5 Day Auckland Must Do Escape

Arrive at Auckland International or Domestic Airport and transfer to your centrally located hotel for a six-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing or explore the Viaduct Harbour, Wynyard Quarter and Auckland’s waterfront dining precinct.

Included Transfer – Auckland Airport to Auckland Hotel
Enjoy a convenient pre-arranged transfer from Auckland International or Domestic Airport to your central Auckland accommodation. This comfortable arrival service provides an easy beginning to your Auckland Must Do Escape.

Optional Experience – Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise (2.5 hours)
Sail across Waitematā Harbour as the evening light settles over Auckland and the waterfront skyline begins to glow. Enjoy a welcome drink and three-course dinner while passing landmarks such as Auckland Harbour Bridge and Viaduct Harbour. Minimum age: 5 years.

Travel through the rolling farmland of the Waikato region to one of New Zealand’s most recognisable attractions. Step into the landscapes of Middle-earth and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and generous hospitality of the Shire.

Included Experience – Hobbiton Express with Party Marquee Lunch (9 hours)
Explore Hobbiton Movie Set on a guided walk past colourful Hobbit Holes, the Mill, the Party Tree and Bag End before stepping inside a fully furnished Hobbit home. Enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn and a buffet lunch in the Party Marquee before returning to Auckland. Minimum age: 5 years.

Alternative Experience – Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves with Party Marquee Lunch (12 hours)
Combine a guided Hobbiton Movie Set tour with the remarkable underground landscapes of Waitomo Glowworm Caves. After exploring the Shire and enjoying a buffet lunch, glide quietly beneath thousands of glowworms during Waitomo’s famous subterranean boat ride. Minimum age: 5 years.

Alternative Experience – Bay of Islands Tour with Hole in the Rock Cruise (12 hours)
Journey north from Auckland to Paihia before boarding a scenic cruise through the island-dotted waters of the Bay of Islands. Look for dolphins, whales and seabirds as you travel towards Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock, which the vessel may pass through when sea conditions permit.

Alternative Experience – Cathedral Cove and Coromandel Coastal Tour (12 hours)
Travel through Waikato farmland and native forest to the white-sand beaches and dramatic coastal landscapes of the Coromandel Peninsula. Explore Cathedral Cove, enjoy a picnic lunch at Hahei and visit additional beaches, viewpoints or coastal towns according to weather and local conditions.

Spend the day experiencing Auckland from the water aboard an authentic America’s Cup yacht. Alternatively, discover the city’s neighbourhoods, Waiheke Island’s vineyards or the rainforest and black-sand beaches of Auckland’s west coast.

Included Experience – America’s Cup Sailing Experience (2 hours)
Join the professional crew aboard an authentic America’s Cup yacht for an exhilarating sail across Waitematā Harbour. Help work the grinders, take the helm or relax and enjoy the harbour scenery as Auckland’s waterfront skyline passes by. Minimum age: 10 years.

Optional Extra Experience – Auckland City Revealed Tour (3 hours)
Discover Auckland’s history, Māori stories and local character on a small-group tour through Queen Street, Auckland Domain and Ponsonby before crossing the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore. Enjoy a beach walk, panoramic views from Devonport’s volcanic landscape and a stop at Westhaven Marina.

Alternative Experience – Wilderness Experience Nature Tour (5 hours)
Discover Auckland’s wild western landscapes on a guided afternoon journey to the Waitākere Ranges and Piha. Take in panoramic views and Māori carvings at the Arataki Visitor Centre, enjoy an easy native rainforest walk and spend time on Piha’s dramatic black-sand beach.

Alternative Experience – Best of Both Worlds: Auckland City and Nature (9 hours)
Combine Auckland’s principal city landmarks with the natural landscapes of the Waitākere Ranges on a comprehensive full-day tour. Explore historic neighbourhoods and waterfront viewpoints before walking through native rainforest and visiting Auckland’s rugged west-coast beaches.

Alternative Experience – Waiheke Island Ferry and Premium Wine Tour (8 hours or more)
Cruise across the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island and visit selected vineyards for guided tastings accompanied by local commentary. Scenic drives reveal sheltered bays, rolling countryside and elevated coastal viewpoints, with time available to purchase a relaxed vineyard lunch. Minimum age for wine tasting: 18 years.

Journey through the Waikato countryside to Rotorua, a destination renowned for its colourful geothermal features and living Māori culture. Choose the included combination of Wai-o-Tapu and Te Puia or select an alternative featuring mineral bathing, forest hot tubs or the Redwoods Treewalk.

Included Experience – Rotorua Tour with Wai-o-Tapu and Te Puia (12 hours)
Explore Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, where the Champagne Pool, Devil’s Bath, volcanic craters, steaming vents and bubbling mud reveal Rotorua’s volcanic character. Continue to Te Puia for a guided visit to Pōhutu Geyser, the Kiwi Conservation Centre and the national Māori carving and weaving schools. A cultural performance is not included.

Alternative Experience – Rotorua Tour with Wai-o-Tapu and Polynesian Spa (12 hours)
Walk through Wai-o-Tapu’s vividly coloured geothermal landscape before touring Rotorua’s principal landmarks. Finish the day relaxing in the mineral-rich pools of Polynesian Spa’s Deluxe Lake Spa while enjoying views across Lake Rotorua.

Alternative Experience – Rotorua Tour with Wai-o-Tapu and Secret Spot Hot Tubs (12 hours)
Discover the steaming pools, volcanic craters and colourful mineral formations of Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Afterwards, unwind in a private cedar hot tub surrounded by native bush beside the peaceful Waipa Stream.

Alternative Experience – Rotorua Highlights with Redwoods Treewalk and Secret Spot Hot Tubs (12 hours)
Walk high among towering Californian redwoods on suspended bridges through Whakarewarewa Forest. Complete your Rotorua experience with a relaxing soak in a private freshwater hot tub surrounded by native forest.

Enjoy a final breakfast, visit a nearby café or take a last walk along Auckland’s waterfront before checking out of your accommodation. Transfer to Auckland International or Domestic Airport for your departing flight.

Included Transfer – Auckland Hotel to Auckland Airport
Travel from your central Auckland accommodation to Auckland International or Domestic Airport with a pre-arranged transfer. Arrive at the appropriate terminal ready for your onward journey, bringing your five-day Auckland escape to a convenient conclusion.