NZ Trails - 5 Day Sweet North Hiking Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ … welcome to New Zealand. Now you can relax - you are officially on holiday. Everything has been taken care of, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation.

Welcome to the New Zealand's North Island, New Zealand's beating cultural heart. A vibrant and diverse landscape made up of active geothermal areas, dormant volcanoes, pristine beaches, immense forests and subterranean wonders. After meeting your guide and fellow travellers in Auckland, we’ll head east to the white sand beaches of the Coromandel coast, a favourite spot for Kiwi’s to holiday.

View Majestic Kauri Trees on the Waiomu Kauri Walk

This afternoon we’ll stretch our legs on a hike to the Waiomu Kauri Grove. This trail makes its way through native forest to a grove of ancient Kauri trees, which hold a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders. We'll then travel through to Whitianga, our home for the evening.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Whangamata - 2 Nights

This morning we’ll travel the short distance along the Coromandel coastline to Hahei and get ready to paddle through tantalisingly turquoise waters out to Cathedral Cove. We’ll then take some time to explore the world-famous Hot Water Beach. Later this afternoon we'll make our way down to Rotorua, a rich cultural hub and geothermal wonderland where we'll spend the night.

Kayak Cathedral Cove

We’ll paddle our way through the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve exploring ancient sea caves and rock gardens along the way. Our destination is Cathedral Cove, accessible only by foot, boat or kayak, this natural rock archway joins two secluded coves shaded by magnificent pohutukawa trees.  

Explore Hot Water Beach

This afternoon we head to world-renowned Hot Water Beach, famous for the warm geothermal waters that sit just under the sand. Enjoy a stroll along this gorgeous coastline and dip your toes in the turquoise waters of the Pacific ocean. If the tides are right your guide will help you dig your very own hot pool in the sand, a true-blue Kiwi experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Set in a ‘land of lakes’, the bubbling mud pools, geysers and rising steam give Rotorua an otherworldly quality. Today, we'll visit the Te Puia geothermal park, where we will see the Māori values of manaakitanga (hospitality) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) on display.

We'll also get to witness the geothermal wonderland that the Te Whakarewarewa valley is famous for, and enjoy a hāngi (a traditional Māori feast) together. This afternoon, we’ll pop our hiking boots on and walk amongst the jaw-dropping Redwood forest on the outskirts of Rotorua.

Geothermal Wonderland, Redwoods Hike & Huka Falls

Immerse yourself in Maori culture and enjoy the beauty and power of traditional waiata (song), mōteatea (chants), poi and haka in Te Puia. See the boiling hot pools and bubbling mud, and learn how the Maori residents utilise and respect the ever-changing forces beneath their land.

Redwoods Hike & Huka Falls

We’ll walk amongst the magnificent Redwoods in Whakarewarewa forest. It’s an easy walk alongside these gentle giants that originate from California! We'll spend the night in Rotorua, a rich cultural hub and geothermal wonderland.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Rotorua - 1 Night

Tongariro is New Zealand’s oldest national park and boasts dual World Heritage site status, acknowledged for both its cultural and natural significance. Today you'll explore this moonlike landscape and discover the beauty and wonder of this incredible National Park. 

We'll spend the morning on one of our favourite sections of the Tongariro Crossing before exploring the heart of the National Park itself. You'll experience the diverse landscape, have options to explore other short walks and learn of the park's history and cultural significance from your expert local guides. This afternoon you'll have the option to walk to Taranaki Falls or enjoy some free time to explore the National Park and Whakapapa Village. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

It may be the last day of your Sweet North trip, but it’ll be one to remember as we explore the hidden depths of Waitomo, marvelling at the limestone formations, crystal tapestries and thousands of glowworms that illuminate the cave system. We’ll then make our way back to Auckland where we’ll say our farewells. If you’re heading down to the South Island to join us on another trip, we’ll help with a smooth transition.

Spellbound Waitomo Caves

The last activity of our trip is a truly magical one! We’ll visit two vastly different caves and learn all about their formation. Stepping onto a raft, you’ll be transported into a unique environment where it seems the night sky is always shining. With glow worms galore you will marvel at the constellations they seem to create! In the next cave you will slowly wander through whilst gazing at these wonderful creatures that are only found here in New Zealand!

Finish in Auckland

After emerging from underground, we’ll enjoy our last lunch together before hitting the road back to Auckland, allowing plenty of time to happily reminisce about the last five days. New friends and wonderful experiences have had their share in creating a tonne of memories to last you all the way home and beyond.

We’re happy to drop you at the airport or at your Auckland accommodation. We recommend that you combine this trip with one of our South Island itineraries to enjoy the complete New Zealand experience. The Sweet North trip works particularly well in conjunction with the Pure South, if you're short on time, or any of our longer South Island trips if you really want to leave no stone unturned.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

Inclusions

• An experienced New Zealand Trails Guide to guide you on your tour.
• Activities, hikes and guides as shown in the itinerary.
• Accommodation as indicated in your final itinerary.
• All meals.
• All local taxes and gratuities. (New Zealand is not a tipping culture. If you'd like to show your appreciation to your guides with a tip it is very much appreciated but not an expectation on our trips.)

Included hikes:

• Taranaki Falls and a short walk on the Tongariro Crossing in Tongariro National Park
• Waiomu Kauri Grove
• Redwoods Track

Included Activities

• Kayak to Cathedral Cove
• Maori culture experience including a hangi feast
• Geyser and geothermal viewing
• See glow worms and explore the Waitomo Caves

Activity Levels

The Sweet North is an activity level 2 to 3. Designed for you to have maximum flexibility. You can scale your activity level up to a 3 or down to a 2 every day so you can enjoy New Zealand at a pace that's right for you. Walk on well-formed tracks and enjoy a mixture of day walks and activities that showcase the best of New Zealand.