5-Day Auckland, Rotorua to Coromandel Self-Drive
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Overview
Explore the northern tip of New Zealand's North Island on this self-drive adventure from Rotorua to Coromandel!
Even with only five days, you can squeeze so much into your self-drive tour around the northern end of the North Island. Intriguing Maori culture, wonderful architecture, bubbling mud pools, hot springs, pink beaches, cool forests, forest trails, rugged coastlines and so much more will define your trip!
You'll begin and end the tour in Auckland, stopping Rotorua and the Coromandel Peninsula in between and visiting several fascinating spots on the way!
Even with only five days, you can squeeze so much into your self-drive tour around the northern end of the North Island. Intriguing Maori culture, wonderful architecture, bubbling mud pools, hot springs, pink beaches, cool forests, forest trails, rugged coastlines and so much more will define your trip!
You'll begin and end the tour in Auckland, stopping Rotorua and the Coromandel Peninsula in between and visiting several fascinating spots on the way!
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Auckland
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Upon arrival in Auckland, you'll pick up your rental car and make your way to your hotel for the next two nights. After check-in, you'll have the rest of the day free to explore the city on your own. Greater Auckland, with a population of over one million, is New Zealand’s largest urban area and centre of commerce and industry, but within minutes of the city, you can experience uncrowded beaches, rural countryside and forests.
Accommodation
Quest Ponsonby★4 star
Activities
AucklandOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Auckland Airport to The Quadrant Hotel & SuitesOptional Activity
Destinations
Auckland
Day 2
Guided Morning Walking Tour of Auckland and Journey to Rotorua via Hamilton
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This morning, with an expert local guide, you'll discover the fascinating jewels of Auckland on a walking tour of Auckland's past and present historical and cultural highlights. You'll wander the cobblestone streets and the narrow lanes as your highly knowledgeable local guide unfolds two centuries of Auckland's architectural legacy from Classical, Renaissance, Gothic to Baroque. Later, you'll begin your journey to Rotorua, the geothermal wonderland, with a stop in Hamilton on the way.
Accommodation
East West Apartments★4 star
Activities
Auckland Half-Day Walking Tour
HamiltonOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Auckland to HamiltonOptional Activity
Self-Driving from Hamilton to RotoruaOptional Activity
Destinations
Auckland
Hamilton
Rotorua
Day 3
Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour and Free Time in Rotorua
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This morning, you'll head to Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village for a guided village experience. Home of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, they have shared their unique way of life and stories with visitors from all around the world for over two hundred years. You'll experience the amazement of nature’s boiling mud and hot-spring pools including viewing the world-famous Pohutu Geyser as well as the opportunity to enjoy the unique taste of food cooked in a hot pool.
Accommodation
East West Apartments★4 star
Activities
Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour
RotoruaOptional Activity
Destinations
Rotorua
Day 4
Travel from Rotorua to Coromandel via Tauranga and Hahei
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Today, you'll take the scenic road from Rotorua to Coromandel. On the way, you'll make a stop in Tauranga, a city in the stunning Bay of Plenty region that was first settled by Maori in the late 13th century and later by Europeans in the 19th century. You can tour its 19th-century architecture and wander along its waterfront before moving on to Hahei, famed for its long sandy beach coloured a pretty pink by seashells. You'll then make the final journey to Coromandel for the night.
Accommodation
Harbour View Motel★4 star
Activities
TaurangaOptional Activity
Hahei
Transportations
Self-Driving from Rotorua to TaurangaOptional Activity
Self-Driving from Tauranga to HaheiOptional Activity
Self-Driving from Hahei to CoromandelOptional Activity
Destinations
Rotorua
Tauranga
Hahei
Coromandel
Day 5
Explore the Coromandel Peninsula and Travel Back to Auckland
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Today is the last day of your Rotorua to Coromandel road trip. Before making your way back to Auckland to return your rental car, you'll have the day to explore the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful area with cool forests, picturesque beaches, rugged coastlines and swimming holes. Around the island, there are waterfalls, beaches, forest trails to be found. Hot Water Beach, a rare and fascinating natural wonder, is not to be missed!
Activities
Coromandel PeninsulaOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Coromandel to AucklandOptional Activity
Destinations
Coromandel
Kaimarama
Included in Price
- 4 nights accommodation
- 2 activities
Not Included in Price
- Airport transfer
- Alcohol beverages
- Domestic flights
- Entrance fees
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- Ground transportation
- International flights
- Laundry
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
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Low season price starting fromAU$565
per traveller sharing Terms and Conditions
Book with Flexibility
Flexible Payment
Book this trip today with a deposit and pay the rest 60 days before departure.
Extra Mile
Our dedicated Travel Concierge Team will work with you to manage any unforeseen changes, where possible.
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