Northern Wonders
Northern Wonders
$3140
Northern Wonders
8 Days Starting in Wellington, New Zealand and ending in Auckland, New Zealand
Visiting: Wellington, Rotorua, Auckland, Bay of Islands
Tour operator:
Tour code:
LWBA24
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Northern Wonders" tour and explore the captivating landscapes and rich cultural heritage of New Zealand's North Island. Begin your journey in Wellington, where you'll enjoy panoramic views from Mount Victoria and delve into Maori history at Te Papa Museum. Travel through the stunning Kapiti Coast to Rotorua, where geothermal wonders and Maori cultural experiences await. Enjoy free time to explore Rotorua's hot springs or visit the iconic Hobbiton. Discover the magical glowworm-lit Waitomo Caves before arriving in Auckland, the vibrant "City of Sails." Continue to the historic Bay of Islands, where you can learn about the Treaty of Waitangi and explore the scenic beauty of the region. With comfortable accommodations and expert guidance from a Travel Director and Driver Guide, this tour offers a seamless and enriching experience of New Zealand's natural and cultural treasures.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Wellington
Location: Wellington
Accommodation Name: Travelodge Wellington
New Zealand’s cool little capital, Wellington is the kind of place you could easily lose yourself in for a day. Good thing you arrived early. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travel companions this afternoon for an orientation tour of Wellington where you will visit the peak of Mount Victoria, and short stroll will reward you with 360-degree views of the surrounding harbour and city. After the tour you may like to visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, home to an extraordinary collection of artefacts, including an eye-opening exhibit dedicated to Māori history. (Please note: There is an entry fee for Te Papa, this must be paid at the guests own expense.) Later, meet up with your fellow adventure-seekers for a Welcome Reception before your tour of the North Island of New Zealand.
Day 2: Wellington - Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Ibis Rotorua Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
The Kapiti Coast is the summer playground of Wellingtonians – for good reason. You’ll follow in local footsteps as you make your way along a road that unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, the largest (and perhaps bluest) of its kind in the country. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. This evening, explore Te Puia’s geothermal valley, and learn about Māori history and culture on this guided experience, which includes a dinner of hangi-inspired cuisine and a cultural performance in a finely carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It ends on a high at the Pohutu Geyser, where, armed with a hot chocolate you’ll view one of New Zealand’s geothermal wonderlands.
Day 3: Rotorua Free Time
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Ibis Rotorua Hotel
If there’s a New Zealand city where you want free time, Rotorua is it. Go your own way today, perhaps blissing out at Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa. Who knew nature was this relaxing? Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans, but a gorgeous countryside getaway.
Day 4: Rotorua - Auckland
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre
Meals Included: Dinner
The Waitomo Caves are radiant – quite literally. While cruising cavernous underground waterways, your route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. It’s a fairytale start to your day. One that only gets better as you descend on Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’. You’ll discover how it got its moniker while gazing over its two yacht-studded harbours from the lookout at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. What a city, as your tour of Auckland reveals.
Day 5: Auckland - Bay Of Islands
Location: Bay of Islands
Accommodation Name: Copthorne Hotel and Resort
Meals Included: Dinner
Your journey north to New Zealand’s Bay of Islands is not short of drama – discover 140 droplets of land ringed by turquoise sea at the top of the country. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical significance: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, likely a descendant of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house.
Day 6: Bay Of Islands Free Time
Location: Bay of Islands
Accommodation Name: Copthorne Hotel and Resort
Go as fast or as slow as you like today – there’s no rush, and no agenda. Talk to your Travel Director to organise leisurely jaunts up to Cape Reinga, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Or glide around on an historic tall ship, or a trip to the iconic Hole in the Rock. If you’re a history buff, you may want to join a tour of Russell and learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands. The choice is yours.
Day 7: Bay Of Islands - Auckland
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre
You’re about to reach the very tip of New Zealand, as your tour takes you to Whangarei – the county’s northern-most city. This is and a place where waterfalls meet beaches, galleries like the Hundertwasser Arts Centre pictured, meet museums. It’s like the country in a tantalising snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Explore at your leisure before sinking back into your coach seat for the mesmerising commute back to Auckland. Ask your Travel Director for tips on where to dine; Auckland is a bit of a culinary hotspot.
Day 8: Farewell From Auckland
Location: Auckland
The only bad day in your Auckland tour is the one where you have to bid farewell. On your journey home, just remember how much pleasure you have packed into this last week.
What's Included
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Specialist team of Travel Director and Driver Guide
The tour includes a specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide to ensure a seamless and comfortable journey.
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UNESCO World Heritage Site
The tour includes a visit to Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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National Park entrance fees
Entrance fees to national parks are included in the tour.
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Transport from Wellington to Auckland
Travel from Wellington to Auckland with stops in Rotorua and the Bay of Islands is included.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
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Airport Transfers
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price.
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Personal items
Items such as comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, water bottle, warm layers in cooler months, and camera are not included.
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Entry fee for Te Papa
Entry fee for Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, must be paid at the guests' own expense.
Accommodation
Enjoy a range of quality accommodations including Travelodge Wellington, Ibis Rotorua Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Auckland, and Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands, all offering comfort and easy access to city centers.
Mode of Transport
Travel from Wellington to Auckland with stops in Rotorua and the Bay of Islands, guided by a specialist team of a Travel Director and Driver Guide, ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey.
Dining Summary
- 7 Full Breakfast (B)
- 1 Highlight Dinner (HD)
- 2 Dinner (D)
Fitness Requirement
- Low level of fitness required.
Flexible Holidays
- We’re here to point you in the right direction when it comes to wining, dining and relaxing across Auckland, Wellington and Rotorua. Ask your Travel Director for tips.
Flight information
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 2.00pm into Wellington AirportDay 8 – flights to depart any time from Auckland Airport
Iconic Sites
- The Waitomo Caves are the stuff fairytales are made of. Illuminate your day cruising this limestone network, cast in the magical light of glowworms.
Natural Wonders
- Rotorua is hot, in more ways than one. Steaming geysers, bubbling mud pools and mineral-rich springs are the beating heart of this geothermal valley.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle Warm layers in cooler months Camera
Check out our Q&As
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What cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to Te Puia's geothermal valley in Rotorua, where you will learn about Māori history and culture. This experience includes a dinner of hangi-inspired cuisine and a cultural performance in a finely carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua.
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Are there any unique natural attractions included in the itinerary?
Yes, the tour includes a visit to the Waitomo Caves, where you can cruise through underground waterways illuminated by thousands of glowworms. Additionally, Rotorua's geothermal valley with its steaming geysers and bubbling mud pools is a highlight.
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What is the significance of the Bay of Islands in the tour?
The Bay of Islands is not only a beautiful destination with 140 islands surrounded by turquoise sea, but it also holds historical significance as the site where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
The tour offers a range of quality accommodations including Travelodge Wellington, Ibis Rotorua Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Auckland, and Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands, all providing comfort and easy access to city centers.
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Is there any free time during the tour to explore on my own?
Yes, there are designated free time periods in Rotorua and the Bay of Islands where you can explore at your own pace or participate in optional activities such as visiting Hobbiton or taking a tour of Russell.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.