Holiday Overview
Have you ventured to the South Island but never to the North Island? If not, then this is the trip that will provide you with lots of its highlights. North Island is full of little gems that will keep you engaged and interested over the 10 short days you will have to explore it. The “City of Sails” is your gateway to start this mini-adventure as you drive throughout this volcanically active region. Full of national parks, cosmopolitan cities and vineyards, with rich soils that provide you with some of the best wineries in the world – what’s not to like?
Start Auckland - End Wellington
9 nights / 10 days
Islands Visited: North Island
Highlights;
Maori culture and geothermal area of Rotorua
Matamata for the Hobbiton Movie Set
Volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park
New Zealand’s best Pinot Noir from Marlborough
Excludes International Flights.
Snapshot of North Island includes:
- 2 nights accommodation Auckland
- 2 nights accommodation Rotorua
- 1 night accommodation Taupo
- 1 night accommodation Tongariro National Park
- 1 night accommodation Martinborough
- 2 nights accommodation Wellington
- Maori Cultural Experience
- Compact Car hire
Day 1 - Auckland
Arrive in Auckland, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Why not extend your New Zealand trip with an 'unmissable experience' to the Bay of Islands before starting this itinerary?
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Enhance your experience
InterContinental Auckland
Unmissable Experiences
Bay of Islands Extension
Day 2 - Auckland
Enjoy a full day of leisure in Auckland to explore the city. Perhaps visit the Sky Tower for a panoramic view of the city.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Enhance your experience
InterContinental Auckland
Unmissable Experiences
Auckland Experiences
Day 3 - Auckland – Rotorua
Leave Auckland behind and journey to the Maori cultural and geothermal area of Rotorua. Perhaps stop off en route 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
Enhance your experience
Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel & Spa
Day 4 - 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
Enhance your experience
Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel & Spa
Unmissable Experiences
Te Puia
Day 5 - 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 6 - Taupo - Tongariro National Park
Continue to the dramatic volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park and spend the rest of the day exploring the many walking trails available.
Featured accommodation
The Powderhorn Chateau
Day 7 - Tongariro - Martinborough
Packed with colonial charm, Martinborough features over 20 wineries, most within cycling and walking distance of the quaint village square. Some of New Zealand’s best Pinot Noir comes from the town’s predominately family-owned vineyards.
Featured accommodation
Parehua Resort
Day 8 - Martinborough – 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 9 - 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 10 - Wellington
Your itinerary concludes today in Wellington.
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.
InterContinental Auckland
The InterContinental Auckland is a stunning luxury hotel located on Auckland’s vibrant waterfront, offering a sophisticated base for exploring New Zealand’s largest city. As part of the world-renowned InterContinental brand, this hotel seamlessly blends contemporary design with the charm of its picturesque harbour setting. Guests are welcomed into elegantly appointed rooms and suites that boast modern amenities, plush bedding, and floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of the Waitemat? Harbour or the city skyline. Its central location ensures that visitors are just steps away from the lively Viaduct Harbour dining precinct, designer boutiques, and cultural landmarks such as the Auckland Art Gallery and Sky Tower.
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.
Parehua Resort
The Parehua Resort, nestled in the picturesque wine region of Martinborough, offers a tranquil retreat perfect for those seeking luxury and relaxation. Surrounded by rolling vineyards and lush countryside, this boutique resort features a collection of elegantly designed cottages and villas. Each accommodation is thoughtfully equipped with modern comforts such as plush bedding, fully equipped kitchens, private terraces, and spa baths, creating an intimate home-away-from-home atmosphere. Its location makes it an ideal base for exploring the region's renowned wineries, cycling trails, and charming village centre.
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
Image Gallery
Maori Culture
Martinborough
Hobbiton - Matamata
Martinborough
Tongariro National Park
Mount Victoria - Wellington
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
