New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
10 Days
From AUD $4655
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


 (1 reviews)

New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)

New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
2.0
1 Reviews
View Map
Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Comfortable

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

The legendary landscapes and natural beauty of New Zealand’s North Island are simply unbeatable, but there’s so much more to the region than its showstopping scenery.

Highlights

  • Swap Auckland’s city vibes for the natural beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula, including a visit to Hot Water Beach, where all you need is a spade to create your own natural hot tub.
  • Discover Rotorua’s heritage, from colourful geothermal activity to the rich Maori culture. Visit a Maori village for a hangi dinner and watch a traditional haka performance.
  • Walk through the wild landscapes of Tongariro National Park, from emerald-green lakes to soaring volcanic peaks. If you’re up for the challenge, you can even tackle the famous Tongariro Crossing.
  • Visit Hobbiton – the living set where part of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films were shot.

Trip Details

Duration

10 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Auckland, New Zealand

Finishes

Wellington, New Zealand

Accommodations

Comfortable

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Auckland
Welcome to Aotearoa (New Zealand) – the land of the long white cloud! Your adventure begins in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city on the North Island. Meet your local leader and new travel friends at your accommodation at 6 pm for a welcome meeting tonight. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe check out the beach down at Mission Bay or take a stroll along the restaurant-lined waterfront. After the meeting, maybe dip into Auckland’s nightlife with your fellow travellers.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Coromandel Peninsula
This morning, leave the city in the rear-view mirror as you drive to the Coromandel Peninsula, following the coastline. A land of white-sand beaches and rainforests, the Coromandel Peninsula feels a world away from where your journey began. Make a stop at Hot Water Beach, named after the famous warm water that’s found beneath its golden sand. If the tide allows, you can dig a hole on the beach and enjoy your own natural hot tub! After a visit to Cathedral Cove, you’ll arrive at your accommodation in the afternoon.

Included Activities:

  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach

Optional Activities:

  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove Kayaking (155 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Coromandel Peninsula
Hit the road and make the scenic drive along the Coromandel Peninsula. Join your local leader as they show you some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. This afternoon, maybe stop into Kuaotunu to try their famous ice cream and check out Coromandel Township. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations!

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Hobbiton / Rotorua
This morning, watch the landscape change from beach to farmland as you drive to Waikato. Stop at Karangahake Gorge to see the remains of gold mining tunnels and railway tracks. Then, continue to Hobbiton – the living set where part of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films were shot. After wandering through Middle Earth, continue your journey to Rotorua, known for its Maori heritage and hotbed of geothermal activity with its distinctive sulphur smell (you’ll get used to it!). When you arrive, take a treetop walk through an ancient redwood forest over a network of suspension bridges, reaching 12 m at the highest point.

Included Activities:

  • Rotorua - Redwood Forest Canopy Walk
  • Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Rotorua
Spend the day discovering the natural and cultural wonders of Rotorua – home to simmering mud pools, dramatic geysers and fluorescent lakes. If you’ve got a head for heights, ziplining through Rotorua’s ancient forests is an unbeatable way to take it all in. This evening, you’ll get a true taste of Maori culture during a visit to a cultural and geothermal wonderland. Here, you’ll enjoy a hangi dinner alongside a soul-stirring haka performance.

Included Activities:

  • Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
  • Rotorua - Hangi Dinner & Haka Dance

Optional Activities:

  • Rotorua - Skyline Gondola Rotorua (43 NZD)
  • Rotorua - Forest Ziplining - from (189 NZD)
  • Rotorua - Whitewater Rafting (139 NZD)
  • Rotorua - ZORB - from (45 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Rotorua / Taupo
Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa is the perfect place to unwind with your free morning. Or, maybe head to Kuirau Park to walk through a landscape of hissing natural hot pools. This afternoon, say goodbye to Rotorua and hit the road for Taupo, stopping at the thundering Huka Falls along the way. Set on the shores of the mighty Lake Taupo – New Zealand’s largest lake – this town is one of the most scenic spots in the North Island. You’ll spend two nights here, as it’s the perfect base to explore the area and the nearby Tongariro National Park.

Included Activities:

  • Taupo - Huka Falls

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Taupo
A volcanic eruption 70,000 years ago created the magnificent Lake Taupo, which now hosts visitors from around New Zealand and the world. With a free day here, you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from – maybe wander through geysers, mud pools and caves at Orakei Koako Geothermal Park and Cave, or if you’re a keen hiker, maybe complete the Tongariro Crossing – New Zealand’s most famous day hike. The path takes you around a volcano, past lakes, craters and through bushland.

Optional Activities:

  • Tongariro National Park - Tongariro Crossing (Unguided, Transport to/from Trail Head only) - from (130 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel or Motel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Wellington
Wellington is calling – leave Taupo behind and drive on to New Zealand’s trendy capital city. Strung between green hills and the harbour, Wellington holds onto its small-town charm despite its capital status. Along the way, you’ll stop in the small of Taumaranui, where you’ll visit a local marae (Maori meeting house). You’ll be welcomed onto Morero marae with a traditional Powhiri. Once at the marae, you can sit down for a korero (conversation) with members of the local iwi about their way of life in this special region. After, share some kai (food) before continuing to Wellington. When you arrive, your leader will give you a brief introduction to the city. Then, you have free time to explore at your own pace. Maybe head up Mt Victoria for a the views or explore the city’s booming food scene.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Wellington
Kick the day off with a visit to Zealandia – a conservation project that has successfully reintroduced over 20 species of native wildlife into this area, some previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years. Then, visit the Weta Workshop – this special effects studio was used by Peter Jackson for the Lord of the Rings trilogy! While here, you’ll have the chance to take an optional tour around the studio to find out how the team created movie magic. This afternoon, maybe check out the Te Papa Museum. Displaying a combination of history and cultural heritage, the exhibits feature interactive displays and there’s something here for everyone.

Included Activities:

  • Wellington - Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary

Optional Activities:

  • Wellington - Te Papa Museum Tour (35 NZD)
  • Wellington - Weta Workshop Cave Tour (55 NZD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Wellington
It’s time to say a fond farewell to your newfound friends as your adventure comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to spend some more time exploring Wellington, get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $4,655
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 10 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

The legendary landscapes and natural beauty of New Zealand’s North Island are simply unbeatable, but there’s so much more to the region than its showstopping scenery.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 06 Oct 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
2.0
Alex
Traveled, December 2022

01/27/2023

The tour is good if you want a very relaxing trip and see the sites of north new zealand. If you want an active holiday with lots of things to do, kayaking, canyoning & white water rafting etc i would suggest going for a tour that focus' on that. This trip prioritizes rest and relaxation over getting stuck into the activities and adventure of new zealand.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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