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12-Day Self-Drive North Island Highlights

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Overview

Embark on a New Zealand adventure by touring the incredibly scenic South Island over 12 wonderful days!

On this journey, you'll begin in Auckland, before taking a seaplane to Waiheke Island, then you'll explore the Coromandel Peninsula, drive south to Rotorua, explore Te Puia, continue your journey to Tongariro National Park and travel to New Zealand's capital, Wellington.

Along the way, you'll experience a number of exciting tours sampling the gourmet food of the South Island and making the most of the incredible scenery on various hikes, guided bike tours, cruises and more!
Outdoors & Nature
Food & Drink
Sightseeing
Hiking & Trekking
Culture & Arts

Itinerary

Day 1

Kia Ora & Welcome to New Zealand!

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Kia Ora & Welcome to New Zealand!

Upon arrival, a chauffeur will welcome you and will drive you to the Auckland Seaplanes base where you board a seaplane. You will take-off in front of the city panorama before you leave the harbour and fly over Rangitoto Island. After a few minutes, you'll reach Waiheke, the most popular holiday destination in the region with its sandy beaches, vineyards and designer villas. Unwind, rejuvenate and be personally hosted at this stunning, one of a kind slice of Waiheke paradise.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Marino Ridge5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Auckland Seaplanes Journey to Marino Ridge

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Auckland Airport to Auckland Seaplanes

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

Day 2

Gourmet Food & Wine Tour on Waiheke Island

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Gourmet Food & Wine Tour on Waiheke Island

A private guided Waiheke Island food and wine tour is planned for you today. Your tour guide will pick you up and take you around the island. You will visit an award-winning olive oil mill, followed by two vineyards, each offering a range of gourmet tastes to accompany their wines. Treats may include oysters straight from Te Matuku Bay, wild honey, the famous local green herb spread and artisan cheeses. Your guide will provide an entertaining and informative commentary along the way.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Marino Ridge5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ananda Tours Waiheke Island Gourmet Food & Wine Tour

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

Day 3

Ferry Back to Auckland & Self-Drive to the Coromandel Peninsula

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Ferry Back to Auckland & Self-Drive to the Coromandel Peninsula

Today you'll leave this beautiful island. Your hosts will drive you down to the ferry terminal where you will catch the ferry back to downtown Auckland. A taxi driver will pick you up at the ferry terminal and take you to the rental car depot. After everything is sorted your tour continues to the Coromandel Peninsula. From your accommodation's hilltop location, the jaw-dropping views encompass Tairua Estuary, Pauanui, Slipper Island and the Pacific Ocean.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Colleith Lodge4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Marino Ridge to Waiheke Ferry Terminal

    Ferry from Waiheke Island to Auckland

    Taxi from Auckland to Auckland

    Rental Car from Auckland to Coromandel

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

    Tairua

Day 4

Free Day to Enjoy the Coromandel Peninsula

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Free Day to Enjoy the Coromandel Peninsula

Today is free to spend as you wish. A worthwhile visit is the Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own "nature spa pool" and relax in the hot water. You can also explore the impressive Cathedral Cove by boat, kayak or on foot. This rock formation on a white sandy beach was also one of the backdrops of the film, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. You can also take a ride on New Zealand's only narrow-gauge railway, which takes you over viaducts and through beautiful scenery.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Colleith Lodge4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Coromandel PeninsulaOptional Activity

    Driving Creek RailwayOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Tairua

    Kaimarama

    Coromandel

Day 5

Another Day to Explore the Coromandel Peninsula

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Another Day to Explore the Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel Peninsula is a beautiful area that extends 85 kilometres north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty, with cool forests, picturesque beaches, rugged coastlines and swimming holes. Dense rainforest occupies much of the peninsula. Around the island, there are waterfalls, beaches, forest trails to be found. While exploring the island, you can venture to the hot springs, providing evidence of the island's volcanoes some million years ago.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Colleith Lodge4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Day on the Coromandel PeninsulaOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Tairua

