14 Day North Island Family Adventure Holiday

If your family is looking for adventure holidays to NZ, this holiday package offers an action-packed two weeks. See the highlights of the North Island and enjoy jet-boating, hiking, kayaking, adventure caving, and much more.

Our family adventure holidays to NZ are suited for families with active teens. This fantastic holiday package is hands-on, with immersive experiences incorporating many of the country’s highlights. Choose from our fully customisable New Zealand family adventure packages for a holiday to remember.

Read on for the full details of the 14 Day North Island Family Adventure Holiday.

14 Day North Island Family Adventure Holiday | Adventure Holidays NZ

Day 1 Arrive Auckland

Arrive in Auckland – the “City of Sails” is New Zealand’s largest city, bordered by two stunning harbours. Collect your rental car from the airport, explore the city, then make your way to your accommodation.

This evening, if you would like to dine with a spectacular view, you might like to visit the Sky Tower. You are spoilt for choice with three restaurants and cafés up the Sky Tower, including the Orbit 360-degree dining revolving restaurant; The Sugar Club, which is superbly chic and elegant; or the Sky Café, where you can relax with a coffee, cheese board or ice cream. You will have the opportunity to view the city from 328 metres high above street level and take in the beautiful views, up to 80 kilometres in every direction. Spot the key landmarks, including a number of volcanoes and historical locations within the greater Auckland area.

Stay 1 night in Auckland City.

Day 2 Bay of Islands

Driving time Auckland to Bay of Islands 219 km / 136 miles, 4 hours

Drive to the Bay of Islands, renowned for its 144 islands and surreal maritime park where you’ll find an abundance of marine life that includes whales, penguins and dolphins. In the afternoon, relax on one of the many warm, secluded beaches and explore the area.

Paihia is the perfect base if you would like to discover the coves and beaches of the Bay of Islands! Paihia is also of historic importance to New Zealand, as this is where the historic Treaty House on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is located, which marks the beginning of New Zealand as a nation. Just west of Paihia is Haruru, where you’ll find an impressive waterfall and a boardwalk.

Stay 2 nights in Paihia, Bay of Islands.

Day 3 Bay of Islands

Today, 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.

Relax in the Bay of Islands for the rest of the day.

Day 4 Auckland

Driving time Bay of Islands to Auckland 219 km / 136 miles, 4 hours

Journey back to Auckland and relax in the city for the day, doing a bit of boutique shopping or exploring attractions such as the Auckland Museum, Auckland Zoo, Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World or Viaduct Harbour.

Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Day 5 Hamilton

Driving time Auckland to Hamilton 125 km / 78 miles, 2 hours

Journey to Hamilton, New Zealand’s largest inland city, situated on the banks of the Waikato River. As Hamilton is located in the hub of the central North Island, visitors have easy access to iconic attractions such as Raglan’s surf coast and Te Aroha Mineral Pools. For fun, visit the chocolate and candy factory, the Hamilton Gardens, or the weekly markets. From cafés, art galleries, and shopping through to an ever-changing calendar of high profile events, Hamilton is a great holiday destination.

Stay 1 night in Hamilton.

Day 6 Waitomo Caves > Rotorua

Driving time Hamilton to Waitomo Caves 71 km / 44 miles, 1 hour 

Make your way to Waitomo Caves, where you will venture underground on a thrilling Lost World Tour. Abseil down into one of the most spectacular abysses in the world before exploring the otherworldly reaches of the Lost World caves. See glowworms, fantastic limestone formations, and massive caverns as you make your way through the underground world.

* Ages 10 and up only. If you are travelling with children under 10, this will be changed to the Waitomo and Ruakuri Caves Combo Tour.

Driving time Waitomo Caves to Rotorua 139 km / 86 miles, 2 hours 

After your Waitomo Caves adventure, 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.

Stay 3 nights in Rotorua.

