The Full North Island — Seven Nights from the Bay of Islands to Wellington
The longest of the one-way North Island itineraries, running from the subtropical far north to the capital without doubling back.
Journey overview
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
The longest of the one-way North Island itineraries, running from the subtropical far north to the capital without doubling back.
Journey highlights
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
- Seven nights covering the North Island end to end.
- The subtropical Bay of Islands at Paihia.
- Te Puia's geysers and boiling mud in Rotorua.
- A free day in Wellington, New Zealand's capital.
- Open-jaw routing — into Auckland, out of Wellington.
Day-by-day itinerary
You are met at Auckland Airport and transferred to your hotel. Auckland is built across a narrow isthmus between two harbours, which is why it is called the City of Sails, and the waterfront is an easy walk from most city hotels. The rest of the day is free to recover from the flight. · Auckland
You leave Auckland and travel north to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, a subtropical stretch of coast scattered with islands and inlets. The drive takes most of the day through Northland farmland and forest, and the rest of the day is free once you reach Paihia. · Bay of Islands
A free day on the bay. Two optional excursions are commonly taken here — a cruise out to the Hole in the Rock at Cape Brett, or a day north to Cape Reinga along Ninety Mile Beach. Neither is included in this package, and both are arranged and paid for locally if you want them. · Bay of Islands
After breakfast you travel from Paihia south, passing back through Auckland, and continue to Rotorua. It is a full travel day down the upper North Island, arriving in Rotorua in the evening. · Rotorua
A half-day tour of Rotorua taking in Te Puia and its thermal valley of geysers and boiling mud pools. You then travel to Rainbow Springs to see trout and native wildlife, and on to the Agrodome sheep show. Rotorua sits on an active geothermal field and you will smell it before you see it. · Rotorua
You travel south from Rotorua to Wellington, passing Taupo and the lake that fills New Zealand's largest volcanic crater. The road runs down the spine of the island through pine forest and farmland before reaching the capital on its harbour in the evening. · Wellington
A free day in the capital. Wellington is compact, built steeply around a harbour, and the waterfront, cable car and the national museum are all within walking distance of the centre. Nothing is scheduled, so the day is entirely yours to use as you choose. · Wellington
Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and a transfer to Wellington Airport for your onward flight. Wellington's airport sits close to the city on a narrow isthmus. Your onward flight is not part of this package, so allow the check-in time your airline requires.
What's included & excluded
Exactly what your journey covers — set out clearly, with no surprises, so you know precisely what to expect.
Included
- Seven nights' accommodation — Auckland, the Bay of Islands, Rotorua and Wellington.
- Daily breakfast at the hotel, from Day 2 to Day 8.
- Private airport transfer on arrival, Auckland Airport to your hotel.
- Private airport transfer on departure, your hotel to Wellington Airport.
- Surface travel Auckland to the Bay of Islands, on to Rotorua, and on to Wellington via Taupo, on a seat-in-coach basis.
- Half-day Rotorua tour including Te Puia thermal valley, Rainbow Springs and the Agrodome sheep show, on a seat-in-coach basis.
Excluded
- GST is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- TCS is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- International airfare is extra and is not included.
- Domestic and internal airfare is extra and is not included.
- Visa is extra and is not included — visa fees, associated service charges, airport taxes and any related charges.
- Travel insurance is extra and is not included.
- All meals other than the daily breakfasts listed above. The source operator states plainly that its FIT tours do not include any lunch or dinner, and no lunch or dinner transfer is provided.
- Drinks with meals.
- Any optional activity, scenic flight, cruise or admission described as optional or recommended rather than included.
- Any sightseeing, entry ticket or excursion not specifically listed under Inclusions.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal expenses — laundry, telephone, minibar, and anything of a personal nature.
- Early check-in and late check-out charges, and any hotel upgrade.
- City taxes or resort fees charged directly by the hotel.
- Anything not specifically listed under Inclusions.
Related to this journey
Every destination on this journey has its own guide — attractions, where to stay and what to eat — and the journeys that pair with this one are a click away.
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