Australia
Seven days, one private guide, and the North Island's entire highlight reel.
A private guided tour from Auckland with your own guide and vehicle: Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, Hobbiton, geothermal Rotorua, Huka Falls, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Waitomo's glowworms. Accommodation, meals and entries extra.
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From
$6,889 AUD
per person
4.9 from 88 Google reviews
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The North Island's problem is abundance, beaches, volcanoes, geothermal fields, movie sets and glowworm caves, all in different directions. This seven-day private tour solves it with the luxury of a dedicated guide and vehicle: your pace, your preferences, nothing missed.
The itinerary reads like the island's own brag sheet. Cathedral Cove by boat, kayak or glass-bottom boat in its marine reserve. Hot Water Beach, where you dig your own natural spa out of the sand. The Hobbiton Movie Set. Rotorua's steaming geothermal country, gardens and living Māori culture. Huka Falls at full thunder. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a day's trek through the volcanic heart of the island, three active volcanoes in attendance. And Waitomo's glowworm caves to finish, by boat ride or adventure caving, your call.
You travel in a private vehicle with a knowledgeable guide, and the route bends around your interests. Your own accommodation, meals and attraction entry fees are paid separately, so you choose the comfort level; helicopter flights, white water rafting and thermal spas can be added too. Seven days, zero driving, the whole island.
Private vehicle and guide
Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Hobbiton and Waitomo caves
Geothermal Rotorua
Built around your interests
Leave Auckland behind and head for the Coromandel, where you pick the adventure. Cruise to Cathedral Cove by boat (glass bottom boats are an option so you can watch the marine life below), paddle there by kayak, dig your own spa pool in the sand at Hot Water Beach as heated mineral water bubbles up, or abseil, jump and slide down cascading waterfalls with canyoning in Sleeping God canyon. Prefer to unwind? Lost Spring thermal pools and a day spa are on the menu too, and diving and snorkelling are available as options. A picnic lunch is provided.
Walk through the Hobbiton Movie Set and learn the behind-the-scenes secrets of scenes filmed for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Wander past the hobbit holes, the mill and the party tree, then settle in at the Green Dragon Inn for a drink and a meal. In the evening you roll into Rotorua, famous for its geothermal activity and Maori culture, with an optional Maori cultural evening if you want it.
A full day in Rotorua. Stroll the lakefront with its views to Mokoia Island, the city and Government Gardens, and (weather permitting) the Redwood Forest, then take in the Blue Lake or Green Lake and Lake Tarawera beneath Mount Tarawera. Optional extras at your own cost include a helicopter or floatplane flight with a landing on an active volcano, the Skyline Gondola and Luge, a soak at the Polynesian Spa, white water rafting, or the Rotorua Museum.
Roll south to Taupo and start at Huka Falls, one of New Zealand's most visited and photographed natural attractions. From there it is your call: a scenic cruise or sail to the Maori rock carvings, kayaking, jet boating or white water rafting on the lake, the Wairakei golf challenge where you hit a ball 100 metres over the lake, thermal hot pools, mountain biking, bungy jumping, skydiving, quad biking and scenic flights, all optional extras.
Spend the day in the volcanic heart of the North Island. Tackle the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a hike of craters, lava flows, active volcanoes, mountain springs and emerald lakes, or choose shorter walks to waterfalls, a Lord of the Rings locations tour (Mordor, Mount Doom and Emyn Muil), or a scenic flight over the park's craters. Other options include white water rafting, kayaking and mountain biking, plus skiing and snowboarding at Mount Ruapehu in winter.
Finish underground at Waitomo, where glowworms light up the caves like stars. Take the guided cave walk with a boat float through the glowworm grotto, or go for the adventure option with jumping, abseiling, climbing and black water rafting. Then it is back to Auckland, where you are dropped off at your accommodation.
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Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.
The operator's track record
Review excerpts below are from Tripadvisor.
"Everyone who visits New Zealand should do this tour. You will learn a lot about the Māori culture and people. Also you will see the lake itself and the redwoods with the walkways up in the trees."
paulzik2025
Tripadvisor review
"But this is something you won’t see anywhere else. The glowing critters at the top of the cave are otherworldly."
paulzik2025
Tripadvisor review
"This tour offers the absolute best combination of personal warmth and cultural education."
TSSNM
Tripadvisor review
Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
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6 meals included
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4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
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7 meals included
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4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
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13 meals included
$4399 AUD
≈ $259/day
From
$6889
