Special Interest Tours - Adventure Tours
11 Day North Island Backpacking Journey: From Cape to Coast
price from
NZ$ 4059
per person (twin share)
New Zealand - North Island 
Adventure Tour 
11 days 
Auckland 
Auckland North Island Backpacker Tour | Hostel & Hotel Accommodation | 10 Breakfasts, 2 Group Dinners | Bay of Islands, Hobbiton & Waitomo | For 18 to 39 year olds
This North Island backpacker tour covers the top of the country and back in 11 days. It’s priced for younger travelers and long-term trips. It starts and ends in Auckland, with a maximum of 18 guests riding together in a Mercedes Sprinter. The first four days head north to Omapere and the Waipoua Forest, home to the giant kauri tree Tāne Mahuta. From there, it continues to the Bay of Islands, including a Waitangi Treaty Grounds visit and hāngī dinner.
From Auckland, the route continues south through Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupo, and Waitomo. Cathedral Cove, Hobbiton, Wai-O-Tapu, and glowworm caving all feature along the way. The trip finishes with a stop in Raglan on the way back to Auckland.
This North Island backpacker tour suits travelers who want a social, budget-friendly way to see the North Island’s biggest names. A passionate local guide-driver handles all the logistics and activity bookings along the way. Want to add the South Island too? Our 14-Day North & South Island Fly-In Small Group Adventure and 18 Day New Zealand Flashpacker Adventure: North & South both extend this route across both islands. Prefer hotel accommodation on a similar loop instead? Our 12 Day North Island Grand Loop Small Group Tour covers many of the same regions in a more comfortable style. Browse our full range of Budget Small Group Tours to compare other backpacker-style options.
- Departures run periodically from Auckland, year-round
- Private rooms available on request for an additional cost
Tour Photo Gallery
Tour Information, Departure Dates & Price
Transportation
- Comfortable private vehicle
Tour Departures
- Check the tour departures below
Airport Transfers
- N/A
Pricing
-
From NZD 4.059
Meals
- 10x Breakfast
- 2x Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotels
- Hostels
Cities/Regions Visited
-
Auckland – Omapere – Paihia – Auckland – Coromandel – Rotorua – Taupo – Waitomo – Raglan – Auckland
Group Size
- maximum 18 travelers
Tour Code
- WK09262026
Pre & Post Accommodation
- Available
11 Day North Island Backpacking Journey: From Cape to Coast Days
Head north, stopping at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe to learn about New Zealand’s giant kauri trees and early pioneers. After lunch in Dargaville, visit the crystal-clear Kai Iwi Lakes, then the Waipoua Forest, home to Tāne Mahuta, the largest living kauri tree in the country. Finish the day beachfront in Omapere with a fish and chips dinner as the sun sets over the Tasman Sea.
Accommodation: The Sands Hotel (or similar)
Cross the Far North toward the east coast, stopping at a winery after lunch for a relaxed wine tasting before arriving in Paihia in the Bay of Islands, with the rest of the day free.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel (or similar)
A free day to cruise the Bay of Islands, go dolphin spotting, kayak to secluded beaches, or visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds at your own pace. In the evening, join an included hāngī dinner and cultural experience at Waitangi.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel (or similar)
Head south with a stop in Matakana Village for lunch, boutique shopping, and wine tasting at The Vintry, before returning to Auckland in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Lylo Auckland (or similar)
After a few scenic stops on the drive to the Coromandel Peninsula, arrive in the coastal town of Hahei. Explore Cathedral Cove, spend the afternoon kayaking or swimming, then catch the sunset from the natural hot pools at Hot Water Beach.
Accommodation: Top10 Holiday Park (or similar)
Head to Rotorua, stopping at the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to see a spectacular showcase of geothermal color and activity shaped over thousands of years.
Accommodation: Haka House (or similar)
A jam-packed day at New Zealand’s geothermal and cultural heartland. Try luging, zorbing, or white water rafting, or take in a cultural performance and hangi meal at Mitai Māori Village in the evening.
Accommodation: Haka House (or similar)
Continue to Taupo, the North Island’s adventure capital, stopping at Hobbiton along the way to experience the world-famous film set. See the thundering Huka Falls before a sunset beer beside Lake Taupo.
Accommodation: Finlay Jacks (or similar)
Explore Lake Taupo by jet boat, sailing, or skydive, or spend the day on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the best one-day walks in the world.
Accommodation: Finlay Jacks (or similar)
Head to Waitomo, known for its underground glowworm caves, with the option to crawl, abseil, or raft through the darkness. Finish the day with a beer on the beach in Raglan.
Accommodation: Raglan Backpackers (or similar)
Spend the morning exploring Raglan’s black sand beaches and rugged coastline, with time for a surf lesson, before heading back to Auckland, where the trip concludes.
Inclusions & Highlights
- Mercedes Sprinter luxury bus with a passionate local guide-driver
- 3 nights at 3-star hotels, twin share, on the Far North leg
- 7 nights at Flash-Pack hostels (private rooms available on request)
- 10 x breakfast, 2 x group dinner
- 40-minute guided tour to Tāne Mahuta
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds combo pass and hāngī dinner
- Wine tasting at Marsden Wineries and in Matakana
- Hobbiton Movie Set stop
- Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland entry
- Waitomo glowworm caving (activities optional)
- Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach
- Guide handles all optional activity bookings on the road, nothing to book in advance
Tour Departure Dates
2026 Departure Dates
Tuesday, 8 December 2026 – From $3,969 NZD per person
2027 Departure Dates
Tuesday, 19 January 2027 – From $4,129 NZD per person
Tuesday, 16 February 2027 – From $4,059 NZD per person
Tuesday, 2 March 2027 – From $3,898 NZD per person
Tuesday, 16 March 2027 – From $3,898 NZD per person
Tuesday, 23 November 2027 – From $3,915 NZD per person
Tuesday, 7 December 2027 – From $3,915 NZD per person
Tuesday, 21 December 2027 – From $4,120 NZD per person
2028 Departure Dates
Tuesday, 4 January 2028 – From $4,120 NZD per person
Tuesday, 18 January 2028 – From $3,955 NZD per person
Tuesday, 1 February 2028 – From $3,915 NZD per person
Tuesday, 15 February 2028 – From $3,915 NZD per person
Tuesday, 29 February 2028 – From $3,915 NZD per person
Tuesday, 14 March 2028 – From $4,059 NZD per person
Accommodation
This tour opens with three nights at 3-star hotels on the Far North leg, before switching to hostel accommodation for the remaining seven nights on the loop back through Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo, and Raglan. Private room upgrades can be added for an extra cost, subject to availability.
Included activities
Accommodation
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