Intrepid Travel
New Zealand Northern Trail (Northbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Northbound)
As far as road trips go, it doesn’t get much better than this. Beginning in New Zealand’s creative capital city Wellington, spend 10-days discovering the best of the North Island with a local leader at the wheel. Explore the ethereal landscapes of Tongariro National Park, tuck into a hangi dinner with a Maori community in Rotorua, hang out or hang ten in relaxed Raglan, stretch out on the beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula and wrap things up in Auckland City. From stunning sights that stop you in your tracks to celebrations of the island’s Maori culture, this North Island adventure is sure to excite, educate and inspire.
Activities
- Wellington – Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
- Taupo – Huka Falls
- Rotorua – Redwood Forest Canopy Walk
- Rotorua – Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- Rotorua – Pohutu Geyser
- Rotorua – Hangi Dinner & Haka Dance
- Raglan – Fish & Chips Dinner
- Raglan – Sunset Boat Cruise
- Waitomo – Ruakuri Bush Walk
- Coromandel Peninsula – Cathedral Cove
- Coromandel Peninsula – Hot Water Beach
Highlights
- Begin your journey in New Zealand’s creative and cosmopolitan capital, Wellington. Your local leader will show you the best of the city, including Weta Workshop of Lord of the Rings fame.
- Admire the out of this world landscapes of Tongariro National Park, from emerald green lakes to soaring volcanic peaks. If you’re up for the challenge, tackle the famous Tongariro Crossing.
- Discover the diversity of Rotorua, from unbelievable geothermal activity to rich Maori culture. Visit a Maori village for a hangi dinner and traditional haka performance.
- Hang out or hang ten in Raglan, a laidback town and surfing hotspot. Hop aboard a boat cruise around Raglan to watch the sunset and tuck into a classic Kiwi fish and chips dinner.
- Soak up the natural beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula, including a visit to Hot Water Beach, where all you need is a spade to create your own natural hot tub.
| Day 1 |
On Cook Strait sits Wellington, New Zealand's charming windy city. Must-sees here include the waterfront, the lovely beaches, and the Wellington Cable Car that takes riders to botanical gardens. For cultural exposure, visit The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, with its Maori national treasures and art gallery. Wellington Zoo is another key attraction, and features Tahi, a one-legged kiwi, as its mascot. |
| Day 2 |
On Cook Strait sits Wellington, New Zealand's charming windy city. Must-sees here include the waterfront, the lovely beaches, and the Wellington Cable Car that takes riders to botanical gardens. For cultural exposure, visit The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, with its Maori national treasures and art gallery. Wellington Zoo is another key attraction, and features Tahi, a one-legged kiwi, as its mascot. |
| Day 3 |
Lake Taupo, New Zealand offers a premier trout fishing experience. The famed sight fishing for large Brown & Rainbow trout is arguably the finest in the world. Located New Zealand's North Island, Lake Taupo is an all year round sight fishing destination. Surrounded by high country lakes, rivers and mountain streams, the spectacular New Zealand scenery is sure to amaze. |
| Day 4 |
Lake Taupo, New Zealand offers a premier trout fishing experience. The famed sight fishing for large Brown & Rainbow trout is arguably the finest in the world. Located New Zealand's North Island, Lake Taupo is an all year round sight fishing destination. Surrounded by high country lakes, rivers and mountain streams, the spectacular New Zealand scenery is sure to amaze. |
| Day 5 |
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| Day 6 |
Natural wonders await you in the steaming, geothermally active North Island city of Rotorua, New Zealand. Pohutu Geyser erupts several times per day, and blistering mud pools provide a truly unique sightseeing experience. When in Rotorua, tourists also visit its living Maori village, as well as Te Puia (New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute), where weaving and woodcarving is featured. Those not afraid of heights can get a bird's eye view on the Skyline Rotorua gondola, and more earthbound souls can reinvigorate themselves at the Polynesian Spa wellness center, with its hot pools and therapies. |
| Day 7 |
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| Day 8 |
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| Day 9 |
