New Zealand North Island Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best New Zealand North Island tour packages
- What people love about New Zealand North Island Tours
- Travel New Zealand North Island your way
- Top operators in New Zealand North Island
- Discover New Zealand North Island tours for every budget
- New Zealand North Island tours for every group
- Top New Zealand North Island travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit New Zealand North Island
- Contact our New Zealand North Island travel experts
The best New Zealand North Island tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaNew Zealand North Island travel expert at TourRadar
NZ Intro North
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Tour with Sean ist schön.”
Thomas, traveled in September 2023
North Island's highlights take you through Hobbiton movie set, Waitomo's glowworm caves, and Wai o Tapu geothermal park. Immerse in Māori culture at Mitai Village, sail Lake Taupo, and visit Wellington's Te Papa Museum. Includes shared accommodation and essential transport.
Duration 9 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Age Range 18 to 45 year olds Operator INTRO Travel From $1,349
10% Off- US$1,214You save $134
Northern Voyager
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing experience! So smooth and fun! Amazing people! Only downside is most of the activities are not included.”
Russell, traveled in April 2023
North Island's finest attractions include kayaking Cathedral Cove, touring Hobbiton Movie Set, and hiking Tongariro Crossing. Witness Rotorua's geothermal wonders, Huka Falls, and Waitomo's glowworm caves while staying in comfortable hostels with daily breakfast included.
Duration 7 days Destinations Auckland, Hahei, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo, Raglan Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator Wild Kiwi From
10% Off- US$986+$147 upfront costs
Travel North Island's finest spots from Auckland's waterfront to Wellington's harbor. Visit Coromandel's Hot Water Beach, Rotorua's Pohutu Geyser, and Tongariro National Park's volcanic landscapes. Includes traditional hangi dinner, Hobbiton tour, and 9 nights' accommodation at approx. $360 per day.
Duration 10 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Raglan, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro National Park, Wellington Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,430
10% Off- US$3,087You save $343
Coasts & Culture Tour
80 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The hostels can be harsh, but you get to experience NZ in such a unique way that makes it all worthwhile.”
Pia, traveled in December 2019
The North Island's diverse landscapes unfold from Coromandel's pristine beaches to Rotorua's geothermal wonders. Tour Hobbiton Movie Set, connect with Māori culture at Kohutapu Lodge, and hike volcanic terrain in Tongariro National Park. Daily breakfast included.
Duration 7 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Whitianga, Hahei, Rotorua, Waitomo, Murupara, Taupo, Tongariro National Park, Wellington Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator Haka Tours From
10% Off- US$1,250
Premium New Zealand North Island
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Summer did a brilliant job in making 12 strangers into a joyous group. Every day was an adventure.”
Maria, traveled in December 2023
Over 8 days, North Island reveals its charms from wine tasting on Waiheke Island to Hobbiton's movie magic. Rotorua's geothermal wonders, Wellington Harbor sunset cruises, and stays at the exclusive Powderhorn Chateau overlooking Tongariro's volcanic peaks create lasting memories. Includes 7 breakfasts and premium accommodations.
Duration 8 days Destinations Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro National Park, Ohakune, Wellington Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Premium From $4,720
10% Off- US$4,248You save $472
What people love about New Zealand North Island Tours
Going into my first big trip alone I was nervous, but felt at ease once I met the amazing people in my group. The group leader was an even bigger Lord of the Rings fan than me! Going to Hobbiton (a life long dream of mine), learning about Māori culture and seeing stunning scenery like Huka Falls will always stick with me. Rain or shine, New Zealand is beautiful!
NZ Intro North
Thank you Robbie and Wild Kiwi for an epic 7-days in the North Island! Highlights include learning to surf in Raglan, black water rafting in Waitomo and enjoying the warm water in a pool which we dig ourselves on Hot Water Beach in the Coromandel! Very knowledgeable guide, great accommodation and vehicle, plus the tour was the perfect pace with a brill itinerary. Thanks Wild Kiwi!
Northern Voyager
- Premium New Zealand North Island
Summer did a brilliant job in making 12 strangers into a joyous group. Every day was an adventure.
