5-Day North Island New Zealand Highlights Tour
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North Island Highlights Tour in 5 Days. Are you short on time but eager to see some of the North Island’s top highlights?
This sample itinerary offers a fantastic way to spend limited days exploring the best of New Zealand’s North Island. Your journey includes must-see locations such as Hobbiton, the magical film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. You’ll also visit Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal wonders and rich Māori culture, and the stunning Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.
We understand that every traveler is unique, so all our itineraries are fully customizable to suit your personal travel style and interests. If you have extra time, we can easily extend your trip to include more incredible destinations. Many travelers choose to add an extra day to explore the Coromandel Peninsula with its pristine beaches, Lake Taupo with its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities, or the surf town of Raglan known for its laid-back vibe and black sand beaches.
Whether you want to tweak the activities in Rotorua or add more destinations to your adventure, we are here to tailor your itinerary to create the perfect travel experience. Let us know your preferences, and we’ll craft a journey that meets all your needs.
Build your own tour
The activities listed above are just a glimpse of what’s possible! We pride ourselves on creating bespoke experiences tailored to your interests and desires. If you have specific activities or destinations in mind, let us know, and we’ll craft a personalized itinerary just for you. Every journey is unique, and we’re here to make yours perfect. Dream big – your adventure is waiting to be customized!
BUILD YOUR TOUR
Your 5-day road trip itinerary
5-day journey exploring x key destinations across New Zealand's diverse landscapes.
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DAY 1
- Auckland Arrival
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DAY 2
- Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton
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DAY 3
- Rotorua
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DAY 4
- Rotorua to Auckland via Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
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DAY 5
- Auckland Departure Day
What’s included?
Your choice of accommodation. Silver (4 star), gold (5 star) or platinum (luxury lodge) options available
Most breakfasts, select lunches and dinners
A choice of self-drive and privately guided transport
In-depth and detailed custom travel guide
Listed activities (the list is fully customisable)
Full insurance coverage on rented vehicles
Overnight parking where necessary
Custom tour creation with one of our travel experts
What’s not included?
Return international flights
Personal travel insurance
Some lunches and dinners
Individual shopping and souvenirs
Extra, optional activities
Why book a privately guided road trip
Bespoke Itineraries
Bespoke Itineraries
Personalised tours tailored to your preferences
Authentic Kiwi Experiences
Authentic Kiwi Experiences
Genuine insights into New Zealand's culture
Flexible Bookings
Flexible Bookings
Secure and adaptable travel arrangements
Private Travel Safety
Private Travel Safety
Safe, crowd-free, intimate exploration
Local Expertise
Local Expertise
In-depth knowledge from a Kiwi-owned business
New Zealand's Top Awarded Tours
New Zealand's Top Awarded Tours
Winner of Tripadvisor’s ‘Travelers choice’ over multiple years & our 100+ 5 star reviews
Even with just a few days to spare, I will make sure you get the most from your time on the gorgeous Te Ika-a-Māui/North Island. I'll show you all my favourite places and share with you my stories and knowledge of the beautiful regions we will travel through!
Alex
General Manager
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can we customize the itinerary if we want to change some activities?
Absolutely! All our itineraries are fully customizable to suit your unique travel style and interests. If you'd like to tweak activities in Rotorua or explore additional destinations like the Coromandel Peninsula, Lake Taupo, Raglan, or anything else, just let us know. We’ll tailor the itinerary to create your perfect adventure.
What if we don't want to visit Hobbiton?
No problem! If Hobbiton isn’t on your must-see list, we can substitute it with other attractions such as the beautiful Hamilton Gardens. Our goal is to tailor the itinerary to your preferences, ensuring you have an unforgettable experience.
Can we spend more time in Auckland as part of the tour?
Yes, you can definitely spend more time in Auckland. We can adjust the itinerary to allow for additional days in the city, giving you the opportunity to explore its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and top attractions. Just let us know your preferences, and we’ll make sure your itinerary includes plenty of time to enjoy all that Auckland has to offer.
Can you accommodate special room requirements for larger groups?
Yes, we can arrange accommodations to suit the needs of larger groups. Whether you need twin, double, or family rooms, we will work with you to ensure everyone in your group is comfortably accommodated. Just let us know your requirements, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Real and Independent Traveller Feedback
Read reviews on Tripadvisor
Fantastic
Our trip was amazing, everything happened just as it was supposed to! I really appreciate Yamila’s efforts to plan our trip just as we asked, everything was well organized. From our transportation arrangements to our private guide Glenn who took us to the Blue mountains, the personnel were excellent. We packed a lot in 3 days each Sydney and Ayers Rock.
C B
Mar 2025
Sydney-Gold Coast Self-Drive Road Trip
Dear Yamila & The Road Trip Team
Thank you for your making my Sydney-Gold Coast Road Trip a smooth one. I would say there wasn't any hiccup along the trip. Everything well taken care of; from airport transfer to hotel bookings to rental car and some tour bookings. My family really enjoyed the holiday. What I really love was the freedom to drive anywhere with recommendations to go. It was very comprehensive. My kids loved the hotels you booked for us, especially the Anchorage and Pepper Soul! You made our maiden road drive in Australia to a new level. It is definitely an memorable experience. We are already thinking of another road trip in Australia!
Thank you once again!
Flyer786747
Jun 2024
21-Day Australia Trip
21-day Australia trip was fabulous. We didn't want to drive the Australian roads, so The Road Trip organized all of the hotels, transportation and guided tours. The Road Trip team, especially Yamila, had everything planned and they even helped make changes as new opportunities came up. The trip itinerary appealed to everyone as there was the perfect combination of beach, sightseeing, tours, downtime, and outdoor activities. Our favorites included: penguin parade, full-day snorkel tour, night walk tour in the rainforest, and the canyon hike through the Blue Mountain National Park. All six of us agreed that we couldn't have seen or done as much as we did if it wasn't for The Road Trip team. We will be contacting you again for our next trip!
Linda E
Mar 2024
They do all the work, you have all the fun!
I want to thank Road Trip Australia for planning and coordinating such a great itinerary. I wouldn’t have known where to start doing it on my own. They made it easy. The packet they provided was full of good information and allowed me to maximize the time that I had to tour. I definitely recommend them to plan your trip.
Elizabeth B
Nov 2020
21 Day Self Driving/Guided Australian Holiday
The Road Trip put together our recently completed self-driving tour of Australia. They were easy to work with and did an outstanding job of arranging our accommodations and travel in country (both driving and flying). We started in Melbourne with an excellent tour of the central city. We then heading over to the Yarra Valley for two nights. It’s an area known for its vineyards and wine making. Then it was off to the Great Ocean Road for two days of beautiful beaches and great stops recommended by The Road Trip. We spent two days in charming Port Fairy at a great boutique hotel. Then it was back to Melbourne to head to Sydney. Some weather issues prevented us from traveling as planned but we did spend a day and a half in Sydney with the highlight being a climb to the top of the Harbor Bridge. After Sydney we spent two days in the Blue Mountains. Our plans were limited by the recent fires which was disappointing. We spent one day in the Hunter Valley and if you are into wine another day would be appropriate. Then back to Sydney to fly up to the Great Barrier Reef. The rainforests and reef were magical. Wavelength did a great job with the reef snorkeling tour. It was then back to Melbourne for the Australian Open which was a blast. Then finally a trip to Phillip Island to watch the penguins come back to their burrows after a busy day in the sea. Overall a memorable trip and it was logistically very easy with The Road Trip.
JEPAZ
Feb 2020
