Holiday Overview
New Zealand’s North Island can often be overlooked by its fellow South Island but it’s full of highlights that will truly delight. New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, is a handy spot to start your journey north through this pretty island. Full of geothermal landscapes, wildlife, vast lakes and a strong Maori culture. North Island has lots to offer.
8 nights / 9 days
Islands visited: North Island
Highlights;
Explore Wellington, its Botanic Gardens and Carter Observatory
Walk up Mount Victoria for views over Wellington
Take a river cruise to see Huka Falls
Maori culture in the geothermal town of Rotorua
North Island’s Hot Spots includes:
- 2 nights accommodation Wellington
- 2 nights accommodation Taupo
- Huka Falls Cruise
- 2 nights accommodation Rotorua
- Visit Te Puia a Geo Thermal and Maori Cultural centre
- 2 nights accommodation Auckland
- Applicable Inter City Coach Transfers
Day 1 - Wellington
Check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington
Day 2 - Wellington
A full day of leisure to explore Wellington, perhaps take the cable car to the Mount Victoria lookout for a panoramic view of the city, make sure you visit Hannah’s Laneway, to sample some of the local gourmet produce.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington
Day 3 - Wellington - Taupo
Take the Intercity coach to Taupo. There are daily services, taking approximately 6.5 hours with multiple stops en route.
Featured accommodation
Millennium Hotel and Resort Taupo
Day 4 - Taupo
Today take a river cruise to see the impressive Huka Falls. A real New Zealand experience with crystal clear water, birdlife and native bush lined riverbanks. See natural hot streams and the earth's energy that drives Wairakei Geothermal Power Station.
Featured accommodation
Millennium Hotel and Resort Taupo
Day 5 - Taupo - Rotorua
Take the short Intercity coach to the Maori cultural and geothermal area of Rotorua (approximately 1 hour) check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
Day 6 - Rotorua
Visit Te Puia a 70-hectare geothermal park right on the edge of Rotorua. It's home of the world famous Phutu geyser and the national carving and weaving schools. They also house the kiwi, New Zealand's most well-known bird and have daily Maori cultural performances.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
Unmissable Experiences
Te Puia
Day 7 - Rotorua – Auckland
Take the Intercity Coach to Auckland, the journey takes between 3 and 4 hours. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Day 8 - Auckland
Enjoy a full day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Day 9 - Auckland
Your itinerary concludes today in Auckland.
Or, Why not extend your New Zealand trip with an 'unmissable experience' to the Bay of Islands before starting this itinerary?
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Unmissable Experiences
Bay of Islands Extension
Intercontinental Wellington
Adjacent to Wellington’s waterfront, InterContinental Wellington is a global five-star hotel located in the heart of Wellington city. It is the seamless and personal service that makes InterContinental Wellington one of the best luxury hotels in Wellington. You will experience truly memorable moments and get the insider knowledge from the award-winning Concierge team, to help you discover the arts, events, shopping, and culinary culture. Discover the glamour, sophistication and unrivalled heritage that InterContinental Wellington has to offer
Millennium Hotel and Resort Taupo
Set on the shores of the country’s largest lake, this is one of Taupo luxury hotels with uninterrupted views of the magnificent lake and mountains. Many of Taupo’s famous attractions are just minutes away, including Huka Falls, water and snow skiing, hot mineral pools, golf courses, and lake cruises. The charming Edgewater Restaurant is a superb choice for savouring award-winning cuisine as swans gracefully swim by.
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua is located midway between central Rotorua and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Facilities include a heated outdoor pool and a fitness centre. Guests enjoy free WiFi throughout.
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Simple, sophisticated, and designed for comfort. Copthorne Hotel Auckland City is centrally located, making it the perfect base to explore the city or attend conferences. Nearby you’ll find Queen Street shopping, the Central Business District, and University of Auckland. This hotel is just a 10-minute walk away from the Viaduct Basin and Spark Arena.
Image Gallery
Rotorua
Rotorua
Hukka Falls
Craters of the Moon Taupo
Auckland
Maori Carving
Wellington
Auckland
Taupo
Wellington
Rotorua
Rotorua
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0069 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
Australia and New Zealand 2024, 2025
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- 14 Nights
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
Wilderness, Wine & Whales
- 11 Nights
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
New Zealand’s Best of Both Islands
- 13 Nights
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Abel Tasman
- Punakaiki
- Christchurch
Multi-Country Holidays
Ultimate Australia & New Zealand
- 21 Nights
- Melbourne
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Alice Springs
- Cairns
- Sydney
- Queenstown
- Franz Josef
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
New Zealand By Train
- 13 Nights
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
North Island’s Hot Spots
- 8 Nights
- Wellington
- Taupo
- Rotorua
- Auckland
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
New Zealand Highlights
- 7 Nights
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
Multi-Country Holidays
Shiraz to Sauvignon
- 14 Nights
- Adelaide
- Sydney
- Wellington
- Napier
- Rotorua
- Auckland
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
South Island’s Natural Wonders
- 9 Nights
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
Australia Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
Australia and New Zealand Combined
- 14 Nights
- Melbourne
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Queenstown
- Sydney
Australia Cruises 2024, 2025
Holland America Australia & New Zealand Cruise
- 15 Nights
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Picton
- Wellington
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Milford Sound
- Hobart
- Melbourne
- Sydney