North Island Bike 'n' Hike 11D10N, Self-Drive

Driving Information: N/A

Arrive into Auckland and enjoy a meet and greet and private transfer to your CBD accommodation.

Spend the rest of the day discovering the nation’s capital at your leisure. Also known as Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland sprawls over volcanic hills and around twin harbours, offering an exhilarating mix of natural wonders and urban adventures.

Those keen to stretch their legs should consider the North Shore Coastal Walk, which starts at Long Bay Regional Park and weaves through the beaches and suburbs all the way to Devonport. Alternatively, why not venture further afield and check out the trails on Rangitoto or Waiheke Island? You could also explore the city by bicycle – the Northwestern Cycleway and the Te Ara I Whiti – Lightpath are both very accessible.

You’ll stay the night at the Hotel Grand Windsor. Located in the heart of Auckland, this elegant 5-star hotel will transport you to an age of opulent glamour. Its 79 rooms and suites are classic master pieces of refined design, featuring exquisite bedding, muted fabrics and excellent service complemented with state-of-the-art technology. Five-star facilities include a fitness centre and jacuzzi as well as award-winning Cooke’s Restaurant & Bar, which pays homage to the famed eatery of the same name that first occupied the Windsor House in 1928.

Driving Information: Auckland to Waihi Beach: 152km/94mi | 2hrs

In the morning, make your way to the rental car city depot where you will collect your rental vehicle.

Depart Auckland and head southeast to Waihī Beach. Located at the northern tip of the Coastal Bay of Plenty, Waihī Beach is a bustling beachside village home to cute boutique shops, eateries and 9-kilometres (6mi) of white sand beach. This is the perfect place for an old-school, kiwi beach holiday – we’re talking ice-cream, fish and chips, running across the hot sand and splashing in the waves for hours on end.

If you’re feeling energetic, Waihī Beach and surrounds are home to a number of great walking trails. The 3-kilometre (2mi) Trig Walk offers excellent views overlooking the beach, up the Coromandel coast and east across the Bay of Plenty, while the 3-kilometre (2mi) Orokawa Bay Walk will take you through lush, dense bush down to the eponymous bay. If you’re looking for a change of scenery, the 1-kilometre (0.6mi) Athenree Wetland Loop will take you through the award-winning Athenree Saltmarsh Wetlands. This trail is regionally significant as it plays host to some of the largest populations of threaten wetland species within the Bay of Plenty, such as Fernbird and Australasian Bittern.

You’ll stay the next 2 nights at Waihi Beach Paradise Resort. Located just across the road to the 9km white sand beach, this resort features an in-ground 10m pool (heated October to April) and two spa pools.

Cycling Information: Waihi to Paeroa: 24km/15mi | 6-8hrs return | Easy

Drive to Waihi town to collect your trail bike and biking gear for the Hauraki Rail Trail. With its gentle terrain and abundance of cafes and restaurants, this Great Ride is one of the easiest and most satisfying trails in the North Island.

Starting in Waihi, the most popular section of the Rail Trail follows the Ohinemuri River through the dramatic Karangahake Gorge, a deep canyon cut through the Kaimai Ranges. This distinctly different landscape includes the cascading Owharoa Waterfall, photogenic gold mining sites, the charmingly old-fashioned Victoria Battery museum, and Windows Walkway, a tunnel with 4 openings (windows), which look down on the spectacular river gorge far below.

The highlight of the day will undoubtedly be the amazing 1100-metre-long (3609ft) railway tunnel, wobbled through with the aid of a torch of headlamp. Halfway is Waikino Station, where there is a charming railway café. This is the terminus of the Goldfields Railway vintage train, which runs between Waikino and Waihi. Time your ride to coincide with its timetable for a special experience. (Tickets are not included, however, can be purchased directly on your arrival in Waihi at a cost of $25NZD per person).

Driving Information: Waihi Beach to Rotorua: 111km/69mi | 2hrs

Journey south, passing many more beautiful beaches and the township of Tauranga, one of the North Island’s largest ports. Your route takes you through kiwifruit country around Te Puke and onto the heartland of thermal activity and the cultural centre of New Zealand, Rotorua.

Explore the raw beauty of the world’s youngest geothermal site on a self-guided, ecology-focused adventure among the craters of the wonderous Waimangu Volcanic Valley. This exciting geothermal attraction has a very unique ecology, with rare botany and plenty of fascinating geothermal features.

