Holiday Overview
The North Island of New Zealand is not short of geothermal wonders, rainforests, white sand beaches and waterfalls. Many of these can be found with mountainous backdrops. If you are looking for any of these natural formations, then North Island is the place to go. Starting with the natural beauty of the northern Bay of Islands through the geothermal riches of Rotorua and Taupo to the caves and crevices of Hamilton, you will find nature at it’s finest. Such wonders can easily be explored throughout all corners of North Island and this itinerary is the way to see them all.
Start Auckland - End Auckland
14 nights – 15 days
Islands visited: North Island
Highlights;
Lake Taupo formed from a 2000-year-old volcanic explosion
Rotorua’s geothermal parks and geysers
Bay of Islands, home to 144 islands and Ninety Mile Beach
Waitomo’s Glow-worm caves
North Island’s Natural Wonders includes:
- 1 Night Accommodation Auckland
- 2 Night Accommodation Bay of Islands
- 2 Night Accommodation Coromandel
- 2 Night Accommodation Rotorua
- 1 Night Accommodation Taupo
- 1 Night Accommodation Napier
- 2 Night Accommodation Wellington
- 1 Night Accommodation New Plymouth
- 1 Night Accommodation Hamilton
- Compact car hire
- Hobbiton Tour at Matamata
- Te Puia Maori Cultural Tour at Rotorua
- Glowworm Caves at Waitomo
Day 1 - Auckland
Arrive in Auckland, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 - Auckland – Bay of Islands
Collect your car and drive along the Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3 - Bay of Islands
A full day of leisure to explore the Bay of Islands, enjoy the natural beauty of the area, comprising 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula. Perhaps take an optional cruise to view the “hole in the rock” at Piercy Island.
Staying at Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands
Day 4 - Bay of Islands – Auckland
Return to Auckland perhaps stop off La Nonna Italian Bakery in Kaiwaka for a coffee or stretch your legs at the Dome Valley or Byrnderwyns Scenic lookout.
Day 5 - Auckland – Coromandel
Across the Firth of Thames, the Coromandel is cloaked in native rainforest with dazzling white sand beaches, it is rustic, unspoiled and relaxed.
Day 6 - Coromandel
Spend a full day at leisure exploring the Coromandel Peninsula.
Staying at Brenton Lodge
Day 7 - Coromandel – Rotorua
Leave Coromandel behind and journey to the Maori cultural and geothermal area of Rotorua. En route stop off at Matamata for a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, as featured in the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit trilogies.
Day 8 - 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.
Staying at Distinction Rotorua
Day 9 - Rotorua – Taupo
Take the short drive to Taupo, making sure to stop at the impressive Huka Falls, just north of the city. Lake Taupo was created around 2000 years ago, by a massive volcanic eruption and is still an active geothermal region.
Day 10 - Taupo – Napier
Beautifully preserved 1930s architecture is Napier's special point of difference, with the bonus of the Hawkes Bay wine region on its doorstep. Take a stroll around the town or visit one of the many fine vineyards in the area.
Day 11 - Napier – Wellington
Today drive to Wellington, dubbed 'The coolest little capital in the world'. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 12 - 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.
Staying at Intercontinental Wellington
Day 13 - Wellington – New Plymouth
Turn northwards and head to New Plymouth, dominated by the dramatic volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki. Stop off for lunch in Whanganui, one of New Zealand’s oldest settler towns, featuring restored heritage areas.
Day 14 - New Plymouth – Hamilton
Onto Waitomo today, famous for its dazzling Glowworm Caves. Take a tour of the Footwhistle glowworm cave before continuing onto Hamilton.
Day 15 - Hamilton – Auckland
Return to Auckland Airport, drop off your vehicle and catch your onward flight.
Speak to a Travel Specialist
Call Us Free On
Or Enquire Online
Enquire
Image Gallery
Cathedral Rock - Bay of Islands
Hawkes Bay Wine Region
Bay of Islands
Huka Falls - Taupo
Glow worm caves - Waitomo
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2026, 2027 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 917 5742 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
New Zealand’s Movies, Mountains & Maori
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Fox Glacier
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Visit Hobbiton
- Travel on the TranzAlpine train
- Climb the Fox Glacier
- Ride the Skyline Gondola
12 Nights from £3740pp
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Stunning Mountain Scenery in New Zealand
- See Sydney and the Blue Mountains
- Visit the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforest
- Get up close to Koala's and Penguins on Phillip Island
14 Nights from £4500pp
New Zealand’s Islands, Geysers & Glaciers
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Hibiscus Coast
- Maori cultural experience
- Wellington cable car
- Cruise Milford Sound
21 Nights from £5680pp
New Zealand in Style
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- Rotorua
- Christchurch
- Twizel
- Queenstown
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Boutique Accommodation
- Heli Hiking Tour
- Scenic Milford Flight
- Māori culture
15 Nights from £6795pp
Snapshot of North Island
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Tongariro National Park
- Martinborough
- Wellington
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Matamata for Hobbiton Movie Set
- Mount Victoria lookout
- Rotorua’s geothermal parks
- Tongariro National Park
9 Nights from £1300pp
Golf New Zealand
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Jacks Point Queenstown
- Millbrook Resort Queenstown
- The Kinloch Club Taupo
- Explore Rotorua and its volcanic plateau
14 Nights from £1300pp