North Island Adventure by Motorhome & Cook Islands
Self Drive Motorhome Touring
AUCKLAND | BAY OF ISLANDS | OREWA | WHITIANGA | WHAKATANE | GISBORNE | NAPIER | WELLINGTON | TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK | ROTORUA | COOK ISLANDS
Vibrant cities and pristine beaches; volcanic landscapes and bubbling mud pools discover all this and more with our self-driving tours of New Zealand. Travel through the North Island by motorhome then enjoy
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Auckland - known as the “City of Sails”
- Art Deco Napier
- Witness the sunsets in the Bay of Islands
- Volcanic Tongario National Park
- Geothermal Rotorua
- Visit the thermal hot pools in Whakatane
- Explore the Coromandel Peninsula
Stay for 6 nights at the Rarotongan Beach Resort's home to Rarotonga's best snorkeling, beach bar & grill, kids club and spa.
Click here to check out more holidays in New Zealand.
Your Itinerary
-
Day 1 - 3
-
Day 4-5
-
Day 6
-
Day 7
-
Day 8
-
Day 9
-
Day 10
-
Day 11
-
Day 12
-
Day 13
-
Day 14
-
Day 15
-
Day 16
-
Day 17
-
Day 18-23
Day 1 - 3 : UK - Auckland
Arrive in Auckland and explore at leisure. The hundreds of sailing boats in Auckland harbour are an amazing sight and have gained New Zealand’s largest city the nickname “City of Sails”. But there’s much more to Auckland than its fantastic harbourfront; you’ll find shopping galore, restaurants that serve food to die for and a thriving night-scene too.
Hotel for 2 nights: Copthorne Hotel
Day 4-5 : Auckland - Bay of Islands (228km)
This morning collect your motorhome and set off for the Bay of Islands. En-route why not stop at the Footprints of Waipoua encounter; home to some of the largest remaining kauri trees. Afterwards continue onto the Bay of Islands. The next day is free for you to explore Paihia; cruise to the famous Hole in the Rock or perhaps take a spectacular helicopter flight over the Islands.
Day 6 : Bay of Islands - Orewa (196km)
Today back down south today to Orewa located 20 minutes outside of Auckland. Famous for its 3km of golden sands, a stroll on the beach is a must.
Day 7 : Orewa – Whitianga (205km)
This morning head to the Coromandel Peninsula, your base tonight will be Whitianga. Spend the rest of the day exploring.
Day 8 : Whitianga – Whakatane (233km)
Today head south along the coast to the Bay of Plenty and arrive at Whakatane. Spend the rest of the day exploring; head to the thermal hot pools or take a jet-boat ride across majestic Matahina Lake.
Day 9 : Whakatane – Gisborne (181km)
Head towards the coast today to your next stop Gisborne. The first city in the world to greet the sun each morning and has a reputation for great food, wine and surf beaches.
Day 10 : Gisborne – Napier (210km)
Continue down the Pacific Coast Route to the scenic Hawke’s Bay and your next stop is the art deco capital of Napier.
Day 11 : Napier
Spend today exploring the surrounding area.
Day 12 : Napier – Wellington (322km)
Set off today for Wellington, the nation’s capital, stopping in Martinborough on the way to taste the Pinot Noir.
Day 13 : Wellington
Explore New Zealand’s capital today.
Day 14 : Wellington – Tongariro National Park (330km)
Head back up north today but this time head for the rugged volcanic mountain landscapes of Tongariro National Park.
Day 15 : Tongariro National Park - Rotorua
This morning you might want to enjoy a few hours hiking in Tongariro National Park; the scenery will not disappoint. This afternoon take the short drive to the geothermal city of Rotorua.
Day 16 : Rotorua
With its smouldering lakes and bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers it is a place like no other. Known for its myriad of activities and experiences from indulgent spa therapies to Maori Hangi feasts there are lots to discover in this geothermal city.
Day 17 : Rotorua - Cook Islands
Head back to Auckland today, but why not stop at Hobbition; the famous movie set from the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Trilogy’s. Explore the Shire and enjoy a drink in the Green Dragon. On arrival into Auckland drop your motorhome off at the local depot. Make your way to the airport for you flight to the Cook Islands for a 6 night stay.
Day 18-23 : Rarotongan Beach Resort, Cook Islands
Rarotonga’s best beach and snorkelling resort. Slip off your watch, your shoes, your cares and immerse yourself in paradise at the renowned Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium. Hand feed the friendly reef fish or snorkel straight off the white sands of Aroa Beach in the crystal-clear blue waters of Aroa Lagoonarium Marine Sanctuary and enjoy Rarotonga’s best snorkelling (the Resort’s unique Night Snorkelling Tours are a special treat!). The all-tide lagoon is also perfect for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, included as part of The Rarotongan’s extensive FREE Daily Activities Programme.
The Rarotongan is located directly on Rarotonga’s best white sandy beach, Aroa Beach, on the island’s sunshine southwest coast where guests can enjoy both all-day sun and sizzling tropical sunsets.
Beachside Room Features:
Our tropical-styled Beachside Rooms are less than a minute’s casual stroll to the water’s edge of Aroa Lagoonarium Marine Sanctuary but are not located directly on the beach. Located in The Rarotongan’s 7400 and 7500 villages, half of the Beachside Rooms are on the ground floor with the other half on the first floor with high vaulted ceilings and high-angle views – but still no taller than a coconut tree! Beachside Rooms can be confirmed as interconnecting at time of booking, which is a real boon for families and family groups holidaying together. Beachside Rooms offer a full range of standard in-room features and services. Beachside Rooms are a great-value option offering full access to The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium’s great range of facilities and amenities.
