-8 nights in hotel-style accommodation (twin or double), 1 night in a lodge (multi-share)
Your dream trip starts here
Delve Deep: New Zealand North Island
Trip overview
TRIP VIBE = iconic sights and in-depth adventures with a local Trip Leader. Eye-popping landscapes. Jaw-dropping activities. And local know-how by the bucketload. This trip isn't about seeing the North Island - it's about experiencing it. In all its spectacular, quirky, historic glory. Expect: towering volcanoes, roaring waterfalls, magical caves and out-of-this-world views. The adventure starts HERE.
Worth noting…
On this trip, you’ll get two in one – your Trip Leader is also your Driver.
All optionals are weather-dependent.
Tales from Topdeckers
Trip itinerary
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Auckland – Whangarei Falls – Paihia (Bay of Islands)
2Wave goodbye to Auckland – we’re heading for the jaw-dropping Bay of Islands. Fancy swinging by a natural wonder en route? You’re in luck: the thundering Whangarei Falls awaits. Plunging into the Hatea River from a height of 26 metres, the waterfall’s surrounded by giant kauri trees – sacred to the Maori people as protectors of the forest. Later, we’ll make tracks to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds: arguably New Zealand’s most important historic monument. When we arrive in Paihia, there’s an orientation tour with your Trip Leader. Then, the evening's yours: we rec you hunt down some seafood chowder or ‘fush and chups’ along the harbour *chef’s kiss*.
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Activities
- Visit Whangarei Falls
- Visit Waitangi Treaty Ground
- Orientation walk around Pahia with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Paihia
3Today = options. Jump on a cruise around the ‘Hole in the Rock’ – no prizes for guessing what this is – to spot the area’s celebrity dolphins. Or stick to solid ground with a tour of Cape Reinga (the tip of the island) and Ninety Mile Beach (lied on its CV – actually 55 miles long). There’s also a sundown cruise if you can’t get enough of those island views. All the adventuring got your stomach rumbling? Round up the fam and head to a waterfront bar for craft beer and burgers.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Tour of Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach: from $170
- Bay of Islands sundown cruise: from $90
- Hole in the Rock cruise: from $150
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Meals
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Paihia – Matakana – Waitomo
4Wave goodbye to the Bay of Islands and head down to Waitomo. This is a big drive day, so stock up on snacks (and don’t lose your ear pods under your seat). We’ll make a pit stop at Matakana Village to stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat. It's foodie heaven: we’re talking cool cafes, artisan chocolate shops and award-winning coffee shops. Just before we get to Waitomo, we'll have a whizz around Otorohanga. Possibly New Zealand’s most patriotic town, get ready to spot real-life Kiwi birds, giant kiwi statues AND kiwi murals. When we reach our final destination, there’ll be time to get your bearings. Dinner plans? Totally up to you, but your Trip Leader has the recs.
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Activities
- Visit Matakana Village
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Waitomo – Rotorua
5Waitomo Caves. A glowworm-studded labyrinth of underground caves and rivers – this place is like something out of a sci-fi movie. Spend your free time exploring Ruakuri Cave on foot. Cruise through the magical grotto. Or strap in for a unique blackwater rafting experience (disclaimer: you’re gonna get wet). Later, you’re heading to Rotorua where you’ll get your bearings on a walk around town with your Trip Leader. Then, it's food o’clock. Tuck in to some delish dishes and make that stomach smile.
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Activities
- Visit Waitomo Caves
- Orientation walk around Rotorua with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Your Options
- Visit Ruakuri Cave: from $70
- Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $179
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Activities
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Rotorua – Kohutapu
6To say Rotorua has it ‘going on’ would be the understatement of the century. We’re talking: adrenalin-pumping activities and mind-boggling movie sets. Ready for some recs? For the LOTR fans (or closet fans), take a walk through Tolkien’s dreams at the Hobbiton movie set. Adrenalin junkie? Get your hit on a rapid ride down the mighty Kaituna River. After, it’s time to pile back on the bus cos Kohutapu calls. And we’re about to delve in DEEP with some proper authentic culture. Think: Maori rock carvings, legendary stories, a Haka demo, PLUS workshops on marae traditions and a hangi dinner. Minds blown and bellies full, you’ll settle down in some cosy cabins to catch some zeds. Sweet!
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Activities
- Orientation tour, marae visit, workshops and hangi dinner at Kohutapu Lodge
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Visit the Hobbiton movie set: from $150
- Ziplining canopy tour: from $179
- Whitewater rafting in Rotorua: from $139
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Activities
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Kohutapu – Tongariro National Park
7Before we roll into our next sleep spot, there’s a steamy visit to the geothermal wonderland, Wai-O-Tapu, on the cards. We’ll check out the Lady Knox Geyser which has been known to shoot boiling hot water 20m into the air! Then: we’ll make a stop at booming Huka Falls and play spot-the-extreme-kayaker as they tackle the immense 11-metre plunge down the canyon falls. Finally, we’ll take in the A-Mazing views over Lake Taupo before putting our feet up at our accommodation near Tongariro National Park. What. A. Day.
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Activities
- Visit Wai-O-Tapu thermal pools
- Visit Lake Taupo and Huka Falls
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Tongariro National Park
8Dramatic volcanic peaks dominating the horizon. Rugged terrain that looks like you landed on Mars. And intense turquoise lakes gathered in steep valleys. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the best one-day hikes in the world – and it 100% deserves the rep. You’ve got a full day to find your Samwise up Mt Ngauruhoe (aka Mt Doom), soak up all the I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E views and wish you’d broken in those new hiking boots.
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Activities
- Orientation walk of Tongariro National Park with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a local guide (October to April): from $395
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Activities
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Tongariro National Park – Wellington
9Today we’re making our way to Wellington where our North Island adventure will soon end *tries not to cry*. Get your bearings around the capital on an orientation tour before we head to Mt Victoria for 360-degree views over the harbour. This evening, we’ll give this legendary trip the send-off it deserves with one final group dinner AND craft beer tasting. Vibe = AWESOME.
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Activities
- Orientation walk around Wellington with Trip Leader
- Craft beer tasting with dinner
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Activities
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Wellington
10Local culture? Tick. Epic landscapes? Tick. Time to leave? Tick. Sad face. BUT: it doesn’t have to end like this. Hop on a flight to Christchurch and join our New Zealand South Island trip – the timings work out perfectly, we checked. You know you want to...
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Transport
Air-conditioned minicoach
Your Options
FYI: these are optional activities available locally. Things might change – prices are here to give you a rough idea.
-Tour of Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach: from $170
-Bay of Islands sundown cruise: from $90
-Hole in the Rock cruise: from $150
-Visit Ruakuri Cave: from $70
-Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $179
-Visit the Hobbiton movie set: from $150
-Ziplining canopy tour: from $179
-Whitewater rafting in Rotorua: from $139
-Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a local guide (October to April): from $395
Views & reviews
Latest reviews
Average rating based on 13 reviews-
Anonymous July 2024
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Anonymous July 2024
This trip is a definite must if you want to get a hands on experience of the North Island of New Zealand in a perfect amount of time. The trip leader is so knowledgeable and really enhanced the experience. The people and places you see along this trip are epic and unforgettable! Would 100% recommend this trip and the trip leader to any one looking for the perfect Topdeck experience.
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Courtney Di February 2024
During the trip I was always laughing, had a lot of new experiences and met some amazing people
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