North Island Highlights Gourmet & Scenic Adventure
Sights of Auckland city, gourmet tour of the Matakana coast, scenic helicopter flight, cultural tour, geothermal park, mud bath and spa, Huka Falls jet boat.
Start Auckland, finish Taupo. 5 Days / 5 Nights
Our North Island tour is designed to be an unhurried and refreshing holiday. A chance to experience New Zealand’s incredible lifestyle, culture and geothermal regions at a more relaxed pace. Here at Vacations New Zealand we understand that sometimes you don’t have the luxury of time, so we have put together a short stay North Island tour 4 Days / 4 Nights. This shorter vacation package features all activities and stays 1 night in Auckland City, 1 night in Matakana, and 2 nights in Rotorua. Please contact us if this shorter tour suits your requirements.
Day 1. Auckland City
Your tour begins in Auckland where we meet you on your arrival at the Auckland airport. Enroute to your central hotel we will take you on a driving tour of the highlights of our largest city. With a fabulos shopping precinct and beautiful beaches we know you will enjoy your first day exploring Auckland city.
Accommodation: 4.5 star hotel.
Day 2. Auckland to Matakana
This morning we will drive north one hour to visit the beautiful region of Matakana which is abundant in fresh produce, farmers markets, sculpture trails and boutique towns. Stopping along the way to sample fresh honey, gelato, premium wine and cheese producers. With vistas over the beautiful Hauraki gulf, the Matakana region is a great way to experience New Zealands food and wine artisians. We also highly recommend a visit to the Saturday morning farmers market if your schedule allows.
Your nights stay here is at a beautiful luxury country lodge, with private decks and expansive views. Included is a gourmet dinner prepared by your hosts.
Tour package includes: Tour of gourmet food producers, dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation: 4.5 star premium lodge
Day 3. Matakana to Rotorua
Mid morning we continue south via Auckland and the scenic coastal road to Kawakawa Bay and the Firth of Thames, it is also known as the seabird coast for its migratory birds.
Arriving in Rotorua we take a break to see some of the local sights including lake Rotorua. Here there are many options and activites to choose from including the highly regarded Government Gardens, Rotorua museum and kiwi encounter. Included tonight is a Maori cultural performance on a Maori village site including a traditional Hangi dinner that is cooked in the ground.
Drive time 3.5 hours
Tour package includes: breakfast, cultural performance and dinner.
Accommodation: 4.5 star premium hotel
Day 4. Rotorua
Mid morning you will be met by your driver and taken to your flight departure point for your 2 hour private helicopter flight and tour. You will fly up to Mount Tarawera and land on this dormant volcano, then fly over Lake Rotomahana and the Waimangu thermal area before returning to Rotorua.
This afternoon we take time out at Hells gate geothermal resort. Here you will be treated to the ultimate in spa treatments: a Wai-ora thermal mud bath, followed by a sulphur spa. Immerse yourself in this truly unique environment.
Tour package includes: breakfast, scenic helicopter flight , mud bath & sulphur spa
Accommodation: 4.5 star premium hotel
Day 5. Rotorua to Taupo
After a leisurely morning we depart for Lake Taupo. Stopping along the way to enjoy close up the bubbling mud pools of Wai-o-tapu and a optional visit to the geothermal reserve located there. Your afternoon also includes a spectacular and thrilling 30 min jet boat ride to the Huka Falls, view one of New Zealand’s most powerfull forces of nature.
We stop in Lake Taupo for some shopping and lunch, before heading to your last nights stay at the historic and beautifully refurbished Hilton Hotel overlooking Lake Taupo.
Drive time 1 hour.
Tour package includes: breakfast, bubbling mud pools, Huka Falls jet boat
Accommodation: 5 star hotel
This North Island Highlights trip can be perfectly matched to join with our South Island Highlights tour, for a wonderful Encounter New Zealand 11 Day vacation package. Or you can combine Explore the South Island tour package for a truly magical Experience New Zealand 14 Day tour.
“What a truly relaxing holiday, we didn’t have much time in New Zealand, but experienced a whole lot on this North Island tour. Next time it will be the South Island tour, thankyou Vacations New Zealand, and to our excellent guide! Kim Sands and Raye Whittiker – Boston
Book this tour or customise your tour with Optional Extras