10 Day North Island Caves, Coast & Volcanoes

Starting From NZD $2,603
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A great tour of New Zealand’s North Island taking in so many unique features.  Starting in Auckland and heading North to the beautiful coastal Bay of Islands.  The tour then travels South through the North Island taking in underground caves at Waitomo, geothermal and Maori culture in Rotorua, the breathtaking peaks of Tongariro National Park before arriving in Wellington the capital city of New Zealand.

Tour Highlights

  • Matakohe Kauri Museum Tour
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds
  • Sculptureum Gardens & Galleries Experience
  • Waitomo Caves Tour
  • Maori Hangi Dinner & cultural show
  • Wellington Cable Car

Tour Itinerary

Motel, 3 Star Hotel or 4 Star Hotel Accommodation Options
We can tailor this tour to include an accommodation style to suit you, choose from Motel, 3 Star Hotel or 4 Star Hotel Accommodation.
1
Auckland – Matakohe – Pahia 266km | 165mi, 3 hours 49 minutes drive time
Day 1
Auckland – Matakohe – Pahia 266km | 165mi, 3 hours 49 minutes drive time
Depart Auckland and travel North over Auckland’s Harbour Bridge and onward up the West Coast of the North Island. Stop and visit the Kauri Museum in Matakohe where you will receive an informative talk about the mighty Kauri Tree, once a very important part of the industry in this region. Continue on through Whangarei to Paihia in the beautiful Bay of Islands. The Bay of Islands is a subtropical micro-region known for its stunning beauty and an important place in New Zealand’s history. The Bay of Islands encompasses 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula and includes the boutique towns of Opua, Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri, it is also the home of Waitangi Treaty Grounds, New Zealand’s most important historic site.
Kauri Museum
The Kauri Museum is located midway between Auckland and the Bay of Islands in Matakohe. Discover the history and the legacy of New Zealand's ancient kauri forest, and the associated industries.
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Waitangi Treaty Grounds
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand’s most important historic sites. Here, Aotearoa's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840. Today there is lots to see and do that connects visitors to that history.
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2
Paihia - Day at Leisure
Day 2
Paihia - Day at Leisure
Today is at your leisure to enjoy the beautiful Bay of Islands. There are a range of optional activities you can do including a cruise to the ‘Hole in the Rock’ or a tour to the very top of New Zealand Cape Reinga.
Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise - Suggested Addition
Board your cruise and take in the stunning views of the Bay of Islands. You'll glide out through the islands and along the Rakaumangamanga Peninsula to Cape Brett. Here a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island/Motukōkako or, as it is popularly known, the “Hole in the Rock”.
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Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach Tour - Suggested Addition
This exhilarating tour will see you speeding down massive sand dunes, and driving along the iconic 90 Mile Beach.
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3
Paihia -Matakana Region 228km | 141mi, 3.5 hours driving time
Day 3
Paihia -Matakana Region 228km | 141mi, 3.5 hours driving time
Depart the Bay of Islands today, heading south through Whangarei which is an interesting city with a vibrant arts community. Quayside is a popular place to relax and watch the boats from a café and an ideal spot to break the journey. Continuing south you enter Matakana, a picturesque region which is a foodie's heaven known for its weekend farmers market, boutique food shops and spectacular vineyards. Here you will get to spend the night and enjoy this region. Included is a gardens and galleries experience at Sculptureum.
Sculptureum Matakana
Located an hour north of Auckland and just outside Matakana is Sculptureum, a world-class tourist attraction. With six art galleries, three sculpture-filled gardens, a vineyard, Rothko Restaurant and Sculptureum Kitchen at 8 Wired Barrelworks, there's something for everyone.
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4
Matakana Region-Hamilton 187km | 116mi, 2 hours 15 minutes driving time
Day 4
Matakana Region-Hamilton 187km | 116mi, 2 hours 15 minutes driving time
After a leisurely morning exploring Matakana, continue south through Auckland City and onward to Hamilton. The city of Hamilton is nestled on the banks of the mighty Waikato River and is known for its award-winning Hamilton Gardens, gourmet eateries and colourful street art. Hamilton's central precinct is easy to walk and packed with cafes, restaurants, a casino and bars where you can wine, dine and dance the night away.
5
Hamilton-Waitomo-Rotorua 213km | 132mi, 3 hours driving time
Day 5
Hamilton-Waitomo-Rotorua 213km | 132mi, 3 hours driving time
Depart Hamilton this morning, driving through the rural townships of Pirongia and Otorohonga. In Otorohonga, the main street features a parade of modular ‘kiwiana’ displays – from All Blacks and Aunt Daisy to farm dogs and Pavlova. From here you continue onto Waitomo, a village known for its extensive underground cave systems. Thousands of glow-worms light up the Glowworm Caves. Here you can take a tour of the cave and see first hand this underground wonder. There are a number of other caves and experiences on offer that you can opt to do. After visiting Waitomo, continue your journey to the geothermal and cultural city of Rotorua. Tonight you can experience a traditional Maori hangi dinner and cultural show.
Waitomo Caves, Waitomo
Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glowworm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history.
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Māori Hangi & Cultural Performance
This is a special Māori cultural experience where you get to partake in Māori culture, experience a cultural show and traditional Māori hangi dinner.  Traditionally, Māori people cooked in earth ovens called ‘hāngī'. 
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6
