14 Day North Island Explorer Private Guided Tour

Explore the North Island with a private guided tour personalised to suit your group. Our private guided tours of New Zealand are hosted by one of the country’s leading tour guides. Your guide will meet your group at the airport and chauffeur your group to explore the destinations and activities included in your personalised tour package. They will tend to your needs and share valuable local knowledge with your group to enhance your holiday experience. We can cater for groups between 1-40 people.

Our private guided tours of New Zealand are flexible and are booked to suit your group’s travel dates and interests.

Read on for more information on the 14 Day North Island Explorer Private Guided Tour.

14 Day North Island Explorer Private Guided Tours of New Zealand

Day 1 Arrive Auckland

Arrive in Auckland – the “City of Sails” is New Zealand’s largest city and is bordered by two stunning harbours. Your tour guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your Auckland City accommodation.

In the afternoon explore Auckland City with your tour guide. You might like to visit the Sky Tower, Auckland Zoo or Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World; venturing to one of Auckland’s stunning beaches or West Auckland wineries; or doing a spot of shopping.

Stay 2 nights in Auckland City.

Day 2 Auckland + Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise

Explore Auckland with your guide today.

Spend some time relaxing at one of the numerous local beaches, or just unwind with some shopping and local cuisine. Mission Bay and St. Heliers urban beaches offer breathtaking views of the harbour and Rangitoto Island.

If you would like to take a day trip to Waiheke Island, you’ll find beautiful galleries and craft boutiques in this homeland of artists. There are plenty of places to enjoy a good coffee or taste New Zealand’s fresh Pacific Rim cuisine. The island also boasts more than a dozen high-quality vineyards, many with relaxed restaurants onsite. Enjoy local wine while looking out over vine-covered valleys to the blue sea beyond.

In the evening experience a unique dining experience aboard a yacht in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour. Savour a stunning three course dinner prepared by one of Auckland’s top restaurants.

Day 3 Bay of Islands

Travel time Auckland to Bay of Islands – 3 hours

Leave the city behind as your tour continues north to the Bay of Islands. This stunning stretch of coastline boasts secluded beaches, forested hills, and fantastic marine wildlife.

The Bay of Islands is a subtropical micro-region made up of 144 islands known for its stunning beauty & history.

New Zealand’s newest Marine mammal sanctuary Te Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands) boasts an abundance of marine life, which includes whales, dolphins, penguins, fur seals and a large variety of sea birds. For those that love nature, beaches and water activities, it is paradise.

The bustling seaside town of Paihia has an extensive choice of activities, accommodation and delicious dining options. Paihia is the perfect base for discovering the coves and beaches of the Bay of Islands, with cruises departing from Paihia wharf.

Stay 3 nights in Paihia, Bay of Islands.

Day 4 Discover the Bay Cruise + Bay of Islands

In the morning, board the premium Discover the Bay Cruise and see for yourself the best of what the Bay of Islands has to offer. Journey to the Hole in the Rock and if weather permits, sail through it. See marine wildlife including Dolphins and stop off at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island to have a swim, go for a walk and relax.

In the afternoon, you might like your guide to take you to Russell. Russell is a significant place in New Zealand’s history, being New Zealand’s first European settlement and sea port, while Okiato, near Russell, was New Zealand’s first capital. Russell is also home to the Duke of Marlborough, New Zealand’s first licensed hotel and pub, which has been refreshing rascals and reprobates since 1827! The pub is located on the waterfront in Russell—why not sit back and relax on the verandah overlooking the bay?

Day 5 Bay of Islands

Visit the top of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and venture to Cape Reinga. This full day trip takes you to one of the most northern points of New Zealand where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean collide.

On the way to Cape Reinga you could visit Gumdiggers park where ancient Kauri forest was buried thousands of years ago. A giant 100,000 year old Kauri tree has been exposed for viewing and is part of a vast forest buried beneath Gumdiggers Park. Information spots and an audio visual show describe the cataclysmic events which could have caused this destruction. Studies by international scientists on the kauri timber are described, depicting past and future global weather patterns. The site includes an authentic preserved 100 year old gum field and a recreated gum diggers village with huts made in the traditional way from jute sacks. Original equipment can be found along the discovery trail as well as a gecko house with rare Northland Geckos.

Day 6 Hamilton

Travel time Bay of Islands to Hamilton – 5 hours

Journey to Hamilton, New Zealand’s largest inland city, situated on the banks of the Waikato River. Hamilton’s warm and welcoming spirit, rich history and contrasting splendours ensure visitors are spoilt for choice for places to relax and enjoy. From magnificent parks and gardens to a thriving cultural precinct, the city offers a vibrant combination of fine dining, leisure and activity choices.