Day 7 Rotorua

Embark on a wholly unique adventure today—“The Squeeze.” First, take a scenic jet boat ride through the stunning Tutukau Gorge. Disembark in warm, knee-deep water and wade through a narrow gap in the cliff face. You’ll manoeuvre your way through narrow crevasses, over boulders, and through warm water until you emerge in stunning native bush. There, you’ll soak in the atmosphere while relaxing in the thermal waters of a naturally heated pool. On the return journey, zip down the canyon on a thrilling jet boat ride!

Day 8 Rotorua

It’s play day today! Luge, zoom and swing your way through Skyline Rotorua’s adrenaline-fuelled gravity rides with a Half Day Adventure Pass.

Your ticket to adventure begins with a stunning Gondola ride up the side of Mount Ngongotaha. After that, turn up the adrenaline dial to launch into high-speed action.

The pass will see you battling it out against friends or family with five Luge rides, flying through the air at speeds of up to 80 kph on the Zoom Zipline and swinging and spinning from massive heights on the Skyswing.

Day 9 Taupo

Driving time Rotorua to Taupo 76 km / 47 miles, 1 hour

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

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.

Stay 2 nights in Taupo.

Day 10 Taupo

If you’re up for a challenge, today you will climb an awe-inspiring volcanic crater on the Tongariro Crossing. Widely considered to be one of the best day hikes in the world, the Tongariro Crossing will take you through native forest, over barren volcanic plateaus, through an otherworldly volcanic crater, and past lava tubes, steam vents, and jewel-bright turquoise lakes.

If you would rather not climb a volcano, you will instead get the opportunity to experience Taupo from the air on a scenic floatplane flight around the lake. Afterwards, relax and explore the lake or visit the Huka Falls.

Day 11 Matamata > Coromandel

Driving time Taupo to Matamata 117 km / 72 miles, 1.5 hours 

Make your way to Matamata to discover the real Middle-Earth on the most picturesque private farmland. Near Matamata, visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from the Lord of the Rings films in a fascinating two-hour guided tour. The set has been completely rebuilt and will remain as it was seen in the films. 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 Shire’s Rest Café.

Driving time Matamata to Coromandel Peninsula 163 km / 101 miles, 2.5 hours 

Renowned worldwide as a spectacular holiday destination, with warm white-sand beaches, misty rainforests and wilderness aplenty, the Coromandel is the ideal place to relax and unwind. Relax on the coastline, exploring beaches, volcanic reefs and the world-famous Cathedral Cove!

Stay 3 nights in Whitianga, Coromandel Peninsula.

Day 12 Coromandel Peninsula

Explore the spectacular Coromandel coastline today on a Cathedral Cove kayak tour! The Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve is a kayaking paradise, with beaches, islands, and rock gardens just waiting to be explored. Paddle through sea caves, interact with the local marine life, and visit the famous Cathedral Cove.

Day 13 Coromandel Peninsula

Relax in the Coromandel Peninsula today. You may wish to visit Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own hot pool. Alternatively, you can relax in naturally heated mineral waters at The Lost Spring Geothermal Spa in Whitianga. Surrounded by tropical plants and soothing waterfalls, the thermal waters flow from a spring deep within the earth’s surface. For a real treat, indulge in a pampering session at the on-site day spa.

You could also make a day trip 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 14 Auckland

Driving time Coromandel Peninsula to Auckland 178 km / 110 miles, 2.5 hours

Drive back to Auckland at your leisure. Relax in Auckland for the afternoon or join the crew and enjoy an America’s Cup sailing trip, a must-do experience where you get a chance to spend 2 hours out on the harbour on an actual America’s Cup yacht!

Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Day 15 Depart Auckland

Drop your rental car off at Auckland Airport and depart Auckland at your leisure.

Planning Family Adventure Holidays to NZ

Our New Zealand holiday packages are all fully customisable. With our family adventure holidays to NZ, many activities have a minimum age limit. In other words, we may need to swap out activities if your children are too young.

We can also make a number of other changes to customise your holiday package. For example, we can amend the schedule, add extra activities, or change your accommodation level.

Contact New Zealand Travel Organiser today to begin planning your family adventure holidays to NZ.