Outdoors & Active
Volcanic Heartland
Orakei Korako
This trip includes one of the North Island's beach paradises, the Coromandel, with its Hot Water Beach and distinctive rock formations as well as the dramatic volcanic centre of the North Island that is Rotorua, Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park, and finishing beneath the conical Mount Taranaki. These regions all offer a plenitude of outdoor activities, hiking, biking, kayaking and rafting. However their volcanic landscapes are very different. In the Coromandel, White and Mayor Islands lie far out to sea, their activity a distant and occasional plume. In Rotorua sulphur is in the air and in the Tongariro National Park you get close to the active craters of Ngarahoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu. In New Plymouth and Whanganui, the volcano is ever-present as a backdrop.
We recommend slow travel, if you have time, add extra nights or additional stops on this itinerary.
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Join this journey from Auckland or fly into Rotorua.
Day 1 Travel to The Coromandel. Select accommodation and activities from our Collection.
Day 2 The Coromandel
Hot water beach is an interesting phenomenon, hiking or kayaking at Cathederal Cove, Driving Creek Railway, guided nature trips, art studios, beaches and bush.
Day 3 Travel to the Bay of Plenty. Select accommodation and activities from our Collection.
Take the opportunity to relax and pamper at Polynesian Spa for hot pools massages and mud therapies.
Day 4 The Bay of Plenty
From geothermal parks to Maori cultural shows, mountain biking to scenic fliths, or, for the fishermen, book a fishing guide for fly or lake fishing.
Day 5 Travel to the Central Plateau. Select accommodation and activities from our Collection.
You will pass several of the geothermal resorts along the route today, or stop at Taupo for a scenic floatplane ride or sailing trip on the Lake.
Day 6 The Central Plateau
The Tongariro Crossing is one of New Zealand's best day hikes, but there are many other active options such as mountain biking, kayaking, and, in winter, skiing.
Day 7 Travel to Whanganui. Select accommodation and activities from our Collection.
The drive along SH4, from the Central Plateau to the West Coast, is very scenic.
Day 8 Whanganui
The black sand beaches and picture-perfect Mount Taranaki are features of the Taranaki landscapes. Boat, kayak or canoe on Whanganui River, visit the Bridge to Nowhere or rent a bike and cycle a section of the Mountains to Sea trail.
Day 9 Journey's End
Leave this itinerary in Wellington, either taking a domestic flight, a flight to Australia or the ferry to the South Island.
Day 1 - UPPER NORTH ISLAND
Day 2 - UPPER NORTH ISLAND
Day 3 - Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
- Stay
- Koura Lodge
Day 4 - Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
- Stay
- Koura Lodge
Day 5 - Taupo, Central Plateau
Day 6 - Taupo, Central Plateau
Day 7 - CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND
Day 8 - CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND
Day 9 - Journey's End
Drive to Wellington (2 hours 30 minutes) to connect with BoutiqeTravel.nz southern itineraries.
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- Download PDF for full Itinerary.
At a glance
Duration: 9 days, 8 nights
Connection Points:
Auckland or Rotorua, Wellington
Activity Level: Active
Best Season: November - April
Driving times
Auckland - The Coromandel: 3 hours
The Coromandel - Rotorua: 2 hours 30 minutes
Rotorua - Ohakune: 2 hours 30 minutes
Ohakune - Whanganui: 1 hour 30 minutes
Indicative Price from $4,480
Price is for accommodation only and excludes meals, ground or air transport unless stated. Contact one of our Travel Agents or use My Holiday to contact the operators and book direct.
VOLCANIC HEARTLAND
Steam, mud & hot water
NORTH ISLAND