This is a great introduction to the highlights of the North Island, designed for people who must be conservative with both their time and money. Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. Join an evening harbour cruise where you will enjoy sunset views of the skyline, and a delicious Kiwi dinner! Participate in a morning tour of the city, visiting it's most interesting neighbourhoods and sights including Mt Eden, Victoria Park Market, Westhaven Marina, the War Memorial Museum, Parnell and Bastion Point . The following day travel overland from Auckland to Rotorua by coach, stopping along the way to visit Waitomo. Take a guided tour through the galleries and lofty chambers of the caves, and a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. Once in Rotorua, spend a leisurely spa day at the Hells Gate Geothermal reserve, where you will experience the unique mud and water baths that this region is famous for. Attend a Maori Hangi and concert, where you learn about traditional Maori customs and beliefs and finish it all off with an authentic hangi dinner! This is a wonderful stand alone tour of the North Island, but has been made to work together with our South Island Explorer for a more complete exploration of New Zealand.

Day 1
Auckland
Shared shuttle transfer between Auckland Airport and your hotel. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Experience a dinner cruise with delicious New Zealand fare, including some traditional Kiwi favourites, at one of the best times to experience Auckland’s magnificent harbour. Enjoy great sailing while the sun sets, and watch the fairy-tale lights of this photogenic city come alive. Your experienced crew will explain Auckland’s unique sights and those wishing to participate in the sailing can do so.


Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Centrally located in Auckland, this property is near Queen Street Shopping District, Sky Tower, and Auckland City Hall. Additional nearby points of interest include Auckland War Memorial Museum. In addition to air conditioning and minibars, guestrooms feature complimentary newspapers and cookware/dishes/utensils. Bathrooms come with hair dryers and bathtubs only. Mercure Auckland provides a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a concierge desk. Other amenities include a business center and a porter/bellhop.
Auckland is the largest city in the country, and has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. It is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water. Auckland is popularly known as the "City of Sails" because the harbour is often dotted with hundreds of yachts, in fact over 135,000 are registered in the city. Many national treasures are displayed at the Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland War Memorial Museum, the National Maritime Museum, or the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). Exotic creatures can be observed at the Auckland Zoo and Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World.

Day 2
Auckland
Today you join fellow travelers on a morning city tour of Auckland. Travel past Victoria Park Market and Westhaven Marina then on to the volcanic crater of Mt Eden where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city and harbor. Pass by the War Memorial Museum then pass through Parnell and onto Bastion Point amongst Auckland's most expensive residences. The view of the Waitemata Harbour and beaches is unmatched. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Suggested Activity: Walk from your hotel, or take a short public bus to the downtown ferry terminal where you can purchase tickets for the scenic 35 minute ferry out to Rangitoto Island. Explore the island on your own, discovering lava tunnels which can be walked through or climb to the summit for amazing views. Learn of the protected archaeological and historic sites including the site of a prisoners' camp from the early 1900s. Return by public ferry.
Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Mercure (3.5*).

Day 3
Auckland - Rotorua
Enjoy a day trip from Auckland to Rotorua through lush rolling farm landscape to the mystical Waitomo Glowworm Caves. After lunch (own expense) enjoy a guided tour through the galleries and lofty chambers of the Caves. Your tour culminates with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto - lit up by thousands of tiny living lights. View the unique Waitomo glowworms, as expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves historical and geological significance. Enjoy the limestone shafts, stunning Cathedral cavern and then take a unique boat ride through the glowworm grotto. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Ibis Rotorua is located on the shores of Lake Rotorua. The hotel features 145 rooms, a restaurant, bar and Internet access. The city centre is only a short walk away, offering easy access to the convention centre, Energy Event Centre, cafes and restaurants. Conference rooms and other facilities at the neighbouring Novotel Rotorua Lakeside are also available to guests.
Rotorua is a city on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island. It is also home to botanical gardens and interesting historic architecture. Known as a spa town and major tourist resort since the 1800s, many of its buildings hint at this history, particularly Government Gardens at the eastern end of the town. Another of Rotorua's attractions is the mountain biking. Whakarewarewa (also known as the "Redwoods") Forest has been described as 'the Disneyland of mountain biking' and has some of the best mountain bike trails in New Zealand.

Day 4
Rotorua
The unique geothermal muds and waters of Rotorua are renown for their curative and invigorating properties—and this is particularly so at “Hells Gate” - Rotorua’s most active thermal park. Hells Gate Geothermal Park is set in 50 acres with a large variety of thermal features. Walk past steaming fumeroles and hot pools of boiling mud so violent they are unnerving. Wai Ora Spa Facility is where visitors can experience the unique geothermal mud and sulphurous waters in privacy as well as in a totally unique environment. There are three private mud baths in the Wai Ora (“Healthy Waters”) Spa Facility – one family and two three-person baths each containing in excess of 70-100kgs of the finest geothermal muds in both suspended and solid form. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Ibis (3*).

Day 5
Rotorua
Suggested Activity: Make your way by foot to the centrally located Rotorua Museum of Art and History where you can purchase an entrance pass. Discover the great stories of the Rotorua region through innovative exhibitions and cinema experiences. Learn about the rich culture, volatile landscape and legendary figures that have shaped this fascinating region.
Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). On arrival at Mitai Maori Village, you are welcomed by Mitai family members and guided to your table in the dining area. Here, you will receive an introduction into Maori customs and traditions, rituals, beliefs, protocol and language. Mitai are proud to offer you an authentic hangi meal that is cooked in the earth oven known as 'the hangi pit'. Your menu includes a hot selection of succulent New Zealand Lamb & Chicken, Potatoes (Rewai), Sweet Potato (Kumara) and stuffing (a combination of Bread, Mixed Herbs, Corn, Carrots & Peas). Side dishes include scalloped potatoes baked with a cheese topping and freshly baked Garlic Bread.

Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Ibis (3*).

Day 6
Rotorua
Shared shuttle transfer between Rotorua Airport and your hotel. Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.