Premium New Zealand North Island

  • New Zealand
  • Duration: 8 Days
  • Start: Auckland, New Zealand
  • Finish: Wellington, New Zealand
  • Destination: New Zealand
  • Group size: 1-12
  • Operator: Intrepid
This is natural beauty on the biggest scale – huge volcanoes, vast lakes, rolling farmlands and deep caves. On this Premium trip, you’ll spend eight days exploring the best of New Zealand’s North Island with the guidance of a passionate local leader.

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Highlights

Encounter natural beauty, excellent food and wine and rich Maori culture on New Zealand’s North Island

This is natural beauty on the biggest scale – huge volcanoes, vast lakes, rolling farmlands and deep caves. On this Premium trip, you’ll spend eight days exploring the best of New Zealand’s North Island with the guidance of a passionate local leader. On a journey from Auckland to Wellington, sip local wine on Waiheke Island, explore the mythical world of Hobbiton, marvel at the geothermal delights of Rotorua, stay at a cottage set in a Hawke’s Bay winery and go deeper in the Te Papa Museum on a tour with a Maori guide.

 


Why you’ll love this trip

  • Spend two nights in the acclaimed Hawke’s Bay wine region at your Feature Stay – Craggy Range Winery, located beneath Te Mata Peak. Taste premium wines, have dinner on site and settle into your cosy cottage nestled between vineyards and mountains.
  • Sip your way around Waiheke Island off the shores of Auckland during a Signature Experience, visiting three cellar doors to learn about their production methods and sample some of the local wine.
  • Discover an underground world during a tour of the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, then experience the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, from bubbling hot springs to geysers and mud pools.
  • Enjoy an iconic Signature Experience as you take a trip to Middle-earth and tour Hobbiton, where the iconic Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were shot – a must-do for any visit to New Zealand!
  • Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, with a Maori guide. Hear about their personal stories and connections between their iwi (tribe) and the museum’s fascinating collection, then try some traditional kai (food).

 

Is this trip right for you?

  • There are walking opportunities throughout this trip. We recommend you bring good quality walking shoes if you’re keen to enjoy a hike or two.

 

 


 

Inclusions and activities

  • Meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
  • Transport: Private vehicle, Catamaran, Ferry
  • Accommodation: Resort (1 nights), Hotel (6 nights)

 

Premium inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

 

Included Activities

  • Auckland – Welcome Dinner
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Waiheke Island – Day Trip by Ferry
  • Waiheke Island – Winery Visits with Wine Tasting & Lunch
  • Hobbiton – Visit to the Lord of the Rings Movie Set
  • Hobbiton – Drink at the Green Dragon
  • Waitomo – Glowworm Cave Tour
  • Rotorua – Visit Te Pa Tu Maori Village with Local Guide and Hangi Dinner
  • Rotorua – Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
  • Hawkes Bay – Wine Tasting
  • Napier – Art Deco Walking Tour
  • Wellington – Te Papa Behind the Scenes Tour

 

 


 

Important notes

1. A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Please note that due to the small properties we use there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

3. Porterage is not available at all hotels on this trip and you will be required to handle your own luggage.

 


 

Booking terms & conditions

Before you book a trip with Intrepid, please take the time to read and understand what terms and conditions apply to your booking. For most of our trips, you will be booking directly with Intrepid so our Standard Booking Conditions and any applicable Special Conditions will apply. Please note that there are three versions of the Standard Booking Conditions depending on what location you are booking from.

Prices can change anytime – Our prices drop or increase based on demand, seasonality, availability and market conditions.
Learn more about pricing

Lock in your trip with a $99 flexible deposit if it departs 56+ days from now. Terms and conditions

 

Itinerary

Day 1 • Auckland

Welcome to New Zealand! Your adventure of the volcanic North Island begins in Auckland – New Zealand’s most populated city, fringed with beaches, harbours, volcanoes and farmland. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to uncover the story of New Zealand rugby during an interactive All Blacks experience where you’ll learn about the heritage of the sport and find out what it takes to wear the famous black jersey. After your meeting, get to know your group over dinner at a local bistro in the heart of the city, championing New Zealand producers.

