Day 1 – Auckland             

Arrive in Auckland and settle in at your hotel. Take a tour in the afternoon or simply explore the vibrant city yourself.

Day 2 – Auckland             

Today is left free. With lots to do in the city and surrounding area, we can organise a tour to suit you, whether it be cultural, visiting galleries and museums, or scenic with coast and rainforest walks, or adventurous, with Sky Tower or Antarctic Underwater World.

Day 3 – Bay of Islands

Enjoy a morning small group tour of Auckland, giving an insight into the Māori history, before collecting your hire car and driving north to the Bay of Islands

Day 4 – Bay of Islands

This morning you have entrance to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to explore the park and learn about Maori heritage. The afternoon brings an exciting luxury catamaran cruise around the islands with a stop to enjoy a walk, or unwind on the white sandy beach.

Day 5 – Northland

Journey to New Zealand’s northern-most point ‘Te Rerenga Wairua’ today, taking you off the beaten track and on to roads less travelled, revealing more of our favourite places and hidden gems.

Day 6 – Waipoua Forest

Drive to your next accommodation nestled on a ridge overlooking the wilderness of the ancient Waipoua Forest. In the afternoon enter the forest on a Twilight Encounter tour and experience the affinity that early Maori had with the forest. Learn of the rich bird life and other fauna that inhabits the forest as the day turns into the night.

Days 7 & 8 – Cambridge

Head to Cambridge in New Zealand’s rural heartland. Here you can indulge in a great selection of restaurants, chic cafes, boutique shopping and designer outlets, with art trails and galleries around the town centre.

Days 9-11 – Coromandel Peninsula

Drive south past Auckland to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. The following couple of day are at leisure to explore this stunning coastline and scenic beaches.

Days 12 – Coromandel Peninsula

Journey to the base of Mount Maunganui, where white sand surf beach stretches as far as the eye can see. Catch a wave or cruise the many cafes.

Days 13-14 – Rotorua

Drive to the volcanic town of Rotorua. Due to its location on the Pacific ‘Rim of Fire’, Rotorua has lively geothermal activity and is surrounded by bubbling mud pools, geysers and mineral lakes. The place has retained a strong Maori cultural heritage and provides visitors with the opportunity to discover the Maori culture, myths and legends of the region.

Days 15-16 – Lake Taupo             

An hour’s drive south from Rotorua, is the town of Taupo on the northern shore of New Zealand’s largest lake. Lake Taupo is renowned for its fishing, here you can enjoy cruising or simply relaxing in this incredibly beautiful spot.

Days 17-18 – Hawke’s Bay

Take a scenic drive east to the wine-growing region of Hawke’s Bay and stay 2 nights. We recommend pre-booking a tour of the nearby vineyards or a visit to the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. 

Days 19-20 – Hawke’s Bay

Continue south along the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail to the Wairarapa wine region via Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre. Spend the next day exploring the nearby vineyards surrounding the town.

Days 21-22 – Wellington

Drive to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, for your final few days in New Zealand. We recommended excursions include a walking tour and a visit to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa.

Day 23   – Departure

Return your car hire at the airport and fly home. Alternatively continue your holiday in New Zealand and see the South Island with one of our many tours…