Travel New Zealand North Island your way
Coach tours across the North Island blend comfort with real local experiences. Early birds catch Cathedral Cove at its best, followed by a fun bit where you dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach - the water's properly hot so you'll want to mix it with cold seawater. Our travelers like how flexible these tours are; you might go rafting on the Kaituna River one morning then spend the afternoon soaking in thermal pools. Wellington stops give you time for both guided visits and personal wandering - Te Papa museum and the cable car views are worth your time. These routes work well because they mix the main attractions with quiet spots like small coastal towns and lesser-known geothermal areas that big tour buses can't reach.
See all Coach / Bus toursThe North Island's explorer routes take you right into some remarkable places you won't find in typical guidebooks. Down in Waitomo's limestone caves, thousands of glowworms light up the ceiling like a living constellation - it's properly dark down there which makes the blue light show really special. These tours connect nicely with Rotorua where you'll see the Pohutu Geyser in action and soak in thermal pools that locals have used for generations. Our guests particularly love staying overnight in heritage buildings near Mount Ruapehu; you wake up to volcanic views right from your window. The routes include quality time with Māori communities for traditional hangi dinners, plus visits to Hobbiton where yes, you can actually have a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Our guide Isobel gets constant mentions in feedback - she's got this way of sharing local stories that makes everything more meaningful than just ticking off tourist spots.
See all Explorer toursSelect from our extensive range of 78 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through New Zealand North Island with our expert guides leading the way.
See all Fully Guided toursOur heritage tours dig deeper into North Island culture, starting in Murupara where tour fees directly help local families. You'll learn the proper way to perform haka, weave your own flax dinner plate and join in traditional hangi feasts - the food gets this amazing smoky flavor from cooking underground. The evening visits to Māori villages stand out because you're not just watching performances but actually talking with people about modern Māori life. These routes include time at Te Puia, which combines geothermal sites with a kiwi bird conservation center. The twilight forest walks with Māori guides often become highlight memories; there's something special about hearing ancient stories and chants while walking paths that generations have used before.
See all In-depth Cultural tours
More travel styles:
Top operators in New Zealand North Island
Looking at the feedback from travelers, tour leaders really make a difference in these New Zealand experiences. Contiki's guides Isobel and Susie get mentioned a lot - they're particularly good at getting everyone in the group to connect and bond while sharing their deep local knowledge. INTRO Travel has some standout leaders too, with Sean, Emily, Jess and also Rhys getting great reviews for keeping things organized while making sure everyone has fun. They seem to strike that right balance between being professional guides and friendly faces on the journey. The activities on Haka Tours and Wild Kiwi are quite hands-on - you're not just watching New Zealand, you're getting right into it. People particularly love the black water rafting caves, learning to surf and taking on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Though it's worth noting that one Haka Tours customer mentioned you should book those optional activities early to avoid missing out. What comes through in all the feedback is how well these North Island tours blend active experiences with cultural insights. The guides clearly know their stuff about both the landscapes and local culture, which helps bring the whole experience together for travelers.
- 5.0 (15,774 reviews)
"I had the most amazing time on my tour of the north island. Our tour leader, Rhys, was incredible. He was really knowledgeable, fun and he made our trip truly unforgettable. We saw some amazing places in the north island. My highlight was the Maori experience as well as the glow worm caves. I would highly recommend the tour. If you’re thinking about booking it, do it!
- Tours
- 3 tours
- Age range
- 18 to 55 years old
- Adventure type
- Active
- Response time
- 20h
- Response rate
- 96%
- Average price
- $231
- 4.5 (203 reviews)
"This trip changed my life. I’ve never had soo much fun in my life and I never imagined I’d get to push myself to do 6 new things I’ve never done before (white water rafting, zip lining, sky diving, bungee jumping, cave exploring, and surfing). I’m still soo sad that it’s over! Telli was a great guide and I had a group that was what dreams are made of. Best trip ever, with my only regret being that I did one week. If I return to do the Southern Island, I’ll ONLY look for Wild Kiwi as an operator. Thank you soo much, much love and appreciation for you guys!!
