One Flight to the Ultimate North Island Experience

Lunch: Zealong Tea Estate

Head to Zealong Tea Estate - New Zealand's only commercial tea estate, set among the rolling green hills of the Waikato. Indulge in a signature high tea overlooking the gardens, where world renowned flavours, fragrant leaves, and serene views brew a moment of pure calm.

Evening: Hamilton Gardens

After beginning your journey of flavour and discovery this next visit is a must. Discover the beauty of a Guided Tour of Hamilton Gardens - and uncover the stories behind its world-class themed landscapes, from Italian Renaissance courtyards to surreal fantasy gardens.

Night

Stay at Novotel Tainui Hamilton - a contemporary riverside retreat overlooking the banks of the Waikato River. Blending modern comfort with a touch of nature, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of discovery

Dine at Gothenburg Restaurant - one of Hamilton’s most celebrated riverside restaurants. Savour seasonal tapas, local wines, and sweeping river views as the city lights reflect on the water - a fitting finale to your first evening in the mighty Waikato, New Zealand.

Morning: Hamilton

Wake up and start your day at Hayes Common - a riverside favourite known for its relaxed vibe and creative brunch plates. Enjoy barista coffee and locally sourced goodness before hitting the road and travelling east to the Bay of Plenty, where coastal adventures await.

Lunch in Tauranga

Picnicka is one of Tauranga City's hottest new foodie spots. The menu is based on locally sourced and seasonal produce and designed to be shared.

Evening: Surf 

A visit to the Bay is not complete without a surf in the Pacific Ocean. Surfing culture runs through the locals like our beach breaks parallel the coastline. Reputable surf instructors are available throughout the Bay’s coast, offering lessons for beginners through to experienced wave riders.

Night

The 4.5-star Trinity Wharf Hotel offers accommodation right on the Tauranga harbour. Enjoy your Tauranga getaway in style, right in the city centre and a short drive from the famous Mount Maunganui beach.

Morning: Avocado Tours

Explore New Zealand’s avocado capital with Avocado Tours - a guided orchard walk in Katikati. Learn about sustainable cultivation, watch a Hydralada fruit-picking demo, and wander beneath lush trees before tasting their famous guacamole and creamy avocado ice cream - a delicious insight into the Bay’s horticultural heart. 

Lunch

Have lunch at the new Omanawa Falls café.

Evening: Ōmanawa Falls

Te Rere o Ōmanawa (Ōmanawa Falls) is a hidden gem just 30 minutes from Tauranga. After years of restricted access, this sacred site is now open to the public with a brand-new walkway designed to protect both visitors and the environment. Expect lush forest, cultural storytelling, and panoramic views of one of Aotearoa’s most awe-inspiring waterfalls.

Night

Don't miss Mount Hot Pools - one of the world's only saltwater hot pools, heated by water drawn from the ocean and nestled at the base of Mauao, an extinct volcano which is beautifully located next to one of the country’s top beaches.

Morning: Bay of Plenty

Travel inland from the Bay of Plenty to Rotorua - a journey that winds from golden coastlines to forested hills and steaming valleys. Feel the landscape shift as you enter Rotorua’s geothermal heart, where nature, culture, and adventure converge in the next unforgettable destination.

Lunch in Rotorua

Hāngī lunch at Te Puia Pātaka Kai Restaurant – enjoy delicious kai set against a backdrop of geysers and stunning valley views.

Afternoon: Muirs Tours

After lunch, Te Rā + Haka Combo at Te Puia. Be captivated by Te Puia’s cultural performance in their beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It will include a pōhiri (traditional Māori welcome), waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant), poi and haka. Afterwards, take a guided 90-minute walk through the geothermal valley.

Evening: Wai Ariki Spa

Unwind at Wai Ariki Spa to finish the day with an evening soak inspired by Māori healing traditions, surrounded by steam and serenity.

Morning: Canopy Tours

Start your morning ziplining through untouched native forest with Canopy Tours - Ultimate tour. This world class experience blends 1.2km of ziplines, breathtaking swing bridges, towering tree platforms, and an inspiring conservation.

Lunch: Rotorua Lakefront

Have a stroll at the Rotorua Lakefront. Sit back and relax with coffee and a filled sando from Parc Coffee.

Afternoon: Tarawera

Step back in time with Buried Village and uncover stories from the Mount Tarawera eruption and wander down to the breathtaking Te Wairoa Falls. 
 
Afterwards, drive around to Lake Tarawera Landing. Stroll up the jetty and gaze upon the glistening water.

Night: Redwoods

Be mesmerised by the enchanting The Redwoods Nightlights. Stroll across 28 suspended bridges and gaze upon 34 exquisite lanterns illuminating the forest, suspended 9–20 metres above the ground. 

Morning: 

Leave Rotorua and travel back to the mighty Waikato, where your journey continues into the lush pastures of the Shire.

Visit the world-famous Hobbiton™ Movie Set - step into Middle-earth and experience the magic behind the scenes. Join a guided tour and soak in the film set’s charm, where imagination meets reality in the heart of the Waikato countryside.

Lunch

Enjoy the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour + Lunch Combo and feast like a hobbit at The Green Dragon Inn, where hearty fare and local brews are served in true Middle-earth style.

Afternoon: Cambridge

Next, head to Cambridge, the charming “town of trees and champions.”

Feel the thrill with Camjet, a high-speed jetboat ride along the Waikato River. Afterwards, wander the boutique-lined streets and uncover the town’s relaxed elegance. 

Night

Stay at Hidden Lake Hotel & Apartments - a tranquil boutique retreat overlooking Te Koo Utu Lake in the heart of Cambridge. Unwind in contemporary comfort surrounded by nature, and enjoy the hotel’s spa, restaurant, and warm Waikato hospitality - the perfect balance of serenity and style.

Morning: Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari

Begin the day immersed in the ancient ngahere (forest) of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari - one of New Zealand’s largest predator-proof sanctuaries. Wander beneath towering native trees as birdsong fills the air, surrounded by the stillness and serenity of untouched nature.

Afternoon: Raglan

Travel west to Raglan - a laid-back surf town wrapped in dramatic coastal beauty. Explore its rugged black-sand beaches, boutique shops, and galleries, or simply soak up the creative, easy going energy that defines this iconic west coast haven.

Dine at local favourites serving fresh, coastal-inspired fare - the perfect taste of Raglan’s relaxed seaside lifestyle.

Evening: Sunset Cruise

End the day on the water with Raglan Boat Charters - a peaceful sunset cruise across the harbour as the sky turns peach and gold. Enjoy classic fish and chips from the wharf as you drift beneath the fading light, soaking in Raglan’s effortless coastal charm.