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Peregrine Travel Centre

New Zealand’s North Island Adventure (Northbound)

New Zealand’s North Island Adventure (Northbound)

From $ 1,855 AUD

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Description

Wherever you lay your eyes in New Zealand’s North Island, there’s something remarkable to look at. Spend eight unforgettable days soaking up sunshine and hopping between beaches, lakes, villages and cities. A local leader will show you the best bits of this spectacular island as you jump off from trendy Wellington, marvel at the sight of Lake Taupo, learn about local culture in a Maori village, take in the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and chill out on the beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula before wrapping up in lively Auckland. Of all New Zealand’s assets, its people top the list, so embrace a warm welcome from the locals as you explore their beautiful backyard.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating “twin-share” when you manage your booking on our website.

Trip Name
New Zealand's North Island Adventure (Northbound)
Last Updated
2024-04-24
Days
8
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Kick off your adventure in Wellington, New Zealand’s cool little capital city. Your local leader will introduce you to the city’s creative endeavours and local hangouts.
  • Chill out next to New Zealand’s largest lake in Taupo. Whether you fancy bungy-jumping, sky diving, kayaking or relaxing, Taupo has something for you.
  • Head to a Maori village where profits from your visit are fed back into the community, learn the haka and Maori weaving before tucking into a traditional hangi dinner
  • Experience the geothermal delights of Rotorua, watch New Zealand’s largest geyser erupt and observe adorable kiwis in a nocturnal house at a conservation centre.
  • A little piece of paradise awaits on the Coromandel Peninsula – dig your own natural hot tub on Hot Water Beach and check out the much-photographed Cathedral Cove.

Itinerary

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world, and there are plenty of opportunities for you to customise your itinerary with as much adrenaline as you like. However please note that a lot of activities you may be interested in can sell out well in advance of your arrival. To ensure you have the opportunity to participate in your chosen activities and don’t miss out due to unavailability, we have made a selection of those activities available to be pre-booked via your booking agent. See below a list of activities you can pre-book. • Bay of Islands - Island Hopper Day Cruise (Oct to May only) • Bay of Islands - Lagoon Bay Cruise (Oct to May) • Bay of Islands - Discover Scuba Diving • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove Kayaking • Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour • Rotorua - Mount Tarawera Crater Hike • Rotorua - Guided Glowworm Kayak, Hot Pools & Dinner • Rotorua - Forest Ziplining Canopy Tour (Original 3 hours) • Rotorua - Forest Ziplining Canopy Tour (Ultimate 3.5 hours) • Rotorua - Whitewater Rafting • Taupo - Water Touch Bungy • Taupo - Lake Taupo Sailing Adventure • Taupo - Tongariro Crossing Return Shuttle to/from Trail Head (Nov-Apr only) • Wellington - Weta Workshop Cave Tour • Kaikoura - Dolphin Watching Cruise • Kaikoura - Whale Watching Cruise • Queenstown - Kawarau Bridge Bungy • Queenstown - Shotover River Jet Boat Ride • Queenstown - Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour • Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip • Queenstown - Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Day Trip • Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Fly Day Trip • Queenstown - Nevis Bungy • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk • Wanaka - Waterfall Climbing • Franz Josef - Glacier Lake Kayaking • Franz Josef - Glacier Heli Hike • Franz Josef - Heli Experience with Snow Landing • Punakaiki - Skeleton Crew Bone Carving • Abel Tasman National Park - Sailing & Walking Excursion • Abel Tasman National Park - Canyoning Not all activities may be available on your particular departure (please check the destinations your trip visits), and the list of activities is not exhaustive, as there are other optional activities that can be booked either via your leader or the relevant supplier on the ground. Please consult with your booking agent should you have any questions or require any further information on any of these activities. Prices are approximate and subject to change without notice, are for entrance 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. 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 leaders 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. 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.

