6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour

A green hill with a pathway and a distant view of the ocean. 1

Two people kayaking on a calm lake with mountains in the background. 2

6 Day Northern Loop New Zealand Private Tour

By Waimate Journeys

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
6d
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation

Overview

This signature 6-day tour offers a perfect blend of travel per day covering the many of top attractions in New Zealand's North Island, optional activities and accommodation. Experience the best of the North Island without the hassle of planning which attractions to visit, where to stay, what to do, all without driving long distances on your own.

Enjoy the luxury of a private tour for your group. Benefit from a knowledgeable guide-driver and a vehicle exclusively for your group.

Enjoy the flexibility to choose your own desired activities or opt for a range of exciting 10–14 optional activities, including Auckland Museum or Waiheke Island hop-on hop-off exploration, scenic boating or guided kayaking, Hobbiton tour, Redwoods Treewalk, Agrodome & private soak or river rafting, geothermal valley & Māori cultural experience, jet boating, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, black water rafting or Aranui & Ruakuri Caves, and Hamilton Gardens. Start from Auckland or Queenstown and finish in Auckland.

Activity location

Auckland
- Auckland, New Zealand

Meeting/Redemption Point

Queenstown Airport
- Sir Henry Wigley Drive
- 9300, Queenstown, Otago Region, New Zealand

Check availability

Without Hotels & Entry Tickets

6d
English

Without Accommodation: This option excludes accommodation. Travellers must book their own accommodation. Date-specific location guidance provided.
Without Entry Tickets: This options excludes entry tickets for activities. Travellers book their own desired activities. Timeslot guidance provided.

Travellers

Language options: English

Starting time: 8:30 AM

Price details

AU$10,100.69 x 1 AdultAU$10,100.69

Total

5% off

Until Mon, 29 June

Without Hotels & With Tickets

6d
English

Without Accommodation: This option excludes accommodation. Travellers must book their own accommodation. Date-specific location guidance provided.
With Entry Tickets: Includes Entry Tickets for mentioned 10-14 activities.

Travellers

Language options: English

Starting time: 8:30 AM

Price details

AU$11,149.60 x 1 AdultAU$11,149.60

Total

5% off

Until Mon, 29 June

With Hotels & Entry Tickets

6d
English

With Accommodation: Includes accommodation for 5 nights in 4 to 5-star handpicked properties with breakfast based on availability and season.
With Entry Tickets: Includes Entry Tickets for mentioned 10-14 activities.

Travellers

Language options: English

Starting time: 8:30 AM

Price details

AU$13,092.04 x 1 AdultAU$13,092.04

Total

5% off

Until Mon, 29 June

What's included, what's not

Guide-driver exclusively for your group
Private transport
If any optional activity is cancelled by activity provider or unavailable, alternatives are provided
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Geothermal Valley, Māori Cultural Experience & Dinner at Rotorua
Use of charging cables & emergency rain gear
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Hamilton Gardens Entry Ticket at Hamilton
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour Ticket at Waitomo
Standard Economy Transfer Flight Ticket from Queenstown to Auckland if starting from Queenstown
Optional ("With Accommodation" Option): 5 nights' stay in 4 to 5 star properties with breakfast.
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Auckland Museum or Waiheke Island Hop-On Hop-Off Explore Ticket
WiFi on board
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Black Water Rafting or Aranui Cave & Ruakuri Cave Tour at Waitomo
Packaged snacks & chocolates
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Agrodome & Private Hot Pool OR River Rafting Ticket at Rotorua
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Redwoods Treewalk Ticket at Rotorua
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Jet Boating Ticket at Taupō
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Scenic Boating Tour or Guided Kayaking Ticket at Cathedral Cove
Optional ("With Tickets" option): Hobbiton Film Set Tour Ticket at Matamata
Packaged water bottles
Food & Drinks (except 5 x breakfast with "With Accommodation" option)
Travel Insurance
Anything not described in the inclusions

Know before you book

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transport options are available nearby
Specialised infant seats are available
Not recommended for pregnant travellers
Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travellers should have their own comprehensive travel insurance
Following your booking, the operator will get in touch to confirm your preferences, as applicable
With the "With Tickets" option, traveller(s) may swap any of the included activities for alternatives of interest such as Skydiving, Horse Trekking, Scenic Flights, Swimming with Dolphins, Relaxing Spa Treatment, Ziplining, etc., subject to availability, cost differences, and route or schedule feasibility

Activity itinerary

Day 1: Auckland & Muriwai Explore OR Auckland & Waiheke Island Explore

4 stops
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Optional ("With Accommodation" Option): 4 to 5-star property with breakfast based on availability and season.

