North Island Contrasts

Sometimes referred to as the Art Deco city – Napier was levelled by a huge earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt during the interwar years when the Art Deco fashion was at its peak – Napier is also one of New Zealand’s top wine-producing regions.

Check into the Quality Inn for 2 nights (B&B).

In the afternoon, board a Pride of Auckland yacht for a 1½-hour cruise within the harbor, affording you’re the opportunity to admire the city from the water and to sail beneath Harbour Bridge. You can sit back and relax or, if you fancy yourself a capable mariner, have a go at steering the yacht and trimming the sails!

Return to your hotel late afternoon. Evening at leisure.

Aided by a comparatively warm climate, Waiheke Island’s wineries produce a small quantity of very high quality wines. They are mostly boutique wineries, small operations producing their own distinctive artisan wines. Among the best-known are Mudbrick, Cable Bay and Goldwater.

Upon arrival at Waiheke, join with a small group for a guided tour of the wineries – wine tasting included! During the course of the day, you’ll also have the chance to explore some of the island’s beautiful beaches, sample olive oil from one of the local olive mills, and time permitting, visit one of the local art studios. Return to Auckland in the afternoon or, if preferred, relax on the beach and/or enjoy dinner on the island before returning on the evening ferry.

Depart Auckland via Harbour Bridge and drive north along the coast, passing the scenic Waiwera and Orewa Pacific Ocean beaches, and stopping for a stroll and a swim if the mood takes you.

Late morning, stop at the Matakohe Timber Museum to learn more about the history of the Northland Region from the perspective of its chief industries: timber milling and gum digging.

In the afternoon, drive via Dargaville to Waipoua Kauri Forest, where you can view the 50 metre tall Tane Mahuta, the greatest of all the giant kauri trees. Afterwards, continue to Paihia, in the lovely Bay of Islands region, via Hokianga harbour and Kaikohe.

Check into Kingsgate Hotel in Paihia for two nights (B&B basis).

Back in Paihia, take an afternoon tour of the Waitangi Treaty House. It was here that the nation of New Zealand was born in 1840, when the native Maori and British colonists signed an historic treaty. The Treaty House is of more than historic interest, however; situated within its grounds is a particularly beautiful example of Maori woodcarving in the form of the old Meeting House.

On arrival in Hamilton, check into the Ibis Hotel for one night (B&B basis). Situated on the banks of the Waikato River, the Ibis is close to the heart of the city, and within walking distance of a number of restaurants and bars.

While in Matamata, families might also like to take the time to visit Hobbiton, the bucolic Shire that formed the set for Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll have a chance to tour the 10 acre site in full, visiting the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and the Hobbit Holes. The tour is likely to be of interest to children and adults, providing much amusement as well as a fascinating insight into the amount of work that went into the construction of the set.

After the tour, travel over the bush-clad Mamaku Ranges to the Rotorua region. Rotorua is situated directly on the Pacific Rim of Fire, and is famous for its volcanic lakes, geysers and all other manner of geothermal wonders. Equally, it is renowned as a centre of Maori culture.

Check into Sudima Hotel on Lake Rotorua for two nights (B&B basis).

Also take the time to visit the beautiful Rainbow Springs, where you can see trout and rare kiwis.

In the evening, visit a Maori village, or Marae, for a night of Hangi (feasting) and Haka, traditional Maori song and dance.

The afternoon is at leisure. You may like to take a tour of the wineries in nearby Taradale, visit the Bay, or perhaps hire a bike and tour the coast.

The capital of New Zealand, Wellington clings to steep hillsides that form a natural harbour at the southern tip of North Island. The geographic heart of the country, it is also the administrative centre.

Much like Auckland, Wellington has a very cosmopolitan atmosphere, its centre dominated by department stores, galleries, boutiques and stylish cafes that line the office-block canyons.

Check into the Ibis Hotel for two nights (B&B basis).

In the afternoon, perhaps journey to the top of Mt Victoria for the stunning view of the harbour, or take the historic Wellignton Cable Car to the Carter Observatory. In the afternoon, take the time to explore Cuba Street, Wellington’s inner city bohemia.

There’s no shortage of great restaurants in Wellington, many within walking distance of the Ibis.

During the winter, Whakapapa and Turoa becomes one of New Zealand’s most popular skiing spots, while in the summer it’s a highly popular destination for keen walkers, with a number of hiking routes, the most famous of which is the full-day Tongariro Crossing.

Check into Chateau Tongariro for one night (B&B basis).

On arrival, join a guided tour of the region’s famous limestone caves, which includes a boat ride on a subterranean river into the spectacular glow-work grotto, where you will discover remarkable stalactite formations.

In the afternoon, continue north to Auckland International Airport, where you check-in for your international flight home. NB. If flying out in the morning, we can arrange for a night at an Auckland hotel.