Best of the North 5 Day Deluxe Tour
5 days starting in Auckland
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New Zealand tour itinerary name and information
Thrifty Tours

Best of the North 5 Day Deluxe Tour

Explore the best of the North Island. Cruise the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands, see the famous Hole in the Rock, explore ancient limestone caves, discover a Maori Village and enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn after your tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set.

Tour summary and feature

About this NZ Road Trip

Seat-in-Coach Touring

This suggested tour costs from NZD$2,169 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland

5 days/4 nights

Hotel 4 star

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 9 times in the last 7 days

Also included in this package
- Shuttle Transfer between Paihia Coach Depot to Copthorne
- Shuttle Transfer - Paihia Accommodation to Coach Depot
- Private Transfer - Rotorua Intercity Bus Stop to Rotorua Accommodation with Ready2Roll
4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 special dinner
price pp from

NZD$2,169

twin share/double
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Detailed itinerary for this New Zealand Road Trip

Day 1 - Head north to Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Best of the North 5 Day Deluxe Tour - Day 1
Auckland to Paihia by InterCity Coach

Heading north to the Bay of Islands takes you along the coast road past the seaside villages of Orewa and Waiwera. Then its on to the township of Puhoi, New Zealand's only Bohemian settlement, then Warkworth and the harbour side city of Whangarei and the unique township of Kawakawa. Arriving into the sub tropical Bay of Islands you are greeted with bush clad hillsides dropping to golden sand beaches. Paihia is the main tourist centre in the bay and has a great beach side atmosphere.

Shuttle Transfer - between Paihia Coach Depot and Copthorne Hotel

On arrival, you will be met by a Total Tours representative. If your transfer has not arrived within 5 minutes of the designated pick up time, please phone the number provided and get them to locate the pre-booked transfer for you.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds Guided Tour and Cultural Performance

Waitangi is one of New Zealand's most historic sites where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the local Maori and the British Government. This two day pass allows you access to the Treaty of Waitangi Grounds and includes admission to the Te Kōngahu Museum and Te Rau Aroha Museum and a Maori Cultural performance. During your guided tour, you'll learn about the history of the treaty and discover the stories and events that shaped New Zealand. The cultural performance inside the carved meeting house includes waiata (singing), poi, a display of Maori weaponry and the haka - a war dance New Zealand is well known for.

Your accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands is located within the Waitangi Treaty grounds, surrounded by native bush and the beautiful Bay of Islands Harbour.

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Day 2 - Hole in the Rock Cruise

Best of the North 5 Day Deluxe Tour - Day 2
SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach Full Day Tour

Journey to the very tip of the North Island and uncover a region of rich Māori tradition along the way on an unforgettable full-day tour. Travel along the sand-swept shore of Ninety Mile Beach in our purpose-built coach. Climb the massive sand dunes at Te Paki Stream and experience the thrill of sand-boarding. In Māori tradition, Cape Reinga or Te Rerenga Wairua is the place where spirits depart on their long journey back to the homeland. Stand at the northernmost point of New Zealand and drink in the panoramic views. As you stand beneath the iconic lighthouse, and watch the Tasman Sea and the mighty Pacific Ocean collide far below, you'll feel the power of this special place. Throughout the day your local driver guide will provide an entertaining and thought-provoking insight into the culture, history and natural wonders of the Far North. Your tour also includes a delicious locally prepared lunch to keep you fuelled throughout the day.

Hole in the Rock Cruise with Fullers GreatSights

Board your cruise and take in the stunning views as you glide out through the islands and along the Rakaumangamanga Peninsula to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over and Piercy Island/Motukōkako, or as it is popularly known the ‘Hole in the Rock’. According to Māori legend, local warriors used to paddle through the Hole in the Rock in their canoes before departing for battle. Drops of water from the cave roof above were a good omen. If conditions permit, your skipper will expertly guide the ship through the narrow space. Keep an eye out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life during your cruise, and have your camera ready as you get up close to the action. The purpose-built catamaran is licensed by DOC (the Department of Conservation) for dolphin viewing and the crew have years of experience locating dolphins in these waters. Dolphin Seeker has indoor and outdoor seating available, and the largest outdoor viewing decks in the Bay of Islands.

Your accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands is located within the Waitangi Treaty grounds, surrounded by native bush and the beautiful Bay of Islands Harbour.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Day 3 - Today return through Auckland and onto the city of Rotorua

Best of the North 5 Day Deluxe Tour - Day 3
Shuttle Transfer - Paihia Accommodation to Coach Depot

Today you will be met by a Total Tours representative and will be transferred to the Paihia Intercity Coach Depot.If your transfer has not arrived within 5 minutes of the designated pick up time, please phone the number provided and get them to locate the pre-booked transfer for you.

Paihia to Rotorua by Intercity Coach

Your journey will take you past scenic native forests and sub-tropical bush, before crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge to arrive into the spectacular city scene of Auckland. Continue south into the rich farmland of the Waikato and onto the cultural heart of the North Island and Rotorua City.

Private Transfer - Rotorua Intercity Bus Stop to Rotorua Accommodation with Ready2Roll

You will be collected from Rotorua Bus Stop and transferred to your city accommodation.

Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Millennium Hotel is Rotorua's largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Day 4 - Travel to Hobbiton and then onto Rotorua, visit Tamaki Maori Village this evening

Best of the North 5 Day Deluxe Tour - Day 4
Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with Gray Line

Take a journey from Rotorua to famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located inside a picturesque 1,250 acre sheep and beef farm near Matamata. Here, take a guided tour of the village of Hobbiton, which was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. During your guided tour of this amazing location you’ll see sights like Hobbit holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, enjoy a tasty lunch in the Party Marquee and then return back to Rotorua.

Te Pā Tū Evening Maori Cultural Experience

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, Tamaki Māori Village presents TE PĀ TŪ. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. 

Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Millennium Hotel is Rotorua's largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Speciality Dinner

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Day 5 - Rotorua to Auckland including a Waitomo Caves Tour

Best of the North 5 Day Deluxe Tour - Day 5
Rotorua to Auckland with Waitomo and Ruakuri Caves Tour with FlexiToursNZ

Ruakuri Cave offers a captivating blend of Waitomo’s most compelling subterranean experiences. Journey down through the spectacular spiral entrance, and marvel at the softly folding shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries, hear the distant thunder of the subterranean waterfalls and get up close to the glowworms.
Ruakuri Cave is New Zealand’s longest guided underground walking tour and an experience that must be seen to be believed. It will leave you open-mouthed, awe-struck, and humbled by the sheer majesty of nature.

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