If you’re looking for a great tour of New Zealand’s North Island this is it. 9 days through the North Island, running Auckland to Wellington. Along the way: Auckland, Bay Of Islands, Ninety Mile Beach. Every night is booked and the travelling is handled, so the itinerary below is what you actually do rather than a list of things you could arrange yourself.
8 nights accommodation
1 meal included
Trip highlights
Included in your price
Auckland
Bay Of Islands
Ninety Mile Beach
Paihia
Hobbiton
Rotorua
What is included
8 nights of accommodation, staying in hotel 4 star
8 nights of accommodation, booked and confirmed before you travel
Coach travel throughout with a driver guide
A detailed day by day itinerary with every booking reference
Support from a New Zealand based specialist while you travel
This itinerary can be customised: extra nights, different rooms, more activities or a different vehicle. Tell us what you would change.
Where you will go
1Overnight stops, in route orderVisited, not overnight5 overnight stops across 9 days. Select a stop to jump to that day.
Day by day itinerary
Your journey:AucklandBay Of IslandsAucklandRotoruaTaupoWellington
On arrival into Auckland, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner. Staying in Hotel Grand Millennium Auckland 5 Star Accommodation Superbly located in the very heart of cosmopolitan Auckland, close to Queen Street and Viaduct Harbour with some of the city’s finest dining, shopping and entertainment venues at your doorstep. Each room offering style, space and wonderful Auckland City views from the floor to ceiling windows. Rooms have a king bed or two double beds, and a separate bath and shower. Meals included: Dinner
Depart Auckland and travel to Matakohe for a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the Treaty between the indigenous Māori tribes and the British Government in 1840. Staying in Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights) 4 Star Accommodation Any time of year is ideal for escaping to the Bay of Islands in the ‘Winterless North’, and this property, situated at the entrance to the seaside town of Paihia, is the perfect resort-style retreat. The island-influenced architecture with expansive sub-tropical gardens, water features, extensive guest facilities and easy walking access to Paihia’s main local attractions makes this 4-star Hotel a standout. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional). Staying in Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands 4 Star Accommodation Any time of year is ideal for escaping to the Bay of Islands in the ‘Winterless North’, and this property, situated at the entrance to the seaside town of Paihia, is the perfect resort-style retreat. The island-influenced architecture with expansive sub-tropical gardens, water features, extensive guest facilities and easy walking access to Paihia’s main local attractions makes this 4-star Hotel a standout. Meals included: Breakfast
This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Return to Paihia and travel south via Whangarei to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the local eateries surrounding your hotel. Staying in Hotel Grand Millennium Auckland 5 Star Accommodation Superbly located in the very heart of cosmopolitan Auckland, close to Queen Street and Viaduct Harbour with some of the city’s finest dining, shopping and entertainment venues at your doorstep. Each room offering style, space and wonderful Auckland City views from the floor to ceiling windows. Rooms have a king bed or two double beds, and a separate bath and shower. Meals included: Breakfast
This morning, enjoy a city sights tour before departing Auckland. Journey through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a buffet lunch. A guided tour of the 12-acre set, will take you past whimsical Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the Green Dragon Inn. You can now venture beyond the door and into an authentic Hobbit Hole interior for a fully immersive experience. Staying in Hotel Pullman Rotorua (2 nights) 4 Star Plus Accommodation Situated in the heart of the city and moments away from the lakefront, Pullman Rotorua is the perfect base to explore the region’s geothermal paradise. A Pullman stay is an entire experience with 130 luxurious rooms and suites, energising gym, vibrant dining and a chic bar. Pullman is surrounded by surreal scenery and iconic attractions. Discover shooting geysers, bubbling mud pools, natural hot springs and magical forests. Experience a contemporary open-plan room design inspired by the region’s geothermal origins. Windows let in the daylight and views overlooking the vibrant city. The room features a plush Pullman king-size bed and local artwork. