Journey through the heart of the North Island on this tour from Auckland to the capital city of Wellington, and catch the Northern Explorer Scenic Train back to Auckland. Highlights along the way include Waitomo Caves, the unique Maori culture and the art deco city of Napier.
Independent tour (bus & coach)
This suggested tour costs from NZD$2,300 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland
4 days/3 nights
Hotel 4 star
Customisable? YES
Viewed 792 times in the last 7 days
Day 1: Auckland to Waitomo Caves and Te Puia to Rotorua
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Day 2: Rotorua to Napier by Intercity coach
Accommodation: Art Deco Masonic Hotel
Day 3: Free time to explore Napier this morning, then to Wellington by Intercity coach
Accommodation: Bolton Hotel Wellington
Day 4: Hop aboard the Northern Explorer and journey back to Auckland
Travel from Auckland and visit Waitomo Caves on the way to Rotorua. This tour covers the most iconic destinations in the Northern island. You will visit Rotorua which is famous both for its thermal activity and its rich Maori Heritage. In addition, you will enjoy guided tour in the world renowned Waitomo Glow worm Caves and geothermal wonderland Te Puia. Your tour will finish in Rotorua.
New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting Te Pā Tū. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.
Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Millennium Hotel is Rotorua's largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to Rotorua Intercity Coach Depot.
From Rotorua you travel along the geothermal highway and past the edge of the largest man-made radiate pine forest in the world - the Kaingaroa Forest towards Taupō. Your coach travels past Taupō which sits on the shores of New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupō. From Taupō you'll travel over the Ahiminawa Ranges to Napier. Napier has the highest concentrations of Striped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco building styles in the world. The commercial centre was completely rebuilt following a catastrophic earthquake in 1931. Napier is also at the centre of one of the largest and most vibrant wine-producing areas in New Zealand.
You will be collected from Napier Coach Depot and transferred to your accommodation. On the way to your accommodation, you will be taken on a one-hour tour of Napier
Hawke's Bay offers a variety of scenic walks, from coastal paths to forest trails, perfect for exploring the region's natural beauty. Whether you're looking for a short stroll or a more challenging hike, there's something for everyone. Be sure to check with the Department of Conservation for current conditions before heading out.
The National Aquarium of New Zealand stretches along Napier’s Marine Parade. It's home to a wide range of saltwater, freshwater, and land ...
Read moreThe National Aquarium of New Zealand stretches along Napier’s Marine Parade. It's home to a wide range of saltwater, freshwater, and land animal exhibits from New Zealand and around the world. Experience, stingrays, living coral, a huge range of fish species, and native wildlife. Visit Penguin Cove and watch the little penguins swim, feed and play. Spot New Zealand native wildlife including the Kiwi and Tuatara.
HideThe National Aquarium of New Zealand stretches along Napier’s Marine Parade. It's home to a wide range of saltwater, freshwater, and land ...
Read moreThe National Aquarium of New Zealand stretches along Napier’s Marine Parade. It's home to a wide range of saltwater, freshwater, and land animal exhibits from New Zealand and around the world. The Aquarium is one of the only places in New Zealand where you can have a Close Encounter with these entertaining little birds. Little Penguins are only found in New Zealand and South Australia. As part of your encounter, you'll also experience what goes on behind the scenes, discovering all about the day-to-day care of these character-filled little birds and taking part in hand-feeding them. Learn about their rescue and rehabilitation and also what you can do to help preserve this special species and their environment.
HideYour accommodation: Art Deco Masonic Hotel
The Art Deco Masonic Hotel occupies a significant historic building on Napier’s waterfront and has been richly refurbished in keeping with the Art Deco architecture. With its central location and decadent décor, this is the best place to experience what Napier is famous for.This 2 1/2 hour tour takes in all the history, from early settlement, through to the huge 1931 earthquake and the rebuilding of the City to the Art Deco Capital of the World to what it is today. You also visit the historic area of Ahuriri, National Tobacco Building and the famous Mission Estate Winery. As you return to Napier City, you will also tour an Art Deco Housing Estate. Experience many stops for photos from lookouts to famous landmarks etc. This is a compact tour, it is really for those that are spending the one night here in Napier and still wish to see the City highlights.
Leaving the 1930's inspired city of Napier you will travel through the countryside of the Hawke's Bay and Manawatu. Travelling along the Kāpiti Coast line into the capital city of Wellington. Wellington sits on a wonderful deep natural harbour and is surrounded by bush clad hills. The city centre itself is quite compact (only around 1 square kilometre) and exploring on foot is relatively easy. You can easily stroll the famous cafes and restaurants within the city and New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa, is also close by.
Your accommodation: Bolton Hotel Wellington
The Bolton Hotel offers contemporary apartment-style accommodation in the heart of Wellington. Just steps from the Parliament buildings and central business district, Bolton Hotel is conveniently close to the best of the city's shops, cafes and restaurants and is within walking distance of Wellington's vibrant waterfront.You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Wellington train station to meet your train.
The Northern Explorer is a journey through the heart of the North Island, travelling between Wellington, New Zealand's arts and culture capital and Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. Along the way you pass the Central North Island ski towns of National Park and Ohakune. You also see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland, the volcanic plateau, Mount Ruapehu, the world famous Raurimu Spiral, and stunning river gorges - all from panoramic windows or open air viewing decks. All carriages feature large panoramic windows giving sweeping views of the magnificent North Island. The Observation Carriage includes a mix of seating including lounge-style seating. The lounge-style seating is arranged at the very rear of this glass-backed carriage enabling you to enjoy a totally unique Northern Explorer experience.
Starts | Status | Double (2 people sharing) | Single occupancy | You save | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec 12, 2024
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 13, 2024
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 14, 2024
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 15, 2024
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 16, 2024
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 17, 2024
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 18, 2024
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 19, 2024
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 20, 2024
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 21, 2024
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 22, 2024
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 23, 2024
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 24, 2024
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 25, 2024
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 26, 2024
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 27, 2024
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 28, 2024
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 29, 2024
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 30, 2024
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Dec 31, 2024
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 1, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 2, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 3, 2025
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 4, 2025
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 5, 2025
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 6, 2025
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 7, 2025
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 8, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 9, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 10, 2025
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 | |||
Jan 11, 2025
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$2,300 | NZD$3,020 |