Highlights
- Experience the soothing geothermal waters of Rotorua at Wai Ariki Spa
- Taste some of the country's best wines in the renowned vineyards of Hawke's Bay
- Cruise to hidden Maori rock carvings on Lake Taupo
- Meet a fur seal colony at Cape Palliser and see the dramatic Putangirua Pinnacles
- Stay at world-class luxury properties like the historic riverfront Huka Lodge
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Auckland, Dinner at Ahi Restaurant | Auckland |
| Day 2 | Drive to Rotorua, Unwind at Wai Ariki Spa | Rotorua |
| Day 3 | Scenic Rotorua Floatplane Tour, National Hatchery Visit, Mountain Jade Tour | Rotorua |
| Day 4 | Drive to Taupō, Māori Rock Carving Cruise | Taupō |
| Day 5 | Huka Falls Jet Boat, Tandem Skydiving Experience, Kayaking Tour | Taupō |
| Day 6 | Drive to Napier, Art Deco Vintage Car Tour | Napier |
| Day 7 | Full-Day Hawke's Bay Wine Tour | Napier |
| Day 8 | Drive to Martinborough, Half-Day Wine Tour | Martinborough |
| Day 9 | Day Trip to Putangirua Pinnacles & Cape Palliser | Martinborough |
| Day 10 | Drive to Wellington, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Auckland, Dinner at Ahi Restaurant
Kia ora! Welcome to New Zealand's North Island! Begin your adventure in Auckland, the country's largest city. With two bustling harbors and more than 500,000 sailboats and yachts, it's easy to see why Auckland is nicknamed the "City of Sails." Upon arrival, a private driver will be waiting to transfer you to the 5-star Park Hyatt Auckland. Check into your luxurious suite, where you'll enjoy waterfront views across Waitematā Harbour. The hotel's design pays tribute to the Māori wharenui (house), blending art and community ties, and serves as your first taste of the local culture.
The afternoon is yours to get to know Auckland at your pace. Drop by the nearby Wynyard Quarter for a feast of local seafood at the Fish Market, or travel up the iconic Sky Tower, the tallest human-made structure in New Zealand at 1,076 feet (328 m). Refresh ahead of this evening's taste of seasonal New Zealand cuisine at Ahi, a chic restaurant that honors passionate local suppliers and growers. You'll taste a handful of ever-changing dishes paired with wine, each telling an authentic food story of Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand).
Day 2: Drive to Rotorua, Unwind at Wai Ariki Spa
Collect your rental car today and cruise three hours south to Rotorua, New Zealand's famous geothermal city. This area is one of the world's most active volcanic regions, and you'll find bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers, and plenty of natural hot springs. Your base for the next two nights is the award-winning Treetops Lodge & Estate, a rustic sanctuary nestled in 2,500 acres (1,000 ha) of private native forest and wilderness.
Designed in a classic wooden hunting and ski lodge style, Treetops features reclaimed wood, roaring fireplaces, and antler decorations on the walls. Discover cozy libraries, games rooms, and a spa. Settle into your room, which comes with a deep soaking bath, kitchenette, and fireplace. To stretch your legs, take a walk across the deer-studded grounds to Bridal Veil Falls, a 164-foot (50 m) waterfall.
Day 3: Scenic Rotorua Floatplane Tour, National Hatchery Visit, Mountain Jade Tour
Start today with a glimpse of Rotorua's wild geothermal activity from above with a small-group floatplane flight. You'll soar above Mokoia Island, visit the hidden lakes district, and see the volcanic peaks of the 3,680-foot (1,121 m) Mount Tarawera. Continue south over the Waimangu Valley to view Frying Pan Lake, the Inferno Crater, and the multicolored pools of the Wai-O-Tapu reserve. Follow the Waikato River to the hidden valley of Orakei Korako and land on the river, where you'll swap to a boat and then begin a land-based exploration of Rotorua.
This afternoon, you'll get up close with New Zealand's national bird on a guided visit to the National Hatchery. Learn about how the organization incubates, hatches, and raises the kiwi chicks until they reach a certain size, increasing their survival rate from just 5% to over 65%. Current wild kiwi populations are in decline, so the hatchery works to increase their growth. After, you'll have the chance to meet local jade artists in their studios. Gain an in-depth introduction to pounamu—the art of carving jade—with a guided visit covering the green stone's rich history and cultural significance to New Zealanders.
Day 4: Drive to Taupō, Māori Rock Carving Cruise
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Get back on the road today for the easy hour's drive south to Taupō. This scenic route takes you into the heart of the Central North Island volcanic plateau, cutting through the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Taupō is nestled at the edge of Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest lake, and surrounded by a volcanic caldera formed 25,600 years ago. Upon arrival, check into the revered Huka Lodge, which sits on the banks of the Waikato River just upstream from Huka Falls.
Far from its humble beginnings as a fisherman's camp almost a century ago, the property lodge is now one of the country's oldest and most celebrated luxury properties. The main 1920s lodge offers beautifully appointed suites with views over the gardens and rivers, while separate Arts and Crafts-style cottages dot the sprawling grounds.
After dropping your bags and refreshing, you'll keep moving this afternoon with a scenic yacht cruise across Lake Taupō. Relax in luxury bean bags as you float by 33-foot-high (10 m) Māori rock art, only accessible by boat. After breaks for swimming, sunbathing, and light refreshments, you'll cruise back to shore, where you'll return to the lodge for a dinner of locally sourced, sustainable haute cuisine and your pick of the 4,500-bottle wine cellar.