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening enjoy a Hāngi feast, prepared in the traditional way, over hot coals and buried in the ground. This is followed by an entertaining Māori cultural performance which features the graceful poi dance and ferocious haka. Staying in Hotel Pullman Rotorua 4 Star Plus Accommodation Situated in the heart of the city and moments away from the lakefront, Pullman Rotorua is the perfect base to explore the region’s geothermal paradise. A Pullman stay is an entire experience with 130 luxurious rooms and suites, energising gym, vibrant dining and a chic bar. Pullman is surrounded by surreal scenery and iconic attractions. Discover shooting geysers, bubbling mud pools, natural hot springs and magical forests. Experience a contemporary open-plan room design inspired by the region’s geothermal origins. Windows let in the daylight and views overlooking the vibrant city. The room features a plush Pullman king-size bed and local artwork. Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier known as ‘The Art Deco Capital’, where the most comprehensive collection of art deco buildings in the world can be found. Board the Hawke’s Bay Express and hear informative commentary on the city’s fascinating history. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the city. Staying in Hotel Scenic Hotel Te Pania 4 Star Accommodation Hawke’s Bay is one of the first places in the world to see the light each day and the Scenic Hotel Te Pania is one of the most recognisable hotels in Napier, boasting design awards for its style and service, situated on the premium waterfront location on Marine Parade. The hotel’s slender curved form echoes the shape of the bay. A fresh, contemporary style hotel that is only a short stroll from Napier’s main art deco style street and is located in close proximity to many of Napier’s attractions. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, travel south to Wellington. Enjoy a city tour of New Zealand’s capital, showcasing its rich history and vibrant culture. A highlight will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner. Staying in Hotel James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor 4 Star Accommodation The James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor presents an engaging selection of rooms, thoughtful amenities and gracious hospitality from the heart of Wellington’s city centre. Recently refurbished this leading accommodation and venue provider is located on The Terrace in New Zealand’s thriving capital city nearby to all major attractions. You will stay in rooms which are located on the higher floors and showcase contemporary furnishings, deluxe bathrooms with walk-in showers and Antipodes amenities. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner, Speciality Dinner
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. Meals included: Breakfast
Good to know
Departures
This itinerary departs on the dates that suit you, subject to availability. Peak season (December to February) books out early, so enquire well ahead for summer travel.
Make it yours
Add nights, upgrade rooms, swap activities or extend into the other island. Tell us what you would change and we will re-quote, no obligation.
Never travelling alone
Your whole itinerary lives in a smart travel app with live vouchers, maps and daily guidance, and your own travel specialist is reachable seven days a week while you are on the road. If plans change, we rearrange them in real time.
Watch: Hobbiton on this itinerary
Asked before booking
Yes, and most guests change something. Add nights, upgrade rooms, swap activities or start from a different city: tell us what you would change and we re-quote 9 Day Signature North Island at no cost and no obligation.
A professional driver-guide from our New Zealand operations team, on the ground with you throughout. Every itinerary we sell is operated by a Qualmark Gold certified New Zealand tour operator, the highest grading in the country's official quality mark.
9 Day Signature North Island runs on scheduled departure dates through the season. Tell us your travel window and we confirm the nearest departures with live availability, usually within one working day.
8 nights in hotel 4 star. Every property is confirmed by name on your written quote, before you pay anything, so you can look each one up before you commit. The trip runs one way, Auckland to Wellington, so there is no backtracking.
Nothing to enquire. A firm written quote arrives within one working day; if you go ahead, a 20% deposit per person (minimum NZ$250) confirms every booking and the balance is due 70 days before travel, with the exact date on your quote. Deposits can be paid by card, which keeps your card scheme's dispute protections in play.
Nothing to enquire, nothing until your quote is confirmed in writing, and never more than your deposit until the balance falls due 70 days before travel. Deposits can be paid by card, which keeps your card scheme’s protections in play.
Availability checked with our New Zealand operations team and confirmed in writing, not an automated estimate.
No booking fees, and nothing to pay to enquire
Quotes are free and carry no obligation. You pay a deposit only once the itinerary is right and you say go.
One person, before and during your trip
The same specialist plans your trip and is reachable while you are travelling, alongside in-country support seven days a week.
Insider status, Tourism New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Programme. IATA certified. Every itinerary is operated by a Qualmark Gold certified New Zealand tour operator.
