Intrepid Travel: Premium New Zealand North Island

Leave the bustle of the big city behind and head offshore to Waiheke Island, famed for its sandy beaches and local wine. Board a ferry from Auckland – if you’re lucky, you may even see dolphins or orcas along the way. When you arrive, you’ll explore Oneroa, stopping at a local favourite coffee spot. Next, visit an art studio – Waiheke is home to a thriving arts scene, with many galleries, studios and public artworks scattered around the island. After browsing some local art, you’ll visit an olive oil grove for a tour and tasting. Then visit the family-run Te Motu Vineyard for a wine tasting accompanied by their signature focaccia with extra virgin olive oil. For lunch, you’ll have a two-course meal at a beachfront restaurant (maybe try some of the renowned local seafood). Close out your full day of savouring the sensory delights of Waiheke with an exclusive visit to Mawhitipana Ridge Estate. Meet the owners and hear the story behind their family-run vineyard while sampling their wines. Return to Auckland in the late afternoon with an evening free for your own discoveries.

Activities:

• Waiheke Island - Day Trip by Ferry
• Waiheke Island - Winery Visits with Wine Tasting & Lunch

Staying in:

• M Social or similar (1 night)

After breakfast this morning, hit the road and drive to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves – an extensive underground network of tunnels and caverns decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and luminous glow worms. Join a local expert for an in-depth tour of the Ruakuri Cave, descending a spiral entrance to the world below. See the limestone formations, hear the roar of subterranean waterfalls and learn about the glow worms that light up the caves. Continue to Hobbiton, where the epic Lord of the Rings movies were shot. Take a tour around the set with a local guide, hear stories about the production of these iconic films, explore Hobbit holes and enjoy a drink (and maybe a delicious pie) at the mythical Green Dragon Inn. Finally, travel to Rotorua, where you’ll spend the evening.

Activities:

• Hobbiton - Visit to the Lord of the Rings Movie Set
• Hobbiton - Drink at the Green Dragon
• Waitomo - Glowworm Cave Tour

Staying in:

• Millennium Rotorua or similar (1 night)

Spend this morning at your leisure, perhaps relaxing at the Polynesian Spa or opting for a dose of adrenaline at the Redwoods Treetop Walkway. This evening, you will pay a visit to Te Pa Tu and be hosted by the people of Tamaki Maori Village. A local expert will guide you in celebrating the abundant harvest of this season, and you will explore concepts, rituals and stories of ancient Maori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre you will hear stories relayed through haka, song and drama, before torch light guides you to an alfresco dining space where you’ll sit down to a three-course feast.

Your trip leader has a rest day today, as per NZ legal requirements. Your trip leader will ensure you're ready to enjoy your time in Rotorua, before taking a 24-hour break. They will be available in case of emergencies.

Activities:

• Rotorua - Visit Te Pa Tu Maori Village with Local Guide and Hangi Dinner

Staying in:

• Millennium Rotorua or similar (1 night)

Say goodbye to Rotorua and drive to Hawke’s Bay – a region known for its abundance of wineries, acclaimed food scene, ideal weather and Art Deco architecture. On the way, visit Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, where you’ll walk through thousands of years of geothermal history and volcanic features, including New Zealand's largest mud pool and bubbling basins bursting with vibrant colours. Then, continue to Hawke’s Bay, where you’ll check into your Feature Stay accommodation at Craggy Range Winery, beneath Te Mata Peak. You’ll spend the next two nights in the heart of this acclaimed wine region, taking in the gorgeous landscapes and tasting local drops. Stay in a cosy cottage with ensuite bathrooms, a large, shared lounge and an outdoor area where you can enjoy the lush green vineyards and mountains surrounding you. Settle into your room, then join your group for a wine tasting and dinner.

Activities:

• Rotorua - Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
• Hawkes Bay - Wine Tasting

Staying in:

• Craggy Range Winery (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)

Consider heading out on an optional walk to the Te Mata Peak Lookout at sunrise – the views make the early start well worth it. This morning, you’ll head to the town of Napier for an Art Deco walking tour. Napier is the self-proclaimed ‘Art Deco capital of the world’. After the devastating Hawke’s Bay earthquake of 1931, Napier town centre was destroyed and had to be rebuilt from the ground up. The result was a town that became a freezeframe of the popular architectural styles of the 1930s, including Stripped Classicism, Spanish Mission and Art Deco. After your walking tour, you’ll have a free afternoon to do some exploring at your own pace. You might like to hire a bike to see Napier and its surrounds from a different perspective, or you could join a safari to see the largest colony of gannets in Hawke’s Bay.

Activities:

• Napier - Art Deco Walking Tour

Staying in:

• Craggy Range Winery (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)

This morning, make tracks for Wellington – New Zealand’s trendy capital city. After settling in, you’ll head to Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, for a behind-the-scenes tour with a local Maori guide. Your guide will take you on a personal journey, sharing stories and connections from their iwi (tribe, nation or people) as they guide you through the museum’s vast collection comprising more than 40,000 artworks including paintings, embroidery, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, moving image and more. You’ll end this special tour by sharing some traditional ‘kai’ (food). Tonight, join your group for a farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant – the perfect chance to reminisce about your North Island adventure.

Activities:

• Wellington - Te Papa Behind the Scenes Tour

Staying in:

• Naumi Hotel or similar (1 night)

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend more time exploring Wellington, just get in touch with your booking agent in advance to arrange additional accommodation.

If you have more time to explore New Zealand, consider combining this trip with Premium New Zealand South Island for the ultimate adventure.