6-Day North Island Adventure Tour - Auckland to Wellington Return

Auckland, New Zealand

This 6 day small group adventure tour is guaranteed to take you further off the beaten track around the wonders of New Zealand's North Island. Departing from Auckland, you will visit Haihei and its famously beautiful beaches, Rotorua for cultural insights into the ways of the native Maori people and overnight on a high country station, where you will join a 4WD eco-wilderness farm tour. You’ll get the chance to hike the volcanic plateaus of Tongariro National Park, to marvel at the dormant volcanoes and emerald crater lakes, before paying a visit the capital city of Wellington where you have some free time to explore Te Papa (National Museum) before returning back up to Auckland.

Day 1: Auckland to Hahei
Meet the group and head south east stopping at the famous Cathedral Cove. Accessible only by foot or by boat, this beautiful coastal spot is one of the ‘must see’ sites on the Coromandel Peninsula. Drive to the unique Hot Water Beach and dig up your own personal spa pool in the sand (tide dependent). Overnight in beach side cabins and enjoy a BBQ dinner.
Accommodation: Comfortable cabins, near the beach
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Hahei to Rotorua
Arrive into Rotorua around lunchtime, an area known for its Maori heritage and thermal activity. Take the opportunity to do some great optional activities like a visit to Hobbiton, white water rafting, zorbing or the luge (additional cost). In the evening, you'll be welcomed into the authentic Tamaki Maori Village, where you can discover and learn more about Maori art forms, ancient rituals and traditions. Enjoy a traditional Maori hangi (feast) with your hosts. After dinner, soak in the hot pools back at your accommodation.
Accommodation: Central City Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Rotorua to Whakahoro
Start the day with a visit to bubbling mud pools before travelling to the spectacular Huka Falls. Then it’s off to the award winning Blue Duck Lodge. The group will head out on a 4WD farm adventure to explore this vast and spectacular property.You'll learn about the surrounding ecosystem and the varying conservation initiatives underway on this impressive station. Dinner is cooked using local produce.
Accommodation: Rustic country lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Whakahoro to Tongaririo National Park
From the station we head into Tongariro National Park for a chance to hike the Tongariro Crossing (19km); rated as New Zealand’s best one-day walk. There are other options for shorter walks around this volcanic region or visiting the Volcanic Centre Museum. Accommodation is within the National Park at an alpine lodge.
Accommodation: Alpine Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Tongaririo National Park to Wellington
Today we make our way to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Get a taste of ‘Wellywood’ home to Weta Workshop (the special effects studio behind Lord of the Rings and Avatar), visit the iconic Beehive (Parlimant building), the national museum of Te Papa and and the bustling waterfront area.
Accommodation: Central City Hostel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Wellington to Auckland
Today is an express journey from Wellington to Auckland. We stop along the way for photos and to have lunch in National Park.
Meals: Breakfast

Review by:   Marion K,    February 2017
This tour offered a great variety of activities and sightseeing. Despite having 2 days of rain and not being able to hike the Tongariro Crossing because of high winds and generally poor weather, our tour guide kept us busy with alternative activities. This tour was full with 24 people on board, a cross-section of ages, and everyone got on very well. This doesn't always happen..