Day 5: Huka Falls Jet Boat, Tandem Skydiving Experience, Kayaking Tour
Kick off your day with an exhilarating excursion to Huka Falls, where the Waikato River propels 58,000 gallons (220,000 l) of water per second. In a state-of-the-art jet boat, you'll zip past cliffs and trees at an incredible 50 miles per hour (80 km/h), bracing yourself for the adrenaline rush of 360-degree spins and passing clouds of steam where hot springs meet the river.
If you're feeling brave, continue the thrills afterward with another heart-pumping adventure—skydiving. Jumping tandem with an experienced guide, you'll experience dizzying coast-to-coast views of the North Island, the shores of Lake Taupō, and the summits of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe (also known as Mount Doom from "The Lord of the Rings" films) as you freefall for 45 seconds and then float gently back to earth.
Day 6: Drive to Napier, Art Deco Vintage Car Tour
Today, you'll make the three-hour drive to Napier, a coastal city set among the vineyard-grooved landscape of Hawke's Bay. In 1931, a violent earthquake and subsequent fires destroyed most of the commercial heart, and the people of Napier rebuilt their city with an Art Deco flare. On arrival, discover the city's distinctive architectural heritage in style with a private tour in a 1930s vintage car. Go for a spin around Napier's famous Art Deco Quarter, historic Port Ahuriri, and a quaint Art Deco suburb as your driver shares stories of the city's past.
Afterward, continue to your accommodations at Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, perched on a peninsula above the Pacific and complete with a world-class 71-par clifftop golf course. The 5,930-acre (2,400 ha) estate is encircled by predator-proof fences, making it a sanctuary for kiwis and the world's largest mainland colony of gannets. Settle into your elegant suite or cottage and expect 5-star luxury on this working cattle farm, with an infinity pool, spa, stellar wine cellar with tasting tours, and gourmet tasting menus.
Day 7: Full-Day Hawke's Bay Wine Tour
Today, you'll set off into the wine country of Hawke's Bay for a private tasting tour of some of the area's most famous vineyards. You'll discover how the region's Mediterranean climate produces ideal grape-growing conditions and learn the entire production process, from vine to bottle, as you visit up to five wineries and taste the region's best syrah, merlot, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc.
If you'd prefer a more independent-minded adventure, you could also opt for a self-guided cycling tour that takes you through the renowned wineries clustered around Havelock North, including Craggy Range, Black Barn, and Te Mata Estate. You'll visit up to seven wineries and stop to taste their acclaimed vintages at your leisure. Weave through picturesque orchard country alongside the Tuki Tuki River and skirt the Hawke's Bay coastline, then return to the lodge in the late afternoon, where you can soothe tired muscles with a treatment in the opulent on-site spa.
Day 8: Drive to Martinborough, Half-Day Wine Tour
After a luxurious breakfast at the lodge, jump back in the car for a 3.5-hour journey south to Martinborough. This pretty little village in the Wairarapa Region is made for wine lovers, with almost 35 wineries dotted around the city center. It's famous for its pinot noir, but its crisp whites are just as excellent. Your destination is Wharekauhau, one of New Zealand's top luxury hideaways. Settle into one of the 13 exquisitely appointed cottages set on a 3,000-acre (1,214 ha) working sheep and cattle farm overlooking the dramatic breakers of Palliser Bay.
Refresh, then meet your private guide for a wine-filled afternoon. Together, you'll drop by renowned vineyards such as Te Kairangi Wines, Tirohana Estate, Cabbage Tree Vineyard, and Martinborough Vineyard. Taste plenty of delicious pinot noir and other wines, and learn about the development of the region, its people, and its characters with the help of your knowledgeable local guide. Afterward, you'll return to your lodge, where you can spend the evening with the in-house sommelier, enjoy a game of tennis or croquet on the sweeping lawns, and sit down to a spectacular farm-to-table dinner.
Day 9: Day Trip to Putangirua Pinnacles & Cape Palliser
The penultimate day of your North Island adventure takes you on a scenic day trip to Cape Palliser, located an hour's drive from Martinborough on a dramatic headland with sweeping views of the sea. The grand old lighthouse has stood on these cliffs since 1897, and you can climb the 253 steps for some of the area's best vistas. Then, say hello to the local fur seal colony (just be sure to keep a respectful distance). Between November and January, you might even see pups playing on the beach.
Afterward, seek out the Putangirua Pinnacles, a series of otherworldly rock formations formed by erosion, and another "The Lord of the Rings" location you might recognize. Lace up your walking shoes and follow a well-defined bush trail to a viewing platform, then venture down into the valley to walk up the riverbed, where the formations get better and better. Your choices for lunch in this remote area are slim, so ask the lodge to pack you a picnic or make your way south to the quirky fishing village of Ngawi for fish and chips by the sea before driving back to Martinborough for an evening at your leisure.
Day 10: Drive to Wellington, Depart
Savor a final leisurely morning and farm-to-table breakfast at your historic lodge this morning, then say your goodbyes and jump in the car for the 70-minute drive to Wellington, New Zealand's capital. You'll cross over the Rimutaka Ranges as you head into this vibrant city set on a beautiful natural harbor. If you have time before your flight, ride the cable car to the Wellington Botanic Garden and the Carter Observatory for a vantage point with excellent views of the city and harbor, or visit the natural museum Te Papa or the fascinating Wētā Workshop.
Then, make the short drive to the airport with enough time to return your rental car before your departing flight home or onward. Safe travels!
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