    Coromandel

Day 6

Drive South to Rotorua

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Drive South to Rotorua

Today, you'll leave the peninsula and head south towards Rotorua. It is recommended that you make a stopover in Matamata to discover the true Middle-earth. During a two-hour guided tour, you can visit the film set 'Hobbiton' of the "Lord of the Rings" and the "Hobbit" trilogies, which you might better know as "Shire". Afterwards, you'll continue onwards to Rotorua. This region is not only the centre of Maori culture but also famous for its geothermal activity.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Peppers On The Point Rotorua5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hobbiton Movie SetOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Coromandel to Rotorua

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Tairua

    Matamata

    Rotorua

Day 7

Private Te Puia Tour & Optional Activities

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Private Te Puia Tour & Optional Activities

Today, you'll head out on a private Te Puia tour. You will come face to face with the biggest, active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere Pōhutu Geyser, jumping mud pools and live kiwi birds in their brand new Kiwi Conservation Centre. Your tour also includes a traditionally cooked steam box lunch to enjoy in front of Pohutu Geyser. The rest of the day is at your leisure; take a helicopter flight with Volcanic Air, or take a short walk through the Redwoods Forest.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Peppers On The Point Rotorua5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Private Te Puia Tour

    Volcanic AirOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rotorua

Day 8

Journey to Tongariro National Park

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Journey to Tongariro National Park

Today, you will be travelling through an important forestry area on your way to the Taupo. You are passing a few more geothermal parks which are worth a visit. Before entering Taupo, you can make a stop at the picturesque, fast-flowing Huka Falls. Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand and of volcanic origin. This is the oldest of the New Zealand national parks consists of a grand volcanic mountain landscape. You will be spending the next two nights in a very unique accommodation.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Nightsky Cottage

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal WonderlandOptional Activity

    Waimangu Volcanic ValleyOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Rotorua to Tongariro National Park

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rotorua

    Waiotapu

    Waimangu

    Horopito

Day 9

Explore Tongariro National Park

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Explore Tongariro National Park

Today you will explore the beautiful landscape of the Tongariro National Park on a half-day guided tour. When possible, your guide will start the tour on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track and head up to Soda Springs before returning to the start. Other popular Tongariro sites which could be included in the four-hour tour include Lake Rotopounamu, Taranaki Falls, Silica Rapids, Soda Springs, Pukeonake, Whakapapanui River, Tawhai falls and Meads Wall.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Nightsky Cottage

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Adrift Tongariro Volcanic Explorer Guided Walk

    Sky Waka GondolaOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Horopito

    National Park

    Manawatu-Wanganui

Day 10

Travel to New Zealand's Capital, Wellington

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Travel to New Zealand's Capital, Wellington

Today, your New Zealand adventure continues southwards through the fertile farmlands of Levin to Wellington. New Zealand's capital lies partially on reclaimed land at the harbour and the steep hillsides adjacent to the Cook Strait. Wellington has been the capital city since 1865 and such is also the country’s political centre. You'll have the rest of the day free to explore once you arrive in the city.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    QT Wellington4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Tongariro National Park to Wellington

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Horopito

    Wellington

Day 11

Free Day to Explore Wellington

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Free Day to Explore Wellington

Today is free to explore Wellington as you wish. You can undertake a city sightseeing tour and drive to Mount Victoria from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city. The top of the cable car, running from Lambton Quay, also gives a fine close-up view of the city. A cycle tour on an e-bike or a guided food tour through Wellington's hidden gems is also another great way to see the city. These tours can be arranged for you if you wish.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    QT Wellington4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    A Taste of Wellington Food TourOptional Activity

    Free Time in WellingtonOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wellington

Day 12

Goodbye New Zealand!

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Goodbye New Zealand!

You'll head to the airport and return your rental car before catching your departing flight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Wellington to Wellington International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wellington

Included in Price

  • 11 nights accommodation
  • 4 activities
  • 11 breakfasts and 2 lunches
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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