View Gallery Home Packages 8 Day Thermal Explorer Discover another world as you journey deep into the heart of New Zealand’s North Island along the Thermal Explorer Highway. 5 (3 reviews) Itinerary by Louise Bilbie Adventure Holidays • Bucket List • Cultural & Heritage • Lord of The Rings Overview price from 1,645 AUD per person (twin share) duration 8 days and 7 nights you will visit Auckland, Rotorua, Taupō, National Park, Hamilton North Island Saved to favourites Enquire about this holiday Itinerary Welcome to the Thermal Explorer Highway. Witness Rotorua’s mighty geysers, feel the thrill of a jetboat ride through the raging waters, and explore the famous Waitomo Caves filled with limestone formations & luminescent glowworms. Day 1 - Arrive Auckland Auckland City Welcome to Auckland. This is a city with sparkling twin harbours and the sea is very much a part of this city that an unusually high number of people own their own boats, giving the city its moniker of the ‘City of Sails’. Stay at Voco Auckland City Centre - king Room Day 2 - Auckland to Rotorua 1 of 3Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata - Photo: Hobbiton Tours 2 of 3The Green Dragon Inn, Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata 3 of 3Mineral hot pools overlooking Lake Rotorua, Polynesian Spa Depart Auckland on the Thermal Explorer Highway through the rolling green hills and pastures that are synonymous with Hamilton & Waikato region. As you head south to Rotorua, a short detour for Matamata will bring you to Hobbiton Movie Set and we have included a 2 ½ hour tour to explore the set. On arrival in Rotorua, we suggest heading to Polynesia Spa for a relaxing soak in their pools. Stay at Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua - Superior Room Day 3 - At Rotorua 1 of 2Skyline Gondola, Rotorua 2 of 2The Redwoods Forest, Rotorua - Photo: Graeme Murray Today is a free day to enjoy the many sightseeing activities Rotorua has to offer – travel up the Skyline gondola and zoom down the luge tracks, try one of the various mountain bike tracks in the Redwoods Forest or relax and unwind at Hells Gate – New Zealand’s only geothermal mud spa. Stay at Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua - Superior Room Day 4 - Rotorua to Taupō 1 of 2Whaka Geothermal Trail, Rotorua 2 of 2Whakarewarewa Village, Rotorua To immerse yourself in Maori culture, head to Whakarewarewa, the Living Maori Village. This the home of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who have been sharing their unique way of life with visitors from all around the world for over two hundred years. It’s only an hour’s drive to reach Taupō which is home to Lake Taupo and is New Zealand’s largest lake located at the heart of the Central North Island. Stay at The Reef Resort - One Bedroom Garden View Day 5 - At Taupō 1 of 3Huka Falls, Taupo 2 of 3Māori Rock Carvings Cruise, Taupo 3 of 3Māori Rock Carvings Cruise, Taupo You have the day in Taupō, and we have included a visit to the spectacular Huka Falls by jet boat. From your unique vantage point on the jet boat, you will have the best water level view of Huka Falls. Later that day take a cruise on the lake to see the renowned Maori rock carvings with Chris Jolly Cruises. Stay at The Reef Resort - One Bedroom Garden View Day 6 - Taupō to National Park 1 of 2Views of Mt Ngauruhoe - Photo: Visit Ruapehu 2 of 2Tongariro Alpine Crossing Continuing with your journey south you can see the mighty volcanic peaks of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. Tongariro is a dual status World Heritage Park, home to three superb ski-fields and some of New Zealand’s most spectacular hikes and walking adventures. The famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, an outstanding 19km full day walk is a New Zealand must do, and there are many other ways to explore these magnificent mountains and rivers. Stay at Park Hotel - King Room Day 7 - National Park to Hamilton via Waitomo Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Waikato. Time to begin your journey back up the North Island. The diverse Waikato region is home to the world-famous Waitomo Caves. Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glow worm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history. You will overnight in Hamilton and the city centre has many great dining options for you to explore. Stay at Heartland Ambassador Hotel - Superior Room Day 8 - Hamilton to Auckland It is a 1 ½ hours’ drive to Auckland so have a leisurely breakfast and enjoy the morning exploring the excellent paths on the banks of the mighty Waikato River before driving back to Auckland to return your car hire and heading home. Expand All | Collapse All Inclusions 8 days car rental in a Compact SUV Mitsubishi ASX or similar 7 nights accommodation Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Whakarewarewa Village Tour & Geothermal Trail Taupō Classic Combo - Huka Jet & Chris Jolly Cruise Waitomo Caves Tour price from 1,645 AUD per person (twin share) Travel Dates Price From 20 Dec 2024 - 31 Mar 2025 1,779 AUD 01 