North Island Wonders — Southbound

Day 1

‍You begin your journey with ZigZag today in New Plymouth.

This vibrant and modern city is renowned for its sunny climate, art galleries, street art, picturesque parks and botanical gardens – all centrally located. It’s also famed for its Coastal Walkway which stretches 12.7km from the port to a small beach community in the north. Te Rewa Rewa Bridge can be found halfway along the walkway and has magnificent views of Mount Taranaki to the south. Great for walking on or hiring a bike and cycling along.

New Plymouth is blessed with many stunning beaches and provides a paradise for surfers, swimmers, kayakers and paddle boarders alike.

The Port of Taranaki is an interesting working harbour with a long history. There are places to eat and drink at the breakwater where you can watch the ships go by.

Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (New Plymouth)

Day 2

‍With Mount Taranaki in our rear-view mirror, we set off north today along one of the fastest eroding coastlines in the world. The relentless Tasman Sea continually sculpts and shapes the cliffs of the seafront here, creating numerous caves, tunnels and archways. Along the way we pass by the translucent waters of the Tongapōrutu River and make a short stop in Mokau, a coastal village on the mouth of the Mokau River.

The coastal route that we take up to the small settlement of Marakopa, is incredibly scenic. It is a short drive from here to the thunderous Marakopa Falls, where we take a short bush walk to this wide waterfall with its impressive 35m drop - often referred to as the most beautiful in NZ.

Time permitting, we will also visit the Mangapohue Natural Bridge, a 17m high natural limestone arch that has formed from the remnants of an ancient cave system. Be wowed as you walk through the fairy-tale like forest that leads up to this beautiful natural phenomena.

We end in Waitomo tonight, famous for its extensive underground cave systems and its glow-worms

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Waitomo)

Day 3 | Free Day

The caves, glow-worms, black water rafting, abseiling, caving, zip lining, bushwalking and the Discovery Centre & Museum – Waitomo offers so many experiences, all walkable from our campsite.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Waitomo)

Day 4

This morning, we visit the Otorohanga Kiwi House. This not—for—profit wildlife and conservation centre displays rare native New Zealand wildlife for release to the wild and is the best place to see the Kiwi Bird and the lesser known Tuatara (a real dinosaur!).We continue our drive up towards Thames, a small town on the Firth of Thames, which serves as the gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula.

From here, we join the scenic Thames Coastal Road giving us our first experience of the magnificent Coromandel and all it has to offer as we arrive into Coromandel Town. The Coromandel is a popular holiday destination renowned for its 400kms of pristine white sandy beaches and relaxed vibes.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Coromandel Town)

Day 5 | Free Day

(optional free day road trip around the Coromandel)

You have a free day to explore Coromandel Town, a unique little settlement with character, soul and ambience. As well as galleries and craft shops, the town has many restored Victorian buildings and a small mining museum. There are many bush and beach walks nearby too.

Weather permitting, we will seize the chance to take a further drive north and explore even more of this area’s remote beauty.

We may even be able to walk part of the Coromandel Coastal Walkway. One of New Zealand’s most popular coastal walks with its beautiful scenery and remote location, it borders the northern Coromandel coastline between Stony and Fletcher Bays and follows an old bridle path formed by early pioneers.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Coromandel Town)

Day 6

We start today with a visit to the Driving Creek Railway and experience a unique tour on New Zealand’s only mountain railway after which, we zigzag across and around the Coromandel Peninsula to Hot Water Beach on the east coast.

Along the way we visit Kūaotunu – home of the 10 scoop ice cream!, beautiful Otama beach and the harbour town of Whitianga.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Hot Water Beach, Coromandel)

Day 7 | Free Day

This is your chance to get out and explore the beautiful Coromandel's east coast with its pristine beaches, beautiful bays, caves and islands.

From our camp at Hot Water Beach, you can opt for one of the many boat trips that are on offer, kayak tours, diving and snorkelling trips or simply dig yourself a hole and sit in it! Yes, Hot Water Beach is exactly that – find the right place to dig and you’ll discover a hot pool waiting for you to sit and relax in. A complimentary spa, even if you do have to do the digging yourself!

Voted one of the most picturesque spots in the Coromandel, Cathedral Cove is home to a soaring limestone rock arch that separates two white sandy beaches and is a kayak or boat trip away. A number of tours are bookable from the Hot Water Beach area. There is a scenic walk also (but is currently inaccessible due to excessive storm damage. The work to reinstate the walkway is underway)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Hot Water Beach, Coromandel)

Day 8

We start today by heading a little further south to the stunning Mount Paku peninsula. The 360° panoramic views at the top of the summit walk are not to be missed, looking down over Tairua harbour, Pauanui Beach, the beautiful turquoise blue estuary waters, and out along the coast to the Alderman Islands. We then head a little inland to the town of Waihi, New Zealand's 'Heart of Gold', with a gold mining history spanning three centuries and a local open pit mine that is still fully operational.

