Auckland to Waitomo, Taupo, Rotorua & Hobbiton 3 Day Private Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland to Taupo via Waitomo Caves

Stop At: SkyTower, Victoria Street Corner Federal Streets, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
After picking you up in a beautiful Mercedes vehicle, 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 New Zealand’s Maori King.

Waitomo Caves is an amazing natural wonderland which offers a vast range of unique sights and experiences for you to choose from. Options include the main Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour, a 3-4 hour tour where you can decide on a soft adventure option to see both a Glowworm Cave and a cave with Stalactites and Stalagmites, or the more adventurous Black Water Rafting! We will be happy to advise you accordingly depending on your interests and abilities.

You can also explore the Otorohanga Kiwi House after seeing the amazing Waitomo Caves, where you’ll see the Kiwi, our national bird and emblem, as well as a host of other native birds and wildlife. We then set off for the Central Volcanic Plateau 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 options for relaxation and activities in the evening, including some great restaurant options. You can also have a luxurious swim in Taupo’s thermal pools and/or enjoy a relaxing spa experience.

Duration: 8 minutes

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

Day 2: Taupo to Rotorua

Stop At: Taupo i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 30 Tongariro Street, Taupo 3330 New Zealand
Day 2: Taupo to Rotorua

In Taupo you can stroll along the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake or take a dip in its crystal clear waters. You can browse in the town’s brilliant mix of local craft and fashion shops, or picnic in its sunny, sheltered lakefront gardens.

Here too, you can choose a range of additional tour options in addition to our guiding in this special area:

A scenic cruise of beautiful lake Taupo.

Trout fishing - Fly Fishing or from a boat - in various locations in or around Lake Taupo.

Jet boating along the Waikato River up to Huka Falls.

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

A day of golf at the fabulous Wairakei Course, voted one of the world's finest golf courses.

Continuing north past the Craters of the Moon, we can stop at spectacular Huka Falls on the mighty Waikato River. Here, safe bush-fringed paths and viewing platforms offer stunning vistas of the 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. This was used as a filming location in “The Hobbit” movie trilogy.

We then head north towards Rotorua across the Central Volcanic Plateau. The region is home to several of New Zealand’s most impressive Thermal Parks and we suggest visiting 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, which Rotorua and Taupo are so famous for.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 3: Rotorua to Auckland

Stop At: Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 1167 Fenton Street, Rotorua 3007 New Zealand
As part of your Auckland to Waitomo,Taupo and Rotorua Private Tour with us, we can show you:

Rotorua City.

Government Gardens and Rotorua Museum, which not only holds some of New Zealand’s most fascinating collections but is also housed in the stunning old Victorian bath house in the centre of the beautiful Government Gardens.

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

Time-permitting, Redwood Forest (widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful forests)

Blue Lake & Green Lake.

Lake Tarawera with the peak of Mount Tarawera towering above the lake.

We can also arrange additional tour options to cater for your particular preferences and abilities. They include:

Helicopter or floatplane flights to see both Rotorua and Lake Rotorua, as well as a huge amount of amazing volcanic sights, from above. Our favourite is a flight from Rotorua via the volcanic crater of Mount Tarawera and landing on White Island, New Zealand's only - and active - marine volcano!

Te Puia, the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, where you can see one of the world’s most active geysers, boiling mud pools and learn more about Maori culture.

The Skyline Gondola, which will swing you up to the top of Mount Ngongotaha for a spectacular view and the Luge, in which you can race back down.

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, so 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 1 instead of the Maori cultural experience if you prefer.

White water rafting, on various scenic local rivers with varying degrees of difficulty to suit everyone.

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

We leave Rotorua at lunchtime and can incorporate a tour of the famous Hobbiton Movie Set into your itinerary. “Hobbiton” shot to stardom in Director Peter Jackson’s movie trilogy “The Lord of the Rings”. We continue on to Auckland and drop you off at the end of our Private 3 Day Tour during which you have seen several of New Zealand’s most famous places!

Duration: 8 minutes

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