10 Days 1893 km

Highlights

  • Bay of Islands & Cape Reinga
  • Geothermal Rotorua
  • Coolest little capital

Proximity

CAR-FREE TRAVEL OPTIONS

This grand tour of the North Island takes you from New Zealand’s first capital in the beautiful Bay of Islands, to our current capital - the vibrant city of Wellington.

As you travel south, explore historical sites, tranquil beaches and dramatic geothermal attractions. The urban pleasures of Auckland city mix with creativity in Coromandel, Maori culture in Rotorua, and a delicious variety of gourmet food and wine throughout.

Day 1: Auckland to Paihia

Northland & Bay of Islands
Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Northland & Bay of Islands
northland

NORTHLAND

A place of history, long beaches and giant trees.

Highlights

  • Rich Maori history
  • Heritage architecture
  • Dolphin spotting

Proximity

Your journey begins with a trip from Auckland to the Bay of Islands. The resort town of Paihia makes an excellent base for exploring this region.

Start with the historic Treaty House at Waitangi, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed and New Zealand was born in 1840. Immerse yourself in the Maori culture with a live kapa haka performance. A short ferry ride takes you to charming Russell and nearby Okiato, the first capital. The capital lasted just a year at Okiato before it moved to Auckland in 1841, and finally Wellington in 1865.

Once you've had your fill of history, take a dolphin tour, go kayaking in Paihia, or enjoy a round of golf at the prestigious Kauri Cliffs.

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Day 2: Day trip to Cape Reinga

Northland & Bay of Islands
Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Northland & Bay of Islands

Highlights

  • Watch oceans collide
  • Explore Ninety-Mile Beach
  • Sandboard giant dunes

Proximity

  • by car:

    5 h 50 min (rtn) | 424 km via SH1

  • by bus:

    No direct bus service - day tours available

  • Visit the local iSITE for day tours

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES IN NORTHLAND

Wonderland of islands, marine life, kauri forests and Maori legend.

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Spend the day exploring the very top of the North Island. Travel to Cape Reinga where the Tasman Sea meets the mighty Pacific Ocean. On a good day, a white line of foam stretches across the ocean showing where the two bodies of water meet. Maori consider this place sacred, here spirits of the deceased leap into the ocean to return to their ancestral land.

From Cape Reinga, make your way to Ninety Mile Beach where you can sandboard down giant sand dunes and dig for fresh shellfish. On your return to Paihia, be sure to stop at Mangonui, known for its delicious fish and chips.

Day 3: Bay of Islands to Auckland

Auckland
Urban adventures in the city, Auckland
auckland

AUCKLAND

Vibrant city style and spectacular landscapes.

Highlights

  • Markets, wineries and unique eateries
  • West Coast beaches
  • Sunset kayak to Rangitoto

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES IN AUCKLAND

A buzzing urban hub nestled between two contrasting coastlines.

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As you make your way south, take time to visit some of the interesting towns you pass along the way. Kawakawa must be one of the few towns in the world known for its public toilet. As the last building designed by Austrian artist Frederick Hundertwasser, it is a masterpiece of glass tiles and imagination.

The subtropical city of Whangarei lies on the edge of a beautiful harbour. You’ll find stylish cafes and restaurants, as well as museums, art galleries and shops.

End the day in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. Here you can enjoy marine adventuresforest walks and world-class food and wine.

Day 4: Auckland to Whitianga

Coromandel
Cathedral Cove, The Coromandel, Coromandel
coromandel

THE COROMANDEL

Pristine beaches and dramatic coastlines.

Highlights

  • World famous Cathedral Cove
  • Hot Water Beach
  • Snorkel Orua sea cave

Proximity

The beach town of Whitianga is the ideal base for visiting the Coromandel's must-see attractions. 

Cathedral Cove is a picturesque photo spot made famous by the Chronicles of Nania: Prince Caspian. At Hot Water Beach a natural hot spring lies beneath the sand. If you arrive within 2 hours of low tide, you can dig a hole and create your own natural spa. Coromandel is also the home of two spectacular marine reserves, making it a perfect place for snorkelling and diving.

Day 5: Whitianga to Rotorua

Rotorua
Enjoy Rotorua's explosive beauty, Rotorua

Highlights

  • Geothermal attractions
  • Gold mining town of Waihi
  • Hobbiton Movie Set

Proximity

  • by car:

    3 h 10 min | 230 km via SH25, SH27 & SH5

  • by bus:

    No direct bus service - see car free option.

  • Visit the local iSITE for activities or tours

HOBBITION IN 360

Go behind the scenes of New Zealand's real Middle‑earth™ film set.

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The road south takes you through surf town Whangamata and the dramatic Karangahake Gorge. Karangahake Gorge walkway is a fascinating look into the region's gold mining history. After the gold mining town of Waihi, you'll find yourself amid lush farmland on your way to Matamata.