Apr - 30 Sep 2025 1,645 AUD 01 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 1,728 AUD Enquire about this holiday Rental Car 8 days car hire in a Compact SUV Mitsubishi ASX or similar Unlimited kms and vehicle insurance (excess applies) Auckland pick up & drop off Reviews 5/5 (3 reviews) Latest Reviews AH Andy Huxham Australia 5 /5 Apr 2025 Rana was super helpful in customising our trip, adding in locations and extra days here and there. The inclusions were standout activities and left time for us to add other activities as we went. KC Kerry Canham Australia 5 /5 Jan 2025 The ony gripe I have about the whole trip is regarding the first hotel. The hotel itself was fine, but we discovered that as it was in the centre of Auckand it had no provision for parking. Considering we were on a self drive holiday this was pretty frustrating trying to then find somewhere to park where it was allowed. We ended up having to park in a parking station overnight which cost us $65. For one night! People should also be aware that some of the accommodations were on upper floors and not all had elevators, so be prepared for the fact you may be lugging your suitcase etc up and down flights of stairs. Other than these things, it was a great trip and we really enjoyed it. Read moreView less DB David Ball Australia 5 /5 Sep 2024 The tour we selected was a perfect experience for our first trip to New Zealand, and was made easy with all the bookings made for us. Sally was happy to adjust to suit our requirements (including extending our car hire for private travel). Excellent value for money and the accommodation was of a high standard. We plan to use New Zealand Holidays for our next trip across the ditch. Terms & Conditions Package price is based on twin share and is priced in Australian Dollars. Pricing is correct at the time of submission but is subject to change without notice. Valid for travel from 01 Apr to 22 Sep 25. Car hire is with Ezi Car Rentals and subject to an excess at time of collection. Blackout periods may apply. Surcharges may apply over special event periods and over school holidays. Inclusions are subject to change based on operational capabilities. For more information about the above package please quote package code NZH258DTE Read moreView less Enquire about 8 Day Thermal Explorer Select your preferred dates, request an availability check and receive a personalised quote. 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This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Conditions Package price is based on twin share and is priced in Australian Dollars. Pricing is correct at the time of submission but is subject to change without notice. Valid for travel from 01 Apr to 22 Sep 25. Car hire is with Ezi Car Rentals and subject to an excess at time of collection. Blackout periods may apply. Surcharges may apply over special event periods and over school holidays. Inclusions are subject to change based on operational capabilities. For more information about the above package please quote package code NZH258DTE Read moreView less You might also like 9 Day North Island Food & Wine Food & Wine Holidays North Island Auckland, Rotorua & more price from 2,359 AUD per person (twin share) Learn more 5 Day Experience the Trilogy 5 (1 review) Bucket List North Island Auckland, Waitomo & more price from 1,125 AUD per person (twin share) Learn more
AH Andy Huxham Australia 5 /5 Apr 2025 Rana was super helpful in customising our trip, adding in locations and extra days here and there. The inclusions were standout activities and left time for us to add other activities as we went.
KC Kerry Canham Australia 5 /5 Jan 2025 The ony gripe I have about the whole trip is regarding the first hotel. The hotel itself was fine, but we discovered that as it was in the centre of Auckand it had no provision for parking. Considering we were on a self drive holiday this was pretty frustrating trying to then find somewhere to park where it was allowed. We ended up having to park in a parking station overnight which cost us $65. For one night! People should also be aware that some of the accommodations were on upper floors and not all had elevators, so be prepared for the fact you may be lugging your suitcase etc up and down flights of stairs. Other than these things, it was a great trip and we really enjoyed it. Read moreView less
DB David Ball Australia 5 /5 Sep 2024 The tour we selected was a perfect experience for our first trip to New Zealand, and was made easy with all the bookings made for us. Sally was happy to adjust to suit our requirements (including extending our car hire for private travel). Excellent value for money and the accommodation was of a high standard. We plan to use New Zealand Holidays for our next trip across the ditch.
9 Day North Island Food & Wine Food & Wine Holidays North Island Auckland, Rotorua & more price from 2,359 AUD per person (twin share) Learn more
5 Day Experience the Trilogy 5 (1 review) Bucket List North Island Auckland, Waitomo & more price from 1,125 AUD per person (twin share) Learn more
