TOURS & BUS PASSES / 13 Day North Island Tour

13 Day North Island Tour

Start your tour from Auckland and take in all the highlights of the North Island from Paihia to Wellington. 

This tour leaves no corner of the North Island unexplored. You'll get all the way to Cape Reigna and 90 Mile Beach in the north, and all the way to the capital city of Wellington in the south.  

This small group tour includes your accommodation, a dedicated guide along the way and more. 

Highlights

  • Bay of Islands wildlife cruise
  • Sand boarding on massive sand dunes
  • Day trip to see the meeting of two oceans at NZ's northernmost point, Cape Reinga 
  • Hot Water Beach - dig your own hot tub in the sand!
  • Walk to Cathedral Cove - considered one of New Zealand's most beautiful beaches. 
  • Maori cultural experience with traditional meal and story telling
  • Bubbling hot pools in Rotorua
  • Mighty Huka Falls & Great Lake Taupo
  • Bush safari at unique eco-wilderness stop
  • Tongariro Alpine Crossing
  • Te Papa National Museum in Wellington

What's Included

All transport: You'll travel in our comfortable mid-sized coaches around the North Island.

Experienced tour guide: Expect entertaining commentary, insight into local secrets and extra support from your tour guide.

Accommodation: 12 nights’ dorm-share accommodation in a variety of quality backpacker hostels, wilderness lodges and cabins. Upgrades to twin (NZD $275pp) and single (NZD $485) rooms are available.

Top rated activities:

- Paihia: day trip to Cape Reinga
- Paihia: Hole in the Rock marine cruise
- Lake Aniwhenua: Kohutapu experience – guided tour of sacred Maori rock carvings, introduction to the Murupara area, Hangi and Maori bread cooking demonstration, delicious ground cooked hangi feast, dessert and continental breakfast. 
- Whakahoro: Eco-Warrior 4WD farm tour

Important Notes

  • Departure Time: 7.30am
  • Finish Time: Late afternoon/early evening arrival in Auckland

Book Now

PRICE: $1,795 NZD

Number of Days 13

Starts: Auckland Finishes: Auckland

Tour Type: Small Group Tour

Tour Itinerary EXPAND ALL

KIA ORA! Welcome to New Zealand. We depart 7.30am and head north to the stunning Bay of Islands today. On the way you’ll learn about the rich local European and Maori history. We will head straight to the Bay Of Islands after seeing some giant Kauri trees where you will have some free time to explore this seaside town. In the afternoon you go to Russell on the ferry.

ACCOMODATION

Hostel along from the beach

SIGHTS

Included: Russell Ferry, tree hugging huge kauri trees at Parry Kauri Forest.

Today you travel to the northernmost point of the country, the spiritually significant Cape Reinga. Visit 90 Mile Beach, try dune surfing and see the clashing of 2 oceans! Sample some of the best fish and chips available on your way back to Paihia.

ACCOMODATION

Hostel along the beach

SIGHTS

Included: Cape Reinga day trip, surf sand dunes

We'll explore the Bay of Islands a bit further today, before heading south to the Big Smoke - Auckland. We will do the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ cruise and make an island stop in the bay. Be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life as they're often spotted in this area. Around mid-afternoon we will head back to Auckland to spend the night, before continuing onto the rest of the North Island.

ACCOMODATION

Central city hostel

SIGHTS

Included: Hole in the Rock marine cruise.

Depart Auckland in the morning and head south to the Coromandel Peninsula via the old colonial town of Thames. We’ll settle into our accommodation in Hahei before heading to Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own natural spa pool in the sand (tidal dependent).

ACCOMODATION

Exclusive accommodation by the waterfront 

SIGHTS

Hot Water Beach visit 

Today you have a full free day to embrace the laid back Coromandel lifestyle. Get up early to catch the sunrise on the beach, then take a scenic coastal walk or opt to kayak to stunning Cathedral Cove. You can also take a glass bottom boat tour through the nearby marine reserve.

ACCOMODATION

Exclusive accommodation by the waterfront 

SIGHTS

Free activities: Walk to Cathedral Cove, sunrise on the beach

Optional Paid activities: Kayaking, glass bottom boat tour

We leave Hahei early to travel towards the mighty Waikato River. Our destination is the world-renowned Raglan surf beach, with cow spotting and a walk to Bridal Veil Falls on the way. Chill out on the beach or go hard surfing the waves in this funky surf and arts town. 

ACCOMODATION

An eco-lodge surrounded by native bush near the beach 

SIGHTS

Free activities: Waterfall walk, relax on the beach, spot glowworms in the bush, West Coast sunset, Inspiration Point.

Optional paid activities: Learn to surf

Head to the rural town of Waitomo this morning for the chance to explore its famous cave systems and see the twinkling glowworms. We then carry on towards our overnight stop Rotorua, where you can spend the afternoon touring the Hobbiton Movie Set or checking out this popular tourist town. 

ACCOMODATION

Comfortable central city lodge

SIGHTS

Free activities: Walk around Ruakuri Reserve, Waitomo Valley Caves walk. 

Optional paid activities: Waitomo ‘must do’ caving options, Hobbiton Movie Set tour.

The morning is free to try one of the many adventure activities on offer in Rotorua. We depart Rotorua at midday and drive into the remote area of Lake Aniwhenua. We will meet a local Maori guide who will take us to visit the area’s sacred sites and a local Marae for a traditional welcome and afternoon tea. Tonight, we feast on a ground cooked hangi dinner at our lakeside accommodation.

ACCOMODATION

Scenic lakefront lodge 

SIGHTS

Included activities: Kohutapu Experience – guided tour of sacred Maori rock carvings, Marae experience, afternoon tea, delicious ground cooked hangi feast and buffet breakfast. 

Other optional paid activities: White water rafting, zorbing, ziplining 

We depart at 7.00am and head to Taupo, see Huka Falls and have time to experience skydiving if you’re brave! Our destination is Blue Duck Station, a 7,200 acre high country station that is both a working farm and an environmental conservation leader.  

ACCOMODATION

Country station lodge.

SIGHTS

Free Activities: Huka Falls, walk around the stunning Whakahoro Station.

Paid Activities: Bungy Jump in Taupo, Skydive, jet boat ride. 

Consider yourself lucky as you're getting another traditional NZ experience, that most people would miss out on completely. You have a free day to explore this truly amazing and secluded location. Start with a tour of the property; then immerse yourself in farm life with any of the activities on offer.

ACCOMODATION

Country station lodge

SIGHTS

Included: Eco-Warrior 4WD farm tour.

Optional paid activities: Horse riding, clay pigeon shooting and goat hunting.

Up early today to head to Tongariro National Park. You have a chance to walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – one of the world’s best day walks. 

ACCOMODATION

Alpine Lodge. 

SIGHTS

Free Activities: Taranaki Falls walk, visit the Volcanic Centre, Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s pool).

Paid Activities: New Zealand's best one-day walk, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. 

Depart 9am. We head to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, via Ohakune, Taihape and Bulls. Wellington is a fantastic city with a great cafe scene, a beautiful waterfront location and is home to the highly recommended National Museum - Te Papa. You have the afternoon to cruise around or explore.

 

ACCOMODATION

Central hostel

SIGHTS

Optional paid activities: Check out some of the great cafes and bars.

Free activities: Walk ‘Oriental Parade,’ head up Mt Victoria for fantastic views, and visit Te Papa - our national museum.

Depart 6.40am. This is an express day via National Park to Auckland, arriving back in New Zealand’s largest city in the late afternoon. We hope you had a blast on your adventure! 

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