Experience the attractions of New Zealand's North Island.
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Itinerary: Best of the North, New Zealand
Auckland
Auckland can’t be defined by a single experience because it has such astonishing variety on offer and it's all so accessible. Right in the CBD you can bungy jump off the Auckland Harbour Bridge or take a vertigo defying walk around the Sky Tower's top-most perimeter. Within half an hour of standing on a bustling city street you could be pulling into the wharf on Waiheke Island, watching orca chase stingrays in the Manukau Harbour, tramping through native forest or sipping wine at a vineyard in the countryside. It’s a place where you can make your own adventure and where only imagination sets the limits.
Must do:
- An Auckland Explorer Bus Pass to explore the “City of Sails” at leisure.
- Visit Kelly Tarltons Antarctic Encounter Underwater World and if you dare try the Stingray Splash or Shark Survival.
- A truly captivating experience awaits visitors to Auckland's Sky Tower. At 328 metres, it is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand and offers breathtaking views for up to 80 kilometres in every direction. Travel up in the glass-fronted lifts to one of the three spectacular viewing platforms, or for more thrills and excitement, SkyWalk round the pergola at 192 metres up or SkyJump like a movie stuntman off the Tower!
- For wine and nature lovers nature lovers head west on a Kumeu Wine and Nature Full Day Tour to where the sub-tropical forest plunges down the hills to meet the sea on dramatic black sand beaches. Seals patrol the coast while gannets circle their cliff-top colonies.
- Auckland’s greatest treasure is the Hauraki Gulf and the jewels in its crown are the 40 or more islands peppered across its pristine waters. Visit unique Waiheke Island on a Fullers Taste of Waiheke Full Day Tour or experience the beautiful Waitemata harbour aboard the fastest jet boat in Auckland - Auckland Adventure Jet performing spins, tricks and a high speed adrenalin adventure you'll never forget!
- Take a Whale and Dolphin Safari out of Auckland City.
Rotorua
Rotorua is an extraordinary little slice of paradise quite unlike any other region in New Zealand. It is rich in attractions and has something for everyone. It is the geothermal heartland of New Zealand with billowing clouds of steam and a faint aroma of sulphur that drifts across the city, bubbling mud pools and spectacular geysers. It is the spiritual home of the Maori of Te Arawa. It is host to legions of thrilling adventure rides - some world firsts, and on top of all of this, Rotorua is set amidst a stunning backdrop of 16 serene freshwater lakes and acres of majestic forests. Fish for trophy trout then cook them in thermal sands. Enjoy a water ski or leisurely kayak and the kick back on a luxury sail boat. Perhaps a round of golf on one of several world-class courses might be of interest?
Must do:
- A Triple Bypass at Agroventures - allowing a choice of 3 from the Shweeb, Agrojet, Swoop or Freefall Xtreme.
- Take in a Sheep Show & Farm Tour at the Agrodome.
- Experience Beauty by Night & Mitai Maori Culture Experience at Rainbow Springs.
- Ride the Gondola to the top of Mt Ngongotaha for captivating views across Lake Rotorua and then enjoy the Luge.
- Sculptured out of volcanic activity and thousands of years in the making, Wai-O-Tapu is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction. Enjoy the unique volcanic vistas as you wander through this fasciniating geothermal wonderland.
- Re-energise at the Polynesian Spa or take time out to completely relax and unwind at the Lake Spa Retreat - an inviting relaxation haven providing an array of enticing spa therapies.
Napier & the Hawkes Bay
Hawkes Bay is the perfect year-round destination, with a Mediterranean climate of long hot summers and mild sunny winters that boasts an outstanding natural environment and some of New Zealand’s best fresh seasonal food and award winning wine. What makes Hawkes Bay truly unique is the 1930’s architecture that adorns the cities of Napier and Hastings. Following a major earthquake in 1931 the cities were re-built in the style of the times - art deco, Spanish mission and striped classical. Walking around these cities is like taking a step back in time. The landscape is made up of mountains, vineyards, farmland and rivers valleys and beaches making it the ideal playground for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. 17 golf courses are scattered throughout the region, including the internationally renowned Cape Kidnappers. The Cape is also home to the world’s largest accessible mainland gannet colony in the world and Cape Sanctuary - a conservation park for native birds including brown kiwi. Taste award winning wines at one of the regions 70 wineries of enjoy alfresco dining at one of the many winery restaurants.
Must do:
- An Art Deco Walking Tour to explore the fascinating art deco architecture.
- Get On Yer Bike and enjoy an active wine tour adventure as you cycle your way around some of Napiers most popular wineries.
- Drive along the scenic coast from Napier to Te Awanga and join Gannet Safaris Overland to visit the worlds largest, most accessible gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand. Take in the mouth-watering scenery from your position at the brink of the cliffs edge - 100 metres above the ocean.
- Good times go hand in hand with cycling, beautiful scenery and invigorating experiences. Choose a self-guided cycling option with Takaro Trails and enjoy explore the unique diversity of Hawke's Bay by bike. From day trips around the wineries or on our stunning, off road Rotary Pathway, to mountain biking on cross country trails and forest roads. For those with more time choose a three-day tour of farmland, vineyards and villages or, even better, take five days out for some serious cycling fun riding as far south as Waipawa.
- Hawke’s Bay is know as “Wine Country”, so why not join Bay Tours & Charters on a wine tour that will tantalise your taste-buds as well as visiting Silky Oak Chocolates, Hohepa Cheese or sampling the range of olive oils and accompaniment at Telegraph Hill Olivery.
Wellington
Nestled between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills, Wellington offers a chic city experience in a stunning natural setting. The creative metropolis of Wellington is complemented by a diverse surrounding region. The city, complete with stylish cocktail bars, funky designer shopping, comtemporary art galleries and award-winning restaurants and cafes is nationally recognised as the arts and culture capital. A boutique city that is bustling and vibrant and is the perfect base for discovering the cultural experiences of Porirua, the lush green forests of the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa’s gourmet food and wine offering. Sitting in the midst of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, Wellington is just over an hour’s drive by car from the boutique wine village of Martinborough and only a three hour ferry ride across the Cook Strait to Marlborough - world famous for Savignon Blanc. Just a 50 minute drive north of Wellington, the jewel in its coastal crown is Kapiti Island, an internationally recognised nature reserve - home to some of New Zealand’s rarest flora and fauna.
Must do:
- Discover ZEALANDIA - just 10 minutes from central Wellington, ZEALANDIA is a unique eco-attraction and one of the best places to see and hear New Zealand's native wildlife in its natural environment. A sanctuary that is home to dozens of reptile and amphibian species; over 30 kinds of native birds; hundreds of plant species and thousands of kinds of invertebrates.
- Join Tranzit Coachlines for a guided and informative wine tour of the award winning Martinborough region.
- Join a Zest Gourmet Walking Tour for a unique tour that takes you to taste the best food and meet the passionate producers behind them, in places the locals know and love around Wellington.
- Visit Te Papa - New Zealand's National Museum.
- Join a tour and head north of Wellington, the jewel in its coastal crown is Kapiti Island, an internationally recognised nature reserve - home to some of New Zealand’s rarest flora and fauna.
- Follow in the Footsteps of Hobbits, Dwarfs, Elves and Men on a Rover Tours Lord of the Rings tour.
Our Hotel Recommendations
3 nights at Quadrant Hotel Auckland (Studio Apartment) 
2 nights at Rydges Rotorua (Standard Room) 
2 nights at Scenic Hotel Te Pania (Superior Room)
3 nights at Rydges Wellington (Superior Room)
