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Adventure awaits in New Zealand’s North Island

Wherever you lay your eyes in New Zealand’s North Island, there’s something remarkable to look at. Spend eight unforgettable days soaking up sunshine and hopping between beaches, lakes, villages and cities. A local leader will show you the best bits of this spectacular island as you jump off from trendy Wellington, marvel at the sight of Lake Taupo, learn about local culture in a Maori village, take in the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and chill out on the beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula before wrapping up in lively Auckland. Of all New Zealand’s assets, its people top the list, so embrace a warm welcome from the locals as you explore their beautiful backyard.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Wellington, New Zealand
Finish
Auckland, New Zealand
Destination
New Zealand
Style
Basix
Theme
Explorer
Code
PHRO
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18
Group size
Min 4, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Kick of your adventure in Wellington, New Zealand’s cool little capital city. Your local leader will introduce you to the city’s creative endeavours and local hangouts.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip is operated and run by our trusted partner Haka Tours. 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.

Group hiking Tongariro Crossing, North Island, New Zealand
Kayaking in Coromandel, North Island, New Zealand
Group near the geothermal pools in Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand
Group enjoying Coromandel, North Island, New Zealand
Hobbiton from LOTR, North Island, New Zealand
Rafting in Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand
Travellers engaging in cultural events in Murupara, North Island, New Zealand

Itinerary
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Welcome to the North Island! Your adventure begins in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, where you’ll meet up with your local leader and new travel buddies for an 8am welcome meeting. Wellington is as cool and creative as it is windy (and it’s thought to be the windiest city in the world!). After your meeting, your leader will show you around the capital. Depending on the interests of the group, this may include a visit to Weta Workshop of Lord of the Rings fame, the parliament buildings, cable car and Mt Victoria. Then it’s time to leave the city behind and drive on to Taupo, nestled into the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. With calm waters fringed by mountains, this is one of the prettiest spots in the country.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
  • Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive
Optional Activities
  • Wellington - Weta Workshop - NZD29
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
It’s very important that you meet the group at 8am this morning to begin your tour. Find more details in the ‘Joining Point Instructions’ section of your Essential Trip Information. If you are going to be late, we recommend spending a night before your tour begins in Wellington. If so, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

The day is yours to enjoy all Taupo has to offer. Chill out lakeside to soak in the inspiring views, or get active and take on one of the awesome hiking trails in the area. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the Tongariro Crossing in the nearby Tongariro National Park is considered one of the best one-day walks in the world (but it’s not for the faint hearted!). Carved into the cliff faces surrounding Lake Taupo you’ll find 14-metre-tall Maori artwork that can only be accessed by boat. Want to relax and unwind? A visit to the natural hot pools at Otumuheke Stream is a must! However you decide to spend the day, it’s sure to be one to remember.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Taupo - Skydive - NZD293
  • Taupo - Water Touch Bungee - NZD189
  • Taupo - Tongariro Crossing Day Trip - NZD331
  • Taupo - Lake Taupō Sailing - NZD53
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel today to the Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara – the majority of proceeds from the activities you take part in here are fed back into the local community. You’ll be greeted by a Maori elder who will show you around the Ngati Manawa Tribal Lands while sharing the history and culture of this tribe. Meet with other members of the village and learn a famous haka war dance, then weave a plate for tonight’s dinner out of flax plants. Dinner tonight is one for the books – tuck into a traditional hangi meal, cooked underground to create a delicious, earthy flavour.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax
  • Murupara - Hangi Dinner
  • Murupara - Village Tour with Maori Elder
  • Murupara - Learn the Haka
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Your journey continues as you drive north towards Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and the pervasive sulphur smell it lends the town. Fluorescent lakes, bubbling mud pools, active volcanoes and dramatic geysers punctuate the landscape here, making it feel like you’re on another planet. Stop off at a thermal park to get your first look at Rotorua’s otherworldly landscapes, then continue into the town where your leader will show you around the Government Gardens and pleasant lakefront. End the day with a visit to the Te Puia Maori Village, where you’ll get firsthand insight into Maori culture. You’ll also have the chance to see Pohutu, New Zealand’s largest geyser, in action – this is a sight that will blow you away! A visit to the kiwi conservation centre will allow you to observe this endearing nocturnal bird as it behaves at night.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village
  • Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

There’s so much to see and do in Rotorua, so today is free to discover it all. Have a chat to your local leader for tips on how to get the most out of your day here. You may like to take an unforgettable stroll through Kuirau Park, surrounded by bubbling and boiling mud pools. If you feel like getting your heart racing, the Kaituna River is one of the world’s top white water rafting destinations. A day trip to the Waitomo Caves is a must for anyone interested in seeing glow worms – this illuminated underground world really has to be seen to be believed!
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Rotorua - River Sledging - NZD114
  • Rotorua - Mt Tarawera Crater Hike - NZD156
  • Rotorua - Guided Glowworm Kayak, Hot Pools & Dinner - NZD252
  • Rotorua - Forest Ziplining Canopy Tour - NZD156
  • Rotorua - Whitewater Rafting - NZD109
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Venture on to the Coromandel Peninsula, a land of beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. Take a walk along the clifftops and down to Cathedral Cove, one of the region’s most beautiful and photogenic spots – the rock arches, columns and pristine beaches are a truly impressive sight. While here you may like to take the chance to explore the coastline on a guided kayaking tour – if you do, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins swimming alongside the boat!
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
  • Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Optional Activities
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove Kayaking - NZD131
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Of all the Coromandel Peninsula’s marvellous beaches, one stands out above the rest. Hot Water Beach is made famous by the warm waters that run beneath its sand, meaning all you need to do to make your own hot tub is dig a hole. Visit at low tide and get digging – unwinding in a natural hot tub on the beach is an experience second to none. Complete the final stretch of your journey as you travel to Auckland, hugging the glittering on your way there. New Zealand’s biggest city has a privileged location where you’re never far from the water, and the dining and nightlife scene is up there with the best of them. As it’s your last night together, you may like to head out for a final dinner with the group before saying your goodbyes.
Accommodation
  • Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your North Island adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time getting to know Auckland, just get in touch ahead of time and we’d be happy to arrange extra accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

8 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
  • Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive
  • Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax
  • Murupara - Hangi Dinner
  • Murupara - Village Tour with Maori Elder
  • Murupara - Learn the Haka
  • Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village
  • Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
  • Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Northbound) trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

ROOMING
Accommodation on this trip is in dormitory style hostels, with 4 to 6 people per room on a mixed-gender basis.

PRIVATE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
A supplement for a private room is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. 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. Please note that due to the small properties we use there is only a limited amount of private room supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book this service or enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

START & END TIME
This trip start with an early morning meeting over breakfast on day 1 and ends after breakfast on the last day.

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.

View Essential Trip Information

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