6-Nights New Zealand Odyssey: North Island - Odysseys by Goway, Escorted Tours from $3,338

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland

Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland, New Zealand. Meet your guide and fellow travellers at your hotel reception at 1:30pm and embark on an Auckland city sightseeing tour, including Auckland Harbour Bridge, Auckland Viaduct, the downtown area and the All Blacks Experience. The All Blacks Experience is a state-of-the-art guided encounter that showcases the All Blacks, and New Zealand's national Rugby teams in black. This full sensory and interactive experience allows you to celebrate New Zealand's rugby heritage, achievements and culture. It's a homage to all those that wear the black jersey and represent New Zealand with the dignity, strength and the skill required to be the best. After your All Blacks Experience, visit Auckland's Sky Tower, rising dramatically above the skyline and offering sweeping harbour views, thrilling glass-floor observation decks, and unforgettable sky-high adventure experiences. Tonight enjoy a fabulous Welcome Dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travel companions at Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill. Auckland's premier waterfront dining destination. With panoramic harbour views from our all-weather deck, every detail is crafted to make your dining experience memorable-from our commitment to sustainability to the use of the finest quality seasonal produce.

Hotel: MSocial Hotel Auckland (4 Star Rating)

Functionally chic, this boutique hotel features 190 rooms and suites and overlooks the vibrant Princess Wharf which is home to a stunning array of dining, entertainment, and shopping experiences.

Choose to stay connected both online and offline. Enjoy free Wi-Fi during your stay, relieve the stresses of the day at the 24-hour gym or treat yourself to some of the best cuisine from around the world at M Social Restaurant. Alternatively, catch up with friends - both old and new - over a drink at M Social Bar while watching the ships come in.

Located near Auckland's main strip, the hub of the city centre with its abundance of designer fashions, lively nightlife, shows, theatre and live music, this vibrant hotel exudes youthful energy. Don't miss a visit to the Sky Tower for the best views in town or wander through the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, with its world-class collections and exhibitions from New Zealand and around the world.

Meal(s): Dinner

Today starts with breakfast at your hotel. This morning you will catch the ferry from downtown Auckland to beautiful Waiheke Island. Waiheke Island boasts 92km of pristine beaches, stunning coastal headlands, wineries, olive groves and seaside villages and is approximately a 40-minute cruise from Auckland. One of New Zealand's most popular destinations, Waiheke Island has been rated as one of the top island escapes in the world. Today, you will visit some of Waiheke's top vineyards and sample a range of their wines. Along the way enjoy a commentated scenic drive, learning about the Island's history, geography, people and culture from your knowledgeable local guide. After your wine tasting experience sit back, relax and enjoy a lunch and a glass of Waiheke wine or beer at a favourite local restaurant before heading back to Auckland on the ferry, arriving at approximately 5.30pm. The evening is free to explore Auckland's nightlife and restaurant scene on your own.

Hotel: MSocial Hotel Auckland (4 Star Rating)

Functionally chic, this boutique hotel features 190 rooms and suites and overlooks the vibrant Princess Wharf which is home to a stunning array of dining, entertainment, and shopping experiences.

Choose to stay connected both online and offline. Enjoy free Wi-Fi during your stay, relieve the stresses of the day at the 24-hour gym or treat yourself to some of the best cuisine from around the world at M Social Restaurant. Alternatively, catch up with friends - both old and new - over a drink at M Social Bar while watching the ships come in.

Located near Auckland's main strip, the hub of the city centre with its abundance of designer fashions, lively nightlife, shows, theatre and live music, this vibrant hotel exudes youthful energy. Don't miss a visit to the Sky Tower for the best views in town or wander through the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, with its world-class collections and exhibitions from New Zealand and around the world.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch

Travel south from Auckland over the Bombay Hills to the rich farmland of the Waikato region. Your journey takes you through undulating green hills as you approach "The Shire". Enjoy commentary on the way to Hobbiton with insights into the areas you are travelling through, along with some background on the movies. On arrival at Shire's Rest, you embark on your Hobbiton Movie Set tour. This location is the largest "green set" in the world and the only part of the set remaining in New Zealand. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge, and the party tree. At this stunning location, you can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo's house, "Bag End", looking out over the whole set to the hills in the distance. Continue on to Rotorua. Check in to your accommodation with time to freshen up before an amazing evening at Te Pa Tu. This 3.5-hour evening is a feast of knowledge as well as divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within a forest pa (sanctuary), with tawa trees and crackling bonfires. Kai horotai (morsels) welcome guests with seasonal favourites that include pokai paua (abalone) - hand-folded paua wonton; kawakawa leaf filled with sautéed prawn; hangi root-vegetable croquette; kumara crisp topped with venison; and chilled kawakawa tea. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre, attention shifts to stories relayed through haka, song, and drama, before torchlight guides manuhiri (guests) to a three-course feast. The famous hangi shares a table with Maori-fusion dishes curated by our celebrated Maori chef and prepared by our own ringawera (hot hands).