Special information

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Day 2 • Auckland (Waiheke Island)

Leave the bustle of the big city behind and head offshore to Waiheke Island, famed for its sandy beaches and local wine. Board a ferry from Auckland – if you’re lucky, you may even see dolphins or orcas along the way. The day will be spent sipping your way around the island, stopping off at three unique wineries to learn about their production methods, and of course tasting the goods yourself. You’ll also enjoy an included lunch on the island, not to mention a few scenic drives with plenty of opportunities for photos. Return to Auckland in the late afternoon with an evening free for your own discoveries of the city.

Day 3 • Auckland via Waitomo & Hobbiton to Rotorua

After breakfast this morning, hit the road and drive to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves – an extensive underground network of tunnels and caverns decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and luminous glow worms. Join a local expert for an in-depth tour of the Ruakuri Cave, descending a spiral entrance to the world below. See the limestone formations, hear the roar of subterranean waterfalls and learn about the glow worms that light up the caves. Continue to Hobbiton, where the epic Lord of the Rings movies were shot. Take a tour around the set with a local guide, hear stories about the production of these iconic films, explore Hobbit holes and enjoy a drink (and maybe a delicious pie) at the mythical Green Dragon Inn. Finally, travel to Rotorua, where you’ll spend the evening.

Day 4 • Rotorua

Spend this morning at your leisure, perhaps relax at the Polynesian Spa or head for adrenaline at the Redwoods Treetop Walkway. This evening, you will pay a visit to Te Pā Tū and be hosted by the people of Tamaki Māori Village. A local expert will guide you in celebrating the abundant harvest of this season, and you will explore concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre you will hear stories relayed through haka, song and drama, before torch light guides you to an al fresco dining space with three-course feast.

Special information

You will be accompanied by a local guide today while your trip leader has a rest day, as per NZ legal requirements. Your trip leader will ensure you’re ready to enjoy your time in Rotorua, before taking a 24 hour break. They will be available in case of emergencies.

Day 5 • Rotorua to Taupō

Say goodbye to Rotorua and drive on to Taupō – sitting on the shores of Lake Taupō, the largest lake in New Zealand, this is a popular and scenic town. On the way, visit Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, where you’ll walk through thousands of years of geothermal history and volcanic features, including New Zealand’s largest mud pool and bubbling basins bursting with vibrant colours. The rest of the day is yours to discover all that this picturesque part of the country has to offer. One of the best ways to enjoy the lake is to get on its waters – speak to your leader to find out about the sustainable sailing and cruising options available this afternoon. You might like to take a flight over the spectacular Tongariro National Park.

Day 6 • Taupo via Tongariro National Park to Ohakune

Today, uncover the natural wonders of Tongariro National Park, as spiritually significant as it is naturally beautiful. Your leader will guide you on a scenic two-hour walk to the Taranaki Falls – an impressive 20 m cascade tumbling over volcanic cliffs. Later in the day, head to your Feature Stay accommodation at the Powderhorn Chateau and settle in. The chateau is surrounded by the high peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro and the views are simply unbeatable.

Day 7 • Ohakune to Wellington

This morning, make tracks for Wellington – New Zealand’s trendy capital city. After settling in, hop aboard a private catamaran and get to know the city on an evening cruise around Wellington Harbour. Return to land after an hour and join your group for dinner at a waterfront restaurant – the perfect chance to reminisce about your North Island adventure.

Day 8 • Wellington

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend more time exploring Wellington, just get in touch with your booking agent in advance to arrange additional accommodation. Alternatively, combine this trip with Premium New Zealand South Island for the ultimate trip.

Dates and prices

From AUD $6,395 per person, twin share · 8 Days

November 2026 1 departure
December 2026 2 departures
January 2027 2 departures
February 2027 3 departures
March 2027 2 departures
April 2027 2 departures
June 2027 1 departure
September 2027 1 departure
October 2027 2 departures
November 2027 3 departures
December 2027 2 departures

Prices are per person, twin share, in AUD and can change at any time. Tap a departure to enquire.

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