New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Southbound)

8 Days | Buckle up for the ultimate North Island adventure

4.3 out of 5 based on 8 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
CAD $1,850
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From heart-racing moments to awe-inspiring scenery, a road trip through New Zealand’s North Island is one to remember for a lifetime. Join a local leader for an 8-day adventure taking in epic landscapes, wildlife and culture. Take it easy at Coromandel’s Hot Water Beach, check out simmering mud pools and geysers in Rotorua, learn the Haka and tuck into a traditional hangi at a Maori village and make the most of all Taupo has to offer. Whether you’re looking to amp it up or take it slow, the North Island has you covered.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating "twin-share" on sections of booking confirmations and invoices.

Trip overview

Map of New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Southbound) including New Zealand
Start
Auckland, New Zealand
Finish
Wellington, New Zealand
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
New Zealand
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 18
Group size
Min 6 - Max 16
Trip code
PHRN
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • A little piece of paradise awaits on the Coromandel Peninsula – dig your own natural hot tub on Hot Water Beach and check out the much-photographed Cathedral Cove.
  • Experience the geothermal delights of Rotorua, watch New Zealand’s largest geyser erupt and observe adorable kiwis in a nocturnal house at a conservation centre.
  • Head to a Maori village where profits from your visit are fed back into the community, learn the haka and Maori weaving before tucking into a traditional hangi dinner.
  • Chill out next to New Zealand’s largest lake in Taupo. Whether you fancy bungy-jumping, sky diving, kayaking or relaxing, Taupo has something for you.
  • With a local leader at the wheel, every journey will be one to remember, broken up with stops in scenic spots well off the tourist trail.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip is operated and run by Haka Tours, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.
  • Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. Dorms generally consist of 4-8 beds (private rooms are available on request).

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 September 2023 to 04 June 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 05 June 2025 - 31 August 2026

Map of New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Southbound) including New Zealand

Inclusions

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Vehicle

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (7 nights)

Activities
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach
  • Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
  • Murupara - Hangi Dinner
  • Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
  • Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village
  • Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax
  • Murupara - Learn the Haka
  • Murupara - Village Tour with Maori Elder
  • Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive
  • Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
Add on activities
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove Kayaking - NZD175
  • Rotorua - Forest Ziplining Canopy Tour - from - (3.5hrs) - NZD249
  • Rotorua - River Sledging - NZD135
  • Rotorua - ZORB - from - NZD40
  • Rotorua - Whitewater Rafting - NZD129
  • Rotorua - Redwoods Nightlights Tree Walk - NZD37
  • Rotorua - Guided Glowworm Kayak, Hot Pools & Dinner - NZD300
  • Taupo - Water Touch Bungy - NZD235
  • Taupo - Skydive - from - NZD660
  • Taupo - Lake Taupo Sailing Adventure - NZD69
  • Taupo - Tongariro Crossing Return Shuttle to/from Trail Head (Nov-Apr only) - NZD130
  • Wellington - Weta Workshop Cave Tour - NZD55

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. This trip starts in Auckland on Day 1 at 8am. You will depart the city immediately after the welcome meeting. This trip ends on Day 8 in Wellington and you are free to leave at any time.
2. Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share hostels. Multishare typically includes 4-8 beds. You may be required to share with group members of a different gender, couples and non-Intrepid travellers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.
3. A single supplement (with shared bathroom facilities) is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. If you are a single traveller this will give you a single room, if you are travelling as a couple a double room will be allocated to you. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (Murupara) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. This trip requires a minimum number of booked customers to guarantee the departure. Your Booking Agent will advise at time of booking if the departure has met minimum numbers. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be advised no later than 56 days out from departure (prior to full payment due). We recommend arranging flights and related travel services once your departure is guaranteed. In the event that your departure is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being met, a full refund will be provided of monies paid.
5. This trip is operated and run by Haka Tours, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 based on 8 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Ryan · Traveled July 2024
Absolutely amazing trip! I had a blast with my tour guide, Grant, and the team. New Zealand has so much to offer, and Intrepid provides a great overview of the North Island. Highly recommend!
Review submitted 16 Jul 2024

Ashley · Traveled November 2023
I would do this trip over and over intrepid was great to work with and was easily contacted. Despite a slight lack of detail to cover my very specific questions, I trusted the process and it went off without a hitch.
Review submitted 22 Nov 2023

Ellie · Traveled October 2023
This was a great trip. The activities were very interesting, I had a great group that did lots of things together and a very knowledgeable guide who brought the whole group together.
Review submitted 04 Nov 2023

Paige · Traveled September 2023
Great glimpse of the beauty of the North Island. Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate about NZ and friendships were easily formed amongst the group. Highly recommend the kayaking in the Coromandel and sailing in Taupo
Review submitted 11 Oct 2023

Raya · Traveled December 2022
Review submitted 06 Jan 2023
New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Southbound)
From
CAD $1,850