North Island Showcase - 21 Day New Zealand Itinerary

Day one.

Today about the to begin with day of one's New Zealand itinerary, you arrive in New Zealand's greatest town, Auckland.

Auckland is often a bustling town using a population of all-around one.4 million. Auckland also has the greatest Polynesian population of any town within the planet.

Often referred to because the "104 of Sails", Auckland has two organic harbours, and also a warmer weather than several other spots of New Zealand, permitting locals and website visitors to take advantage of it is fantastic place.

Check in in your accommodation, obtain your auto, and also have an excellent relaxation. Tomorrow your journey commences.

Day two.

As befits a town of this dimension, Auckland has a lot to check out and do, so you will locate it a single with the highlights of one's New Zealand itinerary.

One of Auckland's hottest points of interest is Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater planet, which was the entire world's to begin with stroll via, tunnel aquarium. right here you may see around sixty species of fish, which include rays and sharke, and breeding colonies of gentoo and king penguins.

Auckland's Sky Tower would be the Southern Hemisphere's tallest creating, at 328 metres. The high-speed elevators consider website visitors to 3 observation decks, in forty seconds, in which you might delight in 360 diploma views of Auckland and surrounds.

Waiheke Island would be the most populated and available with the Hauraki Gulf islands, and it is a thirty moment ferry experience from Auckland. The island has a number of lovely seashores, and a lot of cafes and dining establishments.

Day three.

Today your New Zealand itinerary will take you from Auckland on the lovely Bay of Islands (3.75 hrs drive).

The Bay of Islands are a tourist favorite for many years. Aptly named, the area characteristics spectacular coastal surroundings and different tiny sea aspect townships this kind of as Russell and Paihia.

Accommodation solutions are several and varied, specifically in Paihia. A h2o see is generally suggested in case your funds will allow.

Day four.

Today in your own New Zealand itinerary you will be totally free to discover the Bay of Islands.

Recommended things to do are:

* pay a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Described because the "birthplace with the nation", the historic Treaty of Waitangi was signed right here in 1840. The Treaty home and carved meeting home will not be to become missed. Maori arts and craft exhibitions, and Maori cultural exhibits really are a element with the grounds.

* consider a cruise to Cape Brett plus the Hole within the Rock, a cave that is certainly significant sufficient to accommodate significant boats.

* pay a visit to Russell. when well-known because the "Hellhole with the Pacific", Russell was notorious for it is brothels, alcohol, and lawlessness. Russell was also New Zealand's funds for a short period of time.

Accessed by a brief ferry experience from Paihia, Russell is now a charming sea aspect village with different waterfront cafes and craft retailers.

* consider a kayak trip within the bay. relaxed, obvious waters are perfect for kayaking and there are actually numerous operators supplying guided kayak tours.

Day five.

Today your New Zealand itinerary will take you south from your Bay of Islands on the equally picturesque Coromandels (5 hrs drive).

The Coromandel Peninsula extends north for 85 kilometres from your western conclude with the Bay of a lot. forty kilometres extensive at it is broadest level, the peninsula shelters the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland lies about the western aspect with the gulf and may be viewed in good weather conditions.

Check in in your hotel then you will be totally free to discover.

Day six.

Perhaps a single with the hottest and abnormal points of interest within the Coromandels, is very hot h2o seaside. A organic very hot h2o spring with the Southern conclude with the seaside is available only two hrs every single aspect of small tide. The h2o may be incredibly very hot, and acquiring a spot with the suitable temperature can be considered a problem, specifically on an incoming tide.

The area is very well well-known for its lovely seashores, and Cathedral Cove is just about the greater well-known spots. The seaside has two elements, connected by a cave (Cathedral Cove), and it is arrived at through a very well stored track. The journey will take all-around 45 minutes.

Thames, the greatest settlement about the peninsula, has an aged planet come to feel, plus the architecture within the principal road is incredibly 1900s. for those who are interested within the area's background, Thames Historical Museum is very well value a pay a visit to.

Day seven.

Today your New Zealand itinerary will take you from your Coromandels on the seaside resort of Mt Maunganui (2.5 hrs drive). positioned about the Bay of a lot, Mt Maunganui has several of New Zealand's ideal surf seashores.

There is a large assortment of accommodation in Mount Maunganui, with seaside front place suggested.

There can be a lot to check out and do within the region.

Whale viewing and swimming while using the dolphins presents you an opportunity to acquire shut to area marine everyday life, and there are actually numerous tours accessible within the region.

A "233 see" is White Island, positioned within the Bay of a lot. White Island is created up of 3 volcanic cones, and it is a single of New Zealand's most energetic volcanoes. Tours on the island may be created by boat or helicopter, and may incorporate a crater stroll if wanted. very difficult hats and gasoline masks are provided, and whilst tremors are widespread, the very last big eruption was in 2000. There are no eruptions when website visitors are about the island. The steam from your island is usually visible from your mainland.

Day eight.

Today your New Zealand itinerary will take you inland on the thermal resort of Rotorua (1.5 hrs drive).

Rotorua is a single of New Zealand's big tourist points of interest, and aside from the thermal points of interest, the region can be very well well-known for its Maori cultural displays.

Rotorua is positioned about the financial institution's of Lake Rotorua, which would be the North Island's 2nd greatest lake at eighty square kilometres.

