North Island Classic

Collect your rental car and travel to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Stretching 350km north from Auckland, Northland is New Zealand’s only sub-tropical region and with its above average sunshine record and glorious beaches, it is popular with locals as well as visitors. In the afternoon you may like to take a boat trip out into the bay, or enjoy some free time to explore and relax.

Spend the day leisurely exploring the area. You might like to enjoy a full day sailing adventure with the opportunity to witness wild dolphins.

Spend the day leisurely exploring the area. You might like to enjoy a full day sailing adventure with the opportunity to witness wild dolphins.

In pictures

Leave Paihia at your leisure today and travel to Orewa, lying on the Hibiscus Coast, just north of the base of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and 40 kms north of central Auckland.

Depart Orewa and drive to the beautiful Coromandel. Separated from Auckland by the broad Firth of Thames, this verdant peninsula comprises a forested backbone of mountains separating the precipitous west coast from the coves and white sand beaches of the east.

Spend the day experiencing the very best this wonderful region has to offer. Renowned worldwide for its natural beauty and lush flora, the Coromandel is blessed with hundreds of natural hideaways, making it an ideal place to slow down, relax and unwind.

Spend the day experiencing the very best this wonderful region has to offer. Renowned worldwide for its natural beauty and lush flora, the Coromandel is blessed with hundreds of natural hideaways, making it an ideal place to slow down, relax and unwind.

In pictures

Drive south, either following the coast road via Tauranga or inland via the interesting towns of Paeroa and Te Aroha, towards the active geo-thermal heartland of Rotorua. This evening make your way to the Mitai Maori Village to join an evening of traditional culture and food. Witness a haka, enjoy a hangi feast and watch out for the glow worms that sparkle in this natural bush setting.

Discover the Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Lake Rotomahana on a self guided walk and boat cruise. You can explore the world’s youngest geothermal valley at your own pace along the beautiful walking trails, woven through a natural geothermal ecosystem. Walks vary in length from 1.5kms – 4.5kms, covering a range of geothermal activity, hot springs, volcanic craters, nature and wildlife. The trail leads you down to the lake, where you can complete the experience with a relaxing 45 minute boat cruise around Lake Rotomahana, the final resting place of the Pink & White Terraces.

Discover the Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Lake Rotomahana on a self guided walk and boat cruise. You can explore the world’s youngest geothermal valley at your own pace along the beautiful walking trails, woven through a natural geothermal ecosystem. Walks vary in length from 1.5kms – 4.5kms, covering a range of geothermal activity, hot springs, volcanic craters, nature and wildlife. The trail leads you down to the lake, where you can complete the experience with a relaxing 45 minute boat cruise around Lake Rotomahana, the final resting place of the Pink & White Terraces.

In pictures

Witness the superb and dramatic scenery of North Island’s heartland. En route to Tongariro National Park enjoy a visit to Orakei Korako geothermal area (also known as “The Hidden Valley”), situated on the Waikato River at Lake Ohakuri. Even with two thirds of the original geothermal area covered by an artificial lake, Orakei Korako is still New Zealand’s largest geyser field and one of the country’s must-see natural attractions. Make your way on to Ruapehu, a snow-capped volcano surrounded by desert like lava and ash.

You may like to spend the day hiking the world famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks and a one-day classic. Alternatively spend time more leisurely and explore the striking volcanic landscapes.

You may like to spend the day hiking the world famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks and a one-day classic. Alternatively spend time more leisurely and explore the striking volcanic landscapes.

In pictures

Continue your journey down to Napier, New Zealand’s Art Deco capital set in the heart of Hawke’s Bay wine country. With a feast of Art Deco architecture, the city was rebuilt in the early 1930s following a massive earthquake. Subsequent fires destroyed most of its commercial heart. By the end of the decade, Napier was the newest city on the globe and nowhere else can you see such a variety of buildings in the styles of the 1930s – Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco – in such a concentrated area.

Enjoy a full day at leisure today, perhaps take a guided walking tour of this fascinating Art Deco city, visit the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers on an overland safari or alternatively spend time at leisure exploring the wineries the region is renowned for.

Enjoy a full day at leisure today, perhaps take a guided walking tour of this fascinating Art Deco city, visit the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers on an overland safari or alternatively spend time at leisure exploring the wineries the region is renowned for.

In pictures

Depart Napier and make your way to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city offering an unforgettable urban experience in a stunning natural setting. Set between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills, this compact city has great shopping, professional theatre, memorable arts, culture and heritage and great cafes and restaurants all close to untouched nature spots. Central Wellington itself is only 2 kilometres in diameter and you can walk from one side to the other in under 20 minutes.

Drop off your rental vehicle at the airport depot today and depart.