8-Day Taste of the North Luxury Tour

Taupo, Napier & Wellington

Discover the highlights of New Zealand’s North Island on this 8-day luxury tour, blending iconic attractions, cultural depth, and seamless indulgence.

From the rolling green hills of Hobbiton to Rotorua’s bubbling geothermal wonders, this journey captures the essence of the North Island in refined style. You’ll enjoy private guided experiences in Napier’s Art Deco streets and savour world-class cuisine, with each evening offering the comfort of New Zealand’s most celebrated luxury properties—Huka Lodge, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, and Wharekauhau Country Estate.

Your adventure concludes in Wellington, New Zealand’s vibrant capital, where culture and coastal beauty meet. With every detail tailored into a bespoke itinerary by New Zealand Luxury Travel Agents, your 8-day escape is designed to be seamless, indulgent, and truly unforgettable.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Hobbiton Movie Set

  • Maori Culture 

  • Mt Tarawera Heli Flight

  • Private Wine Tour

  • North Islands Best Lodges

  • Fine Dining

Day 1: Welcome to Auckland

  • Auckland, New Zealand's self-proclaimed "City of Sails" is the country's largest metro area. Resting between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, this urban paradise has something for everyone. Surrounded by native bush, rainforests, and an abundance of beaches, Auckland is a playground for both the city savvy and those with an eye for adventure. Explore the central museums and galleries on foot, or get out onto the water to experience the best views of the city.

  • Private Transfer Auckland Airport to Auckland Accommodation

    You will be met at the Auckland airport by the driver and transferred to your Auckland accommodation.

  • Park Hyatt Auckland

    Perched on Auckland’s vibrant waterfront in the Wynyard Quarter, Park Hyatt Auckland sets the standard for contemporary luxury in the city. Its spacious rooms and suites, many with private balconies, showcase sweeping views of the Waitematā Harbour and are designed with understated elegance, combining rich textures with subtle Māori artistry. Guests can unwind at the tranquil spa, enjoy the infinity pool, or simply soak in the harbour views from the hotel’s light-filled atrium. Dining is a highlight, with refined New Zealand flavours at Onemata and craft cocktails at the sophisticated Captain’s Bar. Blending world-class service with a strong sense of place, the Park Hyatt Auckland offers a seamless mix of indulgence, style, and authentic Kiwi hospitality.

    Breakfast Included

Day 2: Auckland to Taupō

  • The private tour south from Auckland takes you past the Bombay Hills and into the rolling farmland and rich dairy pastures of the Waikato. The Bombay Hills mark the outer boundary of the greater Auckland area, and it’s here you turn inland towards central Waikato. You’ll soon pass through the town of Matamata, where you can visit the fully intact Hobbiton Movie Set used in the filming of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Continuing on, you’ll travel through small farming communities before arriving at the banks of the Waikato River, where the world-renowned Huka Lodge awaits—an iconic retreat combining timeless elegance, secluded luxury, and breathtaking natural surrounds.

  • Hobbiton Movie Set tour from Shires Rest

    Become immersed in the The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films when you visit the actual Hobbiton movie set. Located just outside of Matamata in the heart of the lush Waikato farming region, your tour will begin with a drive through a picturesque sheep farm. You'll then be taken through Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and the Party Tree while your guide shares behind-the-scenes tales and insight into the making of the films.

  • Huka Lodge

    Long regarded as one of the world’s most revered and inspirational luxury accommodations, Huka Lodge is set among established gardens along the banks of the surging Waikato River near Lake Taupō on New Zealand’s North Island. With humble beginnings nearly a century ago as a fishermen’s camp made famous for its trout-rich waters and featuring white canvas tents along the river’s edge, today Huka Lodge has secured its place as one of the country’s oldest and celebrated luxury lodge with an impressive heritage, welcoming some of the world’s most influential guests to the region.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 : Day in Rotorua

  • Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the worlds most active volcanic regions. Geothermal landmarks aside, this city of sulphur has a rich indigenous history. Home to several prominent Maori tribes, a visit to one of the Maori Villages should be high on your agenda, as should an excursion to the Polynesian Spa for an invigorating soak in its natural mineral hot springs.

  • SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Mount Tarawera & Orakei Korako Thermal Explorer by Helicopter

    Combine the thrill of landing on Mount Tarawera with a flight that includes spectacular aerial views of Rotorua's stunning crater lakes, the renowned Tarawera Falls and the vibrant Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu geothermal reserves.

    Leaving Wai-O-Tapu, descend to follow the Waikato River to the hidden valley of Orakei Korako. Once landed, you will ferry across the river and begin your land-based tour. Experience hot springs, gushing geysers and the natural beauty of this geothermal wonderland. The return flight takes in views of farmland and the Paeroa mountain range before flying over Rotorua City and returning to the lakefront pier.

