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Day 01
Night 1 · Auckland
01
Day 1
Arrive in Auckland
Arrive in Auckland
- 1
Viaduct & Wynyard Quarterallow an afternoon
Water, food, sleep. Nothing ambitious.
Night 1 · Auckland
Rough cost · NZ$250–NZ$420
Organised by us · North Island · 10 days
10 Day North Island Road Trip
The Essential North Island
Which of our journeys?
Organised end to end by us
Selected journey
10 Day North Island Road Trip
North Island · 10 days · 1,350 km
Auckland → Coromandel → Rotorua → Taupō → Tongariro → Hawke's Bay → Wellington
Rough self-drive cost — planning it yourself
$$ · approx. NZ$320–NZ$480 per person, per day per day · approx. NZ$3,200–NZ$4,800 per person
A guide to what this route costs if you book it yourself. Entirely separate from an organised journey.
Availability · Available for enquiries
Read the full day-by-day itinerary →Auckland
Hahei · Cathedral Cove
Rotorua
Taupō
Ruapehu · Tongariro
Napier
Wellington
Highlights
- Viaduct & Wynyard Quarter
- Auckland Museum
- Mt Eden
- Devonport
- Cathedral Cove
- Hot Water Beach
- Mount Maunganui
- Geothermal park
Where you stay
- Auckland2 nights
- Hahei · Cathedral Cove1 night
- Rotorua2 nights
- Taupō1 night
- Ruapehu · Tongariro1 night
- Napier2 nights
Day by day — what we organise for you
The journey, day by day
10 days, one route.
Day 02
Night 2 · Auckland
02
Day 2
Explore Auckland
Explore Auckland
- 1
Auckland Museumallow 2 hours
Start with the Māori and Pacific galleries — the context makes the rest of the trip richer.
- 2
Mt Edenallow 45 minutes
A crater in the suburbs and the clearest view of how this city sits on volcanoes.
- 3
Devonportallow half a day
Ferry across, walk the village, climb North Head, ferry back.
Good to know
- ILNZ PickAuckland Icons — Museum → Mt Eden → Devonport.
- AlternativeWild west — Piha, the Waitākere Ranges and Muriwai.
- AlternativeIsland day — Waiheke beaches, food and wineries.
Night 2 · Auckland
Rough cost · NZ$220–NZ$400
Day 03
Night 3 · Hahei · Cathedral Cove
03
Day 3
185 km · approx. 2.75 hrs driving
Auckland → Hahei · Coromandel
- 1
Cathedral Coveallow 2–3 hours
Walk or boat in. Check current track access before you commit.
- 2
Hot Water Beachallow 1–2 hours
Time it with low tide and dig yourself a hot pool.
Night 3 · Hahei · Cathedral Cove
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$480
Day 04
Night 4 · Rotorua
04
Day 4
200 km · approx. 3 hrs driving
Coromandel → Tauranga → Rotorua
- 1
Mount Maunganuiallow 2–3 hours
Climb Mauao, swim, eat well at the base.
EveningInto Rotorua and straight into hot water.
Night 4 · Rotorua
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$470
Day 05
Night 5 · Rotorua
05
Day 5
Rotorua — a full day
Rotorua
- 1
Geothermal parkallow half a day
Te Puia, Whakarewarewa or Wai-O-Tapu — one is plenty.
- 2
Māori cultural eveningallow evening
Hāngī and performance with a local operator.
Book at least a day ahead.
Good to know
- ILNZ PickGeothermal experience + Māori cultural experience.
- AlternativeRedwoods and the blue and green lakes.
- AlternativeAdventure day — luge, zipline, Kaituna rafting.
Night 5 · Rotorua
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$500
Day 06
Night 6 · Taupō
06
Day 6
105 km · approx. 1.5 hrs driving
Rotorua → Wai-O-Tapu → Huka Falls → Taupō
- 1
Wai-O-Tapuallow 1.5 hours
If you skipped it yesterday, go now — and go early.
- 2
Huka Fallsallow 45 minutes
Ten minutes' walk to a great deal of water in a small gap.
Don't miss
Sunset over the lake with the volcanoes across the water.
Night 6 · Taupō
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$480
Day 07
Night 7 · Ruapehu · Tongariro
07
Day 7
105 km · approx. 1.5 hrs driving
Taupō → Tongariro · Ruapehu
MorningSouth along the lake, then into the volcanic plateau.
- 1
Tongariro National Parkallow half to a full day
The Alpine Crossing is a serious 19.4km, 7–8 hour day with a shuttle each end. Shorter alternatives — Taranaki Falls, Tama Lakes — are excellent.
Alpine Crossing shuttles must be booked; the walk needs settled weather.
Good to know
- ILNZ PickTongariro Alpine Crossing if the forecast is clear and you're prepared.
- AlternativeTaranaki Falls loop — two hours, all the drama, none of the commitment.
- AlternativeChairlift up Whakapapa and a long lunch.
Night 7 · Ruapehu · Tongariro
Rough cost · NZ$260–NZ$460
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Day 08
Night 8 · Napier
08
Day 8
260 km · approx. 3.5 hrs driving
Tongariro → Napier · Hawke's Bay
- 1
Art Deco Napierallow 1–2 hours
A whole town rebuilt in one style after 1931. Walk it before dinner.
Night 8 · Napier
Rough cost · NZ$300–NZ$520
Day 09
Night 9 · Napier
09
Day 9
Hawke's Bay — wine and long lunches
Hawke's Bay
- 1
Te Mata Peakallow 1 hour
Up early for the view over the plains and the bay.
- 2
Cellar doorsallow half a day
Cycle or drive between them — the region is flat, sunny and unhurried.
Good to know
- ILNZ PickWineries + Te Mata Peak.
- AlternativeNapier Art Deco and the coast at Ocean Beach.
- AlternativeFood day — the Sunday farmers' market and a long lunch.
Night 9 · Napier
Rough cost · NZ$300–NZ$600
Day 10
10
Day 10
320 km · approx. 4 hrs driving
Napier → Wellington
- 1
Te Papa & Cuba Streetallow an afternoon
Museum, then the city's best coffee and small restaurants.
Departs from · Wellington
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$500