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Peregrine Travel Centre

Premium New Zealand North Island

Premium New Zealand North Island

From $ 6,360 AUD

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Description

This is natural beauty on the biggest scale – huge volcanoes, vast lakes, rolling farmlands and deep caves. On this Premium trip, you’ll spend eight days exploring the best of New Zealand’s North Island with the guidance of a passionate local leader. On a journey from Auckland to Wellington, sip local wine on Waiheke Island, explore the mythical world of Hobbiton, marvel at the geothermal delights of Rotorua, stay at a cottage set in a Hawke’s Bay winery and go deeper in the Te Papa Museum on a tour with a Maori guide.

Trip Name
Premium New Zealand North Island
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Spend two nights in the acclaimed Hawke’s Bay wine region at your Feature Stay – Craggy Range Winery, located beneath Te Mata Peak. Taste premium wines, have dinner on site and settle into your cosy cottage nestled between vineyards and mountains.
  • Sip your way around Waiheke Island off the shores of Auckland during a Signature Experience, visiting three cellar doors to learn about their production methods and sample some of the local wine.
  • Discover an underground world during a tour of the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, then experience the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, from bubbling hot springs to geysers and mud pools.
  • Enjoy an iconic Signature Experience as you take a trip to Middle-earth and tour Hobbiton, where the iconic Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were shot – a must-do for any visit to New Zealand!
  • Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, with a Maori guide. Hear about their personal stories and connections between their iwi (tribe) and the museum’s fascinating collection, then try some traditional kai (food).

