10 Day Best of North Island Tour
North Island Self Drive Tour
Wellington to Auckland
Self Drive
Days: 10 days / 9 Nights
Accommodation: 4-5 star
Vehicle: Modern Toyota Rav4 + Full Insurance
From: $428 NZD Per Person, Per Day*
Price: $4280 NZD Per Person, Twin Share *(low season)
100% Customisable to Fit Your Budget!
All Inclusive & Customisable
Explore the Top Attractions of New Zealand's North Island on this Unforgettable Tour! Discover the vibrant cityscape of Auckland, sail away to scenic Whitianga and the stunning Coromandel Peninsula, delve into the rich geothermal wonders and Māori heritage of Rotorua, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Wellington – known as 'The Coolest Little Capital in the World'. What sets this tour apart? It's all about you! Customize your experience, relax, and immerse yourself in the true essence of New Zealand.
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Wellington Cable Car Journey
Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary Entry
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Entry
Canopy Tours Rotorua – Ultimate Canopy Tour
Te Pā Tū Hangi & Māori Cultural Experience
Hobbiton 2 Hour Tour + Lunch Combo
Glass bottom boat cruise from Whitianga
Driving Creek Railway Admission
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9 nights in 4-5 star/best available motel, hotel, bed and breakfast or apartment featuring mountain, ocean and lake views (subject to availability)
10 days vehicle hire of a modern Toyota Rav4 or similar + GPS + full insurance
All meals as listed under each day's itinerary
All experiences as listed under each day's itinerary
All bookings and reservations + assistance for urgent matters during your trip via email and a free calling number
A digital travel guide APP outlining our top picks for what to see and do and where to eat along your route
The donation of 4 native trees – a sustainability initiative to offset carbon emissions and re-grow Aotearoa/New Zealand's forests
Arrival and departure flights not included
Detailed Itinerary - Day by Day
Day 1
Stay: Rydges Wellington
Your Day: Wellington Arrival
Upon arrival at Wellington Airport you will collect your rental vehicle within the airport terminal. Make your way to your inner city accommodation where the day and night are free to spend at your leisure and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Day 2
Stay: Rydges Wellington
Tour: Cable Car Journey
Tour: Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary Entry
Meals: Breakfast included
Your Day: Wellington
Today is your day to explore the Coolest Little Capital in the World! This morning you will take the Cable Car from the city up to Kelburn, where you will be able to wander the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Next, hop on the free shuttle to Zealandia, the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state. The 225 hectare ecosanctuary is a ground+breaking conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area, 6 of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years. Tonight why not enjoy one of the delicious restaurants the city has to offer?
Day 3
Driving time: 4 hours driving (300km)
Stay: Powderhorn Chateau
Meals: Breakfast included
Your Day: Wellington to Tongariro National Park (Ohakune)
This morning you depart Wellington and continue North to the beautiful Tongariro National Park. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in the beautiful ski resort of Ohakune where you may wish to take a hike in the National Park itself. Enjoy a night at the Powderhorn Chateau where the cast of Lord of the Rings stayed during filming in the area!
Day 4
Driving time: 2.5 hours driving (200km)
Stay: Regent of Rotorua
Tour: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Entry
Meals: Breakfast included
Your Day: Tongariro National Park (Ohakune) to Rotorua
En route today we recommend taking a short detour to the village of Whakapapa and the Chateau Tongariro in the Tongariro National Park where you may wish to enjoy a hike. One of The Road Trip’s favourites is 2 hours long featuring native bush, volcanic views and stunning waterfalls. In clear weather you will spot 3 of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes – Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngaurauhoe (also known as Mt Doom). Heading North today, you will reach Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake. Winding your way around the lake, you will reach the lakeside holiday town of Taupo.
