6Days North Island Tour

Price on Application

Auckland – Waiheke – Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua – Hobbiton – Rotorua

 

New Zealand's North Island has so much to offer - from big city life to subtropical islands, native forest and lush farmland. Experience black sand beaches, cruise around sheltered natural harbours or gain an insight into our unique Māori culture on a North Island Tour.

Itinerary

Day 1

Auckland

Arrive by flight and transfer to your Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

 

Day 2

Auckland (B)

This morning, you will go for a three-hour panoramic tour of Auckland city, you travel through the city centre, including Auckland's famous Queen Street, Karangahape Road with its chequered past and eclectic vibe and fashionable Ponsonby. See historic buildings around the University of Auckland before continuing over Grafton Bridge to the Auckland Domain. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the city on your own

Day 3

Auckland – Waiheke – Auckland (B/L)

This morning, you will be collected from Hotel and taken to Auckland Ferry Terminal, from where you will board and enjoy a pleasant cruise through the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island. Your first visit is to Stonyridge Vineyard, where you'll enjoy a tour and tastings, plus a sumptuous light lunch. You then depart for Rangihoua Estate, which introduces you to Waiheke’s olive growing industry (includes olive oil tasting). A stop at Wild on Waiheke offers optional beer tasting as well as wine, and the chance to sample home grown preserves and chutneys. Your tour is concluded with final tastings at the beautiful Mudbrick Vineyard before returning to the ferry terminal. On arriving at ferry terminal you will be collected & transferred to Sky Tower for your short visit to Auckland’s Sky Tower – A truly captivating experience awaits visitors to Auckland's Sky Tower. 

 

Day 4

Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua (B)

This morning you will be collected from your Hotel to travel south from Auckland, to the famous Waitomo Caves. You will have the opportunity to view thousands of luminescent lights radiating from the unique Waitomo glowworms, as an expert guide provides an informative commentary on the Caves historical and geological significance. Enjoy the limestone shafts, stunning Cathedral cavern and take a unique boat ride through the glowworm grotto. Thereafter we continue our tour this afternoon by driving to Rotorua, including passing through the beautiful Fitzgerald Glade where the roadside trees arch overhead to form a tunnel of natural greenery.

Day 5

Rotorua – Hobbiton – Rotorua (B)

This morning you will be collected from your Hotel and will travel across the Kaimai Ranges to the picturesque 1,250 acre farm near Matamata where scenes from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed. Experience the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, the bucolic setting for The Shire that featured in the Peter Jackson directed films, The Lord of the Rings. Your guide will escort you through the ten acre site while recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created. The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can be seen and you will experience how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth.

 

In the evening, enjoy cultural performance at Mitai which will give your clients an authentic introduction to Maori culture leaving you amazed and in awe. Be enthralled by the natural bush setting, see Maori warriors in traditional dress paddle an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream, Marvel at the crystal clear water full of eels and trout, flowing directly from the earth at the sacred Fairy Spring. See your traditionally cooked hangi meal being lifted from the ground. During this cultural performance, you’ll learn about the history, carvings and ta moko (tattoo art). Be captivated by the displays of weaponry and combat, and the grace and beauty of the poi dance.

Day 6

Rotorua (B)

Transfer to Rotorua Airport for your onward flight

 

Private program - can start any day of the week and can be modified or operated in reverse

Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotels, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned private car, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes, 24-hours local contact number for emergencies.

Note: Please contact us if you require more information on different Hotel categories.

Prices quoted are valid till 30 September 2023. Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.