Heart of the North Island
Experience the very best of New Zealand’s legendary landscapes, from the glowing underground grottoes of Waitomo to the meticulously crafted hills of the Hobbiton Movie Set. You will spend your days witnessing the force of the Pōhutu Geyser and wandering through the vibrant geothermal springs of Wai-O-Tapu, all while enjoying the depth of local cultural stories.
Tour overview
Departs every day - flexible independent travel
This suggested tour costs from NZD$2,700 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland
4 days/3 nights
Hotel 4 star
Customisable? YES
Viewed 93 times in the last 7 days
We can customize this tour suggestion to suit you perfectly. Add more time in favourite locations, stay in different accommodations, experience activities that interest you - we can arrange it all. Just get in touch to get your Tailor-Made itinerary
Day 1 - Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves
Experience the ultimate North Island road trip on this fully guided, small-group journey from Auckland to Rotorua. Leave the city behind as you travel through the lush Waikato countryside to the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where you’ll marvel at thousands of tiny lights during a magical underground boat ride. The adventure continues to Rotorua’s Te Puia, the home of Māori culture and geothermal wonders. Witness the powerful Pōhutu Geyser, see live Kiwi birds, and watch master carvers at work. With passionate guides and premium Mercedes transport, this is the most comfortable and exciting way to reach Rotorua.
Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Millennium Hotel is Rotorua's largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.
Day 2 - Spend the day visiting Hobbiton
Take a journey from Rotorua to the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located inside a picturesque 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm near Matamata. Here, take a guided tour of the village of Hobbiton, which was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. During your guided tour of this amazing location, you’ll see sights like Hobbit holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, enjoy a tasty lunch in the Party Marquee and then return to Rotorua.
Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Millennium Hotel is Rotorua's largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.Day 3 - Volcanoes, Hot Springs & Māori Traditions
Soar beyond the crater’s rim on a spectacular floatplane adventure. After taking in the breathtaking aerial views of Rotorua’s hidden lakes district and distant volcanoes, you will experience the thrill of a water landing on the crystal-clear shores of Lake Rotoiti. Here, you’ll discover a secluded paradise only accessible by water: natural geothermal hot pools tucked away in a quiet bay. Spend 90 minutes soaking in serenity or cooling off with a lakeside swim before your pilot whisks you back to reality.
New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting Te Pā Tū. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.
Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Millennium Hotel is Rotorua's largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.Day 4 - Return to Auckland via Taupō
Jumpstart your adventure at Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, where you'll witness the spectacular eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser and explore a landscape brimming with vibrant geothermal features like the Champagne Lake and bubbling mud-pools. Continue south to Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake and a giant volcanic crater, for lunch and a highlights tour. Your journey north stops at Huka Falls, a breathtaking display of New Zealand's natural beauty. In Hamilton, discover the unexpected charm of Hamilton Gardens, boasting 18 unique enclosed gardens that transport you through various cultures and times. Finally, enjoy a fully guided return trip to Auckland, with secret stops making your return just as exciting as the rest of your adventure.