Day 4: Tapuō to Napier

  • Today’s private tour begins in Taupō, where the vast lake—formed from a massive volcanic eruption in 180 CE—creates a spectacular centrepiece to the region. Just north of town, stop at the thundering Huka Falls, where hundreds of cubic metres of water surge every second through a narrow gorge before plunging 11 metres in a dramatic display. For those seeking a touch of adventure, a jet-boat ride to the base of the falls offers an exhilarating perspective.

    From here, your journey continues east as the road climbs through the rugged Ahimanawa Ranges, before descending towards the Pacific Coast. Arriving in Hawke’s Bay, you’ll be welcomed to The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, one of New Zealand’s most celebrated luxury lodges, set amidst rolling farmland and vineyards with sweeping ocean views—an indulgent retreat blending refined comfort, fine cuisine, and unforgettable scenery.

  • Huka Falls Jet Boat Ride

    The Huka Jet is 30 minutes of pure fun and exhilaration, skimming close to cliffs, sliding past trees, feeling the adrenalin of full 360-degree spins. The excitement continues right up to the base of the foaming Huka Falls, where you get a spectacular water-level view of New Zealand's most visited natural attraction.

  • The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

    Located in Hawke's Bay, one of New Zealand's most important wine districts, Cape Kidnappers has a rich history. The Farm is a five-star experience set on a 6,000-acre sheep and cattle farm which encompasses land reminiscent of Montana but plunges 800 feet straight into the sea. A championship golf course designed by Tom Doak is just one reason to experience The Farm.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Napier

  • With its Mediterranean climate and Art Deco style, Hawke's Bay is an attractive holiday prospect. As the nation's first winemaking region, a visit to one of its 30 wineries is a must. A trip to Mission Estate touted as the birthplace of NZ wine can't be missed. For the truly enthused head out on a tour of the vines. Those into Gatsby will enjoy the chance to view prominent Art Deco landmarks on a 1930s Vintage Car Tour. Passengers will spend just over an hour learning about the history of the city's architecture including the Napier Municipal Theatre, one of the top ten Art Deco Buildings in the world.

  • Grape Escape half day Hawke's Bay Private Wine Tour

    This private wine tasting tour is designed for casual imbibers and wine aficionados. Meet like-minded people and share an appreciation of Hawke's Bay's fantastic wines. Taste great wines made with passion and learn of the areas unique growing conditions. Take home outstanding wines and wonderful memories. Join a fun filled wine tasting afternoon in the sun driving through absolutely stunning scenery. Visit four to five wineries and enjoy a cheese platter on the grounds of the Ngatarawa Vineyard beside the lily pond.

Day 6 Napier to Wellington

  • The rolling countryside of Hawke’s Bay gradually gives way to some of New Zealand’s richest farmland in the Manawatu region. Travelling through the dramatic Manawatu Gorge, you soon arrive in the Wairarapa, a region known for boutique wineries, charming villages, and sweeping rural landscapes. Masterton proudly hosts the Golden Shears sheep-shearing competition, while nearby Greytown enchants with its collection of historic wooden buildings.

    Continuing south, Martinborough invites you to savour world-class wines before your journey ends at Wharekauhau Country Estate. Here, set between the Remutaka Ranges and Palliser Bay, you’ll be welcomed into an exclusive haven of elegance, privacy, and refined New Zealand hospitality—an unforgettable finale to your North Island adventure.

  • Wharekauhau Country Estate

    Wharekauhau Country Estate sits between the Remutaka Ranges and Palliser Bay, offering timeless elegance in a grand Edwardian-style lodge. Guests stay in private suites or villas with sweeping ocean views, enjoy refined farm-to-table dining, and explore thousands of acres of rugged coastline, rolling pastures, and native forest. With world-class service, curated experiences, and absolute privacy, it’s the perfect blend of seclusion, indulgence, and authentic New Zealand countryside charm, making every stay unforgettable.

    All Meals included

Day 7 Wharekauhau Country Estate

  • At Wharekauhau Country Estate, a relaxing day feels both indulgent and restorative. You might begin with a leisurely breakfast overlooking Palliser Bay before setting out on a gentle countryside walk or simply soaking up the views from the estate grounds. For those wanting a little pampering, the day spa offers treatments designed to leave you refreshed and renewed.

    Guests can also enjoy a swim in the indoor pool, unwind with a glass of fine New Zealand wine in the library, or take part in estate activities such as clay target shooting, tennis, or even a guided farm tour. For a slower pace, find a quiet corner of the lodge to read, stroll the gardens, or savour chef-prepared meals showcasing the finest local produce. Every moment here is designed to let you relax completely, surrounded by the elegance and tranquillity of this iconic retreat.

Day 8: Wellington to Auckland

It’s time to say goodbye with a domestic flight back to Auckland

  • Private Transfer from your Wellington accommodation to Wellington Airport

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