Overview
Join us on tour and spend 10 days in New Zealand’s North Island. From New Zealand’s biggest city to the nation’s lively capital, you’ll take in a whole host of North Island gems, enjoying cinemagraphic landscapes, spectacular coastal walks and geothermal wonders. We'll fill your days with highlights of the North Island and also give you a great insight into New Zealand life and culture.
Created for travellers in their mid-thirties and upwards, this...read more North Island tour includes special activities such as walking to the spectacular and photogenic Cathedral Cove, a traditional Māori meal, and a walk amidst towering – and magically lit – treetops. You can also choose to select some tour add-ons such as hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – otherwise known as Mordor, kayaking to a natural hot pool, visiting an off-shore eco-sanctuary, visiting Hobbiton, or flying over snow-capped mountains!!
You’ll have the chance to swim, kayak, skydive, hike, see kiwis, relax in hot pools, roll down a hill in a giant ball, eat and drink like a local, and more! This is your trip, and it’s designed to be flexible. The choice is yours – pick the activities that appeal to you.
At the end of the day, you can relax in comfortable 3–4 star accommodation to ensure you have a great night’s sleep ready for the following day’s activities.
Across 10 days in New Zealand’s North Island between Wellington and Auckland, you’ll encounter an array of landscapes: lush, green rolling hills; beautiful golden sand beaches, tumbling waterfalls, geothermal valleys filled with bubbling mud and sulphuric lakes, magnificent mountains, cosy laid-back surf towns and vibrant cities. Prepare your camera and get ready to make some magical memories!
Itinerary
Kia ora (hello!) and welcome to Aotearoa (New Zealand). Settle into your accommodation and be ready for the7.30pm pre-tour meeting. Here you will get to know your Tour Manager and be introduced to your new roadtrip friends.
Afterwards, the evening is yours to enjoy. We recommend a good night's sleep to be ready for tomorrow's early start, but you may want to experience Wellington's exciting nightlife - the choice is yours!
Soak up the atmosphere of vibrant Wellington. Famous for being a bit on the windy side, be prepared to ditch the hairspray and go with the flow. As always, your guide will introduce you to the city with an orientation tour – including a drive around the bays through central Wellington to the Botanic Gardens and Parliament Buildings. You'll also get the chance to head up Mount Victoria for some of the best views in town.
Today you'll also visit a nature reserve, Zealandia. Zealandia is a groundbreaking conservation project and the world's first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary. It has successfully reintroduced over 20 species of native wildlife into this area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years. You will also stop by Weta Workshop, most famous for its creative contribution to all things Lord of the Rings.
Take an optional tour to see prop-makers in action and learn about the immersive world of filmmaking. Wellington has a feast of cultural attractions and its crowning glory is Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand. Situated on Wellington's magnificent waterfront, this internationally acclaimed museum combines leading edge technology with traditional exhibits to tell the stories of New Zealand's land and people.
The museum is free entry but you may like to opt for a tour from one of their experienced guides for a more in depth visit. If being outdoors is more your thing, head off to Kapiti Island for an optional nature tour. Here you can see endangered birds up close and learn more about New Zealand's unique flora and fauna.
Included
- Breakfast
- Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
If some of the mountains look familiar, it's for good reason – Mount Ngauruhoe gained international fame as the real life version of Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings. We finish our day nestled in Taupō, where we'll spend the next 2 nights, home to New Zealand's largest crater lake and the best place to access one of the world's best one-day hikes – the Tongariro Crossing.
Included
- Breakfast
- Mount Victoria Lookout
Turquoise and green lakes greet you at the top, along with vistas that stretch all the way to the coast. If you're looking for a thrill, we suggest skydiving over the lake or bungy jumping over New Zealand's longest river (and for the really brave, getting dunked in!). There are heaps of other activities on offer such as quad biking, cruising the lake to see Māori rock carvings, hiking along the shores, mountain biking and even the chance to soak in some of the local geothermal pools.
Included
- Breakfast
Included
- Breakfast
- See Huka Falls
- Redwood Forest Canopy Walk
Rotorua has it all: natural beauty, unique geothermal landscapes, and Māori culture. We stay here a full day to make the very most of it. This area is world-renowned for its geothermal activity, with neon blue and red lakes, steaming rivers, violent geysers, and bubbling mud pools galore. For a truly epic brush with nature, fly high through the lush ancient forest canopy on a zipline tour complete with swing bridges, crossings and treetop platforms.
What better way to get to know the native plants and birds – many of which are unique to New Zealand. This evening we are welcomed to a Māori village for an unmissable cultural experience featuring combat demonstrations and – of course – the breathtaking haka. This experience extends beyond the performance – you'll have the chance to see magnificent geothermal activity and get to spot kiwi birds.
Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner (a hāngi cooked in an underground oven)
- See the world famous haka dance
- See the Pohutu Geyser
- See kiwi birds
Once we've departed Rotorua, we head to Raglan, via Waitomo – famous for its glow worms. There are fantastic and informative walking tours of the caves where you can learn more about the history, geology and Māori mythology of this unique area of New Zealand. For those who prefer to stay above ground, we highly recommend exploring the tree-studded gorges and limestone arches of the nearby Ruakuri Forest Walk; definitely a favourite amongst the Haka guides. The highlight of today is visiting one of NZ's most iconic experiences - Hobbiton Movie Set.
