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Our currency converter is based on weekly exchange rates and is provided to give you an idea of the itinerary prices in your local currency. The final cost for itineraries can be confirmed by our team of consultants.
This 9-day self drive touring holiday is an adventurous exploration of the central areas in New Zealand’s North Island. Starting in Auckland, you’ll enjoy private transfers to your hotel to enjoy the city in the evening and then the next morning you’ll travel to the Coromandel Peninsula to relax at a superb retreat near the beach town of Pauanui and then continue to Rotorua to explore its geothermal parks and Māori culture. From here you will venture to Ohakune, the gateway to Tongariro National Park, where you will walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (a reasonable level of fitness is required – talk to your consultant for details). Visit the enchanting glowworm caves in Waitomo and perhaps enjoy movie set experience at Hobbiton before concluding your journey in Auckland.
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.
This morning you will pick up your Compact SUV Rental car and 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 is a quick trip that takes you from the peaceful town of Pauanui to the neighboring town of Tairua. The journey is quick and easy, and it’s a great way to explore both sides of the Coromandel Harbour.
Today you will join Kiwi Dundee Adventures for their popular Nature & Coastal Tour. This private or small-group tour is designed to get you off the beaten path and into the heart of the Coromandel’s wild beauty. Your guide, a local legend, will take you on a journey to explore secluded waterfalls and ancient rainforests. The tour also includes visits to some of the area’s most beautiful beaches, all while your guide shares stories and insights into the region’s history, geology, and unique flora and fauna.
Leave Pauanui on the Coromandel coast and travel inland through forested valleys. The journey crosses the Hauraki Plains with its dairy farms and small towns. Continue past lakes and geothermal areas before arriving in Rotorua, a city known for its geysers and rich Māori cultural heritage.
Tonight join Te Puia on their superb 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.
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.
Enjoy the Rotorua today. Relax and take things at your own pace or perhaps choose to take one of our optional tours or talk to your consultant about the many different tours we have in the area and we will find the perfect one for you.
Today you’ll bid farewell to 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 apres 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.
This is a quick and easy journey that connects the alpine town of Ohakune, a popular spot for skiers in winter, to the heart of the Tongariro National Park. It’s a perfect trip for anyone wanting to get to the base of the mountains to start a hike, including the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
A special day is in store for you today as you join Adrift Guided Outdoor Adventures for their Premium Tongariro Alpine Crossing Full Day. This is a great way to experience New Zealand’s most famous day hike with the safety and knowledge of a guide. Your professional guide will lead you across the 19.4-kilometer track, sharing insights into the area’s geology and Māori legends. All equipment, including hiking boots, waterproof jackets, and lunch, is provided, ensuring a hassle-free and memorable adventure.
This is a scenic trip that connects Ohakune to the town of Tūrangi, at the southern end of Lake Taupō and then with the famous glowworm caves of Waitomo. You’ll travel through beautiful rural countryside before arriving in the small village of Waitomo, which is home to an amazing network of limestone caves.
This afternoon you will meet Waitomo Glowworm Caves and join their Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour. 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.
Today you’ll return from Waitomo to Auckland and drop your rental car off ready to leave New Zealand and share your extraordinary memories plus of course plan your next trip down to see us!
Nine days is never long enough to spend in New Zealand but if that’s all the time you have this time round then focusing on one region make sense and this Central North Island tour is a perfect starting point.
Packed with lots of tips, highlights, activities and helpful information of our diverse country.
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