The Self Drive North Island Adventurer Itinerary

Welcome to Auckland! Today is a day to relax from your flight after you are transferred to your accommodation as the next twelve days will provide some of the most pristine landscapes and thrilling experiences imaginable. Auckland City is situated amongst a cluster of extinct volcanic cones, next to a large harbour that bustles with life, both on water and on land. The Auckland isthmus straddles a slim piece of land with coastline facing both the Pacific Ocean, and, on the wild West Coast, the Tasman Sea. 

Take a stroll around our beautiful city, explore the highly acclaimed Waterfront Restaurant Quarter or choose one of the many activities available to give a more in depth understanding of Auckland and the surrounding area.

Activity and sightseeing options if you have time:

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Collect your rental vehicle this morning and make your way North. This sub-tropical region has the finest maritime park in New Zealand with 144 islands, secluded bays, and an abundance of marine life including marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other species. It is one of the most picturesque and popular holiday sites in New Zealand. It combines great fishing, amazing Sailing and other water sports with some of New Zealand's most significant historic sites. One of the most popular attractions is the Hole in the Rock, off Cape Brett. You can take a boating trip through the hole in a huge rock outcrop. Also popular are Dolphin Swimming and diving trips to the sunken Rainbow Warrior Wreck or a round of Golf at Kauri Cliffs.

Approximate Distance: 230 kms | 133 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins
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Accommodation: Paihia - 1 Night

This is a sailing paradise and unsurprisingly a favourite cruising ground for many a keen Kiwi sailor. So enjoy the Bay of Islands the way the locals do, on a boat with a small group of like-minded people, spend carefree days in an incredible setting doing the things you enjoy, take in the natural beauty at a leisurely pace.

This is an all-inclusive sailing expedition gives you three magical days of kayaking, snorkeling, fishing and exploring. Enjoy the diversity of the Bay of Islands first-hand and learn about the area’s fascinating history. It’s the perfect start to your New Zealand holiday. 

No other trip will let you explore this unique area in quite the same way.

Sample Itinerary Day 1: Depart Paihia wharf at 8am. Spend the morning at sea, catching fish and spotting wildlife. Lunch stop at Roberton Island followed by a walk to a lookout and swimming/snorkelling. Afternoon sail to Oke Bay for our overnight stop. Evening kayak/ beach combing and bbq dinner.

Accommodation: 2 Nights Sailing

Sample Itinerary Day 2: 8am breakfast followed by a sail to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Hike to Cape Brett lighthouse followed by fishing and a sail to Deepwater Cove. Snorkelling in the marine reserve in Deep Water Cove. Sail to Waewaetorea Island. Sunset dinner on deck. 

NB: This is a sample itinerary. The routes and activities are entirely weather dependent. Basically, the cruise is best described as island-hopping, with a few hours of passage making followed by an exploration of our destination and a good meal.

Sample Itinerary Day 3:  8am breakfast followed by a walk to the top of Waewaetorea for a panoramic view of the Bay of Islands. A few hours spent relaxing on the beach,kayaking, snorkelling. Sail to the Black Rocks to harvest green-lipped mussels for lunch. Fresh seafood lunch followed by a sail in the afternoon seabreeze back to Paihia. Arrive Paihia around 3.30/4pm. Then its a very short 1 hour drive to Tutukaka.

Approximate Distance: 90 kms | 56 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Accommodation: Tutukaka - 2 Nights

The Coromandel Peninsula lies east of Auckland, on the other side of the Hauraki Gulf. An impressive, heavily forested mountain range runs right up the middle of this peninsula - it’s bordered on each side by kilometres of spectacular coastline. On the west coast, there’s a never-ending parade of beaches, coves and harbours lined with pohutukawa trees. The eastern side is furnished with an amazing collection of white sand and surf beaches. 

The coastal nature of the Coromandel makes it a brilliant choice if you like to fish, surf, dive, snorkelling, swim or wander along beaches. For contrast you can head for the hills and hike the trails in the-forest.

Approximate Distance: 360 kms | 224 miles  Total Driving Time: 5 hours 30 mins
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Accommodation: Hahei - 2 Nights

Cathedral Cove at Hahei is a ‘Blue Lagoon’ fantasy scene and today you will paddle through amazing sea caves, explore offshore islands, snorkel the marine reserve. When conditions & tides allow, we have the option of paddling spectacular volcanic remains rarely seen by other travellers that are littered with caves, tunnels & blowholes. This tour offers great photo opportunities and is topped off with cappuccinos, hot chocolates and cookies on the beach at Cathedral Cove. From first timers to experienced kayakers, this small group tour caters to all levels and abilities.

