Koromiko 11-Day North Island Coach Tour

Welcome to New Zealand! On arrival in Auckland, you will be met and transferred to M Social Auckland, conveniently located near the waterfront. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at leisure. Explore Viaduct Harbour, discover nearby cafés and restaurants, or simply relax before your North Island journey begins.

Travel north across Auckland Harbour Bridge to A H Reed Memorial Park, where an elevated walkway winds through ancient kauri forest. Continue to Whangārei Falls before reaching the Bay of Islands. Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds to discover the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and explore the museum, carved meeting house and ceremonial waka. Afterwards, take a ferry to Russell for a relaxing two-night stay.

Discover Northland with a choice of two included excursions, each offering a different perspective on the region's coastal landscapes and heritage.

Included choice A: Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach. Travel by ferry to Paihia before joining a guided coach excursion to Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. Visit the lighthouse and discover the area's significance in Māori tradition. Continue along Ninety Mile Beach, with an opportunity to try sandboarding if conditions permit. This full-day excursion runs approximately 7.00 am–7.00 pm from Russell.

Included choice B: Hole in the Rock Cruise and Historic Russell. Cruise through the Bay of Islands towards Cape Brett Lighthouse and the famous Hole in the Rock, with a possible passage through the opening when conditions allow. Stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island for time to explore or enjoy lunch at your own expense. Afterwards, discover Russell's maritime history on a guided tour, including Flagstaff Hill.

Return south to Auckland for an afternoon exploring the city's highlights. Visit Bastion Point for sweeping views across Waitematā Harbour, then continue through historic Parnell and along the lively waterfront to Viaduct Harbour. Enjoy a guided visit to Auckland Museum, where exhibitions introduce New Zealand's Māori and Pacific heritage, natural history and cultural traditions. Spend the evening at leisure.

Travel across the Hauraki Plains to Thames before following the scenic coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula. Near Coromandel town, board the Driving Creek Railway for a memorable journey through regenerating native forest, crossing bridges and passing through tunnels to reach the Eyefull Tower lookout. Enjoy views across the surrounding hills and Hauraki Gulf before continuing to Whitianga, your coastal base for the next two nights.

Explore the Coromandel Peninsula's beautiful eastern coastline, beginning at Hot Water Beach, where naturally heated water rises through the sand at low tide. Continue to Cathedral Cove, famous for its striking limestone archway and golden beaches, with a coastal walk subject to track conditions. Later, visit Cooks Beach before choosing to return to Whitianga by passenger ferry and on foot, or travel back with your driver.

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway through Waihī and Mount Maunganui before heading inland towards Rotorua. Stop at Okere Falls for a short bushwalk overlooking the Kaituna River and its waterfalls. Continue to Te Puia for a privately guided experience through the geothermal valley, discovering steaming geysers, bubbling mud pools, traditional Māori arts and crafts, and kiwi conservation. Settle into your Rotorua hotel for a two-night stay.

Choose between two memorable daytime experiences before enjoying an evening of Māori culture, storytelling and dining at Te Pā Tū.

Included Option 1: Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Lake Rotomahana. Explore the geothermal landscape created by the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption. Walk through Waimangu Volcanic Valley, passing steaming lakes, volcanic craters and colourful mineral formations. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Rotomahana while learning about the lost Pink and White Terraces and the region's volcanic history.

Included Option 2: Hobbiton Movie Set. Step into Middle-earth on a guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata. Wander past charming Hobbit Holes, the Millhouse and Green Dragon Inn while discovering behind-the-scenes stories from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Visit Bagshot Row and explore a beautifully furnished Hobbit Hole interior.

Evening: Te Pā Tū Māori Cultural Experience

This evening, attend Te Pā Tū for a Māori cultural experience featuring traditional performances, storytelling and seasonal dining. The programme reflects the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, with a four-course dinner featuring Māori ingredients and culinary traditions. Return hotel transfers are included, and the experience is shared with other visitors.

Depart Rotorua and visit the powerful Huka Falls before continuing past Lake Taupō, with views towards the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park on clear days. Travel onwards to Napier, renowned for its beautifully preserved Art Deco architecture. Join a local guide for a walking tour through the historic centre, learning about the city's rebuilding after the 1931 earthquake. This evening, enjoy dinner at Mission Estate, New Zealand's oldest winery.

Travel south through Hawke's Bay and the Wairarapa region, stopping in charming Greytown to explore its historic buildings, boutique shops and cafés. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand's capital, for an afternoon of sightseeing. View Parliament and the distinctive Beehive, enjoy panoramic views from Kelburn and ride the iconic Wellington Cable Car into the city. Visit Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, before settling into your hotel for the final evening.

After breakfast, transfer to Wellington Airport for your onward flight. Your Koromiko Tour finishes in Wellington. Additional accommodation or onward travel arrangements can be organised separately.