Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll meet someone at Auckland Airport who'll get you to your hotel. After that, the afternoon and evening are yours to wander around the local neighborhood at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Explore local Auckland area
- Day 2
Auckland to Russell
Head north from Auckland across the Harbour Bridge to Reed Memorial Park, where you'll walk through kauri forests and check out Whangarei Falls. Then continue on to the Bay of Islands to see the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and learn about New Zealand's history. From there, take a ferry over to the village of Russell to wrap up the day.
Included Activities
- Walk through elevated canopy at Reed Memorial Park featuring 500+ year old kauri trees
- View Whangarei Falls
- Entry to Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Explore meeting house at Waitangi
- Visit museum at Waitangi
- Ferry to Russell
Optional Activities
- 90 Mile Beach journey or Hole in the Rock cruise at Bay of Islands
Landmarks Reed Memorial Park Whangarei Falls Bay of Islands Waitangi Treaty Grounds Russell 
- Day 3
Russell
Pick between two options for the day: a coach tour along 90 Mile Beach out to Cape Reinga with lunch included, or a boat cruise to see the Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett Lighthouse with its Grand Cathedral Cave. Once that wraps up, a local guide takes you on a walking tour through Russell's historic streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch (Option 1 only))
Included Activities
- 90 Mile Beach tour to Cape Reinga with picnic lunch (Option 1)
- Hole in the Rock cruise to Cape Brett Lighthouse (Option 2)
- Historic Russell town guided tour
Landmarks 90 Mile Beach Cape Reinga Cape Brett Lighthouse Hole in the Rock Grand Cathedral Cave - Day 4
Russell to Auckland
Make your way back to Auckland by driving through rural towns and passing by some nice coastal areas. Once you arrive, do a sightseeing tour of the harborside, walk around the charming villages in the area, and then take a guided tour through the Auckland Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Auckland's harborside
- Explore charming villages
- Guided tour of Auckland Museum
Landmarks Auckland Museum Auckland Harborside - Day 5
Auckland to Whitianga
Travel south across the Hauraki Plains to Thames, then head up the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula where you'll get great coastal views along the way. Stop at the Driving Creek Railway to climb 120 meters and take in the panoramic views from the EyeFull Tower. After that, continue on to Whitianga on Mercury Bay to finish the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Driving Creek Railway journey on narrow-gauge line
- Climb to EyeFull Tower with panoramic views
Landmarks Coromandel Peninsula Driving Creek Railway EyeFull Tower Mercury Bay 
- Day 6
Whitianga
Spend the day around Coromandel checking out white cliffs, golden sand beaches, and clear turquoise water. Head to Hot Water Beach where you can dig out your own natural hot spring pool (depending on the tide). Walk along Hahei's beaches and visit Cooks Beach, named after Captain Cook. Get back to Whitianga by taking a ferry or driving with your guide.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hot Water Beach visit
- Hahei beach walk
- Cooks Beach visit
Optional Activities
- Ferry ride back to Whitianga from Cooks Beach
Landmarks Hot Water Beach Hahei Cooks Beach - Day 7
Whitianga to Rotorua
Follow the Pacific Coast Highway through Whangamata and Tauranga before heading inland for a scenic bushwalk with views of Okere Falls. Then drive to Rotorua and visit Te Puia, which is an active geothermal site that also serves as the nation's centre for indigenous arts and crafts and runs a Kiwi conservation project.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic bushwalk with views of Okere Falls
- Visit Te Puia geothermal site
- Explore indigenous arts and crafts centre
- Kiwi conservation project viewing
Landmarks Okere Falls Te Puia Whangamata Tauranga 
- Day 8
Rotorua
Choose between two activities: explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley with bubbling craters and colored steaming lakes, then cruise on Lake Rotomahana to see silica terraces forming; or do a guided tour of Hobbiton on a ten-acre site. That evening, you'll have a 4-course fusion dinner at Tamaki Maori Village with traditional songs and seasonal food by Maori chefs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (4-course fusion feast at Tamaki Maori Village with Maori traditions and seasonal cuisine)
Included Activities
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley tour with Lake Rotomahana cruise (Option 1)
- Hobbiton Movie Set Shire guided tour (Option 2)
- Te Pa Tu Tamaki Maori Village experience with 4-course fusion dinner
Landmarks Waimangu Volcanic Valley Mt Tarawera Lake Rotomahana Hobbiton Movie Set The Shire Green Dragon Inn Tamaki Maori Village - Day 9
Rotorua to Napier
Head south to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo, where you can see volcanic peaks that inspired Lord of the Rings. Continue on to Napier, a seaside town with interesting history. Take a tour of the Mission Estate Winery and then have dinner with wine while looking out over the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with glass of wine at Mission Estate Winery with sweeping views over Napier)
Included Activities
- Visit Huka Falls
- Views of Lake Taupo
- Explore Napier sightseeing on foot
- Tour of Mission Estate Winery
- Dinner with wine at Mission Estate Winery
Landmarks Huka Falls Lake Taupo Mount Ruapehu Mount Ngauruhoe Mount Tongariro Mission Estate Winery - Day 10
Napier to Wellington
Travel to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, which is known for its arts scene, writers, filmmakers and trendy cafe culture. See the Parliament Buildings including the iconic Beehive, head to the Kelburn Lookout, take the cable car down to the city centre, and then explore Te Papa, one of the world's most interesting museums.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- View Parliament Buildings and Beehive
- Visit Kelburn Lookout
- Cable car ride to city centre
- Te Papa museum visit with lesson on New Zealand's land, people, wildlife, landscapes and culture
Landmarks Parliament Buildings Beehive Kelburn Lookout Te Papa 
- Day 11
Wellington
Your trip wraps up today. A transfer takes you to Wellington Airport for your flight home.
