New Zealand Coach Tours - Small Group Tours
11 Day Ultimate North Island Small Group Tour
price from
NZ$ 6730
per person (twin share)
New Zealand - North Island 
Small Group Tour 
11 days 
Auckland 
Auckland Your Ultimate North Island Tour: A Full Loop from Auckland
New Zealand’s North Island rewards travellers who give it real time to explore. This Ultimate North Island tour takes you through the very best of it over eleven unforgettable days. First, you depart Auckland and head into the ancient kauri forests of the Far North. Then you loop south through the Bay of Islands, Mount Maunganui, Rotorua, Taupo and Waitomo, before returning to where you started.
Along the way, you will stand beneath Tane Mahuta, the largest living kauri tree in New Zealand. Cool off at the crystal-clear Kai Iwi Lakes en route. Next, you will spend a free day exploring the Bay of Islands, including an included Waitangi Treaty Grounds pass and a traditional Hāngī dinner. This 11 day North Island New Zealand tour also takes you inside the real Hobbiton Movie Set, through Rotorua’s bubbling Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonderland, and beneath the glowworms of the Waitomo Caves.
Wine lovers will enjoy a tasting at Marsden Wineries in Northland along the way. Small groups and expert local guides make every stop effortless, and premium twin share accommodation ensures comfort throughout. Your guide handles all optional activity bookings on the road, so there is nothing to arrange in advance.
For more options, explore our tours collection. Or, if you’d rather see the South Island, browse our South Island Pioneer tour. Few itineraries cover this much of the North Island in comfort, which is exactly why this Ultimate North Island tour is one of our most popular.
Tour Photo Gallery
Tour Information, Departure Dates & Price
Transportation
- Minibus
Tour Departures
- Check the tour departures below
Airport Transfers
- Not Included
Pricing
-
From NZD 6,730
Meals
- x10 Breakfast
- x1 Breakfast
- x2 Dinner
Accommodation
- Superior Hotels
Cities/Regions Visited
-
Omapere – Paihia – Bay of Islands – Mount Maunganui – Rotorua – Taupo – Waitomo – Raglan
Group Size
- maximum 14 travelers
Tour Code
- WK0720266
Pre & Post Accommodation
- N/A
11 Day Ultimate North Island Small Group Tour Days
Included activities:
- Cool off at the crystal-clear Kai Iwi Lakes before venturing into Waipoua Forest to see Tane Mahuta
If Waipoua Forest was not visited the day before, explore it today via a complimentary local shuttle.
Cross the Far North toward the east coast, stopping at a winery for a wine tasting, before arriving in Paihia in the Bay of Islands.
A free day to design as you choose: cruise the Bay of Islands, go dolphin spotting, kayak to secluded beaches, or explore the included Waitangi Treaty Grounds Combo Pass.
The evening includes a traditional Hāngī dinner at Waitangi.
Stop in Matakana Village for lunch and wine tasting at The Vintry, then return to Auckland in the late afternoon.
Depart Auckland for Tauranga, pausing for a stroll and lunch in Paeroa.
Follow the coastline to Mount Maunganui for an afternoon at one of New Zealand’s most stunning beaches. The day finishes with a group dinner.
Visit Hobbiton, the real film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, with a guided tour and included lunch at the Shire’s Rest Cafe.
Continue to Rotorua, surrounded by natural hot springs and geothermal wonders.
A free day. Options include white water rafting on the Kaituna River, the Polynesian Spa thermal pools, the Redwoods Treewalk, an e-bike tour, or a hike up Mt Tarawera.
Visit Huka Falls to see the sheer power of the water, then explore Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonderland before continuing to Taupo. An optional sunset cruise on Lake Taupo is available in the evening.
Visit Huka Falls, then explore Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonderland before continuing to Taupo.
An optional sunset cruise on Lake Taupo is available in the evening.
A guided tour of the Waitomo Caves, taking in limestone formations lit by thousands of glowworms.
Continue to Hamilton Gardens for a guided walk, then finish the day in Raglan.
Spend the morning exploring Raglan’s black sand beaches and surf breaks at your own pace, then travel back to Auckland to complete your loop.
Inclusions & Highlights
- Mercedes Sprinter Luxury Bus with expert local guide driver throughout
- 3 to 4 star twin share accommodation with private ensuite bathrooms
- Breakfast every day
- Welcome Dinner on arrival in Omapere
- Hobbiton Movie Set guided tour and lunch
- Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland entry
- 40-minute guided tour to Tane Mahuta
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds Combo Pass and traditional Hāngī dinner
- Waitomo Glowworm Cave guided tour
- Wine tasting at Marsden Wineries, Northland
- Guided tour of Hamilton Gardens
- Guide handles all optional activity bookings on the road, nothing to book in advance
Tour Departure Dates
Departure dates 2026
- Tuesday 8 December
Departure dates 2027
- Tuesday 19 January
- Tuesday 16 February
- Tuesday 3 March
- Tuesday 16 March
- Tuesday 23 November
- Tuesday 7 December
Accommodation
- Omapere Hotel or similar, 1 night (Day 1), Twin Share Room with private ensuite
- Paihia Hotel or similar, 2 nights (Days 2 to 3), Twin Share Room with private ensuite
- Mount Maunganui Hotel or similar, 1 night (Day 5), Twin Share Room with private ensuite
- Rotorua Hotel or similar, 2 nights (Days 6 to 7), Twin Share Room with private ensuite
- Taupo Hotel or similar, 2 nights (Days 8 to 9), Twin Share Room with private ensuite
- Raglan Hotel or similar, 1 night (Day 10), Twin Share Room with private ensuite
For your Ultimate North Island tour, you can select from a variety of accommodation styles, including Standard, Superior, First Class Hotels, Boutique Hotels, Boutique B&Bs, and Luxury Lodges.
Included activities
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