Holiday Overview
The North Island of New Zealand is not short of geothermal wonders, rainforests, white sand beaches and waterfalls. Many of these can be found with mountainous backdrops. If you are looking for any of these natural formations, then North Island is the place to go. Starting with the natural beauty of the northern Bay of Islands through the geothermal riches of Rotorua and Taupo to the caves and crevices of Hamilton, you will find nature at it’s finest. Such wonders can easily be explored throughout all corners of North Island and this itinerary is the way to see them all.
Start Auckland - End Auckland
14 nights – 15 days
Islands visited: North Island
Highlights;
Lake Taupo formed from a 2000-year-old volcanic explosion
Rotorua’s geothermal parks and geysers
Bay of Islands, home to 144 islands and Ninety Mile Beach
Waitomo’s Glow-worm caves
North Island’s Natural Wonders includes:
- 1 Night Accommodation Auckland
- 2 Night Accommodation Bay of Islands
- 2 Night Accommodation Coromandel
- 2 Night Accommodation Rotorua
- 1 Night Accommodation Taupo
- 1 Night Accommodation Napier
- 2 Night Accommodation Wellington
- 1 Night Accommodation New Plymouth
- 1 Night Accommodation Hamilton
- Compact car hire
- Hobbiton Tour at Matamata
- Te Puia Maori Cultural Tour at Rotorua
- Glowworm Caves at Waitomo
Day 1 - Auckland
Arrive in Auckland, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Day 2 - Auckland – Bay of Islands
Collect your car and drive along the Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands
Day 3 - Bay of Islands
A full day of leisure to explore the Bay of Islands, enjoy the natural beauty of the area, comprising 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula. Perhaps take an optional cruise to view the “hole in the rock” at Piercy Island.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands
Day 4 - Bay of Islands – Auckland
Return to Auckland perhaps stop off La Nonna Italian Bakery in Kaiwaka for a coffee or stretch your legs at the Dome Valley or Byrnderwyns Scenic lookout.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Day 5 - Auckland – Coromandel
Across the Firth of Thames, the Coromandel is cloaked in native rainforest with dazzling white sand beaches, it is rustic, unspoiled and relaxed.
Featured accommodation
Brenton Lodge
Day 6 - Coromandel
Spend a full day at leisure exploring the Coromandel Peninsula.
Featured accommodation
Brenton Lodge
Day 7 - Coromandel – Rotorua
Leave Coromandel behind and journey to the Maori cultural and geothermal area of Rotorua. En route stop off at Matamata for a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, as featured in the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit trilogies.
Featured accommodation
Distinction Rotorua
Unmissable Experiences
Hobbiton
Day 8 - Rotorua
Visit Te Puia a 70-hectare geothermal park right on the edge of Rotorua. It's home of the world famous Phutu geyser and the national carving and weaving schools. They also house the kiwi, New Zealand's most well-known bird and have daily Maori cultural performances.
Featured accommodation
Distinction Rotorua
Unmissable Experiences
Te Puia
Day 9 - Rotorua – Taupo
Take the short drive to Taupo, making sure to stop at the impressive Huka Falls, just north of the city. Lake Taupo was created around 2000 years ago, by a massive volcanic eruption and is still an active geothermal region.
Featured accommodation
Millennium Hotel and Resort Taupo
Day 10 - Taupo – Napier
Beautifully preserved 1930s architecture is Napier's special point of difference, with the bonus of the Hawkes Bay wine region on its doorstep. Take a stroll around the town or visit one of the many fine vineyards in the area.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Day 11 - Napier – Wellington
Today drive to Wellington, dubbed 'The coolest little capital in the world'. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington
Day 12 - Wellington
A full day of leisure to explore Wellington, perhaps take the cable car to the Mount Victoria lookout for a panoramic view of the city, make sure you visit Hannah’s Laneway, to sample some of the local gourmet produce.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington
Day 13 - Wellington – New Plymouth
Turn northwards and head to New Plymouth, dominated by the dramatic volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki. Stop off for lunch in Whanganui, one of New Zealand’s oldest settler towns, featuring restored heritage areas.
Featured accommodation
Distinction New Plymouth
Day 14 - New Plymouth – Hamilton
Onto Waitomo today, famous for its dazzling Glowworm Caves. Take a tour of the Footwhistle glowworm cave before continuing onto Hamilton.
Featured accommodation
Distinction Hamilton
Day 15 - Hamilton – Auckland
Return to Auckland Airport, drop off your vehicle and catch your onward flight.