Explore attractions with your guide such as Raglan’s surf coast; relax at a beachside café and enjoy the scenery or get amongst it and learn to surf! Soak in the natural, silky mineral water that has made Te Aroha Mineral Pools famous for over 100 years. Meander through the Hamilton Gardens and discover paths delivering mysterious surprises; step from a peaceful Sung Dynasty Chinese Scholar’s garden into an Italian Renaissance Garden, before being enthralled by the grandeur of the Indian Char Bagh ‘four quartered’ Garden.

Stay 1 night in Hamilton.

Day 7 Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Ruakuri Cave Combo > Taupo

Travel time Hamilton to Waitomo Caves – 1 hour

Venture off the beaten track as your guide takes you on a scenic drive to the Waitomo Caves. The land is wilder around here, with limestone outcroppings emerging from farmland and densely forested hills rising all around. But the wildest landscape of all lies underground.

Witness the marvels of these vast caverns as you explore two fantastic caves – the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where you will be dazzled by a galaxy of glowworms overhead and the Ruakuri Cave, home to a dizzying array of cave formations.

Travel time Waitomo Caves to Taupo – 2 hours

Enjoy a short drive south to Taupo, rich in natural beauty with attractions such as the Huka Falls, relaxing boat cruises, and bungy jumping.

Stay 2 nights in Taupo.

Day 8 Peak at the Lake Scenic Flight + Taupo

Enjoy a Peek at the Lake Scenic Floatplane Flight  as you take off from Taupo Bay, past Acacia Bay to Rangatira Point, viewing the crystal clear waters of Whakaipo Bay. Climb up through Mapara Valley, view red scoria quarries, then discover the headwaters of the Waikato River. Fly over the Craters of the Moon and over the Borefields of the Wairakei Power Station, followed by a circuit of the Huka Falls, over Taupo to land on the lakefront (20 minutes approx).

Relax in Taupo for the day. Taupo is a great lake for water-skiing, sailing and kayaking. The Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay, which can only be seen from the water, make for a great boat trip or kayaking excursion. The forests surrounding the lake offer hiking and mountain biking to suit all levels of experience. Just north of Lake Taupo you’ll find New Zealand’s most visited attraction, the magnificent Huka Falls, where more than 220,000 litres of water thunder over the cliff face every second.

Day 9 Rotorua + Māori Cultural Experience

Travel time Taupo to Rotorua – 1 hour

Enjoy the scenic journey to Rotorua, distinguished by Maori culture and geothermal activity. This diverse city will put on a display as you encounter geysers, mud pools, steaming craters and 16 beautiful lakes.

In the evening enjoy a Maori Cultural Experience including a Hangi Dinner. Hear stories and learn how Maori traditions live on today. Experience an authentic Maori welcome. Watch a challenge by the Maori warriors, a karanga (call) from the Maori women welcoming you onto the marae, and a whaikorero (welcome speech). Relax and enjoy the beautiful waiata (songs), the world renowned haka (challenge), and the elegant poi dance. Learn Maori customs including Maori musical instruments, haka and poi. The dining experience is a culinary opportunity like no other. Following dessert, you will be transported down into the valley to conclude your evening beside the awe inspiring Pohutu geyser.

Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.

Day 10 Hell’s Gate Experience + Skyline & Stratosfare Premium Buffet Dinner

The Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park is Rotorua’s most active geothermal area featuring a walkway lined with unique geothermal wonders and interactive opportunities. Experience the geothermal features with a self-guided map to show you around or join a guided tour of the reserve to learn more about the history, features and uniqueness of the geothermal area.

See bubbling mud pools, steaming craters, mineral pools, learn about New Zealand’s history and culture, and even try Māori weaving and wood carving! After this, the geothermal waters of the Hell’s Gate Sulphur Spa will rejuvenate and refresh you, as you relax and take in the surreal surroundings of the wondrous geothermal landscape.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at Rotorua’s most spectacular location – Skyline Restaurant. Sit back and relax as the views from the gondola unfold while you journey to the Skyline complex. The Skyline Restaurant will then serve you a mouthwatering taste of New Zealand. Feast on fresh soups and salads and seafood specialties such as mussels, queen scallops, sushi and sashimi. Enjoy carvery roasts of beef, lamb or pork with specialty sauces to match, with live cooking from your friendly chefs. Add to that a range of desserts, and you’ve got yourself a unique dining experience not to be missed. Tiered seating guarantees stunning views from every table!