If time allows today we recommend travelling further south magical thermal springs bubble up through the sand at the beautiful Hot Water Beach. Dig your own hot pool in the sand and soak in the water.

Rotorua, the heartland of New Zealand, is the host to some of the world’s most incredible forces. Surrounded by the unmistakable smell of sulphur, geysers and clouds of steam magically appear around the city giving it an incredible 'other worldly' feel. Here lives wonders like the Pohutu geyser, which erupts 20 times a day and can spout up to 100 feet. All around this geothermal hotspot there are mud pools that bubble and belch, warm geothermal pools and ponds and hot spring bath’s that create a kaleidoscope of colour.

With a deep-rooted Maori cultural heritage spanning from the 14th century, Rotorua is still considered Māori cultural centre of New Zealand. The first Māori inhabitant’s constructed villages and made use of the thermal areas boiling water. This natural resource successfully aided them in the use of cooking and warmth for houses, eliminating the dependence of fire. Here you can explore the unique culture of New Zealand’s Māori people.

Approximate Distance: 215 kms | 135 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Rotorua - 1 Night

Grade 5 White Water Rafting - The 'Mighty Kaituna River'

The Kaituna River offers the most exhilarating white water rafting in New Zealand and is ranked a grade 4/5 with 15 fast and furious rapids before you hit the highest commercially rafted waterfall known at 7 meters. The flora and exposed geological history provide an equally breathtaking experience as you drift through steep gorges and native bush. 70% of the people trying this have never rafted before - so adventurous beginners are welcome – Yeehaa!!

Impressive is the word best used to describe Lake Taupō! Lake Taupō is set amidst clean, green countryside, spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful native bush and some of the largest pine forests in the Southern Hemisphere. Thermal activity in this region includes natural hot pools and springs, steaming craters and boiling mud pools. Visit the Huka Falls look out and the Prawn Farm, take a jet boat down the Waikato river to see the Huka Falls or even better do the full on Rapids Jet experience. For a real thrill, partake in the New Zealand craze of bungy jumping or sky dive from 15,000 ft.

Approximate Distance: 80 kms | 50 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour
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​Accommodation: Taupo - 1 Night

The 20.4km (12 mile) Tongariro Alpine Crossing is considered to the best hike in New Zealand and deservedly so! Located in the Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO Dual World Heritage site, this hike will take approximately 7-8 hours to complete. This tour departs early to give you the National Park mostly to yourself as you cross a spectacular landscape of lava flows, steaming vents and crater lakes. Shaped by volcanic and glacial activity over the last 275,000 years, the crossing offers a unique experience, found nowhere else in New Zealand. This is a fully guided small group trip, no previous experience is necessary but a good level of fitness is required in order to fully enjoy this day. 

Approximate Distance: 100 kms | 62 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Accommodation: Tongariro National Park - 1 Night

The green rolling landscapes of the Waikato region lies to the south of Auckland and boasts an extensive labyrinth of underground caverns that formed millions of years ago and are now a major tourist attraction. The small and pleasant town of Waitomo is the focal point of the region’s subterranean wonders. The caves at Waitomo are one of New Zealand's most commanding wonders – a celebration of nature's work over the last one hundred thousand years. There are hundreds of miles of labyrinthine caves, glow-worms, under ground lakes, stalactites and stalagmites, and all manner of limestone crustaceans - a lost world waiting to be discovered. Above ground, the area around Waitomo is also popular for horse riding and bush walking.

The Lost World Caving – Waitomo

This is Waitomo’s ultimate adventure and it is dramatic! The day starts with a 100 meters abseil (330ft) - the world’s longest commercial caving abseil and it takes at least fifteen odd minutes, to get you into the Lost World – and that is just the beginning! 

Approximate Distance:  145 kms | 90 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours

Accommodation: Waitomo - 1 Night

Haere rā and Bon Voyage!

There maybe time for some last minute sightseeing or shopping before making your way for your outbound flight. We know you will love the Self Drive New Zealand North Island Adventurer and our promise was to make your travels in New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Approximate Distance: 190 kms | 118 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Ready to find out more? Talk to us here in New Zealand about the 'Self Drive New Zealand North Island Adventurer' - We Guarantee it will be the Experience of a Lifetime!