Delve Deep: New Zealand North Island
Auckland
Wellington
Delve Deep: New Zealand North Island
TRIP SNAPSHOT
10 days
1 country
Visiting 1 country: New Zealand12 meals
Twin-share / double / single room
-8 nights in hotel-style accommodation (twin or double), 1 night in a lodge (multi-share)Delve Deep
Delve Deep is those iconic sights, and then some. Local culture, local food, and MORE.20 travellers (max)
Combined Trip Leader & Driver
Minicoach
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.
Map & itinerary
Day 1 - Auckland
Kia ora! Welcome to Auckland: home to over 50 volcanos, this city sure is a blast (sorry not sorry). First up: meet the fellow explorers you’ll be sharing the adventure with. Then: we’ll dig into our first group dinner. Ready to delve deep into the North Island’s mind-blowing landscapes and richer-than-rich culture? See you bright and early!
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Nesuto Stadium Hotel or similar
Meals
- Dinner
Day 2 - Auckland – Whangarei Falls – Paihia
Wave 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 Whangārei Falls awaits. Plunging into the Hātea River from a height of 26 metres, the waterfall’s surrounded by giant kauri trees – sacred to the Māori 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 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*.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia or similar
Activities
- Visit Whangārei Falls
- Visit Waitangi Treaty Ground
- Orientation of Pahia with Trip Leader
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3 - Paihia
Today = 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.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia or similar
Meals
- Breakfast
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
Day 4 - Paihia – Matakana – Waitomo
Wave 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 Ōtorohanga. 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.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Waitomo Village Chalets or similar
Activities
- Visit Matakana Village
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 - Waitomo – Rotorua
Waitomo 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 into some delish dishes and make that stomach smile.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua or similar
Activities
- Visit Waitomo Caves
- Orientation of Rotorua with Trip Leader
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Your Options
- Visit Ruakuri Cave: from $70
- Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $179
Day 6 - Rotorua – Kohutapu
To 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: Māori rock carvings, legendary stories, a haka demo, PLUS workshops on marae traditions and a hāngi dinner. Minds blown and bellies full, you’ll settle down in some cosy cabins to catch some zeds. Sweet!
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Kohutapu Lodge or similar
Activities
- Orientation tour, marae visit, workshops and hāngi dinner at Kohutapu Lodge
Meals
- Breakfast
Your Options
- Visit the Hobbiton movie set: from $150
- Ziplining canopy tour: from $179
- Whitewater rafting in Rotorua: from $139
Day 7 - Kohutapu – Tongariro National Park
Before 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 Taupō before putting our feet up at our accommodation near Tongariro National Park. What. A. Day. -The Park Hotel Ruapehu or similar
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Accommodation:
Activities
- Visit Wai-O-Tapu thermal pools
- Visit Lake Taupō and Huka Falls
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 8 - Tongariro National Park
Dramatic 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.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
The Park Hotel Ruapehu or similar
Activities
- Orientation walk of Tongariro National Park with Trip Leader
Meals
- Breakfast
Your Options
- Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a local guide (October to April): from $395
Day 9 - Tongariro National Park – Wellington
Today 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 during an orientation 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.
Your Inclusions
Accommodation
Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman Hotel or similar
Activities
- Orientation of Wellington with Trip Leader
- Craft beer tasting with dinner
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 10 - Wellington
Local 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...
Your Inclusions
Meals
- Breakfast
WORTH NOTING
Read the reviews
Verified customer feedback powered byFeefo

Brett Wi December 2024
Had an amazing time! So many awesome activities and got to meet some really awesome people. Our tour guide Blair was great too, he went the extra mile to ensure we all had the best time and got to do everything we wanted!
Maryanne November 2024
I had an amazing time! Our trip leader Tim was great - extremely knowledgeable, was acccomodating of everyone's preferences and fitness levels. I would have loved to have stayed one more night at Rotorua as there is so much to explore and do there. I highly recommend!
Brent Ha September 2024
Great tour team and island. Team leader Tim did an amazing effort. Thanks.
Anonymous July 2024
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.
Courtney Di February 2024
During the trip I was always laughing, had a lot of new experiences and met some amazing people
Cheryll S October 2023
Mikaela September 2023
This trip is a fantastic insight into Aotearoa's North Island, with a good range of places visited. We were able to learn a lot about NZ and Maori history and culture, especially thanks to our guide Ahu.
victoria br September 2023
The scenery and the activities were amazing. Ahu deserves a raise for his ability to make sure that everyone got to complete the activities that they wanted to. He juggled things around to keep everyone happy and make sure that everyone got the most out of their trip. The funny commentary and good music was a bonus. In the future though, there were communication errors between Topdeck as a...
Michael Go June 2023
Same as above with some disorganisation on certain events on some days
Rovee Ro June 2023
Was amazing to see the amazing sites of New Zeland and experience the culture and do extreme things too
Anonymous February 2023
The driver/guide did not normally work for the company (they were understaffed) and so they weren’t very organised. I think Top Deck should have given us the option for a refund of the tour or at least given us a discount because it was not the experience we paid for. If we didn’t want this tour guide we should have had the option of getting a refund but instead they said absolutely nothing.
Anonymous October 2022
The trip leader was great he was very helpful and tried his best to make it fun and had a really great mixture of people in my group. Loved the activities and spending time in all sorts of places in New Zealand.
Mitchell Ho October 2022
The tour guide Phil was excellent. Extremely knowledgeable about all the locations we went to, great a fostering a community amongst travellers in the group and good taste in music! Even when the trip was effected by adverse events such as weather, Phil went above and beyond to ensure that trip went smoothly and that we were able to still experience all that New Zealand has to offer. I can not...
Anonymous September 2022
Super fun!! Possibly needed a few more days in Rotorua cause thats where a lot of the activities are!
Aira Wa July 2022
Good value for money 👌 Everyone got along really well!
Pay in instalments that suit YOU up to 60 days before departure.
Make changes to your trip up to 60 days before departure, with ZERO amendment fees.
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FAQs
All optional activities are subject to availability, but there’s *always* something lit to do in New Zealand! For example, is visiting Hobbiton high on your wish list? You’ll need to pre-book optional activities through the Your Options section of the Topdeck Travel app at least two weeks before your trip.
The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
Absolutely! It’s a requirement that all Topdeckers have comprehensive travel insurance to cover the likes of cancellation, personal injury and medical expenses. You’ll be barred from travelling with us without it. It’s also super important you read the fine print of the policy you’re taking out, so you know exactly what activities you are covered for (looking at you, adrenalin junkies!) and what your excess limits are in cases of emergency – before, during and after your trip. As a rule, you should book your travel insurance at the time of booking your trip.
Obtaining the correct visas for your trip is your own responsibility. Not having correct visas could mean missing out on part (or all) of your trip. Ask your travel agent or check with the appropriate embassies before you depart, remembering that visa requirements can change at short notice.
Please note: For most countries where visas are required, it's NOT possible to obtain a visa while on the trip. Some visas take 3-4 weeks to obtain – so get on it early!
Tipping customs vary, but it can be expected for certain services. Your Trip Leader will advise you on when and how much is appropriate to tip. In true Topdeck style, your Topdeck Crew will not ask for a tip at the end of your trip – as per our ‘No Tipping Policy’.
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