Private Tour: 8-day North Island Tour From Auckland Including Rotorua And Wellington

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland

Stop At: SkyTower, Victoria Street Corner Federal Streets, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
Sights on your private city tour today could include a visit to one of Auckland’s inner city beaches; Mission Bay, where it is possible to see stunning Pohutukawa trees. The trip could also take in sights such as Mt Eden, a stunning viewpoint and one of Auckland’s most famous volcanic craters, and perhaps a gander at one of The Road Trip’s favourite look out spots that boasts great views of both Rangitoto Island and Waiheke Island. This evening we will take a trip to the top of the Auckland Skytower and view the City of Sails from 300m above. You will enjoy a three-course dinner in the exclusive Sky Tower Sugar Club Restaurant.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 4 star option- Heritage City Life (or similar)
5 star option- Cordis Hotel (or similar)

Day 2: Auckland to Whitianga Via Coromandel

Stop At: 380 Driving Creek Road, Coromandel 3506, New Zealand
YOUR DAY
193 km, 3 hours driving
South you go. Leaving New Zealand’s largest city you head for the Coromandel, one of the key locations for the New Zealand gold rush in the 1800s. En route depending how you feel there may be time for a walk through one the region’s many Kauri Tree forests, where you will encounter the flora and fauna of New Zealand’s North Island at its best. You follow the coast road to the town of Coromandel, where you will take a trip on ‘The Driving Creek Railway’- New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway, with a working pottery and wild life sanctuary (included activity). From there you will take the stunning inland route to the coastal town of Whitianga, known for the famous Buffalo Beach and its palm trees that line the shore.
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4 star- Ocean's Resort (or similar)
5 star- Lonely Bay Lodge (or similar)

Day 3: Whitianga and Surrounds

Stop At: Cathedral Cove Walk, 65 Grange Rd S, Hahei 3591 New Zealand
Today is free to explore the beauty of Whitianga and surrounds. Perhaps take a walk to one of New Zealand’s most stunning beaches; Cathedral Cove where you wander through ancient native forest to the pristine beach that houses this striking rock formation. Other options for the day include a boat trip to a marine reserve, bathing in hot springs, walking along Buffalo Beach and Horse-riding at a local farm (optional – extra cost).
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4 star option- Ocean's Resort (or similar)
5 star option- Lonely Bay Lodge (or similar)

Day 4: Whitianga to Rotorua Via Hobbiton

Stop At: Hobbiton Movie Set, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, Hinuera 3472 New Zealand
This morning you will visit the world famous Hot Water Beach. This is one of the only places in the world where one can discover thermal water underneath a beach! Bring your swimming gear, as you will have the opportunity to dig your very own thermal pool and bathe in its waters (35-40 degrees Celsius in the right areas). Following this you farewell the Coromandel and head south to Rotorua; a hot spot for Maori culture and thermal activity. En route you will visit Hobbiton and The Shire’s Rest, the only remaining film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies (included activity). Arrive in Rotorua in the afternoon and you have the opportunity to take a city tour featuring Kuirau Park mud pool reserve and view the stunning government gardens and lakefront. This afternoon you could experience a relaxing soak in the thermal waters of the famous Polynesian Spa (optional – extra cost).
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4 star option- Novotel Lakeside (or similar)
5 star option- Black Swan Boutique Hotel (or similar)

Day 5: Rotorua

Stop At: Te Puia, Hemo Road, Rotorua New Zealand
This morning you will take a three hour guided 4WD Trip near Lake Rotoiti, which includes a visit to a marae, amazing scenery, storytelling and song from a local Māori guide. The rest of the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure, Options include: Rotorua Gondola and Luge, a trip to Rotorua Agrodome to experience zorbing, a visit to a kiwifruit farm or a trip to The Buried Village of Te Wairoa (all optional extra cost). This afternoon This you will explore Te Puia to experience mud pools and geysers and visit the Maori Weaving School and Kiwi House. This is a chance to see our national bird up close. Following this you will enjoy a traditional Maori dinner (Hangi) and see a cultural performance (Te Puia entry, dinner and show included).
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner: Dinner tonight will be a Hangi enjoyed with our native Maori people
Accommodation included: 4 star option- Novotel Lakeside (or similar)
5 star option- Black Swan Boutique Hotel (or similar)

Day 6: Rotorua to Tongariro National Park

Stop At: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, 201 Waiotapu Loop Road Rd 3, Rotorua 3073 New Zealand
Your first stop for the day is Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland - a Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. You will see New Zealand’s largest thermal mud pool, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours (included activity). Heading south and stopping at the mind-blowingly powerful Huka Falls en route, you will reach Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake where you may wish to stop for lunch. Winding your way around Lake Taupo, you will eventually reach Tongariro National Park where you may wish to take a hike in the National Park itself. One of The Road Trip’s favourites is 2 hours long featuring native bush, volcanic views and stunning waterfalls.In clear weather there is a great opportunity to spot New Zealand’s 3 most active volcanoes - Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngaurauhoe (also known as Mt Doom).
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Both options (Chateau Tongariro)- Please note that this is the only suitable option in the National Park

Day 7: Tongariro National Park to Wellington

Stop At: Weta Workshop, Corner of Camperdown Rd & Weka St Miramar, Wellington 6022 New Zealand
If you are feeling active this morning there is a possibility of doing one of the many stunning short walks in the Tongariro National Park. One of The Road Trip’s favourites is 2 hours long featuring native bush, volcanic views and stunning waterfalls. Heading south you arrive in Wellington in the afternoon to discover New Zealand’s capital city. You can take a city tour taking in sights such as Mt Victoria - Wellington’s most spectacular viewpoint with 360 degrees of the city, harbour and mountain ranges in the background. This afternoon we will visit the famous Weta Cave and explore the workshop on a guided tour. In the evening perhaps have a wander through the bustling streets of Wellington where you can enjoy a meal on the waterfront (optional – extra cost).
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4 star option- City Life Wellington (or similar)
5 star option- The Bolton Hotel (or similar)

Day 8: Departure Day

Pass By: Wellington, Wellington, Greater Wellington, North Island
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your next adventure. We trust that you have had the exclusive trip of a lifetime.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.