The North's Thermal & Nature Explorer
Deal number: 18694106
Hotel Package
This deal expires 31 July 2026
1 June - 26 September 2026
New Zealand
7-night holiday
Price from
$949*
per person
Deal number: 18694106
Packed with value:
Earn from 4,890 points* with our loyalty program, World360 Rewards
SAVE up to $485*when booking with your Travel Expert
8-day Economy Car HirePick up & drop off at Auckland Airport
2-nights accommodation in Aucklandstaying at the 4-star Rydges Auckland
2-nights accommodation in Taupostaying at 4-star Bella Vista Taupo
3-nights accommodation in Rotoruastaying at 4-star Rydges Rotorua - including breakfast daily
Discover Waitomo Glowworm Caves in WaitomoFrom Auckland to Taupo, we’ll detour for the magic of Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas in RotoruaGet messy (in the best way) with a mud bath at Hells Gate, included in Rotorua
Auckland is New Zealand's vibrant harbour city — a place where volcanic hills, sparkling bays and a cosmopolitan energy come together in a way that feels immediately and effortlessly welcoming. Climb the Sky Tower for views that stretch across the Hauraki Gulf, explore the boutique bars and restaurants of Ponsonby and Britomart, or jump on a ferry to Waiheke Island for world-class wine and stunning coastal walks. The food scene reflects Auckland's wonderfully diverse culture, the sailing and water sports are exceptional, and the city makes an outstanding gateway to the rest of the country. Auckland sets the tone for New Zealand brilliantly — and it's a very good tone indeed.
Taupo is New Zealand's adventure heartland — a stunning lakeside town sitting on the edge of the country's largest lake with a volcanic plateau as its dramatic backdrop. The fishing is legendary, the bungee jumping at Wairakei is world-class, and the Huka Falls — one of New Zealand's most visited natural attractions — is a thundering, electric-blue spectacle that stops everyone in their tracks. Skydiving over the lake, white-water rafting the Waikato River and soaking in natural hot springs as the sun goes down are all very much part of the Taupo experience. It's a town that packs an extraordinary amount into a beautifully compact package — and the lake views alone are worth the trip.
Rotorua is like nowhere else on Earth — a geothermal wonderland of bubbling mud pools, erupting geysers and steaming landscapes that gives the whole place a slightly otherworldly energy that is completely and brilliantly its own. Beyond the geology, Rotorua is the beating heart of Māori culture in New Zealand — the cultural performances, hāngi feasts and immersive experiences here are the most accessible and authentic in the country. Mountain biking the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest, white-water rafting the Kaituna River and zorbing down a hill are all on the activity menu for those who need more than geothermal drama. Rotorua is wild, warm, wonderfully pungent and absolutely unforgettable.
Itinerary
Get ready to discover the geothermal and underground wonders of Aotearoa New Zealand's central North Island on this 8-day itinerary.
Welcome to Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, New Zealand's vibrant urban oasis, where modern city life meets breathtaking coastal scenery. With a two-night stay, you'll have plenty of time to explore this buzzing metropolis, known for its world-class dining - try New Zealand flavours at Ahi. in Commercial Bay - boutique shopping, and spectacular harbours.
Ascend to the observation decks of New Zealand's tallest building for panoramic views stretching as far as the Coromandel Peninsula on a clear day. Explore Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter, where waterfront restaurants and lively bars offer the perfect setting for an evening out. Take a ferry to Waiheke Island, renowned for its wineries, white-sand beaches and olive groves.
For those that like arts and culture, make your way to Auckland's main museum to immerse yourself in New Zealand's rich history and visit inner-city galleries to take in national and international art. And at the end of the day, for an unforgettable sunset, head to Maungawhau (Mount Eden), one of Auckland's many volcanic cones and enjoy sweeping views over the city.
Stay 2 nights in Auckland
Ascend to the observation decks of New Zealand's tallest building for panoramic views stretching as far as the Coromandel Peninsula on a clear day. Explore Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter, where waterfront restaurants and lively bars offer the perfect setting for an evening out. Take a ferry to Waiheke Island, renowned for its wineries, white-sand beaches and olive groves.
For those that like arts and culture, make your way to Auckland's main museum to immerse yourself in New Zealand's rich history and visit inner-city galleries to take in national and international art. And at the end of the day, for an unforgettable sunset, head to Maungawhau (Mount Eden), one of Auckland's many volcanic cones and enjoy sweeping views over the city.
Stay 2 nights in Auckland
Begin your journey south with a scenic drive through lush countryside, leading you to Waitomo. Under the green hills of Waitomo lies a labyrinth of caves, sinkholes and underground rivers, home to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
The most accessible way to see the Waitomo Caves is with a walking or boat tour - there are three different caves to choose from, each with its own unique experience. If you're into adventure, try Black Water Rafting where you'll crawl, swim and float through the caves on a rubber tube. However you choose to explore Waitomo Caves, you're bound to agree they're a wonder of nature.
