Auckland to Wellington via Taranaki 6 Day Private Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland via Hobbiton to Cambridge

Stop At: SkyTower, Victoria Street Corner Federal Streets, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
We pick you up in Auckland and head south to a Lord of the Rings fan’s dream location - the Hobbiton Movie Set, for your very own middle-earth adventure. Explore and learn behind the scenes secrets of scenes that were filmed here from both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies. You’ll see Hobbit Holes and visit the Mill, the Party Tree and plenty of other structures and gardens built for the movies. At the end of your tour you can relax at the Green Dragon Inn with a drink.

We depart Hobbiton and head to Sanctuary Mountain which is surrounded by a 47km predator-proof fence, which makes this the longest such fence in the world. It is now home to many rare and threatened New Zealand plants, insects, birds and fish, which are all now thriving in the rejuvenated lush forest of this magical mountain.

From here we continue to Cambridge which is known as ‘the town of trees and champions’. This is because of its majestic tree-lined town and some of the world's best racehorses have been bred here. There are plenty of parks and gardens that provide a stunning range of colours as the seasons change and are a good place to enjoy a picnic or a leisurely stroll.

The area around Cambridge is home to two of New Zealand’s most beautiful waterways, the Waikato River (at 425km New

Zealand’s longest river) and Lake Karapiro. So if you feel like swimming, rowing, kayaking, jet boating, cruising or fishing, these are all available within minutes.

Accommodation in the Cambridge area.

Duration: 4 hours

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

Day 2: Cambridge via Waitomo Caves to Taranaki

Stop At: Cambridge i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, Corner Queen and Victoria Streets 79 Queen Street, Cambridge 3450 New Zealand
On the way to our next destination you have the option of stopping at either one of two locations, or even stop at both if you are interested. The first option is the famous Waitomo Caves. You can experience the natural beauty of these caves and be left breathless when you see the stunning glowworms that light up the caves like stars. Take a guided tour where you walk through these magnificent caves and then float gently along on a small boat. Or for the more adventurous, how about jumping, abseiling, climbing and black water rafting through this subterranean wonderland?

The other option is visiting a major movie location called “Hairy Feet”. You can take a guided tour through the stunning Mangaotaki Valley which became the location for Trollshaw Forest in “The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey”. You’ll get to see where a range of scenes were filmed, get photos taken in the exact spot where characters like Bilbo stood, and hear some behind the scenes stories about the movie-making process!

If you prefer, we can leave Cambridge and travel straight to the dynamic west coast region of Taranaki which is known as ‘The Garden of New Zealand’ with its rich volcanic soil, mild climate and iconic Mount Taranaki towering over the region.

Accommodation in the Taranaki region.

Duration: 4 hours

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

Day 3: Taranaki

Stop At: Taranaki Falls, Ngauruhoe Terrace, Tongariro National Park New Zealand
Choose what you would like to do from the range of wonderful options that allow you to enjoy the best of what Taranaki has to offer. There are a number of gardens with a diverse range of landscapes and unique plant collections we can visit, including Pukekura Park, Hollard Gardens and Tupare which are well worth exploring the displays of native and exotic specimens.

Egmont National Park is home to Mount Taranaki, New Zealand’s most perfectly formed volcano which offers plenty of walks through lush rainforests, to waterfalls and eroded rock pools, as well as spectacular views. We can help arrange the most suitable walk for you if you are interested in exploring this inconic volcano. In Summer, you can challenge yourself by climbing what is often called one of the world’s most beautiful mountains. In winter, the mountain offers skiing or snowboarding.

The region has plenty of fantastic golf courses to choose from and no matter where you wish to play, all have guaranteed views of the mountain – provided the weather cooperates.

There is also an amazing collection of museums that are worth visiting if you want to gain some insight to Taranaki’s interesting history. Puke Ariki highlights specific aspects of the region’s culture. Tawhiti Museum is often described as New Zealand’s best private museum and uses hand-crafted life size exhibits and scale models to take you along on an incredible journey through Taranaki’s history.

You can unwind and relax at Taranaki thermal spa, enjoying a private pool and massage if you are keen to relax after exploring.

You can also take a heli tour for an unforgettable day enjoying incredible views and landing at an isolated waterfall where you can swim, walk or simply enjoy the tranquillity before returning back to base for a celebratory drink after a great day.

Accommodation in the Taranaki region.

Duration: 4 hours

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

Day 4: Taranaki to Wellington

Stop At: Taranaki Falls, Ngauruhoe Terrace, Tongariro National Park New Zealand
We depart Taranaki and here you have a few choices of stopping along the way if you’d like. If you are interested we can drive the spectacular Surf Highway 45 where you can enjoy the views of the coastline and the pumping surf. We can stop off at the westernmost point of Taranaki, at the Cape Egmont Lighthouse which is surrounded by beautiful scenery so be sure to have your cameras ready!

We can then stop off at Whanganui, home to the Whanganui River which is New Zealand’s longest navigable waterway. If you like you can explore the Whanganui River by jet boat, kayak, and canoe or just take a stroll alongside it without getting wet.

If you prefer, we can depart Taranaki and drive straight to the capital of New Zealand, Wellington, known for its arts, culture, heritage and natural beauty. There’s plenty to see and do here and you’ll have a great two days exploring the very best Wellington has to offer. We can drive you to the summit of Mount Victoria, from which you can enjoy 360 degree views of Wellington, Cook Strait and across to New Zealand’s South Island.

Accommodation in Wellington.

Duration: 4 hours

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

Day 5: Wellington

Stop At: Wellington i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Wellington 6011 New Zealand
We can explore the Wellington waterfront a number of ways including by bike, roller skate or simply have a wander and explore the many unique shops, and take your pick from a range of cafes, restaurants and bars for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink. Keep your eyes peeled for inspiring artworks dotted along the waterfront. We can also stop off along the way at Te Papa, our innovative national museum where you can enjoy the interactive displays showcasing New Zealand’s fascinating history, art and indigenous Maori people.

There is plenty of time for us to visit New Zealand’s ‘coolest street’ - Cuba Street which provides an inner city slice of Bohemia with plenty of culinary and creative soul and provides a unique place to shop or dine.

You can take a ride up the iconic and historic Wellington cable car which climbs up to the Botanic Garden and provides incredible views of the city and harbour! If you are interested we can explore key parts of Parliament's buildings including the Beehive and learn about New Zealand’s parliamentary processes. You will also be able to see NZ’s largest and grandest wooden building: the breathtaking Old St Paul’s, an 1866 wooden cathedral which is one of New Zealand’s greatest heritage buildings and is one of the best examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the world.

A must visit for Lord of the Rings fans is Weta Workshop for a unique behind the scenes look at how they help craft some of the world’s biggest films. You can get up close to props, vehicles, armour and weapons that were crafted for movies like; Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia and more. We can visit Zealandia, home to some of New Zealand’s rarest and most extraordinary wildlife, which is thriving in a protected sanctuary set around a picturesque reservoir.

Accommodation in Wellington.

Duration: 4 hours

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

Day 6: Wellington

Stop At: Wellington i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Wellington 6011 New Zealand
We are happy to leave you in Wellington or drop you off at Wellington Airport or Ferry Terminal or if you prefer you can return to Auckland with us. From Wellington to Auckland is a full day’s drive taking about 10 hours, so your guide will depart in the morning after a great week during which you have explored some of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand.

Duration: 4 hours

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