Northern Express Escape
Auckland to Auckland
Breadcrumb
New Zealand tour itinerary name and information
Thrifty Tours

Northern Express Escape

Visit Waitomo Caves, Te Puia, Tamaki Maori Village, Hobbiton Movie Set and Wai-O-Tapu thermal area on this action-packed tour, and enjoy a full day in Rotorua to explore or relax at your own leisure.

Currency selector
All prices are in
Tour summary and feature
Quick Itinerary Details

Independent tour (bus & coach)

This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,735 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland

4 days/3 nights

Motels

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 174 times in the last 7 days

Tour at a glance

Day 1: Auckland to Waitomo Caves to Rotorua
Accommodation: Asure Rotorua International Motor Inn

Day 2: Day tour to Hobbiton including a movie set tour, evening Tamaki Maori village and dinner
Accommodation: Asure Rotorua International Motor Inn

Day 3: A full day to enjoy the many sights and activities of Rotorua
Accommodation: Asure Rotorua International Motor Inn

Day 4: This morning, explore Wai-O-Tapu, then free time this afternoon before travelling back to Auckland

Tour full itinerary

Detailed itinerary: 4 day tour starting in Auckland

Day 1 - Auckland to Waitomo Caves to Rotorua
Northern Express Escape - Day 1
Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Tour and Te Puia with FlexiTours - Lunch Included

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.

Meals included: Lunch

Your accommodation: Asure Rotorua International Motor Inn

Beautifully appointed and comfortable motel accommodation just a short drive from central Rotorua - the cultural hub of New Zealand!
Day 2 - Day tour to Hobbiton including a movie set tour, evening Tamaki Maori village and dinner
Northern Express Escape - Day 2
Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with Gray Line

Take a journey from Rotorua to famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located inside a picturesque 1,250 acre sheep and beef farm near Matamata. Here, take a guided tour of the village of Hobbiton, which was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. During your guided tour of this amazing location you’ll see sights like Hobbit holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, enjoy a tasty lunch in the Party Marquee and then return back to Rotorua.

Te Pā Tū Evening Maori Cultural Experience

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.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Your accommodation: Asure Rotorua International Motor Inn

Beautifully appointed and comfortable motel accommodation just a short drive from central Rotorua - the cultural hub of New Zealand!
Day 3 - A full day to enjoy the many sights and activities of Rotorua
Northern Express Escape - Day 3
Explore Rotorua

Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the worlds most active volcanic regions. Geothermal landmarks aside, this city of sulphur has a rich indigenous history. Home to several prominent Maori tribes, a visit to one of the Maori Villages should be high on your agenda, as should an excursion to the Polynesian Spa for an invigorating soak in its natural mineral hot springs.
Spike your adrenaline at Velocity Valley Adventure Park on stomach-dropping attractions such as static skydiving, or a giant swing reaching 130 km per hour. Alternatively, head up the Rotorua Gondola for soaring lake views, and ride the luge at night for an extra thrill.
Fans of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit should drive to nearby Matamata and experience the actual movie set ‘Hobbiton’. Make the most of your time in Rotorua with an excursion through the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, one of the area’s most colourful volcanic attractions.

Your accommodation: Asure Rotorua International Motor Inn

Beautifully appointed and comfortable motel accommodation just a short drive from central Rotorua - the cultural hub of New Zealand!
Day 4 - This morning, explore Wai-O-Tapu, then free time this afternoon before travelling back to Auckland
Northern Express Escape - Day 4
Eco Thermal Park Tour with Elite Adventures

See it all, the ultimate volcanic and geothermal Rotorua Tour. Learn about the huge colourful hot springs, erupting geysers and active boiling mud pools, spectacular volcanoes and lush native forest. All on a fully guided 1/2 day tour in Rotorua. You'll travel through forestry and farmland to NZ's largest boiling mud pool and a series of colourful hot springs at Wai-o-tapu. Then see the Lady Knox geyser erupt. Next a short drive to the Waimangu Volcanic valley where your guide will explain the Mt Tarawera eruption which blew open this spectacular, bush covered, geothermal park.

Rotorua Accommodation to Rotorua Intercity Depot

You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to Rotorua Intercity Coach Depot.

Rotorua to Auckland by InterCity Coach

The drive from Rotorua to Auckland takes you through the heart of the Waikato and its rich agricultural land. Along New Zealand's longest river, the Waikato. A little further than Hamilton is Auckland City, New Zealand's largest, spread over approximately 60 square kilometres. From the vibrant and trendy fashion and cuisine found in Ponsonby and Parnell to the breathtaking native bush and beaches of the West Coast, Auckland is full of life and the opportunities to explore are endless.

Tour quick quote
Instant quote or Book this tour

Northern Express Escape

Step 1: Choose a preferred start date here
Step 2: Select number of guests and room configuration
Select the number of adults per room type
Double room (based on 2 adults in 1 room, 1 bed)
Twin room (based on 2 adults sharing 1 room with 2 beds)
Single occupancy (based on 1 adult in one room)
No pricing loaded - please choose another date or contact us
Your quote for this tour:
Start date:
End date:
Guests:
Rooms:
Total cost for ALL guests is:
NZD$0
This quote is based on vehicles to accommodate your party in the vehicle type. We suggest changing the car type or contacting us for the best options.
Save and send a copy of this quote to
or

NOTE: Instant quotes are subject to availability of specific accommodation and other inclusions. Our NZ touring experts will be in touch with you regarding this. Costs quoted in currencies other than New Zealand dollars (NZ$) are based on todays exchange rate and are  subject to change. Refer to our terms and conditions.
If you have chosen to hire a Budget rental car then you may incur a one way fee if a portion of your hire is under 7 days in total. Your sales consultant can confirm this on booking.

Remember - we can create this itinerary with any style of accommodation or customise to suit your interests and timeframe. Just contact us here.

Tour departure list
See all departure dates & prices
Departure dates and prices
This tour has 657 departure dates.
All prices are in
Go to dates in
Starts Status Double (2 people sharing) Single occupancy You save  
Dec 14, 2023
(Thursday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 15, 2023
(Friday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 16, 2023
(Saturday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 17, 2023
(Sunday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 18, 2023
(Monday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 19, 2023
(Tuesday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 20, 2023
(Wednesday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 21, 2023
(Thursday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 22, 2023
(Friday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 23, 2023
(Saturday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 24, 2023
(Sunday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 25, 2023
(Monday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 26, 2023
(Tuesday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 27, 2023
(Wednesday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 28, 2023
(Thursday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 29, 2023
(Friday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 30, 2023
(Saturday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Dec 31, 2023
(Sunday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 1, 2024
(Monday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 2, 2024
(Tuesday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 3, 2024
(Wednesday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 4, 2024
(Thursday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 5, 2024
(Friday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 6, 2024
(Saturday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 7, 2024
(Sunday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 8, 2024
(Monday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 9, 2024
(Tuesday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 10, 2024
(Wednesday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 11, 2024
(Thursday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 12, 2024
(Friday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
Jan 13, 2024
(Saturday)
NZD$1,735 NZD$2,175 Enquire Book
All prices are in
Go to dates in
Contact form
Send enquiry about this tour
Your contact information
Subscribe to our Regular Newsletter for Inspiring Holiday Ideas
Tour recommendation

Some similar tours to this one

4 days Map
North Island Waitomo, Rotorua and Napier Experience
View Tour
 
4 days Map
Bay of Islands Ultimate 4 Day Deluxe Tour
View Tour
 
4 days Map
Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 4 Day Package
View Tour