7-Day North Island Adventure Tour From Wellington

7-Day North Island Adventure Tour From Wellington

Starting from Wellington, we hit up some great spots and places while we make our way up to New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, through the North's hottest destinations. (Note that this tour can also be done from north to south – Auckland to Wellington)

If you have some time to spare after your tour wraps up in Auckland, we have a great three day tour taking in the Bay of Islands which showcases the Northland region of New Zealand.

Activities can be purchased on the road – just let your tour guide know. We can't always guarantee availability when booking on the road, so we suggest pre-booking any activities you especially want to do.

As the tour starts early in the morning, you can opt to book accommodation with us the night before the tour – only having to walk downstairs on the day the tour starts makes for a stress free morning.

Accommodation is included on the last night of your tour, but we can also book a few extra nights for you if you would like to extend your stay.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Lake Taupo, Taupo Marina New Zealand

In the morning your tour guide will give you a tour of Wellington city and the surrounding bays. This can include a trip to Weta Workshop, where films like Lord of the Rings have been made. We also may visit the parliament buildings, cable car and Mount Victoria.

On the way to Taupō we drive along the Desert Road that divides the Rangipo Desert (an area with poor vegetation because of bad soil conditions and drying winds). The climate is harsh and in winter it is not unusual to see snow. However, the biggest attractions on this road are that of Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, the volcano better known as Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings. On the other side of the road is the lesser noticed Kaimanawa Range, home to a breed of wild horses that can be spotted on rare occasions.

We arrive at the accommodation by evening. With a whole day to explore Taupō tomorrow, feel free to relax at the hostel or go out to experience some of the town’s best nightlife!


Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Lake Taupo, Taupo Marina New Zealand

A full day in Taupō… are you in the mood for peaceful lakeside tranquility or unlimited adrenaline and adventure? Either way, Taupō’s got you covered.

Lake Taupō is actually a giant volcanic crater created 70,000 years ago in one of the biggest eruptions in history. Nowadays, it’s one of NZ’s best spots for a holiday escape. And being New Zealand, there are plenty of adventure sports to be found there too!

If you’re looking for a thrill, we suggest skydiving over the lake or bungy jumping over New Zealand’s longest river (and, for the really brave, getting dunked in). There are heaps of other activities on offer such as quad biking, cruising the lake to see Māori rock carvings, hiking along the shores, mountain biking and even the chance to soak in some of the local geothermal pools.

New Zealand’s most famous day hike is also in the area. The 19.4 km Tongariro Crossing is an alpine crossing around Tongariro, one of the country’s most famous and most beautiful volcanoes. It’s a serious leg workout, but but it’s worth every minute for the incredible views and landscape. Turquoise and green lakes greet you at the top, along with vistas that stretch all the way to the coast.


Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Kohutapu Lodge, 3836 Galatea Road, Whakatane 3192, New Zealand

After our morning in Taupō we head to Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara - a living Māori village - where you will be taken on a tribal tour by a village elder.

Here you’ll also have a chance to learn the world-famous haka dance, and weave your own dinner plate using flax (a type of plant).

Tonight’s dinner is a traditional hāngi meal. Cooked in an underground earth oven you can expect tender meat and delicious vegetables infused with a smoky, earthy fragrance – it will fill your puku (belly) right up!

The best part about spending the evening at Kohutapu Lodge? The majority of proceeds from this activity go back to the local community.


Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Lake Rotorua, Rotorua New Zealand

While the majority of the North Island is volcanic in some way, Rotorua is exceptional for its geothermal activity. With neon blue and red lakes, steaming rivers, active volcanoes and geysers galore, there are more unique natural wonders to be found in Rotorua than many other places in the world.

On the way to Rotorua, we stop at what really makes the town famous, along with giving it its unique smell: one of several extraordinary geyserlands and thermal parks.

There’s heaps of time to get amongst Rotorua’s diverse attractions while you're here. We’ll get you started with an orientation tour, including a stroll through the flower- filled Government Gardens by the lakefront.

Lord of the Rings fans, channel your inner hobbit with an optional visit to picturesque Hobbiton – have a ginger beer at the Green Dragon pub for us!

If adrenalin’s your thing, the highest commercial waterfall drop in the world, on the Kaituna River, is begging to be conquered on an exhilarating rafting trip. Or let your guide coax you into thundering down grassy hills in a giant air-cushioned inflatable ball (or OGO) – you won't regret it!


Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Lake Rotorua, Rotorua New Zealand

Today is a free day to explore Rotorua and its surrounding area. Talk to your guide for the best free things to see and do in the neighbourhood (Kuirau Park’s steaming and hissing mud pools are a great option).

There are also a number of optional activities you can choose from – white water rafting, zip-lining, rolling down a hill in a giant inflatable ball, river sledging and more!

If adrenaline is your thing, the highest commercial waterfall drop in
Perhaps you’d like to try thundering down grassy hills in a giant aircushioned inflatable ball (aka ZORB)?

A day trip to Waitomo is another option today. Famous for its glowworms there are a number of ways to experience these twinkling creatures up close.

Discover the magic of both the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, as well as the enchanting Ruakuri Cave on a ‘2 cave combo’ walking/boat tour. Or you can float along an underground river on a Black Water Rafting trip as the glow worms light your path. However you spend today, be sure to get a good night’s sleep as there are more Rotorua adventures tomorrow!


Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Coromandel Forest Park, Coromandel New Zealand

It’s no secret that many blockbuster hits have been filmed in
New Zealand due to our incredible landscapes. Around lunchtime,
we head of to the Coromandel to discover them first-hand.

We’ll walk together out along the cliffs down to Cathedral Cove (which you might recognise from the Chronicles of Narnia films). Beautiful in its own right, with perfect beaches and massive rock arches and columns it’s one of the most popular spots in the Coromandel and for good reason!

Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Haka Hotel Newmarket, 9 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand

Beautiful remote beaches, dense wooded forest and clear blue waters make the Coromandel one of New Zealand’s favourite getaways. At low tide, we’ll make our way out to the world-famous Hot Water Beach.

When the tide’s out, you can dig a hole in the sand where natural hot springs bubble up to create your own personal hot tub!

Finally, we head to Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city. Auckland sits on the narrow sliver of land where the Northland peninsula tapers south to meet the rest of the North Island. So the sea is always nearby, and it isn't difficult to guess the origin of its nickname ‘City of Sails’.

Your tour officially ends at 8pm today in Auckland, so feel free to
party on with your new travel buddies for as long as you like – your
accommodation tonight is included so you can treat yourself to a lie-in in the morning! Or if you have a few spare days, why not hop on our three day Bay of Islands tour?

Duration: 1 day