5-Day Best of the North Island Tour from Auckland

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland – Bay of Islands

Pass By: Paihia Harbour, Paihia New Zealand
Depart Auckland and travel north via the Hibiscus Coast with its golden sand beaches, through Whangarei and arrive in the beautiful township of Paihia, Bay of Islands.

Pass By: Waitangi Treaty Grounds, 1 Tau Henare Dr, Paihia New Zealand
Tour the Waitangi Treaty Grounds the site of the historic treaty between the Maori and European pioneers. View a magnificent Maori meeting house and war canoe. Remainder of the day at leisure to explore Paihia.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Scenic Circle Hotel Paihia or similar

Day 2: Bay of Islands – Auckland

Stop At: Hole in the Rock, Motukokako Island, Russell, New Zealand
Today cruise to Cape Brett and Piercy Island and discover the Bay’s highlands from the water with its abundant wildlife. Sea conditions permitting travel through the cavernous Hole in the Rock. Spot dolphins frolicking, seals and more. After, return to Russell for a sightseeing tour of this historic township, returning to Paihia with a mid-afternoon departure for Auckland.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: City Life Auckland or similar

Day 3: Auckland – Hobbiton – Rotorua

Stop At: Hobbiton Movie Set, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, Hinuera 3472 New Zealand
Depart from Auckland by coach for your journey to Rotorua via Hobbiton: the farm that has been transformed for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie set. Tour fairytale landscapes of the Shire, see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge, the party tree and visit the Green Dragon Inn.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Millennium Hotel Rotorua, 1270 Hinemaru St, Rotorua 3040, New Zealand
On departing Hobbiton your coach continues through the scenic Kaimai Ranges to Rotorua and drops you off at your hotel.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Millennium Hotel Rotorua or similar

Day 4: Rotorua: Te Puia, Agrodome & Rainbow Springs

Stop At: Te Puia, Hemo Road, Rotorua New Zealand
Head over to Te Puia and experience Rotorua's famous Maori culture and geothermal activity with a tour of the neighbouring Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley - a place where mud pools bubble and boil and geysers shoot steam high into the air.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Agrodome, 141 Western Rd, Ngongotaha, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand
See Rotorua's agricultural industry in action at the Agrodome: a working organic farm where you can find out all about farming life in New Zealand. Watch a sheep shearing display and see sheep dog trials where the farm dogs show off their amazing skills.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Rainbow Springs Nature Park, 192 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua 3015 New Zealand
Discover New Zealand wildlife and natural scenery at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, where you can get up close to native flora and fauna including the famous kiwi - a flightless native bird. Wander through native forest and discover New Zealand birds, fish and lizards (including the ancient tuatara), as well as exotic animals from around the world.
Duration: 1 minute

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Millennium Hotel Rotorua or similar

Day 5: Rotorua – Waitomo – Auckland

Stop At: Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3943 New Zealand
Travel from Rotorua to Auckland by road via the Waitomo Glowworm caves with a guided tour of the caves including a boat through the glowworm grotto. Arrive in Auckland mid-afternoon where you will be transferred to your central city accommodation, at which time your tour will conclude.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.