Auckland To Wellington Roadtrip Via Rotorua

Welcome on board!

An early start sees us leave Auckland and head to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. This region is a favorite for Kiwis on their summer holidays and is constantly regarded as one of the most stunning parts of the world.

First, we’ll have a quick lunch stop in the picturesque holiday town of Tairua. Then, we’ll have the option to visit the famous Cathedral Cove beach, as seen in multiple Hollywood feature films. We want to note that the walking track to Cathedral Cove will remain closed for the 2023-2024 summer period. Although this is not ideal, the great news is that access from the sea is permitted! Kayaking tours and water taxis are still landing at Cathedral Cove every day, granted that the sea conditions are suitable.

Depending on the time of the tides, we may have time today or tomorrow to grab a shovel and dig a mini-jacuzzi at the unreal Hot Water Beach.

After an epic day of sun, sand, and surf, it’s time to head to our multi-share hostel with shared facilities nearby. From there, the night is yours!

Accommodation: Holiday park with shared facilities

Included activities:

• Visit Tairua township
• Dig a mini-jacuzzi at Hot Water Beach (depending on tides)

Optional activities:

• Cathedral Cove Kayaking Tour (duration: 2 hours, difficulty level: easy, what to expect: a guided tour of Cathedral Cove and the surrounding coastline)

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

After breakfast and a van-load of new friends, it’s time to head south. From the Coromandel, we’ll head to New Zealand’s cultural and geothermal mecca, Rotorua. On the way to this geothermal wonderland, you can get lost in the magical world of Hobbiton or check out some of the clearest springs you’ve ever seen at the Blue Springs.

When we arrive in Rotorua, the rest of the day is yours! You can immerse yourself in more traditional Māori culture or try out any exciting adrenaline filled activities in this town.

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

Included meals: Breakfast

Included activities:

• Indulge in the clearest waters at the Blue Springs

Optional activities:

• Hobbiton Tour (duration: 2 hours)

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

With far more to do than you can fit in just one day, we’re staying an extra night in Rotorua, so you have a full day of free time! With plenty of optional
activities on offer all around the city, we’re sure you’ll have an adventure filled day! If you are looking for free things to do for the day, please ask the tour leader about free walks and other geothermal parks you can explore

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast.
Optional activities:

• Redwood Altitude Walk (treetop walk with stunning views of the surrounding forest)
• Rotorua Zipline (zipline through the forest canopy)
• Adventure rafting (raft down the Kaituna River, home to the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall)
• Adventure sledding (ride down a steep track on a sled)
• Mount Tarawera hiking tour (guided hike to the summit of Mount Tarawera for stunning views of the surrounding lakes and mountains)
• Waimarino Glow Worms Kayak Tour (kayak through the Waimarino Glow Worm Caves)
• Skyline Rotorua (gondola ride to the top of Mount Ngongotaha for panoramic views of Rotorua and Lake Rotorua, plus three luge rides)
• Zorb Rotorua (roll down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball)

To book any of the optional activities, please speak to your tour guide.

After breakfast, it’s our last day to enjoy this culture-filled town! You’ll have free time today until the evening to tick off your NZ bucket list activities.

Later in the day, we’ll come back together and experience an evening of culture, Kai (food), and connection. This begins with a buffet at the world-famous Pātaka Kai Restaurant, Bar and Cafe, with locally sourced cuisine and an authentic Māori twist in each dish.

Following this, we’ll be led to view an exhilarating cultural performance that takes place in Te Aronui a Rua, a beautifully carved meeting house. It will include a Pōwhiri (Traditional Māori Welcome), Waiata (Song), Mōteatea (traditional chant), Poi and Haka.

Afterward, we’ll head to one of New Zealand’s most magnificent geothermal wonderlands, featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, and beautiful native bush. During this experience, you’ll be viewing the valley after hours, relaxing with a hot chocolate upon naturally heated rock seating beneath the powerful Pōhutu Geyser. You’ll also have the opportunity to see a real-life kiwi bird!

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

Included meals: Breakfast & Buffet Hangi Dinner

Included activities:

• Delicious Māori Buffet Dinner
• Exhilarating cultural performance
• Explore our magnificent geothermal wonderlands – featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, and beautiful native bush

Wake up and enjoy your last morning in RotoVegas! After breakfast, we’ll make a stop at Blue Lake, where you’ll have the opportunity to either go for a refreshing 5km morning walk or relax on the lakeside.

