11 Day Wilderness and Wonder 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 Haruaki 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 Compact SUV Budget Rental car and head out on a perfect escape from the city to the pristine natural beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula. Prepare for a fantastic trip from Auckland to the Coromandel. You’ll leave the city behind and head east to the coast. Pauanui is a lovely, laid-back beach town known for its wide, sandy beach and relaxing holiday vibe. It’s the perfect place for a short break.

PAUANUI – Located in the beautiful Coromandel region of New Zealand, Pauanui would have to be amongst the most beautiful spots in the world. A tranquil harbour rests behind Pauanui making it a sheltered and idyllic settlement. Safe swimming and surfing, climb Pauanui Mountain via a walking track, catch a ferry to nearby Tairua and explore the surrounding area.

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 highlighted an optional tour to Hobbiton below for todays 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.

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 Puia’s Te Po combo (Guided experience + Indigenous Evening). This is a perfect way to experience Māori culture and the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. The tour begins with a guided walk, where you’ll see the famous Pōhutu Geyser at dusk. You’ll then be welcomed into the Marae (meeting house) with a pōwhiri (traditional welcome), followed by a cultural performance and a delicious hāngī feast. The experience concludes with a hot chocolate at the geyser under the stars.

Your trip begins in Rotorua as you travel south across the volcanic plateau. You’ll pass by Lake Taupo and continue through Tūrangi. Follow the Desert Road, which offers spectacular views of Mount Ruapehu before you arrive in Ohakune, a small town at the foot of the mountain.

OHAKUNE – is the town at the southern gateway to the Tongariro National Park World Heritage Site and Mount Ruapehu’s ski fields. It is known as the aprés ski capital of the North Island’s Mount Ruapehu, the Carrot Capital of New Zealand. It’s a great location and aptly lends itself to the phrase “where adventures begin”. Skiers and boarders flock to Ohakune to take in what the largest ski area in New Zealand has to offer – Whakapapa and Turoa, then enjoy Ohakune’s varied entertainment, restaurants and cafes. In summer Ohakune is a fantastic base for visitors wanting to experience the many outdoor activities whether it is canoeing on the Whanganui River or taking in some of the many mountain treks on Mount Ruapehu and in the national parks. A fast growing activity here is mountain biking around the Ruapehu area.

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.

This is a beautiful journey that takes you from one natural wonder to another. Departing from the alpine village of Ohakune, you’ll travel through the high-country heartland of the Central Plateau. The scenery gradually changes from the rugged, volcanic terrain to a more serene landscape of rolling green hills. As you approach Waitomo, the hills become more pronounced, and the area’s famous karst geology—the same rock formations that have created the cave system—becomes more apparent. The journey culminates at the world-famous Waitomo Caves, home to incredible limestone formations and the spectacular glowworm grotto.

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.