Day 11 Hobbiton Movie Set Tour  > Coromandel Peninsula

Travel time Rotorua to Matamata – 1 hour

Travel to Matamata today to discover the real Middle-earth on the most picturesque private farmland near Matamata to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy in a fascinating two-hour guided tour. The set has been rebuilt and will remain as it was seen in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. There are spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges from the rolling green hills of the movie set, which is still a working sheep and beef farm. You can relax and soak up the unique atmosphere with a great cup of coffee or a light meal in The Shires Rest Café.

Travel time Matamata to Coromandel Peninsula – 2.5 hours

Embark on a scenic tour of the Coromandel Peninsula. Renowned worldwide as a spectacular holiday destination, with warm white-sand beaches, misty rainforest and wilderness aplenty, the Coromandel is the ideal place to relax and unwind.

Whitianga is the main settlement of Mercury Bay, an attractive township with a deep-water harbour. Whitianga has an excellent selection of restaurants and cafés, and the thriving retail community provides an interesting collection of outlets.

Stay 3 nights in Whitianga, Coromandel.

Day 12 Glass Bottom Boat Tour + Coromandel Peninsula

Today, join the Glass Bottom Boat for a unique boat cruise. Depart from the Whitianga Wharf to explore the breathtaking volcanic coastline, including the famous Cathedral Cove. See the stunning Champagne Bay, plus a range of blow holes and sea caves, including Orua’s Sea Cave, the second largest sea cave in New Zealand! See what lies above and below the surface in the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve and be amazed by all the marine life to be seen. You can choose your own level of fun. Either sit back and enjoy the amazing marine life through the glass boat, or take the plunge and snorkel amongst the fish. All equipment supplied and no experience necessary. Blue penguins are a common sight year-round.

This afternoon you might like to enjoy a day trip with your guide to one of the nearby towns, such as Coromandel Town, known for its charming mix of Victorian architecture, beaches and forests. While in the area, you could ride the Driving Creek Railway, New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway journey, which climbs through regenerating native Kauri forest. Unique pottery sculptures and tile murals line the track, with spectacular views over the Hauraki Gulf from the ‘Eyefull Tower’.

Day 13 Coromandel Peninsula

Today, your guide will show you some of the best hidden secrets of the Coromandel, including lush forest walks and secluded golden-sand beaches.

Hahei is located 35 km or 30 minutes drive South East of Whitianga. Hahei is an attractive beach, fringed with pohutukawa trees and drifts of pink shells at the northern end. The offshore islands provide something of a breakwater, making this sheltered beach ideal for swimming, boating and snorkeling. Hahei also offers a number of cafés making it the perfect spot for lunch.

Hot Water Beach is a must-visit location in the area and is only 8km from Hahei. Naturally heated mineral water bubbles up from deep within the earth to emerge through golden sand at the appropriately named Hot Water Beach. To find the hot water area, head towards the rocks at the southern end of the beach and here you can dig your own spa pool in the sand. Be sure to visit when it’s two hours either side of low tide, as that’s when the tide is low enough to expose the area of sand with the hot water underneath. Don’t forget to bring along your swimming gear and a spade or shovel – and if you don’t have a spade or shovel, you can hire one from the local cafés. It’s certainly a unique experience to be lying in a pool of hot water just metres from the refreshing ocean.

Day 14 Auckland

Travel time Coromandel Peninsula to Auckland – 3 hours

Journey back to Auckland at your leisure. Relax in Auckland for the afternoon or join the crew and enjoy an America’s Cup Sailing experience, a must do attraction in Auckland, spend 2 hours out on the harbour on an actual America’s Cup yacht!

Enjoy your last evening in Auckland and raise a glass to a fantastic New Zealand Guided Tour!

Stay 1 night in Auckland City.

Day 15 Depart Auckland

Your guide will deliver you to Auckland Airport for your departing flight.

Planning Private Guided Tours of New Zealand

As we find each traveller is different, each of the private guided tours of New Zealand that we plan and book is different. Our team will work with you to design the perfect itinerary to suit your interests. 

Our private guided tours of New Zealand include all transportation, from airport to airport, as well as the services of your guide throughout your holiday. In addition, we include excellent accommodation plus a range of fantastic activities to help you experience the best of our country.

As you begin planning your guided tour of New Zealand, you may wish to explore our New Zealand Guided Tours brand. We offer a wide range of itineraries of all lengths to serve as inspiration. 

Contact New Zealand Travel Organiser today to begin planning your bespoke privately guided tour.