8 Days • 7 Nights
North Island Discovery
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll cruise the beautiful Bay of Islands, watch geysers erupt and share a Maori hangi in Rotorua, drift through the glowworm caves of Waitomo, and explore the harbour capital of Wellington with its national museum. Coastal scenery, thermal springs and Kiwi warmth fill the days.
With comfortable hotels, scenic touring and the key experiences arranged, it is the North Island at its most varied and rewarding.
Trip Highlights
- Auckland's harbour and the Sky Tower
- A cruise in the beautiful Bay of Islands
- Rotorua's geysers, hot springs and Maori culture
- A traditional Maori hangi feast and concert
- The glowworm caves of Waitomo
- The harbour capital of Wellington and Te Papa
- Subtropical coasts and geothermal wonders
- Rich Maori culture and Kiwi hospitality
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Arrive in the 'City of Sails' and settle in, with a welcome dinner.
A city tour and a Waitemata Harbour cruise, the Sky Tower and the museum, with an optional Waiheke Island wine trip.
Travel north through subtropical countryside to the beautiful Bay of Islands, with its 144 islands and turquoise water.
A cruise among the islands to the famous Hole in the Rock, watching for dolphins, with time in historic Russell and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Travel south to geothermal Rotorua, with an afternoon among its bubbling mud and hot springs.
The geysers of Te Puia, the Wai-O-Tapu thermal wonderland, and a Maori village with a hangi feast and concert.
Glide through the Waitomo glowworm caves, then travel to the harbour capital of Wellington.
A Wellington city tour and the superb Te Papa national museum before your transfer to the airport.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and scenic touring throughout
- 2N Auckland, 2N Bay of Islands, 2N Rotorua, 1N Wellington
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Maori hangi feast
- An Auckland city tour and a Bay of Islands cruise
- Rotorua geothermal and Maori cultural experiences
- The Waitomo glowworm caves
- A Wellington city tour and the Te Papa museum
- All listed activities and entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from New Zealand
- NZeTA and International Visitor levy fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional activities and adventure experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Visitors from visa-waiver countries must obtain an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) online before travelling, which includes the International Visitor levy. Others need a visitor visa; we can advise
- Currency: The currency is the New Zealand Dollar. New Zealand is largely cashless, with cards and contactless payment accepted almost everywhere
- Driving: New Zealanders drive on the left. Roads are scenic but often winding, and distances take longer than they look, so we build in realistic drive times (or you can self-drive)
- Seasons reversed: New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so summer is December to February and winter (with skiing in the south) is June to August. Spring and autumn are quieter and beautiful
- Four seasons in a day: The weather changes quickly, especially in the mountains, so pack warm and waterproof layers even in summer, along with strong sun protection for the intense UV
- Biosecurity: New Zealand has strict biosecurity, so declare all food, plant and animal items on arrival and clean any hiking boots or camping gear to protect the country's unique nature
- Sandflies: The West Coast and Fiordland (including Milford Sound) have persistent sandflies, so bring insect repellent for those areas
- Best time: New Zealand is a year-round destination; summer is best for hiking and the outdoors, winter for skiing in the south, and autumn for golden landscapes and wine country
- Tipping: Tipping is not customary or expected in New Zealand, which keeps things simple
- Connectivity & power: A local SIM or eSIM gives good coverage in towns and along main routes. Power is 230V with the Australian-style type I plug, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as a Maori hangi feast or a wine-country lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy New Zealand's superb food and wine.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your airport transfers, scenic touring and activities are arranged for you, with the option of private guides, coach touring or a self-drive itinerary to suit your style.
Do I need a visa for New Zealand?
Visitors from visa-waiver countries need an NZeTA, applied for online before travel. We guide you through the requirements for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer (December-February) is ideal for hiking and the outdoors, winter (June-August) for skiing in the south, and autumn for golden colours and wine. New Zealand is beautiful year-round.
Should we do a self-drive or guided tour?
Both work wonderfully — self-drive gives freedom and flexibility on New Zealand's scenic roads, while a guided or private tour takes care of everything. We can tailor either to you.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, islands, activities and hotels can all be tailored, and we can add Milford Sound, a glacier, wine country, adventure sports or luxury lodges. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between the islands?
By a short scenic flight or the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait between the North and South Islands — both included and arranged as your route requires.
What is a hangi?
A hangi is a traditional Maori feast where food is slow-cooked in an earth oven with heated stones. Sharing a hangi and a cultural concert in a Maori village is a warm, memorable highlight of the North Island.
Can this connect to the South Island?
Yes — it ends in Wellington, from where a scenic flight or the Interislander ferry crosses to the South Island. We can extend your trip to include both islands.
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