Hotel: Millennium Hotel Rotorua (4 Star Rating)

Next to mystical Lake Rotorua and just a short stroll from the city centre, Millennium Hotel Rotorua is an eco-friendly destination offering comfort and convenience in the heart of New Zealand’s geothermal wonderland. Perfect for leisure and business travellers, our hotel is within walking distance of Polynesian Spa, Rotorua’s vibrant dining scene, and local attractions.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning, from Rotorua you travel along the geothermal highway and past the edge of the largest man-made radiate pine forest in the world - the Kaingaroa Forest. You then visit one of New Zealand's most natural and popular geothermal parks - Wai O Tapu. Your guide will explain the volcanic and geothermal processes of Rotorua and New Zealand. You will see volcanoes, geysers, New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool and many multicoloured hot springs on your journey around volcanic landscapes, farmland and through native and exotic forests. At Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland the amazingly colourful hot springs and moon-like landscapes are key features along with the famous Lady Knox geyser. Travel via Taupo which sits on the shores of New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo. From Taupo you'll travel over the Ahiminawa Ranges to Napier. Napier has the highest concentrations of Striped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco building styles in the world. The commercial centre was completely rebuilt following a catastrophic earthquake in 1931. Napier is also at the centre of one of the largest and most vibrant wine-producing areas in New Zealand. This evening dinner is at your hotel and afterwards the night is at leisure on your own in Napier.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Te Pania Napier (3 Star Rating)

Hawke's Bay is one of the first places in the world to see the light each day, with our Napier hotel enjoying a premium waterfront location on Napier's Marine Parade. The hotel’s slender curved form echoes the shape of the bay and guests are treated to sweeping views out over the water. A fresh, contemporary style hotel, Scenic Hotel Te Pania is just a short stroll from Napier’s main art deco style street and is located in close proximity to many of Napier's attractions.

We invite you to enjoy quality 4-star hotel accommodation of an international standard. From the moment you step into our spacious, light-filled lobby, you will experience our commitment to quality and customer service. If you fancy waking up to serene ocean views, Scenic Hotel Te Pania is the perfect place to start your day in Hawke’s Bay. Simply leave the curtains open, roll over in bed, and soak it all in. See you soon.

Meal(s): Breakfast

After breakfast, experience Art Deco Napier with a luxurious vintage car tour and an exclusive guided walk featuring some of the city's most iconic buildings. Discover Napier's Art Deco heritage in style in a luxurious 1930's vintage car. Your deco- dressed driver will transport you back in time as they relay the history of the area. Your journey will take you through Napier's famous Art Deco Quarter, and includes visits to the world-renowned Municipal Theatre or the Bluff Hill Scenic Lookout and includes plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs. This afternoon visit a selection of local wineries in the region along with a delicious lunch. Later on you will have the opportunity for free time or perhaps some further sightseeing, followed by the evening at leisure.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Te Pania Napier (3 Star Rating)

Hawke's Bay is one of the first places in the world to see the light each day, with our Napier hotel enjoying a premium waterfront location on Napier's Marine Parade. The hotel’s slender curved form echoes the shape of the bay and guests are treated to sweeping views out over the water. A fresh, contemporary style hotel, Scenic Hotel Te Pania is just a short stroll from Napier’s main art deco style street and is located in close proximity to many of Napier's attractions.

We invite you to enjoy quality 4-star hotel accommodation of an international standard. From the moment you step into our spacious, light-filled lobby, you will experience our commitment to quality and customer service. If you fancy waking up to serene ocean views, Scenic Hotel Te Pania is the perfect place to start your day in Hawke’s Bay. Simply leave the curtains open, roll over in bed, and soak it all in. See you soon.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch

Next stop, Wellington! Leaving the 1930's inspired city of Napier you will travel through the countryside of the Hawke's Bay and Manawatu regions, then along the Kapiti Coastline into the capital city of Wellington. Wellington sits on a wonderful deep natural harbour and is surrounded by bush clad hills. The city centre itself is quite compact (only around 1 square kilometre) and exploring on foot is relatively easy. You can easily stroll the famous cafes and restaurants within the city and New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa, is also close by. On arrival in Wellington, take an orientation tour through the CBD (Central Business District, or Downtown), the waterfront, Mt Victoria including a one-way tour in the Wellington Cable Car. One of the city's most iconic experiences, Wellington Cable Car leads to some of the best views of the capital. For over 120 years, the Cable Car has trundled up and down the Kelburn hillside. The five-minute trip has become a Wellington must-do for tourists. The views of the city below and harbour and hills beyond are, predictably, spectacular. This evening is at leisure to enjoy Wellington on your own.

Hotel: Rydges Wellington (3 Star Rating)

Rydges Wellington is centrally located on downtown Featherston Street with a unique combination of harbor and city outlooks. Our Wellington accommodation is within walking distance to Lambton Quay, Sky Stadium, Queens Wharf, and Wellington Railway Station making it ideally positioned in the heart of the capital. View features and amenities.

This 4+ star hotel offers 280 Wellington accommodation rooms for business and leisure guests with the benefits of modern facilities including FREE WI-FI throughout, and fantastic leisure facilities. All rooms feature flat-screen televisions and kitchenettes. There are 19 apartment-style suites, perfect for your long Wellington accommodation requirements with washer and drier facilities available. Rydges Wellington is your landmark Wellington accommodation in the Capital.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Start your day with breakfast at your hotel before visiting Te Papa. The Introducing Te Papa Tour provides an overview of Te Papa's highlights, Maori taonga (treasures) and New Zealand history and allows plenty of time to explore Te Papa on your own! The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum of New Zealand. New Zealand's geology and natural environment and the stories of New Zealand's indigenous people, the Maori, are celebrated in Te Papa's permanent exhibitions, while Te Papa's Marae is a vibrant contemporary meeting house and a living communal centre, unique in a museum. An exciting range of exhibitions display New Zealand's diverse art and visual culture and top-rating international exhibitions tour regularly. After your visit your tour comes to an end.

Meal(s): Breakfast