See the hypnotic steam rising from the Echo Crater, marvel at the fizzling Frying Pan Lake (the world’s largest hot spring) and take in the beauty and dazzling blue of the Inferno Crater hot lake. The newly forming silica terraces are also a highlight. At any stage during your walk, you can jump on board a courtesy shuttle that regularly circles the valley back to the Waimangu Visitor Centre.

You’ll stay the night at Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel. Named for the graceful birds that circle Lake Rotorua below, this 5-star hotel offers gorgeous monochromatic rooms overlooking either the lake or the manicured English-style garden.

Spend the rest of the day making the most of 5-star facilities including 2 spa pools and an outdoor swimming pool. When you’re ready, head into Rotorua city centre. Take a walk around the lakefront before indulging in a tasty meal on “Eat Streat” (own cost). The thermally heated footpath and enhanced lighting gives Eat Streat a unique and vibrant dining atmosphere – you’ll satisfy any craving from pub fare and steaks, to tapas, Indian, Italian and much more.

Walking Information: Tongariro Alpine Crossing: 19km/12mi | 7hrs | Moderate

Rise early to explore the highlights of Tongariro National Park. Tongariro is a UNESCO dual World Heritage area and was the first in the world to receive Cultural World Heritage status. Centred upon 3 volcanoes – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu – it is home to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes as well as one of the world’s best day walks.

With an expert guide, travel to quiet corners of the park, take in stunning scenery, and learn about the rare alpine plant life and geology of one of the most dynamic environments on Earth. Your guide will tailor the walk to suit you, including the best scenery, stunning waterfalls, and incredible geology. You will avoid the Tongariro Crossing and go to places off the beaten track for an unforgettable experience. Highlights include Taranaki Falls, breathtaking views of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe and Tama Lakes or Lake Rotopounamu. Lunch on route as day allows.

Transfer back to your accommodation around 4:00pm.

Driving Information: Rotorua to Napier: 215km/134mi | 2.5hrs

Start your day with a thrilling mountain biking adventure in the Redwoods (Whakarewarewa) Forest. Known simply as “The Redwoods”, the 55,000-hectare forest is a playground for mountain bikers set among magnificent stands of towering Californian Redwoods, lush native forest and exotic trees. Red Bull rates The Redwoods’ trails among the top 8 in the world, Australian Mountain Bike Magazine claiming them to be the best.

Begin your adventure by fitting bikes and helmets to suit and undergo a short safety and bike instruction briefing. Choose from over 140-kilometres of purpose-built tracks tailored to all skill levels for a 3–4-hour ride through forestry back roads, single track and fun jump trails surrounded by beautiful native pine forests. Once above the canopy, you will get to appreciate panoramic views of Rotorua’s beautiful lakes, geothermal activity and brooding Mount Tarawera.

*NOTE: This is a great introduction to mountain biking. If you wish don’t participte in The Redwoords mountain biking tour, we can arrange a private city cycling tour – riding a scenic ride around the Rotorua central business district, taking in areas of significance and learning the geographical and cultural history of the inner city. Additional cost of $100pp.

After your ride, hit the road for a scenic drive through rugged mountain ranges and exotic pine forests to the fertile vineyards of Hawke’s Bay. Your afternoon is free to enjoy Napier, a world-renowned Art Deco treasure. Here, you will find many fine wineries, fabulous restaurants, bars and cafes. The boutique shops are a must-visit, as is the Sea Walls collection of magnificent murals painted on more than 50 walls around the city. Grab a map and walk or ride around the city to see them up close.

You’ll stay the next 2 nights at Brekenridge Lodge. Purpose-built to be a boutique luxury lodge, Brekenridge offers 5 unique private guestrooms, each with a spectacular vineyard overlooking pristine Chardonnay vines. Take time to explore the expansive gardens before indulging in a sumptuous 5-course degustation (own cost).

Cycling Information: Ahuriri to Havelock North: 26km/26mi | 2-4 hours

Set off on a half-day cycling adventure from Ahuriri to Cape Coast. This is a very scenic coastal ride of 26-kilometres, finishing at 3 of the best Hawke’s Bay wineries.

Departing the historic port village of Ahuriri, the cycle trail will take you past the Napier CBD, before continuing south along Marine Parade with spectacular views out towards Cape Kidnappers. Named by Captain James Cook after an attempt by local Maori to abduct one of his crew, Cape Kidnappers is an extraordinary stone headland that is home to the largest and most accessible gannet colony in the world.

Continue on to Waitangi Regional Park, where you will find the Ātea a Rangi (Star Compass), a training tool used by celestial navigators who sailed traditionally throughout the Pacific. The rising and setting points of the celestial bodies are memorized by using the Pou (Posts) and the Horizon. Here, you can learn about how Maori navigators used the stars to sail their wakas (canoes) to New Zealand.

