What you'll do
If you’ve got a week to explore New Zealand’s North Island, this itinerary is perfect for you. It covers the country’s best voted beach along with some of our unique natural wonders, from enchanting glowworms to geothermal marvels in a convenient loop to and from the city of Auckland.
Day 1
Day One, let's leave Auckland bright and early for a late morning tour at Hobbiton before we continue on to Mount Maunganui.
Important Note. Hobbiton can book out months in advance in peak season! Please book in advance and carefully check your arrival time. The drive from Auckland to Hobbiton is just over 2 hours long.
Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours
tours
The Shire
Whether you are a Lord of the Rings fan or not the Shire movie set is so beautiful and really interesting to learn about how they made the magic behind the scenes!
Further information: Hobbiton™Movie Set Tours is a guided exploration of the famed movie set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Visitors are invited to step into this enchanting village and explore the lush pastures of the Shire with experienced tour guides. Tour packages include the popular two-hour Hobbiton Movie Set Tour, Evening Banquet Tour, Second Breakfast Tour, Chinese-language tour, and more. Private events can also be arranged for weddings and other special occasions. With tours departing daily from The Shire's Rest and Matamata i-SITE, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the extraordinary landscape featured in their favorite movies.
There are loads of cute cafes located at our next destination 40 minutes drive away - Mount Maunganui.
If you can't wait that long get a bite to eat at the Hobbiton Cafe before you leave.
Mount Maunganui
Hike
Paradise for beach & ocean lovers
Easy walk to the top of the mountain with great views. I recommend sunset!
While there is a lot of accommodation to choose from in Mount Maunganui I've included one I can personally recommend below. This accommodation is in the neighboring beach town of Papamoa only a 10 minute drive down the coast.
Tasman Holiday Parks - Papamoa Beach
villa
Coastal getaway with resort amenities
Tasman Holiday Parks - Papamoa Beach is the ultimate coastal getaway, located steps away from the stunning Papamoa Beach. With resort-style amenities like a swimming pool, spa pool, and BBQ area, this laid-back park is perfect for unwinding. There's a bunch of different accommodation types to suit different budgets too!
Finish the first day of your trip with dinner with a sunset tour to see something completely unique to New Zealand - Glow Worms.
*Please take note that traffic in Mount Maunganui is really bad! Please give yourself plenty of time to reach the pick up point for this tour, particularly if you've decided to stay at the accommodation I recommended which is further away.
Waimarino Kayak Tours
Sightseeing
An amazing glow worm kayak tour
An awesome tour I've done kayaking through lush river canyons to view glow worms after sunset.
Further information: Waimarino Kayak Tours offers a range of exciting kayaking tours for all ages and levels. From Evening Glowworm Kayak Tours to Scenic Lake Rotoiti Kayaks, Waimarino provides an unforgettable experience on some of the most beautiful waterways in the Bay of Plenty. Experience the local native wildlife while exploring caves and glowworms with experienced guides providing 5-Star Kiwi hospitality. All tours are done using high quality equipment from the leading brands in the industry, ensuring a safe and enjoyable excursion for all! Join us today and get ready for your next immersive adventure!