Rotorua Day at Leisure
Day 6
Rotorua Day at Leisure
Today is yours at leisure in Rotorua, this city is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. In Te Puia’s Whakarewarewa Valley, there are bubbling mud pools and the 30m-tall Pohutu Geyser, which erupts many times daily. It’s also home to a living Maori village and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, with traditional wood carving and weaving schools which is well worth visiting. There are a number of activities today in this interesting geothermal city – we can help you find something to suit you or select from the list below.
Skyline Gondola Rotorua - Suggested addition
Conveniently located just minutes from Rotorua's City centre, high on the side of Mount Ngongotaha, the Gondola will carry you to 487 metres above sea level to a stunning environment providing panoramic views of Rotorua City, Lake Rotorua and the surrounding area.
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Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland - Suggested Addition
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of geothermal activity.
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Agrodome - Suggested Addition
The world-renowned Agrodome farm show is a must on any visit to Rotorua.  It is set in 350-acres of lush farmland, only 10 minutes from Rotorua city centre.
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Te Puia Thermal Mud Pools & Geysers - Suggested Addition
Discover one of New Zealand’s most magnificent geothermal wonderlands near Rotorua at Te Puia. See dramatic geysers, bubbling mud and beautiful native bush.
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7
Rotorua - Tongariro 178km | 110mi, 2 hours 30 minutes driving time
Day 7
Rotorua - Tongariro 178km | 110mi, 2 hours 30 minutes driving time
After a relaxing morning, you can depart Rotorua at your leisure making the short drive to Taupō. The vast waters of Lake Taupō, a volcanic caldera, drain into the Huka Falls, dramatic, crystal-blue cascades reachable by hiking and biking trails, it is well worth stopping for a look as head into Taupō. Where you can break the journey in this beautiful city overlooking the lake. Depart Taupo and take a scenic drive around the Southern side of the lake, through Turangi and into the Tongariro National Park. Centred upon three volcanoes –Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu –Tongariro National Park is home to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes. The 80,000-hectare park is a spectacular showcase of volcanic wonders including emerald lakes, old lava flows, steaming craters, colourful silica terraces and peculiar alpine gardens. It is an environment of staggering beauty and diversity. It can be explored with a number of hikes, one of the most well known being the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This full day hike (9 hours plus) can be arranged for you or a shorter half day or sunset walk.
8
Tongariro National Park
Day 8
Tongariro National Park
Today is yours to explore the National Park, you might like to undertake the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing (a full day mountain hike) or one of the shorter walks in the area. Alternatively the nearby town of Ohakune has some great cafes and shops to browse and is also the start/and or finish point of the Old Coach Road Cycleway, this fascinating ride follows an old byway through primeval forest, past railway relics, and a re-discovered cobblestone road that once bridged a gap in the railway line before the ends were connected in 1909, and skirts World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park for much of the way. There are half day tours available on the cycleway.
Guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing - Suggested Addition
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing track ventures between Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe in the Tongariro National Park. These volcanoes are still active and the hike is a view into their growth and destruction. Mt Tongariro last erupted from Te Maari Crater in 2012 and Mt Ngauruhoe’s last was in 1975.
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Sunset Guided Walk - Suggested Addition
This is a superb way of experiencing the Tongariro National Park and enjoying this stunning time of day. This fantastic evening option is ideally suited for to maximise a travel day to or from Tongariro National Park. This walk is also great for those who would like to experience the volcanic terrain but have limited time or fitness for the more strenuous full day treks. The sunset tour is an easy 2 hours in amongst the Tongariro Volcanoes.
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9
Tongariro-Wellington 324km | 201mi, 4 hours driving time
Day 9
Tongariro-Wellington 324km | 201mi, 4 hours driving time
Departing the Tongariro National Park, continue your journey south through the Manawatu region. Packed with rural charm, this region is an ideal place to immerse yourself in rural New Zealand culture. Taihape celebrates the humble gumboot with its iconic giant gumboot sculpture made out of corrugated iron and number eight wire. Pause in the town of Bulls to check out the cafes, pubs, antique shops & humorous bull signs (look for 'Relieve-a-bull' if you're after the toilet)! From here you follow the West Coast of the North Island down through Paraparaumu and onto Wellington, New Zealand’s Capital City and the seat of parliament.
10
Wellington
Day 10
Wellington
This morning, take a ride on the iconic Wellington Cable Car for amazing views of the city. In this thriving city you can wander through hidden laneways to discover street art and follow the sculpture walks along Wellington's waterfront. Discover the stories of Aotearoa New Zealand in world-class museums and galleries – the interactive and immersive national museum, Te Papa, is highly recommended.
Wellington Cable Car
Wellington Cable Car is one of New Zealand's only running funicular railway, situated at the end of the Cable Car Lane, off Lambton Quay in the heart of Wellington's central business district. It provides a unique form of public transport from the city to the suburb of Kelburn and the Cable Car summit.
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Inclusions