Once you've finished exploring underground, continue to Taupo, a lakeside paradise nestled at the foot of the central plateau's volcanic peaks, where you'll settle in for the next two nights.
When you arrive, you'll see the unmissable volcanic peaks within the Tongariro National Park, a key filming location for Lord of the Rings movie trilogy and home to one of New Zealand's Great Walks. If you're up for an outdoor adventure, you can certainly go for a hike but do your research first and make sure you pack the right gear in case weather conditions turn.
For a different kind of outdoor thrill, adventure to Huka Falls and marvel at its natural power, where more than 220,000 litres of water thunder through a narrow canyon every second. But the adventures don't stop there - Taupo is a hub for adrenaline seekers, so there are lots of opportunities to get your heart pumping. Try skydiving over the lake for a heart-pounding experience with jaw-dropping views.
And for those looking for something a little more relaxing, take a boat cruise on Lake Taupo to the Ngatoroirangi Maori Rock Carvings, an artistic masterpiece accessible only by water. Or enjoy soaking in the region's geothermal waters at naturally heated mineral pool complex. End your day listening to live music at the lakefront Two Mile Bay Sailing Club or dining on modern New Zealand cuisine at Embra.
Stay 2 nights Taupo
The most accessible way to see the Waitomo Caves is with a walking or boat tour - there are three different caves to choose from, each with its own unique experience. If you're into adventure, try Black Water Rafting where you'll crawl, swim and float through the caves on a rubber tube. However you choose to explore Waitomo Caves, you're bound to agree they're a wonder of nature.
Once you've finished exploring underground, continue to Taupo, a lakeside paradise nestled at the foot of the central plateau's volcanic peaks, where you'll settle in for the next two nights.
When you arrive, you'll see the unmissable volcanic peaks within the Tongariro National Park, a key filming location for Lord of the Rings movie trilogy and home to one of New Zealand's Great Walks. If you're up for an outdoor adventure, you can certainly go for a hike but do your research first and make sure you pack the right gear in case weather conditions turn.
For a different kind of outdoor thrill, adventure to Huka Falls and marvel at its natural power, where more than 220,000 litres of water thunder through a narrow canyon every second. But the adventures don't stop there - Taupo is a hub for adrenaline seekers, so there are lots of opportunities to get your heart pumping. Try skydiving over the lake for a heart-pounding experience with jaw-dropping views.
And for those looking for something a little more relaxing, take a boat cruise on Lake Taupo to the Ngatoroirangi Maori Rock Carvings, an artistic masterpiece accessible only by water. Or enjoy soaking in the region's geothermal waters at naturally heated mineral pool complex. End your day listening to live music at the lakefront Two Mile Bay Sailing Club or dining on modern New Zealand cuisine at Embra.
Stay 2 nights Taupo
Rotorua is the geothermal heartland of New Zealand, renowned for its natural hot pools. Here, steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and hot springs define the region. With a three nights stay, you'll have ample time to immerse yourself in this region's natural beauty and Maori heritage.
Rotorua's geothermal activity is visible everywhere - even in the city centre! Take a stroll through Kuirau Park, a free public park featuring steaming pools and bubbling mud right in town. And visit Hell's Gate, Rotorua's most active geothermal reserve, where you can bathe in a healing mud spa or walk through otherworldly steam fields.
Explore the Redwoods Forest on foot, by mountain bike, or via the treetop walk. Relax at a lakefront spa pool, where mineral-rich waters provide the ultimate rejuvenation. Or experience a Maori cultural performance and hangi feast, where traditional songs, dance, and wood carving demonstrations bring local traditions to life.
And if you're feeling hungry, Eat Streat is an all-weather, al fresco dining area with a dozen eateries while Stratosfare Restaurant delivers buffet-style dining with panoramic views.
Stay 3 nights Rotorua
Rotorua's geothermal activity is visible everywhere - even in the city centre! Take a stroll through Kuirau Park, a free public park featuring steaming pools and bubbling mud right in town. And visit Hell's Gate, Rotorua's most active geothermal reserve, where you can bathe in a healing mud spa or walk through otherworldly steam fields.
Explore the Redwoods Forest on foot, by mountain bike, or via the treetop walk. Relax at a lakefront spa pool, where mineral-rich waters provide the ultimate rejuvenation. Or experience a Maori cultural performance and hangi feast, where traditional songs, dance, and wood carving demonstrations bring local traditions to life.
And if you're feeling hungry, Eat Streat is an all-weather, al fresco dining area with a dozen eateries while Stratosfare Restaurant delivers buffet-style dining with panoramic views.
Stay 3 nights Rotorua
Make your way back to Auckland airport to return your hire car and depart home or continue your journey to explore more of what New Zealand has to offer
Enquire to book this trip
Deal number: 18694106The North's Thermal & Nature Explorer
Hotel Package
1 June - 26 September 2026
New Zealand
7-night holiday
Essential Product Information
- Estimated points capable of being earned by lead member traveller on lowest total base tariff only, terms and conditions apply..
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