Holiday Overview
Have you ventured to the South Island but never to the North Island? If not, then this is the trip that will provide you with lots of its highlights. North Island is full of little gems that will keep you engaged and interested over the 10 short days you will have to explore it. The “City of Sails” is your gateway to start this mini-adventure as you drive throughout this volcanically active region. Full of national parks, cosmopolitan cities and vineyards, with rich soils that provide you with some of the best wineries in the world – what’s not to like?
Start Auckland - End Wellington
9 nights / 10 days
Islands Visited: North Island
Highlights;
Maori culture and geothermal area of Rotorua
Matamata for the Hobbiton Movie Set
Volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park
New Zealand’s best Pinot Noir from Marlborough
Excludes International Flights.
Snapshot of North Island includes:
- 2 nights accommodation Auckland
- 2 nights accommodation Rotorua
- 1 night accommodation Taupo
- 1 night accommodation Tongariro National Park
- 1 night accommodation Martinborough
- 2 nights accommodation Wellington
- Maori Cultural Experience
- Compact Car hire
Day 1 - Auckland
Arrive in Auckland, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Why not extend your New Zealand trip with an 'unmissable experience' to the Bay of Islands before starting this itinerary?
Day 2 - Auckland
Enjoy a full day of leisure in Auckland to explore the city. Perhaps visit the Sky Tower for a panoramic view of the city.
Staying at Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Day 3 - Auckland – Rotorua
Leave Auckland behind and journey to the Maori cultural and geothermal area of Rotorua. Perhaps stop off en route 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 4 - 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 5 - 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 6 - Taupo - Tongariro National Park
Continue to the dramatic volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park and spend the rest of the day exploring the many walking trails available.
Day 7 - Tongariro - Martinborough
Packed with colonial charm, Martinborough features over 20 wineries, most within cycling and walking distance of the quaint village square. Some of New Zealand’s best Pinot Noir comes from the town’s predominately family-owned vineyards.
Day 8 - Martinborough – Wellington
Today drive to Wellington, dubbed 'The coolest little capital in the world'. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 9 - 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 10 - Wellington
Your itinerary concludes today in Wellington.
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Image Gallery
Maori Culture
Martinborough
Hobbiton - Matamata
Martinborough
Tongariro National Park
Mount Victoria - Wellington
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