A veritable paradise on Earth, Auckland combines the best of both worlds – a thrilling urban metropolis surrounded by striking natural areas, sparkling blue water, and colorful wildlife. New Zealand’s cultural and recreational hub, beautiful Auckland has something for everyone. Museums, art galleries, and other culture-rich sites abound near Auckland’s city center. History buffs will appreciate the Auckland War Memorial Museum or the New Zealand Maritime Museum on Viaduct Harbour, while art enthusiasts will relish in the vast art collections housed at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Be sure to peruse the famous Maori Portraits exhibit, a display featuring powerful portraits of the Maori peoples indigenous to New Zealand and Polynesia. You won’t have to venture far from the city to experience some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders! Rugged Rangitoto Island is perfect for hikes, surrounded with stunning volcanic rock and lava fields, and provides a spectacular vantage point to observe Auckland across the harbor. Maungawhau, or Mount Eden, is another of the city’s volcanic wonders; its verdant crater is a sight to behold and remains one of Auckland’s most visited attractions. Head to Waiheke Island to visit Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary, a protected wildlife sanctuary where some of New Zealand’s most eye-catching fauna roam, or hit the beaches of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park to take in the glittering ocean views and soak up some sun. Travel two hours south to marvel at New Zealand’s rolling green hills when you explore the immersive set for The Shire, the fictional village from the ever-popular Lord of the Rings novels and film franchise. Auckland, New Zealand awaits you! |
| Day 10 |
A veritable paradise on Earth, Auckland combines the best of both worlds – a thrilling urban metropolis surrounded by striking natural areas, sparkling blue water, and colorful wildlife. New Zealand’s cultural and recreational hub, beautiful Auckland has something for everyone. Museums, art galleries, and other culture-rich sites abound near Auckland’s city center. History buffs will appreciate the Auckland War Memorial Museum or the New Zealand Maritime Museum on Viaduct Harbour, while art enthusiasts will relish in the vast art collections housed at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Be sure to peruse the famous Maori Portraits exhibit, a display featuring powerful portraits of the Maori peoples indigenous to New Zealand and Polynesia. You won’t have to venture far from the city to experience some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders! Rugged Rangitoto Island is perfect for hikes, surrounded with stunning volcanic rock and lava fields, and provides a spectacular vantage point to observe Auckland across the harbor. Maungawhau, or Mount Eden, is another of the city’s volcanic wonders; its verdant crater is a sight to behold and remains one of Auckland’s most visited attractions. Head to Waiheke Island to visit Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary, a protected wildlife sanctuary where some of New Zealand’s most eye-catching fauna roam, or hit the beaches of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park to take in the glittering ocean views and soak up some sun. Travel two hours south to marvel at New Zealand’s rolling green hills when you explore the immersive set for The Shire, the fictional village from the ever-popular Lord of the Rings novels and film franchise. Auckland, New Zealand awaits you! |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
10/06/25 - 10/15/25 |
Starting At $3,077 |
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|
10/13/25 - 11/11/25 |
Starting At $3,030 |
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|
11/25/25 - 12/04/25 |
Starting At $3,149 |
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|
12/08/25 - 12/17/25 |
Starting At $2,964 |
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|
01/06/26 - 03/24/26 |
Starting At $3,705 |
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|
03/29/26 - 05/12/26 |
Starting At $3,565 |
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|
05/26/26 - 08/31/26 |
Starting At $3,430 |
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|
09/08/26 - 10/01/26 |
Starting At $3,775 |
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|
10/15/26 - 12/31/26 |
Starting At $3,920 |
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|
01/07/27 - 03/18/27 |
Starting At $4,075 |
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|
03/25/27 - 04/01/27 |
Starting At $3,920 |
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|
04/08/27 - 08/05/27 |
Starting At $3,775 |
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Offer subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.