  • Rental Car 10 day hire
  • 9 nights accommodation
  • Matakohe Kauri Museum Tour
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds
  • Sculptureum Gardens & Galleries Experience
  • Waitomo Caves Tour
  • Maori Hangi Dinner & cultural show
  • Wellington Cable Car

Visited Locations

  • Auckland
    Auckland, or Tāmaki Makaurau in Maori, is New Zealand’s largest city. It is based around 2 large and picturesque harbours. 'The City of Sails' is known as such because of the many yachts often seen on those harbours.
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  • Rotorua
    Rotorua is an inland city that is famous for its geothermal activity, Maori culture experiences, 18 lakes, and three major rivers in a beautiful natural environment.
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  • Wellington
    Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city and the location of our parliament. Located at the bottom of the North Island it sits on the Cook Straight, which divides the North and South Islands.  Strong winds through the Cook Strait give it the nickname "Windy Wellington".
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  • The Bay of Islands
    The Bay of Islands is a subtropical micro-region in the north of the North Island. It is known for its beauty, stunning beaches, deep sea fishing & importance to New Zealand history. It is paradise for those that love beaches and water activities with a little colonial history thrown in.
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  • Tongariro National Park
    Tongariro National Park is situated in the middle of the North Island, just south of Lake Taupō. This UNESCO World Heritage site covers almost 80,000 hectares of awe-inspiring landscapes.
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Attractions

  • Māori Hangi & Cultural Performance
    This is a special Māori cultural experience where you get to partake in Māori culture, experience a cultural show and traditional Māori hangi dinner.  Traditionally, Māori people cooked in earth ovens called ‘hāngī'. 
    Read more
  • Kauri Museum
    The Kauri Museum is located midway between Auckland and the Bay of Islands in Matakohe. Discover the history and the legacy of New Zealand's ancient kauri forest, and the associated industries.
    Read more
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds
    The Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand’s most important historic sites. Here, Aotearoa's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840. Today there is lots to see and do that connects visitors to that history.
    Read more
  • Sculptureum Matakana
    Located an hour north of Auckland and just outside Matakana is Sculptureum, a world-class tourist attraction. With six art galleries, three sculpture-filled gardens, a vineyard, Rothko Restaurant and Sculptureum Kitchen at 8 Wired Barrelworks, there's something for everyone.
    Read more

Available Dates

Dates Price per person
10 Day North Island Caves, Coast & Volcanoes
Days
10
Price from
NZD $2,603 per person share twin (low season)
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