Day 1 - Wellington / Taupo
Welcome to the North Island! Your adventure begins in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, where you’ll meet up with your local leader and new travel buddies for an 8am welcome meeting. Wellington is as cool and creative as it is windy (and it’s thought to be the windiest city in the world!). After your meeting, your leader will show you around the capital. Depending on the interests of the group, this may include a visit to Weta Workshop of Lord of the Rings fame, the parliament buildings, cable car and Mt Victoria. Then it’s time to leave the city behind and drive on to Taupo, nestled into the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. With calm waters fringed by mountains, this is one of the prettiest spots in the country.
Day 2 - Taupo
The day is yours to enjoy all Taupo has to offer. Chill out lakeside to soak in the inspiring views, or get active and take on one of the awesome hiking trails in the area. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the Tongariro Crossing in the nearby Tongariro National Park is considered one of the best one-day walks in the world (but it’s not for the faint hearted!). Carved into the cliff faces surrounding Lake Taupo you’ll find 14-metre-tall Maori artwork that can only be accessed by boat. Want to relax and unwind? A visit to the natural hot pools at Otumuheke Stream is a must! However you decide to spend the day, it’s sure to be one to remember.
Day 3 - Taupo / Murupara
Travel today to the Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara – the majority of proceeds from the activities you take part in here are fed back into the local community. You’ll be greeted by a Maori elder who will show you around the Ngati Manawa Tribal Lands while sharing the history and culture of this tribe. Meet with other members of the village and learn a famous haka war dance, then weave a plate for tonight’s dinner out of flax plants. Dinner tonight is one for the books – tuck into a traditional hangi meal, cooked underground to create a delicious, earthy flavour.
Day 4 - Rotorua
Your journey continues as you drive north towards Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and the pervasive sulphur smell it lends the town. Fluorescent lakes, bubbling mud pools, active volcanoes and dramatic geysers punctuate the landscape here, making it feel like you’re on another planet. Stop off at a thermal park to get your first look at Rotorua’s otherworldly landscapes, then continue into the town where your leader will show you around the Government Gardens and pleasant lakefront. End the day with a visit to the Te Puia Maori Village, where you’ll get firsthand insight into Maori culture. You’ll also have the chance to see Pohutu, New Zealand’s largest geyser, in action – this is a sight that will blow you away! A visit to the kiwi conservation centre will allow you to observe this endearing nocturnal bird as it behaves at night.
Day 5 - Rotorua
There’s so much to see and do in Rotorua, so today is free to discover it all. Have a chat to your local leader for tips on how to get the most out of your day here. You may like to take an unforgettable stroll through Kuirau Park, surrounded by bubbling and boiling mud pools. If you feel like getting your heart racing, the Kaituna River is one of the world’s top white water rafting destinations. Choose to head deep into one of New Zealand’s most ancient forests for an exhilarating eco canopy adventure, learning about the native wildlife and ecology as you zipline from tree to tree. Or take a guided kayak trip where you’ll enjoy a fun-filled evening of hot pools (which are only accessible by boat), BBQ dinner and paddling through magical glow worm caves.
Day 6 - Coromandel Peninsula
We start today with a visit to Hobbiton, an absolute must-do on the way through Matamata. On a fully guided tour of the set you will see Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and even enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. This afternoon we head to the Coromandel Peninsula, a land of beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. Take a walk along the clifftops and down to Cathedral Cove, one of the region’s most beautiful and photogenic spots – the rock arches, columns and pristine beaches are a truly impressive sight. While here you may like to take the chance to explore the coastline on a guided kayaking tour – if you do, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins swimming alongside the boat!
Day 7 - Coromandel Peninsula / Auckland
Of all the Coromandel Peninsula’s marvellous beaches, one stands out above the rest. Hot Water Beach is made famous by the warm waters that run beneath its sand, meaning all you need to do to make your own hot tub is dig a hole. Visit at low tide and get digging – unwinding in a natural hot tub on the beach is an experience second to none. Complete the final stretch of your journey as you travel to Auckland, hugging the glittering on your way there. New Zealand’s biggest city has a privileged location where you’re never far from the water, and the dining and nightlife scene is up there with the best of them. As it’s your last night together, you may like to head out for a final dinner with the group before saying your goodbyes.
Day 8 - Auckland
Your North Island adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time getting to know Auckland, just get in touch ahead of time and we’d be happy to arrange extra accommodation (subject to availability).

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
06-05-202413-05-2024AUD $ 1,855-
05-07-202412-07-2024AUD $ 1,855-
13-09-202420-09-2024AUD $ 2,045-
01-11-202408-11-2024AUD $ 2,045-
06-12-202413-12-2024AUD $ 2,125-
12-12-202419-12-2024AUD $ 2,125-
24-12-202431-12-2024AUD $ 2,125-
04-01-202511-01-2025AUD $ 2,125-
13-01-202520-01-2025AUD $ 2,125-
10-02-202517-02-2025AUD $ 2,125-
15-02-202522-02-2025AUD $ 2,125-
22-02-202501-03-2025AUD $ 2,125-
19-03-202526-03-2025AUD $ 2,045-
30-03-202506-04-2025AUD $ 2,045-
20-04-202527-04-2025AUD $ 2,045-
27-05-202503-06-2025AUD $ 2,045-

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (7 nights)

Transport

Private Vehicle

Map

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