11 Day Wilderness and Wonder ‘Premium’ Tour 

Upon arrival you will be picked up for your private transfer from Auckland International Airport to your accommodation with time to get a feel for Auckland.

AUCKLAND / TĀMAKI MAKAURAU – an exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city’s many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach. The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand’s biggest city, and the population mix of European, Maori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World.

Today is all about the stunning island of Waiheke just a few kilometers from Auckland City in the Hauraki Gulf.  To get there you’ll join Fullers360 on the Waiheke Island Ferry service from downtown Auckland not far from your hotel. Fullers360 is the primary ferry operator for Waiheke Island, offering a convenient way to get to this popular Hauraki Gulf destination. The service provides a simple return ticket for you to travel from Auckland to Waiheke Island, allowing you to explore its attractions, from world-class wineries to beautiful beaches.

Once on Waiheke you’ll join  Terra and Tide for their Double Headland Walk Tour. You’ll experience the twin headlands of Matiatia and Church Bay, walking in a small group with an expert local guide. This walk consists of two parts, with lunch in between. Walk around the Matiatia headland, enjoying beautiful views of the Hauraki Gulf Islands, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula. You’ll spot sea birds, native plants and, if you’re lucky, orcas or dolphins. Learn about the history and ecology of the Hauraki Gulf and Waiheke Island, its conservation projects and island life. Then walk through Pio Rehutai Reserve and around the Church Bay headland through a sculpture park and a stunning bush reserve. You’ll pass hidden coves and amazing homes, as you enjoy views of the city and sea. The order in which the two headlands are walked depends on the tides of the day.

Today you will pick up your Intermediate SUV Budget Rental car and head out on a perfect escape from the city to the pristine natural beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula. Leaving Auckland’s urban landscape behind, the route heads south before turning east, weaving through the scenic farmlands of the Waikato region and the lush, bush-clad hills of the Coromandel. The drive offers glimpses of the peninsula’s rugged beauty and stunning coastline before you arrive at Cooks Beach. This tranquil settlement, known for its beautiful crescent-shaped beach and calm waters, is a perfect destination for swimming and relaxation.

COOKS BEACH/ PUKAKI – Located on the southern side of Mercury Bay, Cooks Beach is a serene and sheltered retreat that offers a perfect blend of relaxation and history. The beautiful, 2.5-kilometer-long white sand beach is ideal for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding due to its calm and safe waters. The settlement is steeped in history, named after Captain James Cook, who anchored here in 1769 to observe the transit of Mercury. Visitors can still see a monument commemorating his landing. Beyond the beach, the area serves as a tranquil base for exploring the Coromandel’s stunning coastline. A short drive or walk provides easy access to nearby attractions such as Cathedral Cove and the iconic Shakespeare Cliff lookout.

This journey offers a different perspective on the stunning Coromandel Peninsula. Unlike the direct ferry, the drive from Cooks Beach takes you on a longer, more adventurous route around Mercury Bay. The road is scenic and winding, carving its way through beautiful, bush-clad hills and past rolling farmland. The journey provides a peaceful escape from the main highway and showcases the rugged, untamed beauty of the peninsula’s interior. As you approach Whitianga, the landscape opens up to reveal the picturesque harbour and the bustling seaside town. This drive is the perfect option for those who want to take their time, explore the hidden corners of the region, and enjoy the beautiful scenery from the comfort of their own vehicle.

Once in Whitianga you will join Ocean Leopard Tours on their Cathedral Cove & Volcanic Coast Tour. This superb tour with stunning vistas is the perfect way to experience the famous sights of the Coromandel from the water. Your skipper will take you on a journey past towering cliffs and into magnificent sea caves. The tour takes you to the famous Cathedral Cove, and if conditions allow, you’ll be able to enter a huge blowhole. The small, fast boat ensures a thrilling and personal experience.

This scenic journey takes you from the beautiful, tranquil shores of Cooks Beach to the dynamic heart of New Zealand’s geothermal activity. Leaving the golden sands and relaxed atmosphere of the Coromandel, the route heads south, weaving through lush, green farmlands and rolling hills of the Waikato region. We have included an optional tour to Hobbiton on your journey, a slight detour but well worth it especially for anyone that is a LOTR fan. As you approach your destination, the landscape dramatically changes, and you’ll begin to see signs of the powerful forces at play beneath the earth’s surface. The air will become infused with the scent of sulfur, and you’ll pass steaming vents and bubbling mud pools. Arriving in Rotorua, you’ll find a city defined by its geothermal wonders and its deep connection to Māori culture.

