07 Day North Island Family Guided Tour

Experience the best of New Zealand on this top family guided tour. We offer flexible private small group escorted tours of New Zealand, with no date or itinerary restrictions.

Our family tour packages include everything you need for an exciting, stress-free holiday. Travel with a private guide on a private escorted tour of New Zealand.

Read on for the full details of the 7 Day North Island Family Guided Tour.

7 Day North Island Family Guided Tour Itinerary | Private Small Group Escorted Tours, New Zealand

Day 1 Auckland + Sky Tower + Mt Eden’s Volcanic Crater

Your guided holiday adventure begins in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland.

Auckland is a multi-cultural urban oasis of food, music, arts and culture. World-class shopping and phenomenal dining is never too far from harbours, islands, native bush and black-sand beaches.

Explore Auckland with your guide. The Auckland Museum is well worth a visit with internationally significant Māori and Pacific collections to explore.

If you would like to get straight into nature; skipper an America’s Cup Yacht or experience Whale Watching. Or visit top attractions like the Sky Tower and Mt Eden’s volcanic crater.

In the evening the fairy lights of Federal Street will lure you into some of the finest restaurants in Auckland or head down to The Viaduct, a food and drinks hub in central Auckland.

Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Day 2 Waitomo Glowworm Caves + Rotorua + Rotorua Gondola & Buffet Dinner

Travel time Auckland to Waitomo Caves – 2.5 hours

Venture off the beaten track as your guide takes you on a scenic drive to the Waitomo Caves. The land is wilder around here, with limestone outcroppings emerging from farmland and densely forested hills rising all around, but the wildest landscape of all lies underground.

Witness the marvels of these vast caverns as you explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where you will be dazzled by a galaxy of glowworms overhead.

Travel time Waitomo Caves to Rotorua – 2 hours 

Enjoy the scenic drive to Rotorua, New Zealand’s geothermal wonderland.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at Rotorua’s most spectacular location – Skyline Restaurant. Sit back and relax as the views from the gondola unfold on your journey to the Skyline complex. The Skyline Restaurant will then serve you a mouthwatering taste of New Zealand cuisine. At the top of the gondola you also have the option to experience the luge, Skyswing, Ziplining, nature walks, and visit the Jelly Belly Shop and Volcanic Hills winery and tasting room.

Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.

Day 3 Rotorua Geothermal Reserve Tour & Spa + Māori Culture Evening Experience & Hāngi Dinner

Stroll through Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve in the morning, where you will have the opportunity to experience the rich Maori culture and soak in a relaxing sulphur spa.

In the evening, experience a unique insight into Māori culture. Be enthralled by Māori cultural performances as you get the opportunity to participlate in the graceful poi dance or ferocious haka. Taste an exquisite Māori feast prepared in the traditional Hangi style. You will be treated to New Zealand mussels, traditional rewana bread and dips, meats, chicken, lamb, vegetables and salads. Try a local drink made from kawakawa extract and manuka honey plus make sure you leave room for dessert.  After dinner you will be invited to board the motorised waka for a journey to Te Puia’s geothermal valley. You’ll disembark right in front of the Pohutu Geyser, illuminated in its full glory beneath a starry sky. Marvel at the sight of this glorious natural wonder, while your tour guide entertains you with traditional Māori mythology and stories.

Day 4 Hobbiton Movie Set Tour + Tauranga

Travel time Rotorua to Matamata – 1 hour 

Experience the real Middle-earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where you will step into the lush pastures of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did. Your guide will then escort you around the set, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made

You will be fully guided around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon Inn. You will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit Southfarthing beverage to conclude your own Middle-earth adventure.

Travel time Matamata to Tauranga – 1 hour

Continue your day trip to Tauranga surrounded by hectares of orchards and gardens producing everything from kiwifruit and citrus fruit to avocados. Your tour guide will take you to where you can purchase fresh local produce. Then continue on to Mount Maunganui, a short distance from Tauranga, which has spectacular beaches a magnet for surfers all year round and voted New Zealand’s best by TripAdvisor.

Stay 1 night in Tauranga.

Day 5 Coromandel Peninsula + Hot Water Beach

Travel time Tauranga to Coromandel – 2.5 hours

Embark on a scenic tour of the Coromandel Peninsula and take in views of the lush rainforest and idyllic beaches. If the tide is right, visit Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own hot pools, on your way to Whitianga.

Renowned worldwide as a spectacular holiday destination, with warm white-sand beaches, misty rainforest and wilderness aplenty, the Coromandel is the ideal place to relax and unwind.

Whitianga is the main settlement of Mercury Bay, an attractive township with a deep-water harbour.

Home to the world renowned Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, Mercury Bay is known for its variety of marine experiences both on and under the water. From kayaking and fishing in and around the Mercury Islands to scenic boat trips in the Te Whanganui-O-Hei Marine Reserve, Whitianga and Mercury Bay have it all.

Stay 2 nights in Whitianga, Coromandel.

Day 6 Cathedral Cove Glass Bottom Boat Tour + Hahei Beach

Today, join the Glass Bottom Boat for a unique boat cruise. Depart from the Whitianga Wharf to explore the breathtaking volcanic coastline, including famous Cathedral Cove. See the stunning Champagne Bay, plus a range of blow holes and sea caves, including Orua’s Sea Cave, the second largest sea cave in New Zealand! See what lies above and below the surface in the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve and be amazed by all the marine life to be seen. Choose your own level of fun, either sit back and enjoy the amazing marine life through the glass boat, or take the plunge and snorkel amongst the fish. All equipment supplied and no experience necessary. Blue penguins are a common sight year-round.

In the afternoon, your guide will show you some of the best hidden secrets of the Coromandel, including lush forest walks and secluded golden-sand beaches. The ideal afternoon for your small group escorted tours New Zealand.

Hahei is located 35 km or 30 minutes drive South East of Whitianga. Hahei is an attractive beach, fringed with pohutukawa trees and drifts of pink shells at the northern end. The offshore islands provide something of a breakwater, making this sheltered beach ideal for swimming, boating and snorkeling. Hahei also offers a number of cafes making it the perfect spot for lunch.

Day 7 Things To Do In Auckland

Travel time Coromandel Peninsula to Auckland – 3 hours 

As your tour draws to a close, return to Auckland and spend your final day shopping, touring around with your guide, or celebrating the end of a fantastic tour with a harbour dinner cruise.

If you have time add a tour to Waiheke Island. You’ll find beautiful galleries and craft boutiques and the island also boasts more than a dozen high-quality vineyards, many with relaxed restaurants onsite. Enjoy local wine while looking out over vine-covered valleys to the blue sea beyond.

Spend some time relaxing at one of the numerous local beaches. Mission Bay and St. Heliers urban beaches offer breathtaking views of Rangitoto Island. Or venture further afield to Piha Beach so you can see a stunning black sand surf beach.

This evening, if you would like to dine with a spectacular view, you might like to visit the Sky Tower. You are spoilt for choice with three restaurants and cafes up the Sky Tower, including the Orbit 360 degree dining revolving restaurant; The Sugar Club, which is superbly chic and elegant; or the Sky Café, where you can relax with a coffee, cheese board or ice cream. The perfect way to celebrate your private small group escorted tours New Zealand.

Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Day 8 Depart Auckland

Your guide will deliver you to Auckland Airport for your departing flight.