North Island Four-Day Highlights Tour from Auckland

Day One

Meet and Greet at Auckland International Airport and transfer to your Auckland central city hotel. You'll have the remainder of your day and evening to explore at your leisure.

Day Two

Depart Auckland and begin your action-packed day at the famous "Hobbiton" film set. On arrival at Shire’s Rest you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest “green set” in the world and a beautiful natural setting. You’ll see 44 hobbit holes, the mill and double arch bridge, the party tree, Bilbo’s house “Bag End,” and the Green Dragon Inn. Finish the visit by enjoying a delicious Hobbiton-style themed buffet lunch, fit for a hobbit, at the Shire Party Marquee.

Next, visit Ruakuri Glowworm Caves, a stunning limestone cave formation. Journey down through the spectacular spiral entrance, and marvel at the softly folding shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries. Hear the distant thunder of the subterranean waterfalls, and get up close to the glowworms. Ruakuri Cave is New Zealand’s longest guided underground walking tour.

Arrive back to Auckland early evening.

Day Three

One of New Zealand’s top destinations, the Bay of Islands, is located north of Auckland. The Bay of Islands is a subtropical aquatic wonderland made up of 144 islands, and is also home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Depart Auckland by road and see the small rural townships and rolling countryside as you make your way to the city of Paihia.

Enjoy a guided tour through part of the 506 hectare Waitangi National Trust Estate which was gifted to the nation in 1932. The site is known as the location of the historic treaty signed in 1840 between the Maori and European people that shaped the nation. View a magnificent Maori Meeting house and the largest war canoe in the world.

After a short ferry ride, you will be transported from the vibrant seaside resort of Paihia to the historical town-ship of Russell, once the hub of European settlement and now a big-game fishing base. Originally the first capital of New Zealand and a busy whaling community, Russell is a popular destination where visitors can enjoy a local sightseeing tour and hear interesting stories of its past.

Return to Paihia by ferry with time to explore the busier side of the bay with its shops and arcades. You may even see a big game fish being weighed in at the wharf. Then rejoin your coach bus for the return journey to Auckland in the early evening.

Day Four

Morning at leisure. Tour concludes at hotel upon check out.