New Zealand North Island Adventure

Haere mai! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins in the country's largest city – Auckland, or Tamaki Makaurau in Maori. Join your group for a welcome meeting at 8 am, then set right off, heading southeast to the coastal town of Tauranga on the Bay of Plenty. Join a local Maori guide and learn about this historic area – this is one of the first spots that early voyagers landed in waka (canoes) and the site of later clashes between the British and Maori. After, take a stroll on the beach and grab lunch. Then, continue down the coast into Eastern Bay of Plenty and Whakatane, where you'll stay tonight. Settle in, then take a cruise along the Ohiwa Harbour and visit a Maori-owned and operated oyster farm. Here, you’ll learn how to shuck them yourself before tucking into a delicious kaimoana (seafood) dinner.

This morning, make your way inland towards the North Island's geothermal region. Stop at Okere Falls for a short walk with some lovely waterfall views – you may glimpse some kayakers and rafters in the rapids. After, head to iconic Rotorua, famous for its beautiful forests, adrenaline-fueled activities and Maori culture. When you get there, visit an Ohinemutu village, where the locals will welcome you into a marae (meeting house) with a Powhiri ceremony of speeches, songs and cultural rituals. After, continue to your central hotel and have the evening to relax. Your trip leader will have some great recommendations for dinner.

Today is yours to explore all Rotorua has to offer. Maybe you've been craving some heart-pounding adventure and zip lining or perhaps whitewater rafting is calling your name. Or take the chance to visit the New Zealand Maori Arts & Craft Institute at Te Puia. If that's all just too much moving about, simply relax at one of the local spas that make use of Rotorua's geothermal waters and soak in a naturally heated mineral pool.

After breakfast this morning, make your way to Orakei Korako, a lesser-known geothermal region. Stop in Taupo for lunch before making your way to New Zealand's remote and winding Forgotten World Highway – the country's oldest heritage road and home to historic pioneer settlements and dramatic gorges. If there’s time, take a short walk to the towering Mt Damper Falls. By evening, reach the Republic of Whangamomona – a self-declared micro-nation whose past ‘presidents’ have included a goat and a poodle! Learn about the region’s fascinating history before spending the night at the historic Whangamomona Hotel.

Continue the drive along the Forgotten World Highway to the rural region of Taranaki, known for its photogenic conical volcano – Mt Taranaki – black-sand beaches and strong arts culture. Take a few short walks on the volcano before making your way to New Plymouth for the afternoon. When you get there, maybe visit one of the town's art galleries or head to a local restaurant.

This morning, make your way up the coastline to the Waikato region – famous for its cave formations and glowworms. You'll get to see these remarkable bioluminescent insects up close on a private tour in the remote Spellbound Cave. Your local guide will put out all lights so you can immerse yourself in the galaxy of glowworms around you as you float through the cave on a gentle boat ride. After, head back out into the daylight and return to Auckland. Maybe head out with your group for dinner.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend more time exploring Auckland, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation. This trip is combinable with South Island adventures as well (see trip codes PHSUC and PHSVC).