Auckland

4h 30m

On the first day of your journey, begin the tour with a pickup from any location in Auckland or from Auckland Airport. Explore the highlights of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city and gateway to the country. Visit Mount Eden, Auckland’s highest volcanic cone, and enjoy panoramic views of the city, harbours, and surrounding landscape. Continue to One Tree Hill, an important landmark rich in Māori and European history, set within the peaceful surroundings of Cornwall Park. Before lunch, take a stroll through the Auckland Domain and the beautiful Wintergardens, featuring tropical and temperate plants in historic glasshouses. If time permits, you may also visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum to learn about New Zealand’s history, Māori culture, and natural heritage.

Muriwai Gannet Colony

After lunch, choose between two contrasting experiences. You may head to Auckland’s rugged west coast and visit Muriwai Beach, famous for its striking black volcanic sand, powerful Tasman Sea waves, and dramatic coastal scenery. A short walk leads to the renowned Gannet Colony, where thousands of Australasian gannets nest on the clifftops during the breeding season. Watching these impressive seabirds soar, dive, and interact in their natural environment is a memorable wildlife experience unique to New Zealand’s coastline.

Waiheke Island

4h 30m

Alternatively, take a scenic ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island and enjoy a relaxed half-day hop-on hop-off exploration. Discover the island at your own pace as you visit charming coastal villages, beautiful beaches, boutique vineyards, olive groves, art galleries, and scenic viewpoints. The island’s laid-back atmosphere and stunning coastal scenery make it one of Auckland’s most popular destinations.

Auckland

Return to Auckland by evening and settle into your accommodation after a memorable day of sightseeing and exploration.

Day 2: Auckland – Cathedral Cove (Boat Tour or Guided Sea Kayaking) – Hot Water Beach – Whitianga

4 stops
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Optional ("With Accommodation" Option): 4 to 5-star property with breakfast based on availability and season.

Auckland

Wake up and depart Auckland in the morning, travelling through the scenic Waikato countryside and into the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Enjoy the changing landscapes of rolling farmland, native forest, and coastal views as you make your way to Whitianga or Hahei.

Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve

Upon arrival, take time to relax and enjoy lunch at one of the local cafés while soaking in the laid-back coastal atmosphere. In the afternoon, choose between two memorable ways to experience the famous Cathedral Cove coastline. Join a boat tour from Whitianga to explore spectacular sea caves, volcanic rock formations, blowholes, and Cathedral Cove from the water, or opt for a guided kayaking tour from Hahei, paddling along the coastline and landing at Cathedral Cove itself, allowing time to step onto the beach and explore this iconic natural landmark up close. Both options offer unique perspectives of one of New Zealand’s most famous coastal destinations.

Hot Water Beach

After your chosen activity, spend the late afternoon and early evening enjoying one of the Coromandel’s most iconic experiences. You may choose to hike to Cathedral Cove, where a rewarding coastal walk leads to the famous beach and natural rock arch. Spend some time exploring the shoreline and watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Alternatively, head to Hot Water Beach, where, during low tide, you can dig your own natural hot pool in the sand and relax in the warm mineral-rich water while enjoying the evening atmosphere.

Whitianga

As the day comes to an end, make your way to Whitianga and check in to your accommodation. Unwind and reflect on a day filled with coastal scenery, unique experiences, and the natural beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Day 3: Whitianga - Hobbiton - Rotorua (Redwoods Treewalk, Eat Street)

3 stops
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Optional ("With Accommodation" Option): 4 to 5-star property with breakfast based on availability and season.

Whitianga

2h 30m

On Day 3, check out from your accommodation in Whitianga and begin your journey towards Rotorua.

Hobbiton Movie Set

3h
Admission ticket included

Along the way, stop at the world-famous Hobbiton Film Set for a guided tour through the beautifully preserved film set created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, based on the beloved novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. Set within the rolling green farmlands of Matamata, this enchanting location brings the fictional world of the Shire to life with incredible detail. During your guided walk, explore the charming Hobbit Holes built into the hillsides, see the iconic Party Tree, and stroll past gardens, stone bridges, and the Green Dragon Inn. Your guide will share fascinating facts and behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the films and how the area was transformed into Middle-earth on screen. The attention to detail throughout the village makes it feel as though you have stepped directly into Tolkien’s world, offering a unique and immersive experience for visitors of all ages.

Rotorua

After your tour, continue to Rotorua, a city famous for its geothermal wonders, Māori culture, and beautiful lakes. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and take some time to relax before heading out in the evening for the magical Redwoods Nightlights experience. Stroll through the towering redwood forest along illuminated suspended walkways and artistic light displays that transform the forest after dark. Later, enjoy dinner at Eat Streat, Rotorua’s popular dining precinct, offering a variety of restaurants and cuisines in a lively atmosphere. Return to your hotel and unwind after a memorable day of film magic, nature, and unique experiences.

Day 4: Rotorua Explore (Agrodome & Polynesian Spa OR River Rafting, Geothermally Active Place & Māori Culture Experience)

2 stops
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Optional ("With Accommodation" Option): 4 to 5-star property with breakfast based on availability and season.