Further south, we enter the City of Tauranga where we drive past New Zealand's biggest port and one of its largest natural harbours before ending up in the popular seaside resort of Mount Maunganui. Its long sandy main beach stretches right up to the base of the ‘Mount’ which can be climbed to gain spectacular views across the city, harbour and coastline.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Mount Manganui)

Day 9 | Free Day

Enjoy a walk along the beach, watch the surfers ride the waves and the ships coming into the harbour, indulge in the numerous cafes, juice and coffee shops along the sea front, or take the walk up the Mount.

If you fancy a day in the city, you can take the bus into Tauranga and shop til you drop — up to you.‍

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Mount Manganui)

Day 10 | The ‘Hobbiton’ Day (Included activity)
(Optional free evening visit to the Whakarewarewa Forest)

Experience the magic of the Hobbiton movie set, situated in the heart of the Mighty Waikato region. Here you will explore the real ‘middle earth’ and the lush pastures of the ‘Shire’ with a guided walking tour of Hobbiton as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Wander amongst the ‘Hobbit Holes’, past the Mill and down to the Green Dragon Inn for a refreshing complimentary drink. Even if you’re not a fan of the books or films, we are sure you will still find this tour extremely endearing, interesting and very photogenic.

We end our day in Rotorua where we will settle down for three nights.

Tonight after dark, you have the option to join us at the Whakarewarewa Forest where you can enjoy the magical light display amongst the enormous redwood trees. (The elevated tree walk – additional cost, can be booked at the ticket office on site)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Rotorua)

Day 11 | Free Day

Rotorua has so much to offer. There is everything here from adrenaline pumping activities like guided volcano climbing, ziplining and zorbing to more relaxed activities like having a massage in the many spa and wellness centres or walking amongst the giant redwood trees in the amazing Whakarewarewa Forest.

Taking a stroll around the vibrant town centre you’ll find yourself walking amongst geothermal natural springs and bubbling mud pools, through the beautifully manicured government gardens, onto the pristine new lakefront walkway, and back towards Eat Streat, a pedestrianized road full of cafes and restaurants, not to mention fantastic ice cream parlours.

There are kilometres of lake, river and forest paths and trails to explore on foot or bike and a visit to Rotorua is not complete without experiencing our unique Māori culture too. Rotorua is a unique and special place and with so much to see and do, you won’t be disappointed.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Camping (Rotorua)

Day 12 | Free Day until 5pm

You will have another day to yourselves in Rotorua to embrace all it has to offer.

This evening we treat you to a cultural evening at the Mitai Māori Village, where you will be given an authentic introduction to Māori culture complete with a traditional Hāngī feast. (included) A Hāngī is a traditional New Zealand Māori method of cooking food using either natural steam or heated rocks buried in a pit oven.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Rotorua)

Day 13

We haven’t quite finished with Rotorua yet.

As we near the city, we pay a visit to either Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland, named as "One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World"  or  Waimangu – a natural wonderland and the final resting place of the legendary pink and white terraces. Whichever one we visit, you will be awed by the extraordinary natural thermal phenomena on show at these parks — brightly coloured natural hot pools, sulphur mud baths, explosive geysers and more.

Not far away is Kerosene Creek, a stream heated by natural hot springs. Complete with a waterfall and a series of steaming sandy bottomed pools surrounded by dense forest, this delightful spot is a local secret and your chance for a dip in the warm bath—like water.

Our destination for today is Whakatāne, in the Bay of Plenty.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Whakatāne)

Day 14 | Free Day

Whakatāne is the heart of the Eastern Bay of Plenty and frequently records the highest number of annual sunshine hours in New Zealand. It is the perfect place to unwind and explore the area’s beautiful natural setting.

But there is also lots to do – it is one of the country’s premier fishing centres with more yellowfin tuna being caught here than anywhere else in New Zealand. You can also take a boat trip out to Moutohorā/Whale Island, a protected wildlife sanctuary that supports an abundance of native New Zealand birdlife.

One of the more popular attractions is to take a flight over White Island and the numerous volcanoes that make up the Taupo Volcanic Zone – an incredible experience.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Whakatāne)

Day 15 & 16

The next two days see us travelling State Highway 35, which circles right around New Zealand’s East Cape. The East Cape is the easternmost point of the New Zealand mainland and is the first place to see the sunrise in the world! The 334 km road trip around the coastline is stunning, comprising of endless white sandy beaches, remote villages where wild horses roam free, and a number of historical points of interest.