Further down the road, stop at the mighty Huka Falls where you could take a spin in the Huka Falls Jet and experience the thrill from beneath (optional). Continuing on the ‘Thermal Explorer Highway,’ you will arrive at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland- a Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. You will visit New Zealand’s largest thermal mud pool, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours. You will arrive in Rotorua late afternoon where you could have a walk through the wonderful redwood forests or a look at Rotorua’s lovely Government Gardens and lakefront. Tonight perhaps enjoy a soak in the natural hot springs of Polynesian Spa.
Day 5
Stay: Regent of Rotorua
Tour: Canopy Tours Rotorua – Ultimate Canopy Tour
Tour: Te Pā Tū Hangi & Māori Cultural Experience
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (Dinner at Te Pā Tū)
Your Day: Rotorua
This morning you will enjoy the Ultimate Canopy Tour with Rotorua Canopy Tours. This is an unforgettable 3.5-hour Canopy Tour journey. Venture deep into the wilderness to experience prehistoric New Zealand forest at its best. Following this, today is free for leisure activities. Options include: Rotorua Gondola and Luge, zorbing, or the spectacular Treewalk of the redwood forest. This evening you will enjoy an authentic cultural experience at Te Pā Tū (formerly Tamaki Māori Village). Te Pā Tū offers seasonal celebration experiences. “Tū Te Rā.” Tū Te Rā is a summer celebration, aligned with the maramataka – the Māori lunar calendar. This is a time when the sun expresses optimal energy, the days are longer, and light nourishes the natural world. Tū Te Rā celebrates the abundant harvest of this season, and explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine.
Day 6
Driving time: 3.5 hours driving time (250km)
Stay: Oceans Resort
Tour: Hobbiton 2 Hour Tour + Lunch Combo
Meals: Breakfast & lunch Included
Your Day: Rotorua to Whitianga via Hobbiton
Today you will head towards the sunny Coromandel Peninsula. 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. You’ll also enjoy a buffet style feast in the festive marquee next to the Green Dragon! Following this, drive through lush native forest and end up in Whitianga, where the afternoon/evening is free to enjoy this beachside paradise.
Day 7
Stay: Oceans Resort
Tour: Glass Bottom Boat 2 Hour Cruise
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Whitianga and Surrounds
This morning you will enjoy a glass bottom boat cruise from Whitianga. You’ll see Cathedral Cove and its fabulous white sandy beaches, iconic native New Zealand trees and incredible rock formations. Stunning volcanic coastline including sheer cliffs, towering pinnacles, blowholes and sea caves such as Orua Sea cave. Look through the glass panels to see a diverse amount of marine life including red snapper, red moki, leatherjackets and schools of demoiselles and blue mau mau. Look closely through the kelp forest to spot stingrays, crayfish and octopus. On the surface keep your eyes peeled for blue penguins, sea birds and marine mammals such as dolphins, orca and seals.
The rest of the day is free to explore the beauty of The Coromandel Peninsula. 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 glass-bottom boat trip to a marine reserve, bathing at The Lost Spring, a visit to New Chum’s Beach (self-drive only), horse-riding at a local farm or kayaking to the idyllic other worldly paradise of Whenuakura/Donut Island (self-drive only) – (all optional – extra cost).
Day 8
Driving time: 3.5 hours (250km)
Stay: Rydges Auckland
Tour: Driving Creek Railway Admission
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Whitianga to Auckland via Coromandel
This morning you depart Whitianga and head to NZ’s largest city, Auckland. 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. From here continue on to Auckland where you will spend the next 2 nights.
Day 9
Stay: Rydges Auckland
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Auckland Sightseeing
Today you have a full day to explore Auckland, with sights including 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. Perhaps venture out to Muriwai Beach to visit a large Gannet colony on the seaside cliffs and experience the Kauri forests of the Waitakere Ranges.
Day 10
Onward flight is not included.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Auckland Departure Day
Today you will transfer to Auckland Airport for your onward travel arrangements. We trust that you’ve had an excellent time in New Zealand and wish you safe travels to your next destination.
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Step One.
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