- Tours
- 2 tours
- Age range
- 18 to 100 years old
- Adventure type
- Active
- Response time
- 16h
- Response rate
- 92%
- Average price
- $264
- 4.5 (361 reviews)
"Had high hopes & excitement for this experience with Haka however it turned into a bad one. Tried to discuss some things with my guide & the office ops manager thinking I would get a little bit of concern .. no customer service & care .. but no! anyway I would not recommend you book with them. To explain more some of the things that annoyed me & made me regret my booking are: The Itinerary is not inline with the trip! The Cultural aspect (including guides) is now lost with this company! (having sold themselves to Intrepid) The cost of these trips include very little. eg: only breakfast is included not at least a dinner or 2! and the whole tour is primarily focused on just extra paid activities, so factor all this in on top of daily food, drinks, flights, insurance etc. ‘lodge stay?’ some… then 2 star backpackers! Private room upgrade yes .. for a huge extra cost & with no en-suite. I could add more but instead I recommend you booking with someone else!
- Tours
- 8 tours
- Age range
- 18 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 43h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $317
Discover New Zealand North Island tours for every budget
Browse the best budget and luxury tours in New Zealand North Island that will take you through unmissable places like Auckland and Rotorua.
New Zealand North Island budget tours
New Zealand North Island tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
94 tours in New Zealand North IslandExplore a wide diversity of group tours through New Zealand North Island. We have 94 adventures that vary from 2 days to 24 days. With the greatest number of departures in March, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
23 tours in New Zealand North IslandVisit New Zealand North Island with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Private / Personalized
19 tours in New Zealand North IslandEnjoy the exclusivity of our Private New Zealand North Island tours, tailored to your own group, preferences and pace with over 19 itineraries to choose from.
Top New Zealand North Island travel itineraries to fit your plans
Quick North Island tours pack the highlights into 3 days across two main regions. Up in Northland, you'll cruise to the Hole in the Rock, explore the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and drive the length of Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga. Our guide Hugh gets lots of mentions from travelers for making the Cape Reinga portion both fun and rich with information. The central region route combines Waitomo's glowworm caves, Rotorua's geothermal areas and real Māori cultural experiences. You can visit Hobbiton too, though some travelers note gaps between activities. Both options work well if you're short on time, with good hotels and guides who know how to make the most of each day.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Matamata
See all tours
Seven days on the North Island lets you really get to know the place. Starting in Auckland, these tours head south through Coromandel's beaches to the Waitomo caves. Rotorua offers plenty of options - you can go white water rafting, zip through old-growth forests and learn Māori traditions at a local village. The Tongariro Crossing is often the trip highlight; it's rated as New Zealand's top day hike and takes you past active volcanoes with bright crater lakes. Our guide Burto gets constant mentions for helping people step outside their comfort zone while keeping the mood light and everything running smoothly.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington
Ten-day North Island tours give you space to explore without rushing. Whether you start from Auckland or Wellington, you'll have time to really settle into each spot. The activities are varied - dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach, paddle to Cathedral Cove and enjoy evening sailing on Lake Taupo. The cultural side is excellent; you'll join a traditional hangi feast, learn Māori customs and explore significant sites like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. It's perfect for travelers who want to understand New Zealand deeply, with time split between planned activities and personal exploration.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Wellington, Tongariro National Park, Taupo, Rotorua, Waitomo, Raglan, Coromandel, Auckland
Demographics
Solo travelers quickly find their tribe on our North Island tours, especially during those 7-9 day journeys. Our guests tell us how fast their tour groups become like family. They love sharing traditional hangi feasts, learning haka moves and also joining in group karaoke during evening lake cruises. The hostels we use are right in the center of things, with pod-style rooms that give you private space while making it easy to meet others. The guides are great at making everyone feel part of the group from day one, often organizing optional group dinners where connections happen naturally.
Couples can mix romance with exploration on these routes. The tours combine coastal drives along the Coromandel Peninsula with quiet evenings soaking in thermal pools at sunset. Some itineraries include nice touches like sailing on Lake Taupo as the sun goes down and experiencing Māori performances followed by intimate dinners. Many couples go for self-drive options to explore hidden beaches, visit small wineries and also discover quiet towns at their own pace. The rooms near Mount Ruapehu are a highlight - you wake up to volcanic views right from your window.
