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Thrifty Tours

Best of the North Island 5 Day Tour

Explore the best of the North Island. Cruise the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands, see the famous Hole in the Rock, explore ancient limestone caves, discover a Maori Village and enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn after your tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set.

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Quick Itinerary Details

New Zealand Independent Tour

This suggested tour costs from NZD$2,185 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland

5 days/4 nights

Hotel 4 star

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 161 times in the last 7 days

This tour also includes
- Shuttle Bag Drop at Pahia Accommodation
- Private Transfer - Rotorua Intercity Bus Stop to Rotorua Accommodation with Ready2Roll
4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 special dinner
Tour full itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
Best of the North Island 5 Day Tour - Day 1
Auckland to Paihia by InterCity Coach

Heading north to the Bay of Islands takes you along the coast road past the seaside villages of Orewa and Waiwera. Then its on to the township of Puhoi, New Zealand's only Bohemian settlement, then Warkworth and the harbour side city of Whangarei and the unique township of Kawakawa. Arriving into the sub tropical Bay of Islands you are greeted with bush clad hillsides dropping to golden sand beaches. Paihia is the main tourist centre in the bay and has a great beach side atmosphere.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds Guided Tour and Cultural Performance including shuttle

Waitangi is one of New Zealand's most historic sites where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the local Maori and the British Government. This two day pass allows you access to the Treaty of Waitangi Grounds and includes admission to the Te Kōngahu Museum and Te Rau Aroha Museum and a Maori Cultural performance. During your guided tour, you'll learn about the history of the treaty and discover the stories and events that shaped New Zealand. The cultural performance inside the carved meeting house includes waiata (singing), poi, a display of Maori weaponry and the haka - a war dance New Zealand is well known for.
There is a free shuttle service to the grounds, this leaves from the Maritime Building, Pahia Wharf every hour on the half hour. It operates from 9:30 until 15:00.

Bag Drop at Pahia Accommodation

While you are exploring Waitangi Treaty Grounds, your bag will be transferred to your accommodation in Paihia.

Your accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands is located within the Waitangi Treaty grounds, surrounded by native bush and the beautiful Bay of Islands Harbour.

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Best of the North Island 5 Day Tour - Day 2
Hole in the Rock Cruise with Fullers GreatSights

Board your cruise and take in the stunning views as you glide out through the islands and along the Rakaumangamanga Peninsula to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over and Piercy Island/Motukōkako, or as it is popularly known as the Hole in the Rock. According to Māori legend, local warriors used to paddle through the Hole in the Rock in their canoes before departing for battle. Drops of water from the cave roof above were a good omen. If conditions permit, your skipper will expertly guide the ship through the narrow space. Keep an eye out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life during your cruise, and have your camera ready as you get up close to the action. The purpose-built catamaran is licensed by DOC (the Department of Conservation) for dolphin viewing and the crew have years of experience locating dolphins in these waters. Dolphin Seeker has indoor and outdoor seating available, and the largest outdoor viewing decks in the Bay of Islands.

Your accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands is located within the Waitangi Treaty grounds, surrounded by native bush and the beautiful Bay of Islands Harbour.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Best of the North Island 5 Day Tour - Day 3
Paihia to Rotorua by Intercity Coach

Your journey will take you past scenic native forests and sub-tropical bush, before crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge to arrive into the spectacular city scene of Auckland. Continue south into the rich farmland of the Waikato and onto the cultural heart of the North Island and Rotorua City.

Private Transfer - Rotorua Intercity Bus Stop to Rotorua Accommodation with Ready2Roll

You will be collected from Rotorua Bus Stop and transferred to your city accommodation.

Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Millennium Hotel is Rotorua's largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Best of the North Island 5 Day Tour - Day 4
Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with Gray Line

Take a journey from Rotorua to famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located inside a picturesque 1,250 acre sheep and beef farm near Matamata. Here, take a guided tour of the village of Hobbiton, which was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. During your guided tour of this amazing location you’ll see sights like Hobbit holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, enjoy a tasty lunch in the Party Marquee and then return back to Rotorua.

Te Pā Tū Evening Maori Cultural Experience

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting Te Pā Tū. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Millennium Hotel is Rotorua's largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Speciality Dinner

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Best of the North Island 5 Day Tour - Day 5
Rotorua to Auckland via Waitomo with FlexiTours

Journey from Rotorua to Auckland, passing through New Zealand's iconic farmland and Waikato Dairy country in a comfortable and spacious mini-coach. Enjoy Waitomo Caves, one of the country's best natural attractions where you will take a boat ride through the darkness to see a spectacular glow worm grotto. Admire thousands of magical glow worms light up the caves, a sight which has been enjoyed for over 130 years.

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Mar 24, 2024
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