From Wellington’s vibrant charm to Rotorua’s geothermal wonders and Auckland’s harbour-side sparkle, every day brings new discoveries. 10 days through the North Island, running Wellington to Auckland. Along the way: Wellington, Napier, Huka Falls. 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.
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This itinerary can be customised: extra nights, different rooms, more activities or a different vehicle. Tell us what you would change.
Your journey:WellingtonHuka FallsRotoruaBay Of IslandsAuckland
Arrive and settle into your hotel in New Zealand’s cool little capital of Wellington. You may like to visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, home to an extraordinary collection of artefacts, including an eye-opening exhibit dedicated to Māori history (entrance fee applies). Later, meet up with your fellow adventure-seekers for drinks before your tour of the North Island of New Zealand. Staying in: James Cook Grand Chancellor (1 night)
Wellington is known for its uber-cool cafes, so grab a coffee before you head out on your city sights tour. Later, travel to the Art Deco capital of New Zealand, Napier. Napier’s striking Art Deco architecture is a direct result of the devastating 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, which remains New Zealand’s deadliest natural disaster. Napier was rapidly rebuilt in the style of the era, Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Striped Classical. Today, Napier is regarded as one of the world’s best-preserved Art Deco cities. Staying in: Scenic Hotel Te Pania (1 night) Meals included: Breakfast
Join a private walking tour of the Art Deco quarter, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Your local expert guide from the Art Deco Trust will regale you with stories of the people and events that shaped the iconic art deco buildings. Later you may choose an optional experience. A wine tour of Hawkes Bay wineries, or a tour of the local Gannet Colony, the largest nesting colony of its type in the world. Staying in: Scenic Hotel Te Pania (1 night) Meals included: Breakfast
Today on your tour of the North Island visit the mighty Huka Falls, where approximately 220,000 litres per second of water surge through a narrow volcanic gorge plunging 11 metres to a foaming pool below. Continue to the geothermal wonder of Rotorua, renowned for its bubbling mud pools, erupting geysers, rich Māori culture, and the unmistakable scent of sulphur that fills the air. This afternoon, visit a traditional Pounamu workshop for a fascinating insight into the art of jade carving, where you will witness skilled artisans at work, and learn about the cultural significance of pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) in Māori tradition, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Tonight, delve deep into Māori culture with the Te Pō Indigenous Experience at Te Puia. It begins with an exhilarating cultural performance in a beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua, followed by views of the Pohutu Geyser, one of New Zealand’s geothermal wonderlands, and ends with a delicious buffet dinner of hāngī-inspired cuisine. Staying in: Sudima Lake Rotorua (1 night) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is Rotorua tour day of many decisions, but with plenty of tips available from your Travel Director about optional experiences. Want a bit of down time? We wouldn’t blame you for simply blissing out at in the steamy thermal springs at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit movies on the Hobbiton Movie Set tour. Or board a scenic flight for a bird’s-eye-view. Staying in: Sudima Lake Rotorua (1 night) Meals included: Breakfast
From New Zealand’s longest waterway, the Waikato River, to its largest city: welcome to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’. You’ll understand how it got its moniker when you glimpse yachts gliding around its two harbours on your city sights tour. But today your sights are firmly set on New Zealand’s national game: rugby. As part of your Auckland tour you’re kicking about at the interactive All Blacks Experience. Journey through the sporting team’s remarkable history via various displays and presentations before you witness a performance of a traditional haka with you front and centre. Staying in: Adina Apartment Hotel Britomart (1 night) Meals included: Breakfast
140, that’s how many droplets of land ringed by turquoise sea comprise the Bay of Islands, your tour destination today. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical significance: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, perhaps a descendent of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house. Enjoy a cultural performance which includes waiata (songs), poi and a traditional haka (war dance). Staying in: Copthorne Hotel and Resort (1 night) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
If there’s a travel destination that inspires wanderlust, the Bay of Islands is it. Today, trip the light fantastic and head off in whatever direction you please. Perhaps consider an optional experience. Travel up to Cape Reinga, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Or cruise to the Hole in the Rock with an idyllic island stopover enroute or join a tour of Russell and learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands. Staying in: Copthorne Hotel and Resort (1 night) Meals included: Breakfast
For a little more northern exposure, make your way to Whangarei, the island’s most northerly outpost and a place where waterfalls meet beaches, galleries meet museums. It’s like the country in a tantalising snapshot, a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Sink back into your seat for the mesmerizing commute back to Auckland for dinner and drinks. Staying in: Adina Apartment Hotel Britomart (1 night) Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
The only bad day in your Auckland tour is the one where you have to bid farewell. On your journey home, just remember how much pleasure you have packed into this last 10 days. Meals included: Breakfast
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.
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.
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
Still deciding? Worth a read: How many days do you actually need in New Zealand? · The best time to visit New Zealand, from people who live here
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.
How your money is protectedAvailability checked with our New Zealand operations team and confirmed in writing, not an automated estimate.
Quotes are free and carry no obligation. You pay a deposit only once the itinerary is right and you say go.
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.Questions before you enquire? Email hello@silverferntravel.com and ask. No form required.
5 days across the North Island, starting and ending in Auckland, self drive, with every night booked ahead. Strong on classic driving tours.
3 days across the North Island, round trip out of Auckland, guided the whole way, luggage and logistics handled. Strong on family touring.
5 days across the North Island, a loop from Wellington, at your own pace behind the wheel. Strong on classic driving tours.
