9 Days All North Island Tour

Itinerary: day by day

Day 1 - Auckland to Paihia

We depart Auckland at 7am and head north to Paihia with stops on the way to see giant kauri trees, for a hike to a beautiful waterfall, and the chance to snorkel at Goat Island marine reserve. We arrive into the Bay of Islands in the afternoon where we visit the historic Waitangi Treaty grounds before settling into our accommodation for the night. We have the evening free for you to relax, have a few drinks and get to know your fellow travellers.

Day 2 – Paihia to Urupukapuka Island

Tonight we uniquely stay on Urupukapuka Island - 20 minutes by boat from the mainland and the largest island in the Bay. On the way to the island we enjoy a wildlife cruise to explore the Bay of Islands taking in many of the other 144 islands, which gave the place its name. We almost always see dolphins and other marine life on this trip! The boat then drops us at the island in the late afternoon for us to have time settle in for the night! (D)

Day 3 - Urupukapuka Island to Auckland

Wake up to the sounds of native birds on this amazing, historic island. Urupukapuka is covered in bushland and is surrounded by stunning beaches. You have the morning free to do one of the great walks and explore the island, go swimming, kayaking, fishing or just relax on one of the golden sand beaches! There are also historic Maori Pa sites on the island to check out. At midday we leave the island via boat and head back to the mainland. We then head back to Auckland making a stop at the Native Bird Recovery Centre (to see more native birds up close), arriving back into Auckland around 7pm. (B)

Day 4 - Auckland to Hahei (Coromandel)

We head south east to the 'Coromandel region' via views of Waikato farmland. We head to our remote beach area to hike to the stunning Cathedral Cove (famous for use in NZ tourism posters worldwide), and have a chance to bathe in the natural hot pools of Hot Water Beach (tide dependent). We stay in cabins right by the beach and enjoy a BBQ together in the evening. Quad-share cabins only. (D)

Day 5 – Hahei to Rotorua

Travelling along the stunning Coromandel Coast we stop for some great walks on the way to Rotorua. We arrive at midday and you have the chance to do some awesome optional activities from walks to white water rafting (additional cost). We then head to our uniquely developed Maori cultural overnight stop at Tamaki Village, where you will be greeted with a powhiri (welcoming ceremony). In the evening you will be taught a waiata (song), enjoy a powerful cultural performance, have a hangi dinner (traditionally cooked on hot rocks covered in earth), then gather around a campfire for stories of the migration, settlement and survival of Maori in New Zealand. We spend the night in a marae (traditional Maori meeting house). (B, D)  

Day 6 - Rotorua to Whakahoro

We leave the marae early this morning, stopping for a swim in a geothermal river, then on to the impressive Huka Falls. We drive around Lake Taupo towards the Central Plateau where we go deep into the wilderness to our remote environmental award-winning stop at Blue Duck Lodge. You can choose to kayak the last 6kms (own expense), take a 4WD eco-warrior tour, a historic walk, or join in on a hunt to eradicate some pests! Tonight we cook a traditional bush dinner using local produce, and learn about the area’s rich early-settlement history and the owner’s huge efforts to restore the local plants and birdlife to their former glory. (B, D) 

Note: Winter conditions may prevent us from kayaking. In this situation, kayaking will be substituted with the 4WD eco-warrior tour.

Day 7 – Whakahoro to National Park

This morning we head back towards the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park with the chance to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, rated as NZ's best one-day walk. For those less active there will be shorter walks and a visit to the Volcanic Centre Museum. Tonight we stay at the spectacular alpine lodge 'The Park'. (B, D)

Day 8 - National Park to Wellington

Following the great day we have had in National Park we head to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. We arrive early afternoon giving you time to explore 'Te Papa', NZ's national museum and strongly recommend the walk along Oriental Parade and/or up Mt Victoria to get the best view of the city. We stay in central Wellington accommodation tonight. (B)

Day 9 – Wellington to Auckland

Today is an express journey from Wellington to Auckland. We stop along the way for photos and to have lunch in the township of a dual World Heritage area – National Park. (B)