Kirra Tours 7 Day Northern Explorer Tour 

Haere Mai and Welcome to Aotearoa/New Zealand. The first stop on your adventure is Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. Often referred to as the ‘City of Sails’ by locals, Auckland is home to 2 harbours and over 44 volcanoes! On arrival in the city, make your way to the Oaks Auckland Hotel where you can check in and drop your bags. At the hotel reception, you’ll receive a welcome letter with some tour information, and this evening you’ll meet your group and welcome host at 6:15pm and head for a delicious welcome dinner at 6:30pm.

This morning, you’ll leave Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) for a day of stunning sights. First, you’ll visit Waitomo, famous for its glowworm caves where we’ll enjoy a peaceful boat ride through a cavern lit by thousands of glowworms and explore a limestone cave shaped over millions of years. This tour is a magical experience, and was even filmed by Sir David Attenborough when he visited Aotearoa.

Next, you’ll head to Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland and cultural hub. Experience bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers, and rich Māori traditions. This evening, you’ll enjoy a group dinner and a relaxing night in Rotorua, ready for tomorrow’s adventures.

This morning, you’ll journey past the stunning Blue and Green Lakes to Lake Tarawera, a place of historical and natural significance. Once home to the world-famous Pink and White Terraces, the area was forever changed by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera.

We’ll then visit Te Wairoa, the Buried Village, where a self-guided tour uncovers New Zealand’s most visited archaeological site. Next, we return to the tranquil Whakarewarewa Forest to walk among the majestic redwoods, first planted here in 1901.

Once you’ve checked in at the hotel, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Consider visiting Kuirau Park, where you can witness geothermal wonders like boiling mud pools for free, or simply relax and soak in the unique atmosphere of Rotorua.

This morning you’ll travel to the shores of Lake Aniwhenua in Murupara, where you’ll get to experience a slice of the real New Zealand. Owned by a passionate local Māori family who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in their local community, Kohutapu Lodge is situated on the lake, and has been helping to transform the local town of Murupara through community-driven initiatives for years.

Your experience will begin with a guided tour of the sacred Māori rock carvings and then we’ll travel to the Lodge to witness the preparation of a traditional ground cooked hangi.

After lunch, you’ll depart for Taupo where we’ll get to see the fiercely blue Huka Falls and explore the charming lakeside town.

After breakfast, you’ll make your way into the picturesque Hawke’s Bay Region. Napier is renowned for its world-class wineries and no visit would be complete without a stop at Mission Estate Winery. Established in 1851 by French missionaries, it is New Zealand’s oldest winery and steeped in history. Here, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting followed by a leisurely lunch, savoring exquisite dishes paired with exceptional wines, all while soaking in the estate’s stunning ambiance.

Later, you’ll take a short drive to Napier, a coastal city celebrated for its beautifully preserved Art Deco architecture. Spend the evening strolling along the tree-lined promenade and perhaps indulge in fresh seafood at one of the many beachside restaurants.

This morning you’ll depart Napier and journey down to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand and the home of the best cup of coffee in the country! On the way down, you’ll make a stop in Greytown, Wairarapa’s oldest town, for a spot of lunch. A picturesque village with restored Victorian buildings, Greytown is a charming place to stop, refuel and browse the boutiques before we continue down to Wellington.

With a population of less than 220,000 people, no city in NZ combines a relaxed atmosphere and a cultured, bohemian spirit better than Wellington. We highly recommend a visit to our national museum Te Papa which boasts some incredible exhibits.

Today is the final day of the tour, your trip has come to an end. Enjoy breakfast before saying a fond farewell to your tour leader and all your travel companions. Whether you’re travelling home today or staying in Wellington for longer, we hope you leave this tour with some happy memories and friends for life.