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand! Your adventure of the volcanic North Island begins in Auckland – New Zealand’s most populated city, fringed with beaches, harbours, volcanoes and farmland. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to uncover the story of New Zealand rugby during an interactive All Blacks experience where you’ll learn about the heritage of the sport and find out what it takes to wear the famous black jersey. After your meeting, get to know your group over dinner at a local bistro in the heart of the city, championing New Zealand producers.
Day 2 - Auckland
Leave the bustle of the big city behind and head offshore to Waiheke Island, famed for its sandy beaches and local wine. Board a ferry from Auckland – if you’re lucky, you may even see dolphins or orcas along the way. The day will be spent sipping your way around the island, stopping off at two unique wineries to learn about their production methods, and of course tasting the goods yourself. You’ll also enjoy an included lunch on the island, not to mention a few scenic drives with plenty of opportunities for photos. Return to Auckland in the late afternoon with an evening free for your own discoveries of the city.
Day 3 - Rotorua
After breakfast this morning, hit the road and drive to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves – an extensive underground network of tunnels and caverns decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and luminous glow worms. Join a local expert for an in-depth tour of the Ruakuri Cave, descending a spiral entrance to the world below. See the limestone formations, hear the roar of subterranean waterfalls and learn about the glow worms that light up the caves. Continue to Hobbiton, where the epic Lord of the Rings movies were shot. Take a tour around the set with a local guide, hear stories about the production of these iconic films, explore Hobbit holes and enjoy a drink (and maybe a delicious pie) at the mythical Green Dragon Inn. Finally, travel to Rotorua, where you’ll spend the evening.
Day 4 - Rotorua
Spend this morning at your leisure, perhaps relaxing at the Polynesian Spa or opting for a dose of adrenaline at the Redwoods Treetop Walkway. This evening, you will pay a visit to Te Pa Tu and be hosted by the people of Tamaki Maori Village. A local expert will guide you in celebrating the abundant harvest of this season, and you will explore concepts, rituals and stories of ancient Maori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre you will hear stories relayed through haka, song and drama, before torch light guides you to an alfresco dining space where you’ll sit down to a three-course feast.
Day 5 - Rotorua to Hawkes Bay
Say goodbye to Rotorua and drive to Hawke’s Bay – a region known for its abundance of wineries, acclaimed food scene, ideal weather and Art Deco architecture. On the way, visit Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, where you’ll walk through thousands of years of geothermal history and volcanic features, including New Zealand's largest mud pool and bubbling basins bursting with vibrant colours. Then, continue to Hawke’s Bay, where you’ll check into your Feature Stay accommodation at Craggy Range Winery, beneath Te Mata Peak. You’ll spend the next two nights in the heart of this acclaimed wine region, taking in the gorgeous landscapes and tasting local drops. Stay in a cosy cottage with ensuite bathrooms, a large, shared lounge and an outdoor area where you can enjoy the lush green vineyards and mountains surrounding you. Settle into your room, then join your group for a wine tasting and dinner.
Day 6 - Hawkes Bay to Napier to Hawkes Bay
Consider heading out on an optional walk to the Te Mata Peak Lookout at sunrise – the views make the early start well worth it. This morning, you’ll head to the town of Napier for an Art Deco walking tour. Napier is the self-proclaimed ‘Art Deco capital of the world’. After the devastating Hawke’s Bay earthquake of 1931, Napier town centre was destroyed and had to be rebuilt from the ground up. The result was a town that became a freezeframe of the popular architectural styles of the 1930s, including Stripped Classicism, Spanish Mission and Art Deco. After your walking tour, you’ll have a free afternoon to do some exploring at your own pace. You might like to hire a bike to see Napier and its surrounds from a different perspective, or you could join a safari to see the largest colony of gannets in Hawke’s Bay.
Day 7 - Hawkes Bay to Wellington
This morning, make tracks for Wellington – New Zealand’s trendy capital city. After settling in, you’ll head to Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, for a behind-the-scenes tour with a local Maori guide. Your guide will take you on a personal journey, sharing stories and connections from their iwi (tribe, nation or people) as they guide you through the museum’s vast collection comprising more than 40,000 artworks including paintings, embroidery, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, moving image and more. You’ll end this special tour by sharing some traditional ‘kai’ (food). Tonight, join your group for a farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant – the perfect chance to reminisce about your North Island adventure.
Day 8 - Wellington
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend more time exploring Wellington, just get in touch with your booking agent in advance to arrange additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-09-202617-09-2026AUD $ 6,590-
08-10-202615-10-2026AUD $ 6,695-
15-10-202622-10-2026AUD $ 7,360-
22-10-202629-10-2026AUD $ 6,360-
29-10-202605-11-2026AUD $ 6,360-
05-11-202612-11-2026AUD $ 6,760-
12-11-202619-11-2026AUD $ 7,095-
23-11-202630-11-2026AUD $ 6,660-
03-12-202610-12-2026AUD $ 6,960-
10-12-202617-12-2026AUD $ 6,930-
07-01-202714-01-2027AUD $ 6,780-
11-01-202718-01-2027AUD $ 6,860-
18-01-202725-01-2027AUD $ 6,860-
28-01-202704-02-2027AUD $ 6,780-
04-02-202711-02-2027AUD $ 6,780-
08-02-202715-02-2027AUD $ 6,780-
11-02-202718-02-2027AUD $ 6,780-
15-02-202722-02-2027AUD $ 6,585-
18-02-202725-02-2027AUD $ 6,585-
22-02-202701-03-2027AUD $ 6,585-
25-02-202704-03-2027AUD $ 6,585-
11-03-202718-03-2027AUD $ 6,585-
18-03-202725-03-2027AUD $ 6,585-
01-04-202708-04-2027AUD $ 6,395-
22-04-202729-04-2027AUD $ 6,395-
03-06-202710-06-2027AUD $ 6,395-
09-09-202716-09-2027AUD $ 6,745-
07-10-202714-10-2027AUD $ 6,745-
14-10-202721-10-2027AUD $ 6,745-
21-10-202728-10-2027AUD $ 6,745-
28-10-202704-11-2027AUD $ 6,945-
04-11-202711-11-2027AUD $ 6,945-
11-11-202718-11-2027AUD $ 6,945-
18-11-202725-11-2027AUD $ 6,945-
25-11-202702-12-2027AUD $ 6,945-
02-12-202709-12-2027AUD $ 6,945-
06-12-202713-12-2027AUD $ 7,150-
09-12-202716-12-2027AUD $ 7,150-
30-12-202706-01-2028AUD $ 7,150-
06-01-202813-01-2028AUD $ 7,150-
10-01-202817-01-2028AUD $ 7,150-
13-01-202820-01-2028AUD $ 7,150-
20-01-202827-01-2028AUD $ 7,150-
24-01-202831-01-2028AUD $ 7,285-
27-01-202803-02-2028AUD $ 7,285-
03-02-202810-02-2028AUD $ 7,285-
07-02-202814-02-2028AUD $ 7,285-
10-02-202817-02-2028AUD $ 7,285-
17-02-202824-02-2028AUD $ 7,285-
21-02-202828-02-2028AUD $ 7,285-
24-02-202802-03-2028AUD $ 7,285-
02-03-202809-03-2028AUD $ 7,150-
09-03-202816-03-2028AUD $ 7,150-
16-03-202823-03-2028AUD $ 6,945-
23-03-202830-03-2028AUD $ 6,945-
30-03-202806-04-2028AUD $ 6,945-
13-04-202820-04-2028AUD $ 6,745-
20-04-202827-04-2028AUD $ 6,745-
04-05-202811-05-2028AUD $ 6,745-
21-09-202828-09-2028AUD $ 6,745-
28-09-202805-10-2028AUD $ 6,745-

Accommodation

Resort (1 nights), Hotel (6 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle, Catamaran, Ferry

Map

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