Auckland to Wellington
via Tongariro National Park and Whanganui
Auckland to Coromandel
Your journey begins in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, where the Sky Tower dominates the skyline. If you have time before hitting the road, take the lift up for sweeping views over volcanic cones and the sparkling Waitematā Harbour.
Heading east, you’ll cross the Hauraki Plains before winding into the lush hills of the Coromandel Peninsula. Once a 19th-century gold rush hub, the Coromandel is now a haven of beaches and art galleries. In the afternoon, walk to the world-famous Cathedral Cove, where a dramatic limestone arch frames turquoise waters. Later, time your visit to Hot Water Beach at low tide to dig your own thermal pool in the sand – a centuries-old natural spa enjoyed long before tourists discovered it.
Overnight: Whitianga or Hahei.
Coromandel to Rotorua
Leaving the coast, you’ll pass rolling farmland on the way to Matamata, where the hills conceal a special secret: Hobbiton Movie Set. Built first in 1999 for The Lord of the Rings, then rebuilt permanently for The Hobbit, it’s now one of New Zealand’s most beloved attractions. Stroll past Hobbit holes, sip a drink at The Green Dragon Inn, and step into Tolkien’s world.
By evening, arrive in Rotorua, a city where the ground breathes. This region sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and you’ll immediately notice the smell of sulphur and rising steam. At Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, you can see neon-coloured pools, bubbling mud, and the daily eruption of Lady Knox Geyser. At night, immerse yourself in Māori culture at Te Puia with a traditional hāngi feast and performance – a reminder that Rotorua has been a centre of Māori life for centuries.
Overnight: Rotorua.
Rotorua to Taupō
Begin the morning with a stroll among century-old Californian redwoods at the Redwoods Treewalk, originally planted in 1901 for forestry trials. Then drive south toward Lake Taupō, formed nearly 2,000 years ago by one of Earth’s largest volcanic eruptions. The eruption was so massive that ancient Chinese and Roman historians recorded strange sunsets caused by its ash.
On the way, stop at Huka Falls, where the Waikato River squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging in a roaring cascade. In Taupō itself, consider a lake cruise to the Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay – a modern cultural treasure created in the 1970s to honour the navigator Ngātoroirangi.
Overnight: Taupō.
Taupō to Tongariro National Park
Today is all about volcanoes. Drive into Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest national park and a dual UNESCO World Heritage site. It was gifted to the nation in 1887 by Māori chief Te Heuheu Tukino IV to protect its sacred peaks.
If you’re fit and prepared, tackle the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – a 19 km hike across surreal volcanic landscapes, emerald-green lakes, and steaming vents. For a shorter adventure, try the Taranaki Falls loop, an easy 2-hour walk to a 20-metre waterfall framed by lava cliffs.
Overnight: National Park Village.
Tongariro to Whanganui
Leaving the mountains behind, you’ll follow quiet country roads to Whanganui, one of New Zealand’s oldest European settlements. But the real treasure here is the Whanganui River, known to Māori as Te Awa Tupua. In 2017 it became the first river in the world to be granted legal personhood, recognising its spiritual importance. A jet boat or canoe journey lets you experience the deep gorges and untouched wilderness that Māori have travelled for centuries.
Back in town, ride the historic Durie Hill Elevator, New Zealand’s only public underground elevator, built in 1919. At the top, climb the War Memorial Tower for sweeping views of the Whanganui landscape.
Overnight: Whanganui.
Whanganui to Wellington
Continue south through farming country, with an optional stop in Palmerston North or Foxton Beach. By afternoon, you’ll arrive in Wellington, the capital city. Nestled between hills and harbour, it’s compact, creative, and buzzing with energy.
Start with a walk along the Wellington waterfront, where old wharves have been transformed into lively cafés and public art spaces. In the evening, wander Cuba Street, a quirky bohemian hub filled with music, performers, and some of the best food in the country.
Overnight: Wellington.
Explore Wellington
Spend your final day exploring the capital’s highlights. Begin at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, which opened in 1998 and is famous for its interactive exhibits and giant war sculptures by Weta Workshop. Film fans can then visit the Weta Workshop tour, where props and miniatures from The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and more are on display.
Ride the historic Wellington Cable Car, operating since 1902, up to the Botanic Gardens, then walk back down through leafy paths. For your grand finale, drive or hike up to Mount Victoria Lookout for a panoramic view of Wellington harbour – the perfect ending to a North Island adventure.
Overnight: Wellington (or onward journey)