Find a hotel, and chill out for that night.

Day nine.

Today in your New Zealand itinerary you will be totally free to discover Rotorua. there is certainly a lot to check out and do in Rotorua, as well as your time there is going to be a single with the highlights of one's New Zealand itinerary.

Perhaps the principal attraction is Te Puia, the New Zealnd Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, which involves Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. Attracting around 50 percent a million website visitors yearly, it is a single of New Zealand's principal tourist points of interest. right here you might see Maori cultural displays, Maori arts and crafts, which include intricate carvings, a absolutely carved wharenui (meeting house), plus the planet popular Pohutu geyser.

Other factors of curiosity in Rotorua are:

* the Skyline Gondola and luge experience. Cable automobiles consider the 900 metre journey on the prime of Mt Ngongotaha (487 metres) in which you might delight in spectacular views of Rotorua and surrounds. The luge experience is excellent exciting while you experience your kart down a single of 3 tracks. Then return on the prime by chairlift, and do it throughout yet again!

* Hell's Gate/Tikitere, that's regarded to become quite possibly the most energetic of Rotorua's thermal spots, consists of an energetic mud volcano and very hot waterfall.

* the Polynesian Spa, positioned lake aspect, includes a assortment of very hot pools overlooking the lake.

Day 10

Today your New Zealand itinerary will take you on the Waitomo Caves (2.5 hrs drive).

Check in in your hotel then head on the popular Waitomo Caves. The complicated involves the unforgettable Ruakuri Cave, Aranui Cave, plus the breathtaking Glowworm Caves. The caves really are a should see, so you will marvel with the exhibit as hundreds of little glowworms radiate their mild glow. pro guides will offer pro commentary about the caves background while you make your way via the complicated.

If you crave anything just a little extra adventurous, why not look at black h2o rafting. three or five hour adventures can have you jumping, weaving, abseiling, and tubing via Ruakuri Caves glowworm lit waters.

The operator, the Black h2o Rafting business, are in operation for around twenty several years, and also have guided around 50 percent a million website visitors via this underground wonderland.

Day eleven.

Today your New Zealand itinerary will take you on the Taranaki area's big centre, New Plymouth (2.5 hrs drive). positioned about the west coast with the North Island, New Plymouth is relatively one of a kind, in becoming a coastal town which includes a mountain inside of thirty minutes drive. Mount Taranaki (also well-known as Mount Egmont) stands at two,518 metres and will allow website visitors to New Plymouth to snowboard, ski, and surf, all about the exact day.

You will locate a large assortment of accommodation and issues to undertake in New Plymouth.

Day twelve.

Today your New Zealand itinerary will take you on the charming lake aspect city of Lake Taupo (4.5 hrs drive). locate your accommodation then discover soon after lunch.

Day thirteen.

There is surely an abundance of things to do in Lake Taupo. As New Zealand's greatest lake, Taupo delivers a large assortment of h2o based mostly issues to undertake. The region is popular for trout fishing, plus the Tongariro River is Lake Taupo's principal spawning river, popular for that dimension and good quality of its fish. Mountain biking, hiking, and bungy jumping are all accessible in Taupo. The area can be house to Huka lodge, a single with the very best luxurious lodges within the planet. supplying planet course accommodation, services, place, and services Huka Lodge is a thing unique.

Day 14.

Today your New Zealand itinerary will take you to Whakatane (2.5 hrs drive). positioned about the eastern aspect with the Bay of a lot, Whakatane delivers website visitors all that is certainly superior in regards to the Bay of a lot. right here you may go whale viewing, swimming with dolphins, deep sea fishing, pay a visit to the energetic volcanic White Island, mountain bicycle and hike.

Day fifteen.

Gisborne, positioned about the east coast, is often a three.5 hour drive.

Located with the north conclude of Poverty Bay, Gisborne can lay declare, not less than for portion with the yr, to becoming the to begin with town within the planet to check out the early morning sun.

Gisborne has a large assortment of accommodation, and a lot to check out and do. Deep sea fishing, trout fishing, diving, kayaking, heli tours, hiking, rafting, wine tours, and steam train journeys are just some with the things to do accessible in Gisborne and surrounds.

Day sixteen.

Today, your New Zealand itinerary will take you on the artwork deco city of Napier (3 hrs drive).

Napier is positioned on lovely Hawke's Bay, and includes a population of all-around sixty,000. potentially ideal well-known for that 1931 earthquake which levelled the city centre, Napier was rebuilt within the artwork Deco design with the time, and now hosts an annual artwork Deco weekend every single February, which attracts hundreds on the region.

Day 17.

There is a lot to check out and do in Napier and surrounds. Gorging and mountain biking are well-liked, but website visitors may consider scenic tours, pay a visit to area wineries (the popular Gimblett Gravels wine region), and delight in Napier, hailed as being a "Gourmet foods and Wine" location.

The area has a lot to provide website visitors, and like most kiwi locations, offers fantastic picture possibilities (make guaranteed that you just have a big capability memory card in your camera).

Day eighteen.

Today in your New Zealand itinerary you journey to New Zealand's funds, Wellington (4.5 hrs drive).

Check in in your accommodation and chill out for that afternoon.

Days 19