Auckland-Northland-Waikato-Rotorua
(10-Day Tour)
From Auckland/Hamilton or anywhere on the way): One Tree Hill, Cornwall Park, Mount Eden, Viaduct Harbour, Muriwai Beach, Shakespear Regional Park, Orewa Beach, Whangarei, Paihia, Activities & Tours in Bay of Islands (if weather permits), Russell, Kerikeri Stonestore, Maitai Bay, Mangonui Fish Shop, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Haruru Falls (if time permits), Opononi Beach, Tane Mahuta (Waipoua Forest), Kauri Museum, Bridal Veil Falls, Raglan Beach, Hamilton Gardens, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Huka Falls, Lake Taupo, Waiotapu Thermal Wondeland, Okere Falls, Geothermal Hot Spring Bathing, Agrodome Farm, Redwoods Treewalk, Government Gardens Rotorua, Mitai Maori Village, Hobbiton, Lake Karapiro
Highlights:
• Enjoy city sightseeing in Auckland and take in the views of the amazing gannet colony at Muriwai Beach (1 Day)
• Walk through a native forest sanctuary and marvel at stunning landscapes of Shakespear Regional Park (Duration: approx. 2 Hours)
• Enjoy a delicious lunch beside the beautiful Orewa Beach (Duration: approx. 1 Hour)
• Stop over at Whangarei Falls if time permits (Duration: approx. 40min)
• Enjoy a nice dinner near Paihia Wharf
• Experience the natural beauty of the Bay of Islands from a helicopter, or Bay of Islands Cruise with island stop-over, or skydive from 9,000-feet (Duration: Helicopter: 20min, Cruise: 4.5 Hours, Skydive: 3 Hours). These are just a few examples, there’re many other activities for you to choose, like fishing, kayaking, parasailing, boat cruise etc.
• Catch a ferry to the romantic Russell town (crossing time: 15min), visit the significant historic buildings, enjoy dinner on the beautiful waterfront if time permits (Duration: approx. 2 Hours)
• Visit New Zealand's oldest stone building in Kerikeri, bask in the beauty of Northland, swim in the clear blue crystal water of Maitai Bay or simply relax on the soft white sand beach, enjoy the breathtaking coastal views of cable bay on the way (Duration: approx. 4 Hours)
• Stop at the historic fishing village Mangonui, eat locally caught fish at the world famous Mangonui Fish Shop built over the water, and enjoy the extensive views of the peaceful harbour (Duration: approx. 1 Hour)
• Learn about Maori culture and history at one of New Zealand's most significant historic site Waitangi Treaty Grounds, overlooking the picturesque Bay of Islands, and enjoy a high-energy, entertaining Maori cultural performance (Duration: approx. 1.5 Hours)
• Discover the unique, half moon-shaped Haruru Falls which is located in a hidden valley on the beautiful Waitangi River (Duration: approx. 15min)
• Discover the Opononi beach, from where you can see the magnificent Opononi Sand Dune which is on the other side of the water, marvel at the spectacular coastline views. (Duration: approx. 1.5 Hours)
• Explore the giant Kauri trees of Waipoua Forest, and visit 'The Lord of the Forest' - Tane Mahuta, New Zealand's largest known living kauri tree, approximately 2,000 years old. (Duration: approx. 20min)
• Visit the award winning Kauri Museum which specializes in the legacy of Kauri Forests, specifically the strong durable timber and the highly prized Kauri Gum.
• Walk through native bush to enjoy views from two outlook points onto the spectacular 55-metre-high Bridal Veil Falls (Duration: approx. 35min)
• Discover Raglan, experience a New Zealand black sand beach, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Raglan wharf and Raglan Domain (Duration: approx. 2 Hours)
• Explore the Hamilton Gardens for a unique cultural and botanical experience (Duration: approx. 1.5 Hours)
• Enjoy a guided tour of Waitomo Caves, and admire thousands of glow worms above your head while cruising on a glow-worm grotto boat (Duration: approx. 45min)
• Visit the majestic Huka Falls, and marvel at the power of nature and crystal clear blue water (Duration: approx. 30min)
• Take a walk along the scenic lakeside of Taupo and take some photos at the iconic LOVE TAUPO sign (Duration: approx. 30min)
• Choose from a range of activities on the picturesque Lake Taupo, such as jet boating , cruising, sail-boating, jet skiing, kayaking, helicopter rides, bungy jumping, bungy swing, hot spring spa, etc. (time dependant)
• Witness the Lady Knox Geyser erupt and explore the famous and surreal Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (Duration: approx. 2 Hours)
• Soar over Okere Falls and experience the thrill of ziplining, and witness breathtaking panoramic views over forest and falls (Duration: approx. 2 Hours)
• Enjoy beautiful views of Lake Rotorua from a series of mineral hot pools at Polynesian Spa. Take advantage of full spa access with hot and cold pools, and geothermally heated poolside recliners. Bathing time is not restricted. (Optional)
• Marvel at the amazing farm show including sheep shearing and sheep dogs, and enjoy an entertaining farm tour (Duration: approx. 2.5 Hours)
• Feel rejuvenated and refreshed in the tree tops, walking through the magnificent Redwoods forest and enjoy stunning views from a birds eye perspective (Duration: approx. 40min)
• Walk or drive through the beautiful Government Gardens Rotorua which are situated in the geothermal area on Lake Rotorua's edge in downtown Rotorua. (Duration: approx. 20-30min)
• Enjoy the Mitai Maori cultural evening and buffet dinner (Duration: approx. 3 Hours)
• Take a guided tour (English) of Hobbiton Movie Set in the heart of the Waikato region. Step into the stunning landscapes of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, enjoy a complementary drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and explore the interior of a Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row (Duration: approx. 2.5 Hours)
• Stop over at Lake Karapiro, take a few photos and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the idyllic Waikato countryside. (Duration: approx. 30min)
Includes
✔All land transport, hotel or airport pickup and drop-off
✔Bottled Water
✔Children Car Seats (Boosters)
Excludes
✗Admission Tickets
✗Meals
✗Accommodation
Itinerary Description
Day 1
Morning: Pick up from Hotel/Airport
One Tree Hill, Cornwall Park, Mount Eden, Viaduct Harbour, Muriwai Beach
Day 2
Shakespear Regional Park, Orewa Beach, Whangarei, Paihia
Day 3
The whole day is about activities & tours in Bay of Islands, depends on what you have booked. The driver will take you to the start location if it’s too far to walk and then pick you up at the end of the day if necessary.
Day 4
Kerikeri Stonestore, Maitai Bay, Mangonui Fish Shop, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Haruru Falls
Day 5
Opononi Beach, Tane Mahuta (Waipoua Forest), Kauri Museum
Day 6
Bridal Veil Falls, Raglan Beach, Hamilton Gardens
Day 7
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Huka Falls, Lake Taupo
Day 8
Waiotapu Thermal Wondeland, Okere Falls, Geothermal Hot Spring Bathing
Day 9
Agrodome Farm, Redwoods Treewalk, Government Gardens Rotorua, Mitai Maori Village
Day 10
Hobbiton, Lake Karapiro
Stop at a few surprise scenic spots along the way if time permits
Overnight accommodation is located in Auckland (day1), Paihia (day2, 3, 4), Hamilton (day5, 6), Lake Taupo (day7), Rotorua (day8, 9)