We stay the night at a beautifully secluded spot on the most remote part of the East Cape. Here, with weather permitting, we have the opportunity to zip open our tents at dawn and be the first people in the world to witness the sun rising up out of the ocean for the new day. What an experience!

Over our two days of travel around the Cape, we’ll pass through the tiny hamlet of Omaio, whose name literally means ‘peace, quiet & tranquillity’ in Māori, the iconic and picturesque Anglican Raukokore Church, Te Araroa where you can find New Zealand’s oldest and largest Pohutukawa tree, the old abandoned wharf, wool and meat work buildings of beautiful Tokumaru Bay, and Tolaga Bay with what is believed to be the longest (660m) and most spectacular wharf of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. The wharf at Tolaga Bay stands where Captain Cook first met the leaders of the Te Aitanga a Hauiti tribe in 1769 and there are a number of other places along this historic section of coastline where Cook and his ship, the Endeavour set anchor.

We complete our East Cape experience in our very special destination for two nights, deep in the hill country of Ngatapa.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15 Accommodation: Camping (East Cape)‍

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16 Accommodation: Lodge (Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Ngatapa)

Day 17 | Free Day

Today you can explore the delights of the Eastwoodhill Arboretum which covers 131 hectares of rolling rural farmland and contains the most comprehensive collection of flora in NZ. It displays over 4000 different varieties of trees, shrubs and plants and is extremely beautiful. Whether we are visiting in the Spring or in Autumn the colours and variety of species are spectacular.

Meander your way through the numerous woodland paths within the park, take time out to sit in the gardens and enjoy the peaceful ambience.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge (Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Ngatapa)

Day 18

Today we travel south to the coastal town of Wairoa, after taking a short detour to the Mahia Peninsula.

We continue on to Napier, the largest city in Hawkes Bay, where we will spend three nights.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Napier)

Day 19 | Free Day

(optional free road trip to Te Mata Peak – weather permitting)

Hawkes Bay is recognised as one of New Zealand’s premier food and wine regions. It is also known as an international Art Deco capital with outstanding architecture dating from the 1930's when the area was decimated by a large earthquake.

We take an optional scenic drive today through dramatic scenery around the Tuku Tuku Road loop, up to Te Mata Peak with amazing 360° views from the top down across the many vineyards and wineries and on a clear day right across to the central mountains.

On the way we’ll pass the Mission Estate (the oldest winery in New Zealand which dates back to 1851).

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Camping (Napier)

Day 20 | Free Day

Wine tours are a popular pastime in this premier wine region of New Zealand, and many visitors to the town also choose to take a tour to the scenic Cape Kidnappers gannet colony.  

Napier is the largest city in the Hawkes Bay and has a very pretty seafront. Marine Parade is a great place to walk or cycle along whilst you admire the many Art Deco buildings on show.

The old harbour area is also a lovely place to spend some time with plenty of quaint boutique shops and cafes to enjoy.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Napier)

Day 21

Today we travel south to the Wairarapa. On the way, we make a stop at ‘the longest place name in the world’ in Porangahau and see how many of you can pronounce the 85 character Maori name correctly!

We then continue our journey on to Greytown, a charming village that has won the title of New Zealand’s most beautiful small town many years in a row. We stay here for two nights.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Greytown)

Day 22 | Free Day

(optional free day road trip to Castlepoint – weather dependent)

As part of our optional day trip, should you choose that, we take a scenic drive to the small beachside settlement on the Wairarapa coast, Castlepoint. Famous for its stunning lighthouse and 160m high Castle Rock, this beautiful scenic reserve is surrounded by reef, lagoons and sand dunes, just waiting to be explored.

If wine is more your thing, then perhaps research one of the many wine tours that the surrounding area boasts. Many of the operators will pick up from Greytown and take you into the heart of Martinborough with over twenty vineyards surrounding its cute village square. Along with some of the world’s finest olive groves (with many local oils winning international awards), much of New Zealand’s best Pinot Noir comes from the local vineyards. There’s even the option for a self guided cycle wine tour – yes, you did read that correctly!

Note though that tonight, we will be taking you into Martinborough where we will dine amongst the vines at one of the many wineries and enjoy a spot of wine tasting. That’s on us!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Greytown)

Day 23

Remaining in the Wairarapa, we drive along rugged coastline to the desolate and very remote Cape Palliser, the southernmost point of the North Island. Weaving between the dramatic jagged mountains on our left and the wild rolling seas to our right, the coastal route meanders through small townships to the 125-year-old clifftop lighthouse at the end of the road. The view at the top is stunning.

We then travel back around Lake Wairarapa, through Featherstone and up over the Remutaka Ranges before descending into New Zealand’s capital, Wellington for you final night here in a centrally located hotel/hostel.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hostel (Wellington)

Day 24

Depart Tour — Check out of hostel by 10am.

Meals Included: None