your sleeves and make your own butter - butter churners, tiny mason jars and all!

The next hot spot, in every sense of the word, is Rotorua. Visit Te Puia for a guided tour of the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, a staggering valley where geysers pop and thermal springs jettison skywards. (B/L) Stay: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Today, choose your own adventure. Tonight, dive deep into Indigenous culture at Te Pā Tū Māori Experience. Hear about Māori history, traditions, and future aspirations across an evening of celebration and feasting. Enjoy a forest kai horotai (seasonal canapé) and chef choice aperitif, followed by a three-course dinner. (B/D) Stay: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

You'll hear Huka Falls well before you see it - 220,000 litres of water thunder over an 11 metre high waterfall every second. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo then the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand's cool little capital, Wellington. (B/D) Stay: Rydges Wellington

Your day in Wellington should - must - begin with a coffee. The city is known for its uber-cool cafés and with coffee in hand you will head out on a city sights tour to take in highlights such as its iconic cable car, parliament and Mt. Victoria.

This afternoon is yours to discover Wellington. Your city tour ends at Te Papa Museum of New Zealand, so perhaps make a visit. Or tour the first urban completely fenced ecosanctuary of Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, where the biodiversity of 225 hectares of forest is being restored or explore Lord of the Rings territory (own expense). (B) Stay: Rydges Wellington

It's been a week of epic sights and adventures in the North Island. All good things must come to an end, but there's time to enjoy one last breakfast with your travel companions. (B)