Intrepid Travel
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
The legendary landscapes and natural bounty of New Zealand’s North Island are simply unbeatable, and there’s so much more to the region than just showstopping scenery. This 10-day adventure takes you from the bright lights of Auckland to creative and contemporary Wellington. Along the way, your local leader will introduce you to the beaches and forests of the Coromandel Peninsula, the under-the-radar town of Raglan, the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and otherworldly landscapes of Tongariro National Park. Add a hangi dinner with a Maori community, kiwi spotting and fish and chips and you’re in for a classic Kiwi adventure.
Activities
- Coromandel Peninsula – Cathedral Cove
- Coromandel Peninsula – Hot Water Beach
- Raglan – Fish & Chips Dinner
- Raglan – Sunset Boat Cruise
- Waitomo – Ruakuri Bush Walk
- Rotorua – Redwood Forest Canopy Walk
- Rotorua – Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- Rotorua – Pohutu Geyser
- Rotorua – Hangi Dinner & Haka Dance
- Taupo – Huka Falls
- Wellington – Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
Highlights
- Swap Auckland’s big city vibes for 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.
- Chill 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Get to know New Zealand’s creative and cosmopolitan capital, Wellington. Your local leader will show you the best of the city, including the Weta Workshop of Lord of the Rings fame.
| Day 1 |
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 2 |
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| Day 3 |
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| Day 4 |
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| Day 5 |
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 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 |
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 8 |
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 9 |
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 10 |
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. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
07/12/25 - 07/21/25 |
Starting At $2,744 |
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|
07/25/25 - 08/03/25 |
Starting At $2,748 |
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|
08/01/25 - 08/10/25 |
Starting At $2,744 |
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|
09/12/25 - 09/21/25 |
Starting At $2,979 |
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|
09/18/25 - 09/27/25 |
Starting At $2,916 |
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|
10/07/25 - 10/16/25 |
Starting At $3,170 |
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|
10/12/25 - 11/08/25 |
Starting At $3,030 |
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|
11/19/25 - 11/28/25 |
Starting At $3,077 |
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|
11/22/25 - 12/01/25 |
Starting At $3,030 |
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|
12/05/25 - 12/13/25 |
Starting At $2,964 |
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|
12/19/25 - 12/28/25 |
Starting At $3,755 |
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|
01/03/26 - 02/03/26 |
Starting At $3,705 |
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|
02/10/26 - 02/19/26 |
Starting At $3,910 |
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|
02/14/26 - 02/23/26 |
Starting At $3,705 |
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|
02/19/26 - 02/28/26 |
Starting At $3,765 |
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|
02/21/26 - 03/10/26 |
Starting At $3,705 |
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|
03/24/26 - 05/23/26 |
Starting At $3,565 |
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|
06/02/26 - 08/15/26 |
Starting At $3,430 |
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|
09/01/26 - 10/27/26 |
Starting At $3,775 |
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|
11/03/26 - 12/29/26 |
Starting At $3,920 |
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|
01/05/27 - 03/09/27 |
Starting At $4,075 |
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|
03/23/27 - 04/27/27 |
Starting At $3,920 |
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|
05/11/27 - 08/03/27 |
Starting At $3,775 |
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Offer subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.
