New Zealand · Fully Escorted Tour
New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)
Explore the North Island's golden beaches, geothermal wonders and Māori culture on this 10-day fully escorted tour from Auckland to Wellington, with return flights from London Gatwick.
£1pp low deposit · Price shown includes local taxes which are paid at the time of booking, no additional payment required on arrival · Travel insurance from £91pp · Tour Operator: Intrepid
About This Holiday
Journey through the legendary landscapes of New Zealand's North Island on this southbound fully escorted tour. Begin in the City of Sails, Auckland, then wind down the golden coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula to discover Cathedral Cove and the famous Hot Water Beach.
Surf the black-sand beaches of Raglan, go underground at Waitomo's glowworm caves, then explore Rotorua's geothermal wonders, the magical Redwood Forest and the movie-set magic of Hobbiton. Continue past the thundering Huka Falls to Lake Taupo before finishing in the creative capital, Wellington, with a visit to the Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary.
Holiday highlights
Coromandel Peninsula
Explore the golden sands of Cathedral Cove and dig your own hot pool at the famous Hot Water Beach.
Raglan
Soak up the laid-back surf town of Raglan with a sunset boat cruise and a classic fish & chips dinner.
Waitomo
Trek the Ruakuri Bush Walk and descend into the glowworm-lit limestone caverns of Waitomo.
Rotorua
Walk tall through the Redwood Forest, tour the Hobbiton Movie Set, watch Pohutu Geyser and enjoy a Hāngī dinner with a traditional Haka.
Taupo & Wellington
Gaze at the thundering Huka Falls and Lake Taupo, then finish in Wellington among the wildlife of the Zealandia Sanctuary.
Photos
Itinerary
10 days · Southbound · Auckland to Wellington
Arrive Auckland
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand! Fly from London Gatwick with Intrepid and arrive in Auckland, the City of Sails. Meet your Tour Leader and fellow travellers at a welcome meeting, with time to explore the Viaduct Harbour and waterfront before the road south begins.
Stay: Various 3-4* accommodation · Twin Room
Auckland–Coromandel Peninsula
Leave the bright lights of Auckland behind and drive to the Coromandel Peninsula, a land of white-sand beaches and native rainforest. Follow the coastline before visiting the iconic Cathedral Cove, a soaring natural archway over turquoise waters.
Meals: Breakfast
Coromandel · Hot Water Beach
A day of coastal magic on the Coromandel. Dig your own thermal hot pool beneath the sands at the world-famous Hot Water Beach, where hot springs bubble up through the shoreline, and enjoy free time to soak up the peninsula's golden bays.
Meals: Breakfast
Raglan
Head to the laid-back black-sand surf town of Raglan on the west coast. Today is yours to unwind — surf, stroll or simply take in the rugged scenery. This evening, cast off on a sunset boat cruise before tucking into a classic fish & chips dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Raglan–Waitomo–Rotorua
Travel inland to Waitomo, where you'll take the Ruakuri Bush Walk through native bush and limestone scenery before descending into the glowworm-lit caverns. Continue on to Rotorua, at the heart of New Zealand's Māori culture and geothermal activity.
Meals: Breakfast
Rotorua · Hobbiton & Redwoods
Walk tall through the magnificent Redwood Forest canopy on a treetop walk, then step into the Shire on a tour of the magical Hobbiton Movie Set, the movie location of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies.
Meals: Breakfast
Rotorua · Geysers & Hāngī
Discover Rotorua's geothermal wonderland, watching the mighty Pohutu Geyser erupt and exploring bubbling mud pools and steaming craters. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hāngī dinner cooked in the earth, accompanied by a powerful Haka dance performance.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Taupo · Huka Falls–Wellington
Travel past the vast waters of Lake Taupo and stop at the thundering Huka Falls, where the turquoise river surges through a narrow canyon. Continue south through the North Island to arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's creative capital.
Meals: Breakfast
Wellington
Explore New Zealand's vibrant capital. Visit the Zeelandia Wildlife Sanctuary to see native kiwi, tuatara and rare forest birds in a predator-free valley, then enjoy free time to discover the waterfront, Te Papa museum and the iconic cable car.
Meals: Breakfast
Wellington
Your tour ends this morning after breakfast. You may choose to extend your time in Wellington and explore more on your own — extra nights are available for purchase. Take your return flight to the UK.
Meals: Breakfast
What's Included
Return flights from London Gatwick
9 nights in various 3-4* accommodation
Twin Room
9 breakfasts & 2 dinners
Fully escorted tour with Tour Leader
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel Peninsula
Hot Water Beach, Coromandel Peninsula
Raglan sunset boat cruise & fish & chips dinner
Waitomo Ruakuri Bush Walk & glowworm caves
Rotorua Redwood Forest canopy walk
Hobbiton Movie Set tour
Pohutu Geyser & Rotorua geothermal reserve
Hāngī dinner & Haka dance performance
Huka Falls & Lake Taupo
Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellington
1pc hold luggage per person
Local tax included — no payment required on arrival
READY TO EXPLORE?
Talk to our experts
Our team can confirm departure availability, room upgrades and any special requests on this New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound) tour with Intrepid.
Terms and conditions
Prices shown are per person based on 2 adults sharing a twin room. Departure 11 April 2027 from London Gatwick. Package price is £3,840.00pp, including local tax with no additional payment required on arrival. A £1pp low deposit secures your booking. Optional travel insurance is available from £91pp. Details TBC. Includes 1pc hold luggage per person.
Fully escorted tour operated by Intrepid, travelling in the company of a Tour Leader. Accommodation comprises 9 nights in various 3-4* hotels in a twin room, with 9 breakfasts and 2 dinners. The tour includes Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, a Raglan sunset boat cruise with fish & chips dinner, the Waitomo Ruakuri Bush Walk and glowworm caves, Rotorua's Redwood Forest canopy walk, a Hobbiton Movie Set tour, the Pohutu Geyser, a Hāngī dinner with Haka performance, Huka Falls and Lake Taupo, and the Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington.
All prices correct at time of print but are subject to change. Hays Travel reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions in this brochure.