New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Northbound)
New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Northbound)
New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Northbound)
8 Days Starting in Wellington and ending in Auckland
Visiting: Wellington / Taupo, Taupo, Taupo / Murupara, Rotorua, Coromandel Peninsula, Coromandel Peninsula / Auckland, Auckland
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PHRO
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Age range:
18-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Wherever you lay your eyes in New Zealand’s North Island, there’s something remarkable to look at. Spend eight unforgettable days soaking up sunshine and hopping between beaches, lakes, villages and cities. A local leader will show you the best bits of this spectacular island as you jump off from trendy Wellington, marvel at the sight of Lake Taupo, learn about local culture in a Maori village, take in the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and chill out on the beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula before wrapping up in lively Auckland. Of all New Zealand’s assets, its people top the list, so embrace a warm welcome from the locals as you explore their beautiful backyard. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating "twin-share" when you manage your booking on our website.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Wellington / Taupo
Location: Wellington / Taupo
Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast
Welcome to the North Island! Your adventure begins in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, where you’ll meet up with your local leader and new travel buddies for an 8am welcome meeting. Wellington is as cool and creative as it is windy (and it’s thought to be the windiest city in the world!). After your meeting, your leader will show you around the capital. Depending on the interests of the group, this may include a visit to Weta Workshop of Lord of the Rings fame, the parliament buildings, cable car and Mt Victoria. Then it’s time to leave the city behind and drive on to Taupo, nestled into the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. With calm waters fringed by mountains, this is one of the prettiest spots in the country.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 2: Taupo
Location: Taupo
Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast
The day is yours to enjoy all Taupo has to offer. Chill out lakeside to soak in the inspiring views, or get active and take on one of the awesome hiking trails in the area. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the Tongariro Crossing in the nearby Tongariro National Park is considered one of the best one-day walks in the world (but it’s not for the faint hearted!). Carved into the cliff faces surrounding Lake Taupo you’ll find 14-metre-tall Maori artwork that can only be accessed by boat. Want to relax and unwind? A visit to the natural hot pools at Otumuheke Stream is a must! However you decide to spend the day, it’s sure to be one to remember.
Optional Activities:
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Day 3: Taupo / Murupara
Location: Taupo / Murupara
Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Travel today to the Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara – the majority of proceeds from the activities you take part in here are fed back into the local community. You’ll be greeted by a Maori elder who will show you around the Ngati Manawa Tribal Lands while sharing the history and culture of this tribe. Meet with other members of the village and learn a famous haka war dance, then weave a plate for tonight’s dinner out of flax plants. Dinner tonight is one for the books – tuck into a traditional hangi meal, cooked underground to create a delicious, earthy flavour.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your journey continues as you drive north towards Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and the pervasive sulphur smell it lends the town. Fluorescent lakes, bubbling mud pools, active volcanoes and dramatic geysers punctuate the landscape here, making it feel like you’re on another planet. Stop off at a thermal park to get your first look at Rotorua’s otherworldly landscapes, then continue into the town where your leader will show you around the Government Gardens and pleasant lakefront. End the day with a visit to the Te Puia Maori Village, where you’ll get firsthand insight into Maori culture. You’ll also have the chance to see Pohutu, New Zealand’s largest geyser, in action – this is a sight that will blow you away! A visit to the kiwi conservation centre will allow you to observe this endearing nocturnal bird as it behaves at night.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast
There’s so much to see and do in Rotorua, so today is free to discover it all. Have a chat to your local leader for tips on how to get the most out of your day here. You may like to take an unforgettable stroll through Kuirau Park, surrounded by bubbling and boiling mud pools. If you feel like getting your heart racing, the Kaituna River is one of the world’s top white water rafting destinations. Choose to head deep into one of New Zealand’s most ancient forests for an exhilarating eco canopy adventure, learning about the native wildlife and ecology as you zipline from tree to tree. Or take a guided kayak trip where you’ll enjoy a fun-filled evening of hot pools (which are only accessible by boat), BBQ dinner and paddling through magical glow worm caves.
Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Coromandel Peninsula
Location: Coromandel Peninsula
Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast
We start today with a visit to Hobbiton, an absolute must-do on the way through Matamata. On a fully guided tour of the set you will see Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and even enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. This afternoon we head to the Coromandel Peninsula, a land of beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. Take a walk along the clifftops and down to Cathedral Cove, one of the region’s most beautiful and photogenic spots – the rock arches, columns and pristine beaches are a truly impressive sight. While here you may like to take the chance to explore the coastline on a guided kayaking tour – if you do, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins swimming alongside the boat!
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Coromandel Peninsula / Auckland
Location: Coromandel Peninsula / Auckland
Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast
Of all the Coromandel Peninsula’s marvellous beaches, one stands out above the rest. Hot Water Beach is made famous by the warm waters that run beneath its sand, meaning all you need to do to make your own hot tub is dig a hole. Visit at low tide and get digging – unwinding in a natural hot tub on the beach is an experience second to none. Complete the final stretch of your journey as you travel to Auckland, hugging the glittering on your way there. New Zealand’s biggest city has a privileged location where you’re never far from the water, and the dining and nightlife scene is up there with the best of them. As it’s your last night together, you may like to head out for a final dinner with the group before saying your goodbyes.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Auckland
Location: Auckland
Your North Island adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time getting to know Auckland, just get in touch ahead of time and we’d be happy to arrange extra accommodation (subject to availability).
What's Included
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Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (7 nights) -
Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
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Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive
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Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax
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Murupara - Hangi Dinner
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Murupara - Village Tour with Maori Elder
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Murupara - Learn the Haka
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Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village
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Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
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Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
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Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- Private Vehicle
Accommodation
- ROOMING
- Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared bathrooms, on a mixed-gender basis.
- PRIVATE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
- A supplement for a private room is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. If you are a single traveller this will give you a single room, if you are travelling as a couple a double room will be allocated to you. Please note that due to the small properties we use there is only a limited amount of private room supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book this service or enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.
Important Information
- 1. This trip starts in Wellington on Day 1 at 8am. You will depart the city immediately after the welcome meeting. This trip ends on Day 8 in Auckland and you are free to leave at any time.
- 2. Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share hostels. Multishare typically includes 4-8 beds. You may be required to share with group members of a different gender, couples and non-Intrepid travellers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.
- 3. A single supplement (with shared bathroom facilities) is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. If you are a single traveller this will give you a single room, if you are travelling as a couple a double room will be allocated to you. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (Murupara) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 4. This trip requires a minimum number of booked customers to guarantee the departure. Your Booking Agent will advise at time of booking if the departure has met minimum numbers. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be advised no later than 56 days out from departure (prior to full payment due). We recommend arranging flights and related travel services once your departure is guaranteed. In the event that your departure is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being met, a full refund will be provided of monies paid.
- 5. This trip is operated and run by Haka Tours, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.
Mode of Transport
- Private Vehicle
Accommodation
- ROOMING
- Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share dormitory style hostels, on a mixed-gender basis.
- PRIVATE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
- A supplement for a private room is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. If you are a single traveller this will give you a single room, if you are travelling as a couple a double room will be allocated to you. Please note that due to the small properties we use there is only a limited amount of private room supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book this service or enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This trip is operated and run by Haka Tours, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. Dorms generally consist of 4-8 beds (private rooms are available on request). -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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