Explore the very best of New Zealand's North Island on an 11-day road trip from the far north down through glowworm country to the surf coast. Travelling in a small group of no more than 18, we take in kauri forests, Māori culture, geothermal wonders and coastal towns at a relaxed, personal pace.
We swim in the crystal-clear Kai Iwi Lakes, stand beneath Tāne Mahuta in the Waipoua Forest, explore the Waitangi Treaty Grounds over a traditional Hāngī dinner, dig our own pool at Hot Water Beach, wander the colourful Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonderland, and finish with the glowworm caves of Waitomo and the surf breaks of Raglan.
Days
- 11 days, 10 nights
Age
- 18 to 39 years
Group size
- Max 21
Start / finish
- Auckland / Auckland
- Auckland airport, late afternoon on day 11
Return
- Auckland airport, late afternoon on day 11
Accommodation
- 10 nights in 3-star hotels and flashpacker dorms — one beachfront at Omapere, two at Paihia, one in Auckland, one at Hahei on the Coromandel, two in Rotorua, two in Taupō and one in Raglan.
Transport
- A Mercedes Sprinter with your guide, north from Auckland and back again, finishing at the airport in the late afternoon on day 11.
Meals
- A fish and chips dinner on the beachfront at Omapere on the first night, and a traditional hāngī dinner at Waitangi on day 3.
Route
Included experiences
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds — with an included combo pass, and a hāngī dinner that evening
- Tāne Mahuta — the largest living kauri tree in the country, in the Waipoua Forest
- Hobbiton — the movie set on the road to Taupō
- Cathedral Cove — the gateway to Narnia, with kayaking or a swim at Hahei
- Hot Water Beach — digging your own pool at sunset, tide permitting
- Waitomo — glowworm caves, wet or dry, from crawling to abseiling
- Raglan — a surf lesson on the world's longest left-hand break
- Bay of Islands — a free day for cruising, dolphin spotting or kayaking to secluded beaches
- Wai-O-Tapu — the most colourful geothermal features in the country
- Rotorua — luging, zorbing and rafting, or an optional Mitai Māori Village hāngī
- Huka Falls, then a sunset beer beside Lake Taupō
- Taupō — a free day for the Tongariro Crossing, jetboating or a 15,000ft skydive
- Kai Iwi Lakes and the Kauri Museum at Matakohe in the Far North
- Marsden Winery and Matakana Village — wine tasting on the way north and back
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
5.0
Based on 105 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, one of the shorter trips it's built from, or the same trip in the opposite direction. Gathered from around the web and paraphrased — each review says which.
How we collect and publish reviews
Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.
Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.
Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.
“Wild kiwi for the win!”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Northern Voyager, one leg of this trip
Having only ever done big group tours before, this reviewer loved ending up on a tour of just three people, which felt almost like a private trip. Guide Tom went out of his way to take them on extra walking and forest walks. She found Wild Kiwi organised and professional, and came away from the week feeling relaxed and thoroughly entertained.
“North NZ Winter Tour- Do it!”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Northern Voyager, one leg of this trip
This reviewer did the North Island tour with guide Tom over winter and was pleasantly surprised — the season didn't dampen activities at all, even water-based ones, thanks to warm wetsuits, and the scenery was still incredible. Tom was friendly, knowledgeable, and full of great local tips for photo spots, food, and things to do. She called it an unforgettable trip and highly recommends going with Tom as guide.
“Great memories 🫶”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Northern Voyager, one leg of this trip
This reviewer had a great week touring the North Island, with a different activity on offer at every stop. Having been sceptical about group tours beforehand, she finished the week feeling like part of a new family, largely thanks to guide Telli. She recommends Wild Kiwi as a good way to see the best of the North Island.
“Definitely the better of the 2 Islands on offer.”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Northern Voyager, one leg of this trip
Having done both islands back-to-back, this reviewer felt the North Island offered more variety and better value for money. Guide Telli kept the group of eight running on time and in good spirits throughout. Hobbiton was the standout activity for most of the group, along with the geothermal sulphur pits near Rotorua.
“Wild Kiwi Northern Voyager Tour”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Northern Voyager, one leg of this trip
This reviewer loved how well organised the trip was, with activity choices to suit a wide range of preferences and abilities — from the thrilling Tongariro Crossing to more relaxed options like the glow-worm cave row-boat and hot pools. She'd definitely recommend Wild Kiwi, with a shout-out to guide Tom for being both great fun and a brilliant organiser.
“Pretty sights, great fun”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Northern Voyager, one leg of this trip
This reviewer had a relaxed, unrushed trip with lovely fellow travellers and a nice guide in Tom. The only downside noted was needing to decide on the next day's activities early, since they usually need booking a day ahead.
