8-Day North Island Self-Drive

The route, stop by stop.

A loop that starts and ends in Auckland, so the hire car has no one-way drop. Stays of two nights each in Rotorua, Tongariro and New Plymouth leave whole days free of driving, and the long drive home is broken at Waitomo.

1. AucklandStart and finish
2. Rotorua2 nights
3. Taupō1 night
4. Tongariro National Park2 nights
5. New Plymouth2 nights
6. AucklandStart and finish

1. 01
   Day 1

   Auckland to Rotorua

   1. Auckland
   2. Matamata
   3. Rotorua

   Overnight Rotorua

   Collect the car in Auckland and drive south through the Waikato to Rotorua, the centre of New Zealand’s geothermal country and Māori culture. The route is straightforward.

   Suggested stops and experiences

   • The Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata, for the guided tour (included)
   • Check in at Rotorua
   • An evening at a geothermal hot pool, or a relaxed dinner

   

2. 02
   Day 2

   Rotorua

   1. Rotorua

   Overnight Rotorua

   A full day for volcanic landscapes, native forest and Māori heritage, shaped around geothermal sightseeing, wellness or culture. The included Te Puia Māori cultural experience falls in the Rotorua stay.

   Suggested experiences

   • Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
   • A gentle walk in the Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
3. 03
   Day 3

   Rotorua to Taupō

   1. Rotorua
   2. Taupō

   Overnight Taupō

   A short drive south to the lakeside town, which leaves most of the day for the lake.

   Suggested stops and experiences

   • The Lake Taupō cruise to the Māori rock carvings (included)
   • The Huka Falls and the riverside walking tracks
   • A lakeside walk along Lake Taupō

   

4. 04
   Day 4

   Taupō to Tongariro National Park

   1. Taupō
   2. Tongariro National Park

   Overnight National Park or Whakapapa

   A short transfer into the volcanic heart of the North Island, from lakeside scenery to alpine terrain.

   Suggested stops and experiences

   • Scenic viewpoints around the national park
   • Whakapapa Village and the Sky Waka gondola for alpine views
   • A short walk such as the Skyline Walk, or a shorter local trail, subject to conditions
5. 05
   Day 5

   Tongariro National Park

   1. Tongariro National Park

   Overnight National Park or Whakapapa

   A day in the volcanic landscapes, chosen by fitness and conditions.

   Choose according to fitness and conditions

   Active option

   The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, undertaken only with suitable fitness, weather, transport arrangements and current track information

   Relaxed option

   A shorter scenic walk such as Taranaki Falls, or a guided nature experience

   Alternative

   A scenic drive and viewpoints around the national park

6. 06
   Day 6

   Tongariro to New Plymouth

   1. Tongariro National Park
   2. New Plymouth

   Overnight New Plymouth

   West off the volcanic plateau, through farmland to the Tasman Sea coast.

   Suggested stops and experiences

   • Scenic viewpoints and a relaxed lunch stop on the way
   • Check in at New Plymouth
   • An evening with views of Mount Taranaki, weather permitting

   

7. 07
   Day 7

   New Plymouth

   1. New Plymouth

   Overnight New Plymouth

   The last full day: the coast, gardens and art, and a pause before the drive back.

   Suggested experiences

   • Walk or cycle part of the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
   • Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, for coast and mountain views
   • Pukekura Park, its lakes and gardens
   • The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre, subject to opening hours
8. 08
   Day 8

   New Plymouth to Auckland

   1. New Plymouth
   2. Waitomo
   3. Auckland

   Departure day

   After breakfast, the drive north through Taranaki and the Waikato. Allow time for breaks.

   Suggested route

   • A coffee or lunch stop on the way
   • The Waitomo Glowworm Caves (included)
   • Arrive in Auckland by late afternoon or early evening, depending on traffic and stops
   • Return the car and continue to the airport

   

Sightseeing order can change with weather, road conditions and operator timetables.

Any day, your client’s choice.

Included, and not.

Notes for your booking.

• New Zealand drives on the left.
• The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the active option on day 5 only: suitable fitness, weather, transport arrangements and current track information all have to be in place.
• All itineraries can be amended or combined with other itineraries. Advise the changes when you request a quote.
• Sightseeing order can change with weather, road conditions and operator timetables.

Placing clients on this package.

1. 1

   Send the travel dates, the number of travellers split into adults and children, and any dietary or accessibility needs to b2b@explera.co.nz as a new email, or use the quote form.

2. 2

   We reply with trade net rates and availability, and the package can run white-label under your brand.

3. 3

   Changes to the route are quoted with the booking.