Bay of Plenty Explorer

Auckland lies between two enormous harbours and is dotted with 48 extinct volcanic cones. It’s a place to enjoy marine adventures, wine trails, forest walks and urban sophistication.

Explore the central city on foot, by public transport(opens in new window), or with an organised tour. Waiheke Island, a short ferry ride away, makes for a fabulous outing in the afternoon or for a day of wining, dining and sightseeing.

Or, stay central and head up the Sky Tower for 360-degree views of New Zealand's largest city. For a real adrenaline rush try a Skyjump or Skywalk while you're there.

Your next stop is the sunny city of Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty.

Sprawling along the edge of an attractive harbour, you can easily explore Tauranga on foot. A lively café culture, gift galleries and designer stores offer plenty of opportunity for browsing.

Learn more about this favourite kiwi holiday spot with a guided tour of Mount Maunganui. Enjoy hearing local Maori legends as you wander from the mountain's base to its summit.

As dusk falls, experience the nightlife on The Strand with live music, pubs and clubs or spend the evening kayaking through a canyon alight with twinkling glow-worms. A perfect end to the day.

There's a huge variety of options for exploring Tauranga today.

Charter a boat or join a cruise for big game fishing, snorkelling or dolphin watching. Nature lovers may want to visit Moutohora (Whale Island), home to some of New Zealand's most endangered wildlife. 

Nearby Mount Maunganui is a top destination for surfing and beach walking. Learn to surf, relax at the Hot Salt Water Pools or simply relax on the sand at the main beach.

It is a short journey to Rotorua today, leaving you plenty of time to explore.

Rotorua is entertaining in any weather, at any time of the year. The city sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so there’s evidence of volcanic activity everywhere you look. Visit one or more of the geothermal parks. Once you've seen the shooting geysers and steaming pools, enjoy a therapeutic natural spa.

Those looking for more adventure will find it here. Over recent years Rotorua has become a hub for adrenaline-based activities, including some that are truly bizarre such as the OGO, shweeb, and swoop. 

Spend the next two days sampling all that Rotorua has to offer.

Immerse yourself in the unique culture of New Zealand’s Maori people with a cultural experience at Te Puia, Mitai or Tāmaki Māori Villages. Shop for authentic arts and crafts, including pounamu (jade), carved bone jewellery and natural mud or plant-based beauty products. 

Surrounded by mountains, rivers, native forests and 18 freshwater lakes, Rotorua's the perfect place to reconnect with nature. Give mountain biking, horse riding or fishing a go. If you're feeling adventurous, try a Redwoods Nightlight Treewalk or plunge down the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world on a white-water rafting trip. 

Experience the real Middle‑earth™ with a visit to Hobbiton Movie Set(opens in new window), as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Surrounded by green rolling hills, it's easy to see why Peter Jackson chose this area to play The Shire.

Visit Bilbo and Frodo's beloved hobbit-hole at Bag End, discover behind the scenes stories of the filming and end the day with a drink at the Hobbiton local; Green Dragon Inn.

Tours depart daily from the Rotorua iSITE, with hotel pickups also available. Allow 5 hours for this day trip from Rotorua.

Turn north today, to visit the riverside city of Hamilton.

Here you will find a city carved in two by the mighty Waikato River. With stunning botanical gardens, a fascinating museum and gallery, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in Hamilton. Get up close to some of New Zealand's native birds with a trip to Hamilton Zoo, home to the country's largest free-flight aviary. 

For tea lovers, Zealong Tea Estate is a must-do with traditional tea ceremonies and some of the world's purest oolong.

Then make your way back to Auckland and the end of your journey.