Young adults go for tours that keep things active and social while staying flexible. The popular 7-10 day routes hit the main spots but leave room for extras like white water rafting, cave tubing in black water, surfing at Raglan and also bungy jumping near Taupo. You'll stay in modern hostels with good common areas where meeting other travelers just happens naturally. These tours mix structured activities - like Hobbiton visits and Māori cultural experiences - with free afternoons to do your own thing, whether that's hiking Tongariro or soaking in thermal pools.
Senior travelers enjoy tours that blend comfort with real cultural insights. The multi-day trips take you to important places like Te Puia's geothermal valley and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where guides share rich historical stories. You'll move at a good pace - there's proper time to explore Auckland's Sky Tower, Whangarei Falls and also the beautiful Matapouri Beach. Several routes focus on natural wonders while keeping walks manageable with plenty of stops. Our older guests particularly value the cultural elements, taking time to learn about Māori traditions and meet local community members.
Families get to mix outdoor fun with cultural moments on these North Island tours. Kids really love rolling down hills in giant inflatable balls (zorbing) in Rotorua and taking easy walks through ancient redwood forests. The geothermal areas are a hit - watching real geysers shoot up and mud pools bubble away. A popular route takes you to Hobbiton where everyone can explore hobbit holes together and also Waitomo's glowworm caves which leave quite an impression. These family tours typically run 7-12 days with built-in downtime, so everyone can relax at spots like Hot Water Beach where digging your own thermal pool becomes a fun group activity.
- Solo Travelers61 tours
- Couples24 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)16 tours All tours for Young Adults
- Seniors (50+)28 tours
Best time to visit New Zealand North Island
- Spring 2025
Spring hits that sweet spot from September through November with mild days and lighter crowds. Tours run 7-12 days mixing outdoor walks with local culture. You'll catch Cathedral Cove at its best early morning when spring flowers dot the cliffsides. Some routes include Hobbiton visits while the movie set gardens show their colors, plus you can take your time at the Green Dragon Inn without summer's rush. Our guests particularly like spring tours combining Rotorua's geothermal trails with guided walks around Lake Taupo and also visits to family-run Māori communities. Spring timing means guides and hosts have more time for stories and local tips.
- popular 69 tours
- 61 tours
- 48 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer opens up beach possibilities from December through February. Longer tours stretch 10-14 days making good use of warm evenings with Lake Taupo sunset sails and twilight soaks in natural springs. Active types can tackle Kaituna River rapids or join guided walks in the Waitakere Ranges. Culture stays central - our travelers connect with local hosts over evening hangi feasts after full days out exploring. Several tours base you in Coromandel where you can dig personal hot pools at Hot Water Beach and paddle to hidden bays. Premium summer options keep things personal with 8-12 people and add nice touches like private cultural shows and also exclusive valley access.
- 40 tours
- popular 43 tours
- 40 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn brings out rich colors from March through May across the North Island. Popular 7-10 day routes take advantage of settled weather for Tongariro Crossing hikes and Waitomo cave explorations. Wellington features more in autumn tours where you can really dig into food spots and cultural sites without summer's crowds. Our travelers love autumn at Hobbiton when changing leaves transform the movie set gardens. Some tours focus deeply on geothermal areas and Māori culture with village homestays and guided walks through steaming valleys - often you'll have viewing spots completely to yourself.
- 42 tours
- popular 55 tours
- 51 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter tours between June and August blend warmth and cold in really clever ways. The most popular options run about 7 days with time split between Rotorua's steamy geothermal valley and cozy cultural spots. Our travelers tell us there's something special about watching Pohutu Geyser burst through the winter fog before heading inside for a hot hangi meal. Several tours stay in heritage lodges near Mount Ruapehu where you might catch snow dusting the volcanic peaks. Winter keeps groups intimate at 12-15 people, perfect for long chats with Māori hosts over dinner and getting local secrets from guides. The Waitomo glowworm caves feel extra special in winter - those blue lights really pop against the dark winter sky.
- 26 tours
- popular 63 tours
- 50 tours
Contact our New Zealand North Island travel experts
Hannah
Expert in New Zealand North Island at TourRadar
Hannah is one of our seasoned New Zealand North Island Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about New Zealand North Island tours answered!
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