QT Wellington
Checking-in at QT Wellington is a bit like venturing down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland. Get ready for a dose of the absurd and ... Read more
Price: 8 days from $10,430 total based on 2 adults + 2 children travelling.
Experience the magic of New Zealand’s North Island from end to end, with something to appeal to explorers of all ages on this 8-day discovery. Be transported to the world of Tolkien and his furry-footed friends on a visit to Hobbiton. Immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of natural wonders, biking along the Waikato River culminating at mighty Huka Falls and admiring the serene scenes of the Tongariro River on a rafting adventure. Get a birds-eye view of it all on a gondola ride to New Zealand’s highest restaurant, with mesmerising volcano views, and enjoy privileged up-close encounters with native wildlife on an enthralling tour through a world-first eco sanctuary. This is one journey sure to make memories that last a lifetime.
Itinerary Highlights
Arrive into the vibrant city of Auckland, and collect your rental car, driving at your own pace to your luxurious heritage haven for the evening. Set within a beautiful, historic Auckland building - the iconic Farmers department store building - the Heritage Auckland is a premier choice for style and comfort. In the art deco Hotel Wing, high ceilings and original timber features offer all the charm and character of the original 1920's building complemented by modern furnishings and amenities.
You may choose to explore some of the harbour city’s monuments, from the Harbour Bridge to the Sky Tower and Rangitoto Island, the region's youngest volcano.
Heritage Auckland
Today, you’ll drive from Auckland to Taupo, with a magical stop in Matamata, more commonly known as the home of Hobbiton. Experience the real Middle-Earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, strolling through the Shire with a local guide. Visit the iconic Hobbit houses, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and more, learning how this sprawling sheep farm was transformed into the celebrated movie setting.
Enjoy lunch at the Party Marquee, the sparkling lanterns and rustic charm immersing you in the festive scenes from the movies while savouring delicious local fare, and overlooking the spectacular Shire landscapes. Continue your journey to Taupo and arrive at the indulgent lakeside Hilton Lake Taupo.
Nestled amidst the natural beauty of Taupo, this stunning hotel is perfectly located to take advantage of the spectacular landscape. Floor to ceiling windows in all rooms draw in abundant natural light and frame sweeping views of the Lake Taupo or Tongariro National Park. The beautiful main building was originally built in 1889 and gives the hotel a grand, classic feel.
Enjoy an evening at leisure.
Hilton Lake Taupo | Meals: BL
Today takes an active turn, and you’ll meet your A&K guide for a thrilling half day bike tour along the picturesque Waikato River. Start with witnessing the opening of the flood gates at the Aratiatia dam, enthralled by the rapidly rising waters before cycling along a scenic track, drinking in the riverine panoramas that surround you. End you ride at the majestic Huka Falls standing in awe of this spectacular natural wonder before embarking on your return track, with the remainder of today at your leisure.
Hilton Lake Taupo | Meals: B
With a morning to relax, this afternoon self-drive from Taupo to Turangi, immersing yourself in the remarkable landscapes with a family rafting experience. The whole family can pitch in and paddle, or simply sit back and relax while your guide effortlessly controls your raft, floating along with gentle currents and some thrilling splashy rapids. Keep your eyes peeled for diverse local wildlife like the endangered Whoi, the native blue ducks and huge rainbow and brown trout, easily spotted in the crystal-clear waters.
Afterwards, you’ll return to the Turangi base and self-drive to the Chateau Tongariro Hotel, surrounded by Tongariro National Park’s stunning natural playground bursting with diverse landscapes.
Chateau Tongariro Hotel
| Meals: B
Today experience New Zealand’s most unique gondola, Sky Waka, and soar over the ethereal landscapes of UNESCO heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. Enjoy a sky-high lunch at Knolls Ridge Chalet, with New Zealand’s highest restaurant (2,020m above sea level) before the afternoon is yours to explore.
Chateau Tongariro Hotel | Meals: BL
Today you’ll drive from Tongariro to your Wellington accommodation, a half-day journey that sees you travelling through diverse landscapes sure to surprise and delight. On arrival, you can take time to explore the vibrant capital city, discovering it’s Victorian architecture, picturesque coastline and harbour scenes at your own pace.
QT Wellington | Meals: B
Today you’ll take a behind-the-scenes tour of how movie props are made with a visit to the WETA studio workshop. Meet your guide and transfer to Miramar's filmmaking precinct for your shared tour of Wellington's own world of moviemaking, witnessing iconic props and scenes from Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Gallipoli and more.
Afterwards, the afternoon is your own to enjoy as you like, before an enchanting evening wildlife adventure at Zealandia. On your shared tour, of this world-first urban ecosanctuary, learn how these passionate experts are working to restore Wellington valleys forest and freshwater ecosystems to their pristine nature, before human habitation. Keep your eyes peeled for the kaleidoscope of native wildlife sure to surprise and delight.
QT Wellington | Meals: B
Today, self-drive to Wellington airport and return your rental vehicle in time for your onward flight.
Meals: B
Contact one of our Journey Designers to start planning your itinerary.
Checking-in at QT Wellington is a bit like venturing down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland. Get ready for a dose of the absurd and ... Read more
8 days from $10,430 total based on 2 adults + 2 children travelling.
As this Private Journey can be personalised to your specific requirements, it is not available for online booking.
Depending on your preferred dates and arrangements, final pricing will vary from low season to peak season travel.
Please call A&K on 1300 851 800 or send us a booking enquiry to book this journey
Tailor-Made Journeys
Over 10 days, journey from charming Nelson to the adventurer’s paradise of Queenstown, immersing yourself in breathtaking lakeside landscapes and magn...
Tailor-Made Journeys
Cycle, hike and jetboat over some of the most spectacular landscapes on New Zealand’s South Island on this adventurous escape.
Tailor-Made Journeys
Discover New Zealand’s North Island where world-famous vineyards vie with extraordinary volcanic terrain, on this self-drive journey to Rotorua.
Tailor-Made Journeys
Marlborough, New Zealand’s premier wine region and an adventurer’s dream, with the intricate waterways and breathtaking mountain landscapes of the Mar...
Tailor-Made Journeys
Fishing, wine and gourmet food – this exclusive self-drive journey through New Zealand’s North Island has it all.
Tailor-Made Journeys
New Zealand’s South Island is home to wild and sweeping landscapes of gushing rivers and epic rainforests, glaciers, fjords and extraordinary volcanic...
Tailor-Made Journeys
The alpine scenes of New Zealand are truly breathtaking, the magnificent mountain peaks and rolling valleys beckoning travellers to explore from the w...
Tailor-Made Journeys
This journey is a golf enthusiast’s dream travelling from the North Island to the South playing four of the country’s finest courses.
Tailor-Made Journeys
Experience Abel Tasman National Park from every angle as you hike, bike, kayak and cruise.
Tailor-Made Journeys
Embark on this self-drive discovery of New Zealand’s spectacular South Island, road tripping with the family from Christchurch to Queenstown.
Tailor-Made Journeys
Witness the natural wonders of Queenstown and nearby Wanaka on this 5-day escape.
Tailor-Made Journeys
With spectacular glaciers, coastlines and a mountain railway, New Zealand’s South Island promises adventures at every turn.
It looks like you are located in Australia, New Zealand
or South East Asia.
Proceed to A&K Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia Proceed to website