ROTORUA – located on a volcanic plateau, and formerly a spa town, Rotorua is most famous for its geothermal activity. Rotorua is the main place in New Zealand where aspects of Maori traditions can be seen, from wood carvings, and meeting houses, to a Hangi Dinner and Maori dances. Native and introduced tree species abound locally and combined with several picturesque lakes, Rotorua is a fascinating mix of culture and nature.

Once settled in you’ll join National Kiwi Hatchery on their National Kiwi Hatchery Guided Tour. This tour is an intimate and educational look at the conservation efforts to save New Zealand’s iconic national bird. Your expert guide will take you into the kiwi hatching and brooding rooms, sharing insights into the ‘Operation Nest Egg’ program. You will see kiwi eggs in incubators and learn about the delicate process of raising kiwi chicks, a crucial step in ensuring the survival of this endangered species.

Today we have chosen two attractions which are always popular with our travellers. If they aren’t quite right we can help you find the perfect one although we are confident these two will tick a lot of your boxes.

Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland. This is a must-do attraction in Rotorua. You’ll explore the park on a self-guided walk, with well-maintained paths that take you to see the vibrant Champagne Pool, the bubbling mud pools, and the multi-colored hot springs. The admission also includes the daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser, an impressive spectacle that showcases the power of the earth.

Te Pa Tu’s Evening Experience. This is an unforgettable evening that celebrates Māori culture and tradition. You’ll be welcomed with a traditional pōwhiri (welcome), and your guide will lead you on a journey through a reconstructed village. The experience includes stories, songs, and demonstrations of Māori life, followed by a powerful cultural performance and a delicious five-course feast. It is an intimate and engaging way to learn about the Māori world.

Leave Rotorua and travel south through geothermal landscapes. The journey continues past forests and rolling farmland, passing Lake Taupō’s eastern shoreline. Your trip concludes as you arrive in Tūrangi, a town at the southern end of the lake and near Tongariro National Park.

TURANGI – As the unofficial trout fishing headquarters of New Zealand, Turangi invites you to call in and drop a line. The town is on the banks of the Tongariro River, Lake Taupo is only four kilometres away and the Tauranga-Taupo River (another trout haven) is just to the east. For the ultimate trout experience visit the Tongariro Trout Centre, a hatchery run by the Department of Conservation. Turangi’s visitors don’t all come to fish; the town is an ideal base for hiking adventures into the Tongariro National Park. It’s also just 40 minutes from the Whakapapa ski area on Mount Ruapehu and about five minutes from Tokaanu’s hot pools.

Time to lace up your hiking shoes, pack some snacks and join Adrift Guided Outdoor Adventures on their Premium Tongariro Alpine Crossing Full Day (includes lunch). This guided hike provides all the benefits of the premium tour, ensuring a safe and insightful experience on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Your guide will lead you across the volcanic landscape, pointing out iconic sights like the Red Crater and Emerald Lakes. A standard packed lunch is included, allowing you to focus on the spectacular scenery and the adventure of completing this world-renowned hike.

Today you will leave Tūrangi, and travel north through forested valleys and the lush Waikato farmland. The route takes you through Te Kūiti before continuing west. Your trip ends as you arrive in Waitomo, a town globally recognized for its incredible glowworm caves and limestone formations.

You will join the team at Waitomo Glowworm Caves today to explore the infamous caves. This tour is a journey into a subterranean wonderland. Your guide will lead you on a walk through the upper sections of the cave, sharing insights into the cave’s history and geology. The highlight is the silent boat ride on an underground river, where you’ll be surrounded by thousands of tiny glowworms that create a mesmerizing star-like display on the cave ceiling.

WAITOMO – The Waitomo Caves district is famous for its subterranean splendour. Beneath the surface of this limestone region is a series of vast cave systems decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and glow-worms.

After a relaxing morning in your pod your trip today begins as you leave Waitomo and travel north through the King Country region. The route passes through Ōtorohanga and the city of Hamilton in the Waikato. You will continue across rolling farmland and over the Bombay Hills. Your journey concludes as you arrive in Auckland on Waitemata Harbour.

AUCKLAND / TĀMAKI MAKAURAU – an exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city’s many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach. The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand’s biggest city, and the population mix of European, Maori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World.

Head to Auckland Airport and return your rental car. Today, you’ll sadly leave New Zealand with a taste of what this stunning country has to offer and hopefully plans to be back to see what you didn’t see this time round.