Rotorua

Welcome the morning with adventure ahead. Based on your appetite for adventure, choose between two unique experiences: For a relaxed afternoon, opt for the farm experience at Agrodome followed by a private hot pool session at Polynesian Spa. Enjoy a farm show with sheep shearing & a dog show, and tour the 350-acre property to meet and hand-feed animals. Later, unwind in a soothing private hot pool nestled in a serene place. Alternatively, if you’re seeking thrills, go for Grade 5 river rafting on the Kaituna River, navigating challenging rapids and a 7-meter waterfall, one of the highest commercially rafted waterfalls in the world.

Te Puia

4h
Admission ticket included

In the late afternoon, get ready for an unforgettable experience at a place known for its geothermal activity and rich Māori culture. Enjoy a guided walk to witness the power of active geysers, bubbling mud pools, and steaming vents. Enjoy a delicious Hangi feast, where your food is cooked in the ground using traditional methods, adding a unique and authentic touch to your dining experience. Later, experience a traditional Māori welcome ceremony, including the powerful haka (war dance), along with engaging cultural performances that showcase the history and traditions of the Māori people.

Day 5: Rotorua – Taupō Explore (Aratiatia Rapids, Huka Falls, Huka Jet Boating) – Waitomo – Waitomo Glowworm Cave

3 stops
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Optional ("With Accommodation" Option): 4 to 5-star property with breakfast based on availability and season.

Rotorua

On Day 5, check out from your hotel in Rotorua and begin your journey towards Taupō, travelling through the heart of the Central North Island.

Taupo

Your first stop is the spectacular Aratiatia Rapids, where you can witness the powerful Waikato River surge through a narrow gorge during the scheduled dam release, creating an impressive display of rushing water. Continue to the iconic Huka Falls, where more than 220,000 litres of water per second thunder through a narrow volcanic channel before plunging into a vibrant blue pool below. For those seeking excitement, enjoy a thrilling Huka Jet boat ride, racing across the Waikato River with high-speed spins and close-up views of the falls. Around lunchtime, you may choose to visit Huka Prawn Park, a unique riverside dining destination offering a variety of lunch options in a relaxed setting. Enjoy fresh local prawns and a selection of other dishes while taking in the pleasant views and peaceful atmosphere beside the Waikato River.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

3h
Admission ticket included

After lunch, enjoy a scenic drive through the rolling countryside of the Waikato region as you make your way to Waitomo, a small town famous for its remarkable underground cave systems. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation and take some time to relax before the evening's adventure. Later, embark on a guided glowworm cave experience, one of New Zealand's most unique natural attractions. Venture into the ancient limestone cave network and discover thousands of tiny glowworms illuminating the cave ceiling like a star-filled night sky. Your guide will share fascinating facts about the caves, their geological formation, and the unique life cycle of the glowworms. The peaceful atmosphere and magical display of lights create an unforgettable experience unlike anywhere else in the world. After the tour, return to your accommodation and enjoy a restful evening surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Waitomo countryside.

Day 6: Waitomo (Ruakuri & Aranui Caves OR Black Water Rafting Labyrinth) – Hamilton Gardens – Auckland

3 stops
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Not included

The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co, Waitomo

3h
Admission ticket included

On Day 6, check out from your accommodation in Waitomo and begin the day by exploring more of the region’s remarkable underground wonders. Choose between two very different experiences based on your interests. You may opt to visit both Ruakuri Cave and Aranui Cave, where guided walks take you through impressive limestone formations, underground chambers, and fascinating geological features. Ruakuri Cave is known for its winding passageways and glowworms, while Aranui Cave is celebrated for its beautiful stalactites and delicate cave decorations. Alternatively, for a more adventurous experience, choose the famous Black Water Rafting Labyrinth tour, combining underground tubing, cave exploration, glowworms, and small waterfalls for an unforgettable journey beneath the surface, and one of New Zealand’s most unique experiences.

Hamilton Gardens

2h
Admission ticket included

After your chosen activity, continue to Hamilton and visit the renowned Hamilton Gardens. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through its beautifully themed gardens, each inspired by different cultures, historical periods, and design styles from around the world. Explore unique garden collections such as the Italian Renaissance Garden, Japanese Garden of Contemplation, Indian Char Bagh Garden, and Egyptian-inspired spaces, each carefully designed to reflect their origins. The gardens are known for their storytelling approach, blending art, history, and landscape design in a truly immersive way.

Auckland

Later, continue your journey to Auckland, arriving in the evening. It is now time to say goodbye as you are dropped off at your preferred location, bringing your memorable New Zealand adventure to a close.

Location

Activity location

Auckland
- Auckland, New Zealand

Meeting/Redemption Point

Queenstown Airport
- Sir Henry Wigley Drive
- 9300, Queenstown, Otago Region, New Zealand

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