It's easy to see why Peter Jackson chose this area to play The Shire in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Visit Hobbiton Movie Set to see how Peter Jackson bought this imaginary place to life. From here, it's an easy journey on to Rotorua.

Car-free option

Add a night in Tauranga: 4 h | Whitianga to Tauranga & 1 h 25 min | Tauranga to Rotorua.

Day 6: Spend the day in Rotorua

Rotorua
Whakarewarewa Forest, known simply as 'The Redwoods', is a mountain biking mecca., Rotorua
rotorua

ROTORUA

Mud pools, adventure and unique Maori culture.

Highlights

  • Mountain biking trails
  • Adventure OGO, shweeb and bungy
  • Maori cultural experiences

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES IN ROTORUA

Nowhere in New Zealand does the earth feel more alive than it does in Rotorua.

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In Rotorua, geothermal activity breathes through every part of the city, from bubbling mud to erupting geysers.

Adrenaline junkies will love Rotorua's range of adventure activities, with bungy jumping, mountain biking and zorbing just a few of the activities on offer. In the Whakarewarewa Forest, you can climb into the forest canopy and discover a whole new world with a Redwood Treewalk.

End the day with a soak at the Polynesian Spa and discover the unique culture of the Maori people with a cultural experience at Te Puia, Mitai or Tamaki Māori Villages.

Day 7: Rotorua to Taupō

Taupō
Hukafalls Jet, Taupō
lake-taupo

TAUPO

Teeming with outdoor activities and water sports.

Highlights

  • Thrilling Huka Falls jet boat
  • Trout spotting
  • Mine Bay Māori carvings

Proximity

The road to Taupo is dotted with unusual, volcanic geography. A side road takes you to Orakei Korako Thermal Park, where you’ll discover geysers, silica terraces and craters of boiling mud. Other activities along the way include Huka Falls and The Kinloch Club, a world-acclaimed golf course.

Lake Taupo is New Zealand’s largest lake and ideal for a spot of fly-fishing and a huge range of water sports. If you've got time, take a boat cruise or kayaking tour to visit the Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay and learn a bit about the region's history.

Day 8: Taupo to Napier

Hawke's Bay
Art Deco Weekend, Napier, Hawke's Bay
hawkes-bay

HAWKE'S BAY

Wineries, fresh produce and Art Deco design.

Highlights

  • Art Deco heritage architecture
  • Cycling trails and winery tours
  • Cape Kidnappers gannet colony

Proximity

The major entertainment on the road from Taupo to Napier is the fantastic scenery. There’s a bit of everything - rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas. Hot springs in Tarawera are a good rest stop along the way, as is the Waiarua Falls lookout.

Napier is famous for its distinctive architecture. In 1931, a devastating earthquake nearly levelled the city. It was rebuilt in the style of the times and is now considered the Art Deco Capital of the world. Beyond the city, explore the region's vineyards on a self-drive, chauffer driven or bicycle tour. Or, visit the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauwae-a-Māui.

Day 9: Napier to Martinborough

Wairarapa
Martinborough Village, Wairarapa
wairarapa

WAIRARAPA

Vineyards, pinnacles and beautiful coastline.

Highlights

  • Mount Bruce wildlife sanctuary
  • Victorian architecture
  • Winery tours

Proximity

  • by car:

    3 h 35 min | 275 km via SH2

  • by bus:

    No direct bus service - see car free option.

Your journey today takes you through some of the North Island's most charming provincial towns. Just before Masterton, you will find wildlife sanctuary Puhaka Mount Bruce; an essential stop for nature lovers. Carterton is a good place for paua shell souvenirs, while Greytown has many beautiful examples of Victorian architecture and a quaint museum. 

With over 25 boutique vineyards, Martinborough is a place of exquisite wine, gourmet food and upmarket B&Bs. You can walk to most of the local attractions from the town square.

 Car-free option

Add a night in Palmerston North: 3 h | Napier to Palmerston North & 3 h 55 min | Palmerston North to Martinborough.

Day 10: Martinborough - Wellington

Wellington
Wellington Cable Car, Wellington
wellington

WELLINGTON

Mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine

Highlights

  • Remutaka Ranges
  • Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa
  • Wellington Cable Car

Proximity

From Martinborough, climb up and over the Remutaka Range with great views in every direction. Cyclists may want to try riding the Remutaka Cycle Trail, which follows the old railway line over the range to Wellington.

Wellington is compact, cultured and full of character. Nestled between the harbour and the hills, the downtown area is ideal for explorations on foot. Be sure to visit the national museum, Te Papa, while you're here. Other attractions include the Wellington Cable Car, the Houses of Parliament, Zealandia and Wētā Workshop. Dance, theatre and musical performances are also a Wellington speciality and a great way to end your New Zealand journey.

View the route below

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