Cycle on through the wetlands, home to numerous black swans, to the village of Clive, a great place for refreshments. Leaving Clive, you arrive at Black Bridge and the mouth of the Tuki Tuki river. Cycle through these 2 quaint coastal communities to get to Elephant Hill, Clearview Estate and Te Awanga, 3 of the best Hawke’s Bay wineries. Here, you can sample some of the region’s superb Red Blends, notably Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot. A visit to the Te Mata Cheese Factory is also a must – make sure to try the award-winning brie and blue-style cheese from sheep, goat and cow’s milk.

Transfer back to your accommodation around 4:00pm.

Driving Information: Napier to Ohakune: 187km/116mi | 2hrs 40mins

Journey inland to Ohakune along the Taihape-Napier Road. Known as “Gentle Annie”, this route was once rife with rough gravel. These days, the surface is sealed all the way, allowing a far more comfortable drive through a beautiful part of the North Island. Along the way, you’ll find picturesque high country sheep stations like Erewhon and Springvale as well as the majestic gorge of the Rangitikei River, where an old suspension bridge still resides alongside the concrete and steel structure that replaced it in 1974.

Arrive at Okahune, located in picturesque surrounds at the foot of Mount Ruapehu. Okahune emits an energetic yet laidback vibe, with plenty of activities, shops and restaurants attracting visitors all year round. Spend the afternoon exploring the town and surrounds before embarking on a 2-hour sunset guided walk. The walk comprises a choice of tracks: the Taranaki Falls loop track, a return trip starting on the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing or a return route out to sunset ridge or Meads Wall. The beauty of these options is the ability to comfortably watch the sunset in an alpine environment, while a guide shares their local knowledge of geology, volcanology, and New Zealand cultural history. Cap off this magical experience with a glass of bubbles.

You’ll stay the next 2 nights at Powderhorn Chateau. Located in Okahune at the entrance to Tongariro National Park, this gorgeous chateau offers a traditional ski lodge atmosphere as well as a heated indoor swimming pool and restaurant. The Powderkeg Restaurant and Bar offers an a la carte menu all year round.

Cycling Information: 15km/9mi | 4hrs | Easy - Moderate

Journey back in time riding along the historic cobblestone Old Coach Road. The road was used to carry passengers and goods between 2 railheads on the North Island main trunk link before they were linked in 1908. The road can be considered a most significant example of roading engineering heritage and the finest rural road constructed in New Zealand up to that time. It has Category I Historic Places status from Historic Places Trust.

On this unique cobbled road, you will see magnificent native Rimu trees, native falcons screaming through the air, pigeons flying between the treetops and the curved steel lattice of the Hapuawhenua Viaduct. Dismount on the viaduct and enjoy both old and new viaducts and native forest surrounds. The limestone cliff that is visible high up on top of Raetihi Hill is a reminder that this area was once under the sea.

Transfer back to your accommodation around 1:30pm.

Driving Information:
- Okahune to Waitomo: 178km/111mi | 2hrs
- Waitomo to Auckland: 190km/118mi | 2hrs 15mins

Journey from Okahune to Waitomo, home of the mysterious Waitomo Caves.

Embark on a guided tour of the caves. Your tour will take you through over 250-metres of stunning underground scenery and over 130 years of cultural and natural history. Your tour begins in the Cathedral and proceeds along a low narrow passage to the Tomo, a deep limestone shaft. Other magnificent cave formations include the Banquet Chamber, the Pipe Organ and the Catacombs. The highlight of your tour is an unrivalled boat ride through the spectacular Glow Worm Grotto. As your eyes adjust to the dark, the walls and roof sparkle with the lights of glow worm larvae like a thousand shimmering stars.

You will also have the opportunity to explore the Ruakuri Cave. Journey down through the spectacular spiral entrance to find winding passageways, vast echoing caverns, deep crevices and the distant thunder of subterranean waterfalls. You will have the opportunity to see glow worms right up close. Major features of the Ruakuri Cave tour include; Holdens Cavern, named after James Holden who first opened the cave to the public, The Drum Passage, The Pretties, and The Ghost Passage.

In the afternoon, continue onto Auckland to complete your journey. You will stay the night at the Hotel Grand Windsor.

Driving Information: N/A

All good things must come to an end. Check out of your accommodation by 10:00am and drop off your rental vehicle to commence your onward journey. 

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.