After the Blue Lake, we’ll make our way to the stunning Lake Taupo, but not before stopping in at a cheeky natural hot pool and the breathtaking Huka Falls. Once in Taupo, optional paid activities like bungy jumping, skydiving, or jet boat riding are on offer, or you can ask your tour leader for recommendations on some of Taupo’s lesser-known gems or the many free activities available.

For sunset, we’ll board an exclusive yacht charter with our group and sail around Lake Taupo. Dinner is provided on board, but feel free to bring a few beverages for this epic experience.

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included activities:

• Visit the breathtaking Huka Falls
• Relax at Blue Lake with the opportunity for a short walk.
• Exclusive sunset sailing charter around Lake Taupo, including dinner.

After breakfast, you’re free to explore the town of Taupo to do as many activities, or see as much as you want!

There is also an add-on option for people who want to go for a trek and tick the Tongariro Alpine Crossing off their NZ bucket list! This is heralded as the best one-day trek in New Zealand and is regarded as among the top ten single-day treks in the world. Please note that the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a challenging trek, and travelers should be prepared for all weather conditions.

Other guests are of course welcome to spend the day in Taupo exploring other activities on offer.

We will all meet back in Taupo to explore the local cuisines and hotspots with our crew! Then the night is yours!

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

Included meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities:

• Transport to and from Tongariro Crossing
• Tongariro River Rafting (enjoy grade 3 rapids on the stunning Tongariro
  River)
• Taupo Tandem Skydiving

To book any of the optional activities, please speak to your tour guide.

After breakfast, we’ll head into New Zealand’s best-kept secret, River Valley. This stunning lodge is the perfect place to relax and unwind, with its on-site café and bar, saunas, and spa. Using the lodge as a base, you can go on a rafting adventure, a horse trek, or explore some of the local rural back roads on an e-bike. Of course, you could simply relax beside the river and enjoy some delicious food, many of the ingredients of which come from the on-site organic gardens.

Tonight, you’re in for a treat as you’ll be served a Kiwi-style farm-to-table dinner. This feast is made with fresh seasonal vegetables harvested from the gardens and free-range organic or grass-

Enjoy a full-cooked breakfast before your optional rafting or horse trek! Or, if you’re looking for a more relaxed morning, simply take in the beautiful scenery.

At midday, we head south to the nation’s capital, Wellington! Once in “Welly,” we’ll grab some dinner and hit the streets of this incredible city on a local pub crawl (optional). If a pub crawl doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, no problemo! The night is yours to explore NZ’s coolest city.

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

Included meals: Breakfast

Optional activities:

• E-bike hire (get further with ease and see the sights along the waterfront)
• Local pub crawl (experience the famous nightlife of NZ’s vibrant capital!)

To book any of the optional activities, please speak to your tour guide.

After breakfast, the day is yours to explore Wellington! Visit a local cafe and try some of the city’s famous coffee, take photos of the vibrant street art, or head along to New Zealand’s famous national museum, Te Papa, which is free to enter.

Don’t forget to ask the tour leader about their favourite cafes, lunch spots and restaurants. Local recommendations are always the best!

Other things you can do in Wellington include:

• Checking out the latest exhibitions at Weta Workshop, the world-renowned special effects company behind The Lord of the Rings and Avatar films
• Riding the Wellington Cable Car to the top of Wellington Botanic Garden for stunning views of the city and harbor
• Visiting Zealandia Ecosanctuary, a unique urban wildlife sanctuary where you can see native New Zealand animals up close
• Hiking to the top of Mount Victoria Lookout for panoramic views of Wellington and the surrounding area

Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities

Included meals: Breakfast

Today is our last day in Wellington! After breakfast, we’ll wrap things up and say goodbye to all of our fellow roadies and new best mates. Your tour leader can help you plan your next journey, even if it is not with our company. Or, if you’re not ready to leave New Zealand just yet, you can join us for our 10-Day South Island Explorer tour!  This can be purchased as part of our 21-Day New Zealand Adventure!

Included meals: Breakfast