Day 1 Auckland - Matamata - Rotorua (180 km)
Day 2 Rotorua - Taupo - Napier (178 km)
Day 3 Napier - Wellington (269 km)
Day 4 Wellington - Palmerston North (125 km)
Day 5 Palmerston North - New Plymouth (194 km)
Day 6 New Plymouth - Waitomo Caves - Auckland (286 km)
Day 1:
Auckland - Matamata - Rotorua (180 km)
Breakfast: Excluded|Lunch: Included (Western style)|Dinner: Included (Chinese set menu. (For groups of 6 or more: 6 dishes + 1 soup for 6 pax; 7 dishes + 1 soup for 7 pax; 8 dishes + 1 soup for 8 pax or more.))
The tour departs from Auckland Sky Tower between 7:00-8:00 AM, with pick-ups from the airport area. We will first explore the magical Hobbiton Movie Set and step into the fairy-tale scenes of Middle-earth with a guided tour, before arriving in Rotorua to visit the Government Gardens and Kuirau Thermal Park, where you can experience natural geothermal footbaths. An optional visit to the world-class Polynesian Spa is available in the evening.
-
Auckland, NZD
Commonly referred to as the City of Sails, Auckland is a populous urban area in New Zealand. An isthmus (narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas) Auckland's harbors offer beautiful views and a wide range of water activities.
Sky Tower
The Sky Tower is an observation and telecommunications tower located in the Auckland CBD, Auckland City, New Zealand. It is 328 metres (1,076 ft) tall, the tallest man-made structure in the Southern Hemisphere and the 25th tallest tower in the world.
-
Matamata, NZD
Located near the Kaimai Ranges, Matamata is a rural town in New Zealand. Visitors may recognize Matamata's scenic beauty because it serves as the location for Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film franchise.
Hobbiton Movie Set
Hobbiton is the official location of The Lord of the Rings film franchise. Originally a family-run farm west of Hinuera, it is now a permanent tourist fixture dedicated to the characters and storytelling originally conceptualized by author J.R.R. Tokien.
Duration: Approx. 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Green Dragon Inn
The Green Dragon Inn's circular blue door is instantly recognizable as a featured landmark in The Lord of the Rings film franchise. This quirky, famous pub hosts private tours and offers guests traditional Hobbit foods and beverages inspired by the movies.
Party Tree
The Party Tree is a large, beautiful tree famous for its appearance in The Lord of the Rings film franchise. This enormous tree is located in a scenic meadow at the south end of Hobbiton and is the location of one of Bilbo Baggins famous speeches.
The Old Mill
This building was built for the Lord of the Rings movies, specifically the scenery around the Shire village of Hobbiton. After filming wrapped, much of the village was left standing.
-
Rotorua, NZD
Located in the Bay of Plenty region, Rotorua is New Zealand's 10th largest urban city. Tourists can visit the Government Gardens and the Rotorua Museum of Art and History. Other popular activities include mountain biking, boating, and fishing.
Government Gardens
A public park located near Rotorua Lake, Government Gardens provides visitors with a wide array of activities including swimming, croquet lawns, walking paths and more. Guests also have access to the Rotorua Museum of Art and History and the Polynesia Spa.
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
Described as one of the top 20 most surreal places in the world, the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is a colorful and spectacular volcanic area where guests can walk along geothermal features and experience natural phenomena unlike any other.
Polynesian Spa
Since 1882, there has been a bath house on this site in Rotorua, NZ. Currently, the geothermal spa facility here provides a relaxing treatment that is said to especially help those with arthritis.
Day 2:
Rotorua - Taupo - Napier (178 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel western-style)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded
After breakfast, journey to Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. Enjoy lunch at your own expense; a unique option is the famous DC-3 plane McDonald's. We will also visit the powerful Huka Falls and a distinctive geothermal power station. Afterwards, proceed to Napier, renowned for its Art Deco architecture. As a coastal city, it's a major hub for horticulture and wine. Don't miss the iconic Pania Statue on the marine parade, a landmark as significant to Napier as the Little Mermaid is to Copenhagen.
-
Taupo, NZD
Located at the center of the North Islands, Taupo resides along the shores of New Zealand's largest lake. In recent years, the town has become a popular venue for outdoor sporting events like sailing, cross country, biking, and more.
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is a beautiful, immense lake located in the center of the North Islands of New Zealand. Visitors can view fascinating Māori rock carvings over 10 meters in height at Mine Bay on Lake Taupo by boat or kayak.
Huka Falls
Experience the natural beauty of Haku Falls, a set of cascading waterfalls that drain into Taupo Lake, the largest lake in New Zealand. Located on the Waikato River, visitors can walk trails, jetboat, or admire views from various observation points.
McDonald's Taupo
This unique McDonald's features a real retired DC-3 aircraft as a dining area. Patrons can eat inside the plane, enjoying a one-of-a-kind experience that blends aviation history with fast-food culture.
Wairakei Power Plant
The Wairakei Geothermal Power Station was the world's second large-scale geothermal plant and a pioneer in the field. Commissioned in 1958, it generates electricity using underground steam, marked by the iconic plumes that rise over the area.
-
Napier, NZD
A coastal city on New Zealand's North Island, famed as the Art Deco Capital with renowned 1930s architecture, sunny climate, premium wineries, and the iconic Pania statue on its marine parade.
Pania of the Reef
The Pania of the Reef is an iconic bronze statue on Napier's Marine Parade. Rooted in a poignant Maori legend, she is revered as "Napier's mermaid" and holds a cultural significance comparable to Copenhagen's Little Mermaid.
Day 3:
Napier - Wellington (269 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel western-style)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Included (Chinese set menu. (For groups of 6 or more: 6 dishes + 1 soup for 6 pax; 7 dishes + 1 soup for 7 pax; 8 dishes + 1 soup for 8 pax or more.))
