NORTH ISLAND DISCOVERY SELF-DRIVE ITINERARY
The fierce volcanic eruption that reshaped much of the Rotorua region in the late nineteenth century was devastating at the time but its legacy is a unique landscape of impressive and often unexpected beauty. Art deco was at the height of its popularity in the 1930s and Napier possesses one of the most significant collections of these buildings in the world. Wellington city nestles compactly on the harbour edge, New Zealand’s capital city offering an unforgettable urban experience in a stunning natural setting.

Day 1 Auckland – Rotorua. Distance: 235kms (3 hours, 50 minutes)
Depart Auckland and travel south through Waikato and Hamilton to Otorohonga and the Waitomo Caves. Enter the caves and travel by boat through the darkness lit by thousands of tiny Glow Worms. Continue on via Tirau to Rotorua. Rotorua offers an awesome geothermal wonderland where you can peer into the earth’s core or explore the vast expanse of a scarred volcano. Overnight in Rotorua

Day 2 Full Day Rotorua
Rotorua is an area that has been steeped in Maori legend and history. The city is renowned for its volcanic activity evident by spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools and a pervasive smell of sulphur. There is plenty to see and do in Rotorua, take a scenic flight to White Island or visit Rainbow and Fairy Springs where natural freshwater gushes from the ground and the pools are full of giant trout. Take a ride on the Skyline Gondola and take in the panoramic views of Rotorua. Overnight in Rotorua

Day 3 Rotorua – Napier / Hastings via Taupo. Distance: 224kms (3 hour, 50 minutes)
Travel south this morning via Wairakei and Taupo before turning east to Napier. Explore one of the many vineyards in the area offering quality wines or discover many of the art deco features of this seaside city. For those interested in sea life, a Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers is worth a visit. A stroll along Napier’s Marine Parade will take you to many of the city’s attractions including performing seals and dolphins at Marineland and the Hawke’s Bay Aquarium. Overnight in Napier

Day 4 Napier / Hastings – Wellington. Distance: 313kms (4 hours, 50 minutes)
Depart Napier and travel south. Continue south via Greytown - an interesting town, particularly known as slightly offbeat for its village atmosphere, roadside fruit stalls, craft/gift shops and galleries. Continue on to Featherston and over the Rimutaka hills into Wellington. Wellington is the culinary capital of New Zealand. Home to more than 400 restaurants, bars & cafes, there is a taste for every palate, a meal for every budget. From silver service to take-away fish and chips on the Oriental Bay Beach, Wellington is a city to savour. Overnight in Wellington

Day 5 Wellington
Experience all of New Zealand in one building. Te Papa is New Zealand’s national museum where you can explore the great stories of this fascinating land and the people who live here! Visit Wellington Botanical Gardens on the hills above Wellington and is best accessed by the historic Wellington Cable Car. Downtown Wellington is divided into four compact quarters, reflecting the city’s distinct flavours. Walk from the concentrated retail in the Lambton Quarter, through to the boutiques and lifestyle stores in the Wills Quarter, keep going for the funky stores of the Cuba Quarter and start your own cocktail in the Courtenay Quarter - Wellington’s premiere entertainment district.

Total distance: 772kms.