Auckland to Waitomo, Taupo & Bay of Plenty 5-Day Private Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland to Waitomo Caves

Stop At: SkyTower, Victoria Street Corner Federal Streets, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
Start your tour with us in Auckland where we pick you up in one of our beautiful Mercedes luxury vehicles at your hotel, Auckland airport, Auckland cruise terminal or from your preferred location at 9am, or whatever time suits you, to start our journey to the Waitomo Caves.

On the 2 ½ hour drive south we follow the mighty Waikato River through the rich, rolling farmland of the Waikato region and the King Country. We pass through a string of small, historic river towns, including Ngaruawahia, site of the famous Turangawaewae Marae (traditional Maori meeting place) and seat of Aotearoa’s (New Zealand's) Maori King. We also pass by the impressive volcano Mount Pirongia along the way.

Waitomo Caves is an amazing natural wonderland which offers a vast range of unique sights and experiences. As part of your Private Auckland to Waitomo, Taupo, Rotorua and Bay of Plenty 5 Day Tour, you can also choose to see a Kiwi, our national bird and emblem, as well as many of our native flora and fauna at the Otorohanga Kiwi House. When arriving at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, you have a choice of several amazing options to marvel at an extraordinary Glowworm cave in total darkness. Each tour option brings you close to the beautiful Glowworms in Waitomo.

Accommodation at or near Waitomo Caves.

Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Waitomo to Piopio & on to Tongariro National Park

Stop At: Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3943 New Zealand
After a short drive to Piopio just south of Waitomo Caves, you have the option to visit the “Hairy Feet” Scenic Film location, where a substantial portion of “The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey” was filmed. You can simulate movie scenes, step in Gandalf’s footprints and even hold a replica of Bilbo’s sword! On the tour you will also see towering limestone cliffs, massive rock formations and a primeval forest on the farm that was chosen as the location for Staddle Farm and Trollshaw Forest from “The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey”.

We then set off for the Central Volcanic Plateau of New Zealand’s North Island with the huge volcanic caldera Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, as its centerpiece. When we arrive in Taupo, you can just relax or have a range of activity options in the evening, including some very nice restaurants. You can also have a swim in Taupo’s thermal pools and/or enjoy a wonderful spa experience.

Accommodation in Taupo.

Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Taupo to Rotoura (1 hour)

Stop At: Taupo i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 30 Tongariro Street, Taupo 3330 New Zealand
In Taupo you can browse in the town’s mix of local craft and fashion shops, or relax and swim along its beautiful lakefront. For this morning, we can either

book from a range of additional tour options for you, or we can show you around this stunning area as part of our tour. Additional tour options are:

A scenic cruise on beautiful lake Taupo to Maori rock carvings.

Trout fishing - Fly Fishing or from a boat - in various locations in or around Lake Taupo, which is reputed to be one of the world’s best Trout fishing spots.

Jet boating along the Waikato River and right up to Huka Falls, one of New Zealand’s most famous attractions.

Huka Prawn Park, where we can also stop for lunch if you like Prawns.

An afternoon of golf at the fabulous Wairakei Golf Course, voted one of the world's finest 100 golf courses.

On the way to Rorotua, we stop at a viewpoint for a spectacular view of Huka Falls on the mighty Waikato River. We can also show you the impressive Aratiatia Rapids, an amazing spectacle when a lock in the Waikato River is lifted and the river is allowed to roar through at amazing force and speed a few times per day. The Aratiatia Rapids were used for an extensive scene in Peter Jackson’s movie trilogy “The Hobbit”.

We continue north towards Rotorua, the famous region which is home to several of New Zealand’s most impressive thermal areas. We suggest visiting at least one of Wai-o-Tapu, Orakei Korako or Waimangu Volcanic Valley, where you can experience the full might and majesty of this unique and spectacular volcanic landscape for which Rotorua and Taupo are world-renowned.

We continue on to Rotorua itself, where we catch our first glimpses of the shimmering blue lake with bush-clad Mokoia Island at its centre.

After settling into your accommodation, in the evening we recommend a unique Maori cultural experience in Rotorua. Here you can enjoy a traditional Kai Maori (Maori food) cooked in a Hangi (earth oven) and enjoy a performance of song and dance in a traditional Maori village setting, including the Haka, the Maori war dance made famous by our national Rugby Team, the “All Blacks”. Alternatively, you can just relax, or have the opportunity to explore more of Rotorua on foot at your leisure.

Accommodation in Rotorua.

Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Rotorua to Whakatane

Stop At: Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 1167 Fenton Street, Rotorua 3007 New Zealand
The next morning on day 4 and as part of your Private Auckland to Waitomo, Taupo, Rotorua & Bay of Plenty 5 Day Tour with us, we can show you (all part of our tour):

Rotorua City with the Government Gardens featuring Rotorua Museum, which is also housed in the stunning old Victorian bath house in the centre of Rotorua’s beautiful Government Gardens.

Rotorua Lake Front with view across to the magical Mokoia Island.

Redwood Forest (widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful forests), Blue Lake and Lake Tarawera.

We can also arrange extra tour options (at your cost) to cater for your particular preferences and abilities. They include but are not limited to:

Helicopter or floatplane flights to see Lake Rotorua, as well as many amazing volcanic sights from above. This can include a helicopter tour and landing on White Island, New Zealand’s most active volcano.

Te Puia, Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, to see iconic geysers, mud pools, Maori carving and weaving plus our national bird, the Kiwi.

Skyline Gondola, which will swing you up to the top of Mount Ngongotaha for a spectacular view and the Luge, on which you can race downhill having lots of fun!

The Polynesian Spa, on the site of one of Rotorua’s historic bath houses in the lovely Government Gardens, is also home to one of the world’s best spas. Here you can steep yourself in luxury and well-being as well as history. This is also a great option on the evening of day 2 if you prefer this to the Maori cultural evening.

The Agrodome, where you can experience all the magic of New Zealand farming, with a fascinating range of agricultural shows and displays.

After an exciting morning in Rotorua we drive to the Eastern Bay of Plenty region in the afternoon and give you enough time to relax in or around the Whakatane/Ohope Beach area.

Accommodation in Whakatane or nearby Ohope Beach

Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Whakatane to Auckland

Stop At: Whakatane River Walk, The Strand, Whakatane New Zealand
Along our journey back to Auckland, we offer you the option to stop at Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty region for a walk to the summit or around its base. With its white sandy surf beaches on the ocean and a great inner harbour beach, Mount Maunganui is one of New Zealand’s favourite summer holiday destinations. Mount Maunganui is also the name of the extinct volcano which rises above the town.

We continue via the goldmining town of Waihi and the beautiful Karangahake Gorge, which has been carved by the Ohinemuti River, on our journey back to Auckland. Along the Seabird Coast between the Coromandel and Auckland, you can choose to incorporate a swim at one of the gorgeous beaches here. Your guide will then transfer you back to your Auckland accommodation, or even Auckland Airport.

Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.