12-day North & South Island highlights
Auckland → Rotorua → Te Anau → Queenstown → Franz Josef …
PDF planner for 12-day North & South Island highlights (opens in a new tab)Lifestyle & nature itinerary · by Michael Nees
12-day North Island hidden treasures itinerary
The North Islands Hidden Treasures itinerary is designed for travellers wanting to get away from standard tourism routes. Exploring authentic New Zealand.
Highlights
- Explore Auckland
- Explore The Coromandel
- Explore Rotorua
- Explore Tongariro National Park
- Explore New Plymouth
- Explore Waikato
Day by day
- Day 1
Auckland
Meet your private driver at the Auckland Airport arrival gate and transfer to your hotel. If you're arriving early, try to stay awake as long as possible to beat jet lag.
Stay: Franklin 38
- Optional extraSky Tower
- Optional extraThe Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraExplore America's Cup Sailing Auckland (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraKelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium
- Day 2
The Coromandel
Pick-up your rental car and travel to the Coromandel Peninsula.
- Day 3
The Coromandel
Explore the Coromandels.
Stay: Mussel Bed Boutique Holiday Accommodation
- HighlightCathedral Cove Kayak Tours (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraHahei Explorer
- Optional extraKiwi Dundee Adventures 1 Day Coromandel Circuit
- Day 4
Rotorua
Travel via Bay of Plenty to Rotorua.
- Day 5
Rotorua
Explore the Rotorua area.
Stay: Regent of Rotorua (opens in a new tab)
- HighlightRotorua Canopy Tours (opens in a new tab)
- HighlightMitai Maori Village (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraHobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tours (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraVolcanic Air
- RecommendedPolynesian Spa
- RecommendedWingspan National Bird of Prey Centre (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraRedwoods Treewalk (opens in a new tab)
- Day 6
Tongariro National Park
Continue travelling via Lake Taupo to the Tongariro National Park.
Stay: Tongariro Suites @ The Rocks
- Optional extraHukafalls Jet (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraOrakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave (opens in a new tab)
- RecommendedHuka Falls (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraWai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
- Optional extraWaimangu Volcanic Valley (opens in a new tab)
- Day 7
Tongariro National Park
Explore the Tongariro National Park.
Stay: Tongariro Suites @ The Rocks
- Good to knowTongariro National Park
- RecommendedTongariro Alpine Crossing (opens in a new tab)
- Day 8
New Plymouth
Travelling via the 'Forgotten Highway' to New Plymouth in the Taranaki region.
- Day 9
New Plymouth
Explore the Taranaki region.
Stay: Hosking House (opens in a new tab)
- Good to knowMount Taranaki (opens in a new tab)
- RecommendedTe Rewa Rewa Bridge & coastal walk
- RecommendedGovett-Brewster Art Gallery (opens in a new tab)
- RecommendedPukekura Park & Pukeiti Rhododendron Gardens
- RecommendedWalks Mr Egmont / Taranaki National Park (opens in a new tab)
- RecommendedTrades & Whalers & Tawhiti Museum in Hawera
- RecommendedClimb Paritutu Rock near harbour
- Day 10
Waikato
Travel to the Waitomo region.
- Day 11
Waikato
Explore the Waitomo region.
Stay: Kamahi Cottage (opens in a new tab)
- HighlightRuakuri Cave Tour (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraWaitomo Glowworm Caves
- Optional extraWaitomo Black Labyrinth (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraWaitomo Adventures Lost World 4 Hour (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraHairy Feet Scenic Film Location Tour (opens in a new tab)
- Day 12
Otewa
Travel back to Auckland or extend your stay in New Zealand.
Some links earn Virtual Journeys a small commission, at no extra cost to you.