After breakfast, depart for Wellington. Discover the city's highlights: the iconic Beehive parliament building, eclectic Cuba Street, Wellington City Gallery, and the historic Old St Paul's Cathedral.
-
Wellington, NZD
As the capital of New Zealand, Wellington is a populous urban center that offers tourists an array of activities and attractions. Visitors can enjoy museums, architecture, theatre, and the arts, as well as music festivals, world class cuisine, and more.
The Beehive (Outside Visit)
The Beehive is the distinctive executive wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings, renowned for its unique beehive-shaped architecture. It houses the offices of the Prime Minister and government ministers, serving as a national symbol.
Cuba Street
The little stretch of shops, cafes, and bars along a brick road known as Cuba Street is one of the most prominent streets in Wellington.
Wellington City Gallery
The Wellington City Gallery, located in Civic Square, is a leading contemporary art institution. It presents a dynamic program of cutting-edge exhibitions featuring both international and New Zealand artists, fostering dialogue around modern and contemporary art.
Old St Paul's Cathedral
Old St Paul's is a historic landmark built in 1866, constructed entirely from native timber in the Gothic Revival style. It served as Wellington's cathedral and is now a museum and popular venue for weddings and events.
Day 4:
Wellington - Palmerston North (125 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel western-style)|Lunch: Included (Cantonese Dim Sum)|Dinner: Excluded
After breakfast, we will take the historic Wellington Cable Car, an iconic city landmark. The journey begins from Lambton Quay in the central business district and ascends to the Botanic Garden. From the hilltop lookout, you can enjoy panoramic views of Wellington. If interested, you may visit the Cable Car Museum and Space Place at Carter Observatory at your own expense. In the afternoon, we will travel to Palmerston North. Located in the southern part of the North Island, it is New Zealand's sixth-largest city and home to Massey University's main campus, often called the "Student City."
-
Wellington, NZD
As the capital of New Zealand, Wellington is a populous urban center that offers tourists an array of activities and attractions. Visitors can enjoy museums, architecture, theatre, and the arts, as well as music festivals, world class cuisine, and more.
Wellington Cable Car
The Wellington Cable Car is a historic landmark, climbing from Lambton Quay to the Botanical Garden. The summit lookout offers panoramic views of the city, harbor, and coastline.
Cable Car Museum
Housed at the Cable Car's top terminal, this museum displays original vintage cable cars and historical artifacts from 1902 onward, chronicling the evolution and engineering of this beloved Wellington icon.
Carter Observatory
Carter Observatory is a iconic celestial destination in Wellington, located near the Botanical Garden. It offers immersive exhibits and planetarium shows, revealing the wonders of the Southern sky and Maori astronomy.
-
Palmerston North, NZD
Palmerston North (Palmy) is home of the original Massey campus in the Manawatū region. As a university town, Palmerston North offers a great selection of cafes, pubs, and restaurants catering to the student palate and wallet. It offers the sophistication and diversity of a major city, surrounded by an outdoor enthusiasts dream.
Day 5:
Palmerston North - New Plymouth (194 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel western-style)|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Included (Chinese set menu. (For groups of 6 or more: 6 dishes + 1 soup for 6 pax; 7 dishes + 1 soup for 7 pax; 8 dishes + 1 soup for 8 pax or more.))
After breakfast, we will head to New Plymouth. We will first visit the iconic Len Lye Centre, a distinctive art gallery renowned for its dynamic design. Next, we will proceed to the famous Te Rewa Rewa Bridge. This pedestrian bridge is celebrated for its unique structure, which resembles a giant fish bone. It also offers a spectacular vantage point for viewing Mount Taranaki on a clear day.
-
New Plymouth, NZD
New Plymouth is a coastal city in the Taranaki region, famous for its sunny weather, vibrant arts scene, and views of Mount Taranaki. It serves as New Zealand's energy hub while offering beautiful coastal walks and parks.
Len Lye Centre
The Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth is part of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. Named for the pioneering kinetic artist, its iconic stainless steel façade is itself a masterpiece of dynamic art.
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
The Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Waiwhakaiho River in New Plymouth. Its unique arched design, resembling a fish or whale skeleton, has become an iconic landmark and a perfect frame for views of Mount Taranaki.
Day 6:
New Plymouth - Waitomo Caves - Auckland (286 km)
Breakfast: Included (Hotel western-style)|Lunch: Included (BBQ buffet)|Dinner: Excluded
After breakfast, we will depart for the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. First discovered by a Māori chief in 1887, this magical cave offers a boat ride on an underground lake, where you can admire the starry spectacle of countless glowworms. A guide will explain the unique ecology of these insects. After the visit, we will return to Auckland.
-
Waitomo Caves, NZD
Waitomo can be translated as the 'stream which flows into the hole in the ground'. This meaning is reflected through its fantastic geological history and landscape.
Combine your experience with Ruakuri Cave, see glowworms up close and descend a spectacular spiral entrance. In Aranui Cave be mesmerised by ornate cave decorations also the underground Black Water Rafting.
Duration: Approx. 45 Minutes
Glowworm and Cave Tour
Take time to let your eyes adapt and you will be rewarded with the soft glow of many of thousands of glowworms. There are enough to gently light up an entire cave and bring you to a sense of wonder. Later, our relaxed and gentle tour will treat you to the beautiful Cave of the Spirit. Walk through a lovely succession of chambers to find speleothems, fossil remains of extinct moa and cathedrals filled with natural light, softly falling to the floor.
6-Day North Island Round Island Discovery Tour from Auckland...
2-Day Niagara Falls Tour from New York or New Jersey...
Google