On a fully guided tour of the 12- acre Middle-earth set you will see Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and even enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn! For dinner tonight, once we've arrived in Raglan you'll have a chance to tuck into New Zealand's unofficial dish – fish and chips (or fush and chups, as it tends to sound in a Kiwi accent). And what better way to enjoy a tasty meal than on a sunset cruise of Raglan Harbour?
Included
- Breakfast
- Ruakuri Bush Walk
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- Raglan Sunset Boat Cruise
- Fish & Chips Dinner
Included
- Breakfast
In the beautiful Coromandel, you'll have plenty of time for your guide to show you around. Sample the sandy beaches or simply enjoy the vibes. There are all sorts of ways to enjoy the Coromandel, including kayaking at iconic Cathedral Cove and soaking in hot pools. The Coromandel Peninsula is a paradise of beautiful beaches and misty rainforests. The drive here takes in plenty of quintessential North Island rolling farmland. It's also home to the famous Hot Water Beach – thousands visit each year to dig their own personal hot tub.
If the tide times allow, we'll grab our buckets and spades and get busy. Then, we hit the road for the final stretch of our journey together. The drive to Auckland is truly spectacular – the road twists and turns dramatically round the coastline as the skyline of New Zealand's largest city gradually comes into view.
Included
- Breakfast
- Visit Hot Water Beach
- Visit Cathedral Cove
Included
- Breakfast
Trip Inclusions
- Feast on daily hearty breakfasts and 2 dinners, including a traditional Māori hāngī cooked in an underground oven.
- Walk a stunning coastal track to Cathedral Cove (as seen in the Chronicles of Narnia movies).
- A fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set (available on tours starting from 1 September 2023).
- Watch a Māori cultural performance and check out a geothermal valley of bubbling mud pools including the famous Pōhutu Geyser in Rotorua.
- See endangered kiwi birds up close and personal.
- Soak up a sunset boat cruise in the West Coast surf town of Raglan – the fish and chips are on us!
- Brave the Redwoods Treewalk, crossing 23 raised suspension bridges.
- Hike through the forested gorge of Ruakuri (45 minutes) – bring your camera for this one.
- Stay in Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Area.
- Discover rare animal species tour of Zealandia Nature Reserve in Wellington (available on tours starting from 1 September 2023).
- Plus, many more surprise stops along the way!
- What's included on every Haka Plus tour:
- Passionate and knowledgeable local Kiwi guide
- Comfortable and air-conditioned bus transport
- Orientation tour of each and every location
- Small groups of maximum 16 people
- Experiences to teach you about our unique Māori culture
- Stay 9 nights in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, motels, and lodges.
- Daily continental breakfasts and 2 dinners.
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Trip Optionals These optional activities can be pre-booked & included in your trip price.
- Location: Taupo.
- Alongside expert Tandem Instructors you’ll jump out of a plane from 12,000ft into an incredible freefall over one of the world’s most beautiful dropzones. Read more.
- Location: Coromandel.
- Renowned as one of the best kayaking trips in the NZ - explore amazing sea caves, discover the thrill of kayak sailing, and interact with the local marine life in the pristine Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve. Read more.
- Location: Rotorua.
- Head deep into one of New Zealand’s most ancient forests and let the fun begin on this 3 hour guided eco canopy adventure. Duration: 3 hrs. Read more.
- Location: Taupo.
- What better way to experience the true beauty of Lake Taupo than onboard the tall ship ‘Fearless’. On this 150 minute guided sailing experience you’ll see the famous Maori Rock Carvings. Read more.
- Location: Rotorua.
- Experience unrivaled panoramic views on this 4.5 hour guided walk of Mt Tarawera with Kaitiaki Adventures. Duration: 4.5 hours. Read more.
- Location: Taupo.
- The Tongariro Crossing is celebrated as one of the best one day walks in the world. Emerald green lakes sit atop volcanic mountain peaks on this 19.4km track taking you through some of the world’s most geographically diverse terrain. Duration: full day. Read more.
- Location: Taupo.
- Located in the stunning Waikato River Valley, Taupo Bungy is considered one of the world’s most spectacular jumps and New Zealand’s highest water-touch bungy (at 47 metres) Duration: allow 1 hour. Read more.
- Location: Rotorua.
- On this 3 hour white water rafting experience along the Kaituna River you will journey through 14 rapids and 3 waterfalls - including the Highest Commercially Rafted Waterfall in the World (the 7 metre high Tutea Falls)! Duration: half day. Read more.
- Location: Rotorua.
- Superman dive into the ZORB , a giant inflatable ball, with up to two friends and roll down a 250 meter long straight slope. Duration: Allow half an hour. Read more.
- Location: Wellington.
- See rare and endangered birds, native flora and fauna, and learn about New Zealand’s sustainability initiatives on this stunning Kapiti Island experience. Duration: 5 hours. Read more.
Availability
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Haka Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Haka Tours. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
