Best of the North Island. Nine days.

Tour 207 

Discover the Best of the North Island. 9 days/8 nights

Auckland, Kauri museum and Forest, Hokianga Harbour, Waitangi Treaty grounds, Cape Reinga tour, Bay of Islands cruise, Russell, Whangarei

Small group tour commences Auckland every saturday and wednesday year round. (Minimum 2 passengers)

Wednesday tour visits Waitomo and Rotorua thursday to saturday returning to Auckland for 2 nights and to the Bay of Islands Monday returning wednesday for 1 night ending thursday For a more relaxed and comprehensive tour of Northland see our 4 day Northland Heritage tour. Read More.  

Unsolicited comments from past passengers:

I am writing to thank you for organising our very interesting and enjoyable tour of New Zealand. R and I agree that it was very well put together. I am experiencing the aftermath with my thoughts still in your very beautiful and stimulating New Zealand. I find myself playing the haunting Maori songs. (J.B. Australia) 

Just a note to tell you that we really enjoyed our North Island tour and felt that we had good value for money. (M and B. F New Zealand).       

The organisation was fantastic and couldn't be faulted. The drivers were superb and we are now sold on small group tours. (T. and P. England)

Day 1. Saturday.                  AUCKLAND ARRIVE
Arrive Auckland and you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the central city.

Day 2. Sunday.                            AUCKLAND.                     (B)
Free day for optional tours, cruises, shop, relax, or explore at your leisure.

Auckland Hop on Hop off Explorer Bus covering 14 attractions and Skytower - extra cost $95  

Full day tour Auckland city and West Coast rainforest and beaches - extra cost $270

Full day cruise and Hop on Hop off Explorer bus to Waiheke Island tour and vineyards- extra cost $ 

Day 3. Monday.    AUCKLAND - KAURI FORESTS - HOKIANGA - BAY OF ISLANDS      (BL)
Depart Auckland 7.30am. Drive north over the Harbour Bridge to the Otamatea Kauri and Early Settlers Museum, one of the best little museums in New Zealand. Learn of the importance of the kauri tree to the development of Northland and see the lifestyle of the early settlers. Continue through Ruawai 'kumara capital' of New Zealand, and Dargaville into the Waipoua kauri forest. Visit "Tane Mahuta" giant kauri tree - some 2000 years old. Enjoy the views of the Hokianga Harbour and sand dunes and stopover at Opononi for a traditional 'fish and chips' lunch before visiting historic Rawene. See Clendon House (exterior only) built in 1862. Visit the Waitangi Treaty House where the Treaty of Waitangi between Maori and the British Government was signed on the 6th February 1840 and excellent Treaty museum and enjoy a tour with a local guide of the Treaty House and Meeting House with its fabulous carvings, and see the giant war canoe.  Two nights accommodation in the Bay of Islands.

Day 4. Tuesday.                CAPE REINGA                        (BL)
You will be picked up by special coach for a full day excursion north through historic Keri Keri and the Puketi forest plus the beautiful Mangonui Harbour and Coopers Beach to Cape Reinga at the top of New Zealand. Travel part way on the sands of Ninety Mile Beach. See the meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean. Return to the Bay of Islands early evening. A picnic lunch is included today.

FLY/ROAD TO CAPE REINGA: For a shorter day, a bigger experience, and fabulous scenery not seen from the ground transfer from your hotel to Kerikeri airport and fly north over Ninety Mile beach to land near Cape Reinga. Your special vehicle will be waiting for a 2.5 hour (approx) land tour to Te Paki stream and massive sand dunes on Ninety Mile beach, Cape Reinga light house, Tapotupotu Bay. Fly back to Keri Keri via the fabulous coastal scenery of Parengarenga Harbour, Great Exhibition Bay, Houhora Harbour, Karikari Peninsula, Whangaroa Harbour, Cavalli Islands and Bay of Islands. Return to Kerikeri airport and transfer back to you hotel. Departs twice daily in summer, once daily in winter - extra cost instead of coach $360 per adult. Total time from Paihia approximately 5 hours

Day 5. Wednesday.      BAY OF ISLANDS - AUCKLAND             (B)                                                                                                                    Enjoy a cruise around the beautiful Bay of Islands this morning to Cape Brett and pass through the 'hole in the rock' - weather permitting. Cruise past the islands and into secluded bays. Visit Urupukapuka Island, home of author Zane Grey for many years.  Usually dolphins are to be seen during this cruise. Disembark at historic Russell for a short tour and see the oldest church in New Zealand, Flagstaff Hill,  and Pompallier House. Return to Auckland early evening with a short stop at the Whangarei Town Basin en route. Optional visit to the Hundertwasser Art Centre - extra expense. 

Day 6.Thursday. AUCKLAND - WAITOMO CAVES - HOBBITON - ROTORUA              (B)                                                                                Depart Auckland 7.30am and drive south over the Bombay Hills and along the banks of the Waikato River to Waitomo Caves for a guided tour through the main limestone cave and cruise through the glowworm grotto. (45 minute tour) 

Visit Lake Karapiro, home of New Zealand rowing, and the Karapiro hydro dam on the Waikato River, at 425 km this is New Zealand's longest river.

Continue to Hobbiton and the Shires Rest to join your guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie set, made famous by "Lord of the Rings, and "Hobbit" films. Drive through part of the picturesque 500 hectare (1,250 acre) sheep and cattle farm and your guide will escort you through the 10 acre Hobbiton site. See the Hobbit Holes, Bag End (Bilbo and Frodo Baggins home), go 'Beyond the Door' into a Hobbit home, and see the Party Tree, Lake, The Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn, and learn how this Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth. Enjoy an included cold drink from the Green Dragon Inn and continue to Rotorua. Accommodation usually at Millennium Hotel.

Day 7. Friday.              ROTORUA              (BD)                                                                                                                                                       Visit the Waiotapu thermal area, most colourful in New Zealand,  and see Lady Knox geyser play. Enjoy  a guided tour of the Te Puia thermal to see bubbling mud pools, famed Pohutu geyser, and to visit the Maori carving and weaving school. Continue to the Agrodome farm show for an introduction to 19 types of sheep and see the amazing sheep dogs working. Ride the Skyline gondola for a panoramic view over the lake and city, and with luge and lunch options - extra expense. You have time to relax in the hot thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa, walk the Redwood forest canopy, scenic floatplane flight over the volcanic lakes and mountains, or white water raft. All activities this afternoon are extra expense). This evening enjoy an introduction to Maori culture with an exciting concert, and hangi steam cooked dinner.

Day 8. Saturday.     ROTORUA - TAUPO - AUCKLAND.      (B).
Drive to Taupo and visit the Wairakei Geothermal valley, Huka Falls, Honey Hive, bungy site (try if you wish), and Taupo lakefront. Return to Auckland this afternoon. Return may be by Intercity scheduled coach to Skycity coach terminal.

Day 9. Sunday.     AUCKLAND DEPART

You will be transferred to the airport for departure

Tour cost includes:
All travel by people mover or mini bus, 8 nights accommodation and breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 hangi dinner, sightseeing admissions to Kauri museum, Waitangi Treaty House, tour to Cape Reinga by special bus, Bay of Islands cruise, Otorohanga Kiwi house, Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton, Maori concert, Te Puia Arts and Crafts and thermal areas. Waiotapu thermal area, Skyline gondola, Agrodome farm show