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Simple, sophisticated, and designed for comfort. Copthorne Hotel Auckland City is centrally located, making it the perfect base to explore the city or attend conferences. Nearby you’ll find Queen Street shopping, the Central Business District, and University of Auckland. This hotel is just a 10-minute walk away from the Viaduct Basin and Spark Arena.
Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands
A waterfront location nestled in 60 acres of subtropical gardens, within the Waitangi National Trust Reserve. Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands is a harmony of nature and spacious comfort. The180 guest rooms include 4 suites and accessible rooms. Each room features its own patio or balcony, assuring great views of the bay, harbour, or garden.
Brenton Lodge, Whangamata
Privately accessed rooms, with private baconies and with panoramic views to the sea and islands and all overlooking an acre of beautiful gardens. Laze around the pool, enjoy a drink at the bar or gather in the lounge and relax by the fireside.
Distinction Rotorua
The Distinction Rotorua Hotel offers a touch of luxury and a perfect base for exploring New Zealand's geothermal wonders and M?ori culture. Nestled in the heart of Rotorua, this four-star property is surrounded by lush gardens and offers a serene escape, all while being just minutes away from key attractions like the Whakarewarewa Thermal Village and the Redwoods Forest. With spacious, well-appointed rooms, the hotel caters to both leisure and business travelers, providing modern amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and private balconies with stunning views of Rotorua’s natural beauty.
Millennium Hotel and Resort Taupo
Set on the shores of the country’s largest lake, this is one of Taupo luxury hotels with uninterrupted views of the magnificent lake and mountains. Many of Taupo’s famous attractions are just minutes away, including Huka Falls, water and snow skiing, hot mineral pools, golf courses, and lake cruises. The charming Edgewater Restaurant is a superb choice for savouring award-winning cuisine as swans gracefully swim by.
Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Styled to complement its remarkable location on the edge of the beautiful Hawke's Bay, Napier's Scenic Hotel Te Pania is one of the most recognisable hotels in Napier, boasting design awards for its style and offering an unmatched level of service to leisure travellers and conference guests.
Intercontinental Wellington
Adjacent to Wellington’s waterfront, InterContinental Wellington is a global five-star hotel located in the heart of Wellington city. It is the seamless and personal service that makes InterContinental Wellington one of the best luxury hotels in Wellington. You will experience truly memorable moments and get the insider knowledge from the award-winning Concierge team, to help you discover the arts, events, shopping, and culinary culture. Discover the glamour, sophistication and unrivalled heritage that InterContinental Wellington has to offer
Distinction New Plymouth
The Distinction Hotel New Plymouth offers a seamless blend of modern sophistication and warm hospitality in the heart of Taranaki. This four-star hotel is ideally located within walking distance of New Plymouth’s bustling city centre, coastal walkway, and the stunning Pukekura Park. The hotel features spacious, contemporary rooms and suites designed with comfort in mind, complete with luxurious bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. For added convenience, guests can enjoy free on-site parking, making it a perfect choice for both leisure and business travelers exploring the region.
Image Gallery
Cathedral Rock - Bay of Islands
Hawkes Bay Wine Region
Bay of Islands
Huka Falls - Taupo
Glow worm caves - Waitomo
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
New Zealand’s Movies, Mountains & Maori
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Fox Glacier
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
- Visit Hobbiton
- Travel on the TranzAlpine train
- Climb the Fox Glacier
- Ride the Skyline Gondola
12 Nights from £3805pp
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
- Stunning Mountain Scenery in New Zealand
- See Sydney and the Blue Mountains
- Visit the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforest
- Get up close to Koala's and Penguins on Phillip Island
14 Nights from £4430pp
New Zealand’s Islands, Geysers & Glaciers
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Hibiscus Coast
- Maori cultural experience
- Wellington cable car
- Cruise Milford Sound
21 Nights from £5475pp
Golf New Zealand
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Jacks Point Queenstown
- Millbrook Resort Queenstown
- The Kinloch Club Taupo
- Explore Rotorua and its volcanic plateau
14 Nights from £1300pp
Snapshot of North Island
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Tongariro National Park
- Martinborough
- Wellington
- Matamata for Hobbiton Movie Set
- Mount Victoria lookout
- Rotorua’s geothermal parks
- Tongariro National Park
9 Nights from £1385pp
South Island’s Mountain Explorer
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Mount Cook
- Lake Tekapo
- Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown
- Spectacular rail journey through the Southern Alps
- Mount Cook National Park
- Coloured Lake Tekapo
9 Nights from £1630pp
