7D6N New Zealand Northern Splendour (Self Drive)

7D6N New Zealand Northern Splendour (Self Drive) GV2 

Embrace awesome earth forces, geothermal hot spots, a forest cloaked interior, Art Deco architecture and beautiful valleys with our New Zealand North Island Vacation Package.

Enjoy a variety of scenery on this extensive North Island itinerary.  Combine it with your preferred South Island tour for a complete New Zealand experience.

Auckland - Waitomo - Hobbiton - Rotorua - Napier - Wellington

7 days / 6 nights

Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive Auckland

Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and self drive to your accommodation.  

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, located between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here.  Overnight: Auckland

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES: Te Wao Nui at Auckland Zoo, Auckland Sky Tower, Orbit Restaurant Sky Tower, Auckland Harbour Sailing

DAY 2: Auckland - Waitomo - Hobbiton - Rotorua

Journey through the rolling green hills of Waitomo and enjoy a tour through an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Continue to Matamata for a charming tour of unique, character Hobbit homes, gardens and the watering hole just as you see in the movies. Finishing off a visually fulfilling day, continue on to Rotorua, a bubbling and steaming destination like nowhere else. Overnight: Rotorua

Auckland-Waitomo: 195km (approx 2hrs, 30mins)

Waitomo-Matamata: 102km (approx 1hr, 20mins)

Matamata-Rotorua: 67km (approx 55mins)

INCLUDED ACTIVITES: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour, Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES: Secret Spot Hot Tubs

DAY 3: Rotorua

Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends. Today you'll visit one of the local geothermal attractions before a sensory evening display in the forest. Overnight: Rotorua

INCLUDED ACTIVITES: Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, Redwoods Nightlights

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES: Skyline Gondola Ride + 3 Luge, National Kiwi Hatchery Tour

DAY 4: Rotorua - Napier

There’s a bit of everything on today’s drive past Great Lake Taupo to Napier.    Your scenic journey includes volcanic geography, fresh forest plantations, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas.  Overnight: Napier

Rotorua - Napier: 220km (approx 2hrs, 55mins)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES: Huka Falls

DAY 5: Napier

Following an earthquake in 1931, a rebuild saw Napier completely redesigned in the style of the times.  Buildings were constructed in the Art Deco style with Maori motifs to give the city a unique New Zealand character.  Today, the delightful seaside city of Napier has the extra-ordinary feeling of a time capsule with its seamless line of some of the world's finest 1930's architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of Napier's unique history and architecture. Overnight: Napier

INCLUDED ACTIVITESZ: Art Deco Morning Walk

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES: Panoramic Taste of Wine Tour, Gannet Safaris Overland Tour, Wellington Cable Car

DAY 6

Napier - Wellington

Today's travel south may be via the spectacular Manawatu Gorge or through the beautiful Tuki Tuki Valley and Wairarapa Wine region to reach Wellington.

Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot.  Great shopping, arts culture, cafes and restaurants are all within minutes of the city’s untouched nature spots.  We recommend adding a  guided tour of  Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum for a greater insight into New Zealand's rich history and culture. Overnight: Wellington

Napier - Wellington: 320km (approx 4hrs, 20mins)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES: Introducing Te Papa Tour, Zealandia by Night Tour, Wellington Cable Car Return Trip

DAY 7: Depart Wellington

Arrangements conclude today with the return of your rental car to Wellington Airport.

Please Note 

(i) Rental Car "Days" are based on a 24 hour hire.  

Early arrivals into and/or late departures out of New Zealand may necessitate a longer hire period.

(ii) Adding Optional Tours may necessitate an additional nights' stay in that location.

Included in this tour:

* 6 Day Rental Car Hire

      with zero or reduced excess liability

* 6 Nights Accommodation

* Waitomo Glowworm Caves

* Hobbiton Movie Set

* Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland

* Redwoods Treewalk Nightlights

* Art Deco Guided Tour

Private Touring can be arranged upon request

Pricing Period: 1 October 2024 – 30 April 2025

Self Drive: Compact SUV (CFAR/CFAV)

Superior Hotels: Single: $3,218 | Twin: $1,758 | Triple: $1,408

First Class Hotels: Single: $3,548 | Twin: $1,928 | Triple: $1,488

Option to add on breakfast $190 per person 

Self Drive : Intermediate SUV (IFAR)

Standard Hotels: Single: $3,028 | Twin:$1,688 | Triple: $1,268

Superior Hotels: Single: $3,308 | Twin: $1,808 | Triple: $1,448

First Class Hotels: Single: $3,638 | Twin: $1,978 | Triple: $1,518

Option to add on breakfast $190 per person 

Self Drive: Full Size SUV (FFAR)

Standard Hotels: Single: $3,258 | Twin: $1,798 | Triple: $1,348

Superior Hotels: Single: $3,536 | Twin: $1,928 | Triple: $1,518

First Class Hotels: Single: $3,848 | Twin: $2,098 | Triple: $1,588

Option to add on breakfast $190 per person 

Pricing Period: 1 May 2025 - 30 September 2025

Self Drive: Compact SUV (CFAR/CFAV)

Standard Hotels: Single: $2,438 | Twin: $1,378 | Triple: $1,148

Superior Hotels: Single: $2,748 | Twin: $1,528 | Triple: $1,208

First Class Hotels: Single: $3,008 | Twin: $1,668 | Triple: $1,338

Option to add on breakfast $210 per person 

Self Drive : Intermediate SUV (IFAR)

Standard Hotels: Single: $2,518 | Twin: $1,418 | Triple: $1,168

Superior Hotels: Single: $2,828 | Twin: $1,568 | Triple: $1,238

First Class Hotels: Single: $3,088 | Twin: $1,708 | Triple: $1,368

Option to add on breakfast $190 per person 

Self Drive: Full Size SUV (FFAR)

Standard Hotels: Single: $3,258 | Twin: $1,798 | Triple: $1,348

Superior Hotels: Single: $3,536 | Twin: $1,928 | Triple: $1,518

First Class Hotels: Single: $3,848 | Twin: $2,098 | Triple: $1,588

Option to add on breakfast $210 per person