New Zealand North Island Tour

Start your tour in New Zealand’s North Island in Wellington, the country’s capital. Spend your first evening on a guided torchlit walk through Zealandia, an eco-reserve that is home to adorable kiwi birds and ethereal glow worms. In the morning, head to the Weta Workshop, where the practical effects for the Lord of the Rings trilogy were created. The trilogy launched New Zealand’s movie industry into the stratosphere, and this is where it all started.

Drive north to Rotorua, a land alive with geysers, hot springs, and mud pools. Explore the alien landscape with your local Te Puia guide organized by your Tourlane Travel Expert. They will explain the Maori myths that accompany the active landscape, handed down from generation to generation. End a day at a Te Po, a traditional feast and storytelling evening, the perfect way to immerse yourself in the history of the Maori people.

Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Start from the top in the Sky Tower, the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere, with dominant views over Auckland itself and the Hauraki gulf. Back on the ground, take the 10-minute ferry over to Devonport and look back to the skyline of the city, before returning to the energetic Queen’s Street neighborhood for fine dining and the best artisan cocktails New Zealand has to offer.

New Zealand has a long and storied connection with the sea, from Maori settlers to European colonizers. Follow in their footsteps from Paihia, a beautiful beachside town, taking a catamaran out to the Bay of Islands, accompanied by dolphins and seals. Drop anchor and dive into the cool waters, before stuffing yourself to the gills with a delectable seafood barbecue, accompanied by a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

From Auckland, take to the seas for a tour organized by your Tourlane Travel Expert across the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island. Once on the island, treat yourself to a New Zealand wine tour, finishing in Batch Winery. End your evening on the terrace, enjoying the Rieslings and Syrahs on offer, accompanied by a dazzling meal of locally caught oysters and New Zealand’s world-famous lamb—a winning way to toast New Zealand’s incredible North Island.