Delve Deep: New Zealand North Island 2023-24

Kia ora! Welcome to Auckland: home to over 50 volcanos, this city sure is a blast (sorry not sorry). First up: meet the fellow explorers you’ll be sharing the adventure with. Then: we’ll dig into our first group dinner. Ready to delve deep into the North Island’s mind-blowing landscapes and richer-than-rich culture? See you bright and early!

Wave goodbye to Auckland for now – we’re heading for the jaw-dropping Bay of Islands. Fancy swinging by a natural wonder en route? You’re in luck: the thundering Whangarei Falls awaits. Plunging into the Hatea River from a height of 26 metres, the waterfall’s surrounded by giant kauri trees – sacred to the Maori people as protectors of the forest. Later, when we arrive in Paihia the evening's yours for exploring: we rec you hunt down some seafood chowder or ‘fush and chups’ along the harbour *chef’s kiss*.

Today = options. Get your kayak on around the horseshoe-shaped Haruru Falls (spoiler: Haruru means ‘big noise’). Opt for a bird’s-eye view of the islands with an adrenalin-pumping skydive. Jump on a cruise around the ‘Hole in the Rock’ – no prizes for guessing what this is – to spot the area’s celebrity dolphins. Or stick to solid ground with a tour of Cape Reinga (the tip of the island) and Ninety Mile Beach (lied on its CV – actually 55 miles long). All the adventuring got your stomach rumbling? Round up the fam and head to a waterfront bar for craft beer and burgers.

Guess who’s back, back again? It’s you – back in Auckland. Heck yes. First up: we’ll climb the city’s friendly neighbourhood volcano Mt Eden for incred panoramic views. Then: prepare to engage explorer mode – the rest of the day’s up to you. Jump on the ferry to Rangitoto Island for more volcanic vibes. Drop by the hipster Ponsonby district for boho boutiques and quirky cafes. Soak up some culture at Auckland Art Gallery. Or switch off Google Maps and simply get lost in the unknown. And this evening? Make a beeline for Britomart: a foodie’s heaven jam-packed with local eateries. Go get ‘em.

Waitomo Caves. A glowworm-studded labyrinth of underground caves and rivers – this place is like something out of a sci-fi movie. Spend your free time exploring Ruakuri Cave on foot. Cruise through the magical grotto. Or strap in for a unique blackwater rafting experience (disclaimer: you’re gonna get wet). Later, we’ll receive a traditional welcome at the marae (Maori meeting ground) and will tuck into a hangi with the gang. Hear local Maori stories and learn the meaning of whanau as we bunk down in this sacred ancestral meeting place. This is as authentic as it gets.

To say Rotorua has it ‘going on’ would be the understatement of the century. We’re talking: adrenalin-pumping activities, geothermal spas and mind-boggling movie sets. And you’ve got 24 hrs to embrace it all. For the LOTR fans (or closet fans), take a walk through Tolkien’s dreams at the Hobbiton movie set. Adrenalin junkie? Get your hit on a rapid ride down the mighty Kaituna River. Play Tarzan on a sky-high canopy tour. Or race your trip mates inside a giant Zorb ball (when in NZ, right?). And for you thrill-dodgers, slap on a thermal mud mask and soak up allll the healing properties of Rotorua’s sulphur spas. Locals have been using them for over 800 years, so it’s gotta have some benefits. Tonight is up to you, so gather the gang and compare today’s thrills and spills at one of the local haunts in town.

Before we make tracks today, there’s a steamy visit to the geothermal valley of Te Puia on the cards. We’ll check out Pohutu (think: poor-hoo-too) – the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. Then: we’ll make a stop at booming Huka Falls and play spot-the-extreme-kayaker as they tackle the immense 11-metre plunge down the canyon falls. Finally, we’ll take in the A-Mazing views over Lake Taupo before putting our feet up at our accommodation near Tongariro National Park. What. A. Day.

Dramatic volcanic peaks dominating the horizon. Rugged terrain that looks like you landed on Mars. And intense turquoise lakes gathered in steep valleys. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the best one-day hikes in the world – and it 100% deserves the rep. You’ve got a full day to find your Samwise up Mt Ngauruhoe (aka Mt Doom), soak up all the I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E views and wish you’d broken in those new hiking boots. If four-wheeled adventuring is more your style, there’s a quad biking excursion on the cards too. This evening, we’ll give this legendary trip the send-off it deserves with one final group dinner.

Local culture? Tick. Epic landscapes? Tick. Time to leave? Tick. Sad face. Today we’re making our way to Wellington where our North Island adventure draws to a close. BUT: it doesn’t have to end like this. Hop on a flight to Christchurch and join our New Zealand South Island trip – the timings work out perfectly, we checked. You know you want to...