North Island Odysseys
Central North Island
North Island Odysseys
First
All activities are listed in approximate order but that may vary depending on route, weather, tide. You or I may also suggest one of the many alternative activities. You can decide by the evening before. We can set an alarm for 6am if you wish to get the most out of our days.
You could join the tour part way through or do it in reverse, total flexibility.
There are many high quality optional paid for experiences. Tell me what you like to do and how long you have and I can offer a schedule based on great value catered camping stays and walks in nature. Let’s chat.
North Island Odysseys
Day One at these beaches.
Pick up at a Auckland hotel, motel or bus stop or car park, to be agreed. Leisurely three hour drive with scenic stops to Coromandel peninsula beaches.
Enjoy one or more of Coromandel peninsula beaches below and the option of a local beauty walk. BBQ complete visiting the rest of beaches and local beauty spots.
Walk 30 minutes to Iconic Cathedral Cove beach Hahei? 90 min return trip.
While in Hahei walk to a site of former Maori fortified village a “Pa” on a headland peninsula overlooking the beach.
Hot water beach. Dig a beach geothermal hot pool,
Stay in a Coromandel Peninsula camp ground.
North Island Odysseys
Day Two
Whangamata beach Viewing 10 Minutes
Owharoa Falls picturesque 20 m high waterfall
Drive Waikino to Karangahake to do a one to two hour leisure walk through Karangahake river Gorge and the gold mines disused flat railway tunnel, with a side 30 minute walk through old gold mines with spectacular views out onto the bush and river gorge below.
Fresh water swim.
Wairere waterfall, Tallest in North Island; well looked after track, many wooden walkways, fifty minutes each way slow walking to look out point.
OR Poripori swimming holes, large deep freshwater pools good for swimming and jumping off two meter high rocks into the deep pool. They to view point 40 minute return walk on formed trail into lush native bush to a fenced deck to view over Omanawa waterfalls the large rock pool beneath and the bush.
While in this area we are closest to Hobbiton Lord of Rings film set. Option you paying separately option Three hour guided tour including a drink in Green Dragon Inn.
Three times a day approx 90 NZ Dollars, (NZD) Needs be arranged well in advance.
Drive 30 Minutes to Mangapouri Scenic reserve and see boiling geothermal mud pools
Then thirty minutes to a Rotorua lake and or the downtown, Kuirau geothermal park
Rotorua is one of New Zealands top two tourist destinations a cultural and geothermal tourist hub, many paid for world class activities.
Stay in a Rotorua campground.
North Island Odysseys
Day three
Rotorua district, A full day of a lot of spectacular free options. With more paid for options. I can drive you to most. We need chat and agree a plan.
Free options Including:
An hour and half walk around blue lake including secluded beaches and bush and viewing lookout over green lake. Swimming in lakes
Redwood forest walk leisurely thirty minutes.
Okere falls walk 1 hour for a leisurely return walk.
Watch rafters and kayakers sweep over the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world
20 minute walk to Tawawera waterfall scenic reserve.
Rotorua camp ground stay.
Recommended option; Walk one way in or out five hours. Water taxi the other way.
To hot water lake Tarawera beach camp ground set in native bush. Either option is highly recommended. Possible to cook dinner in the hot ground.
Enjoy a night in nature with no cars or roads, stay at the Hot water beach campsite.
Which will affect our schedule for day four.
If we leave the greater Rotorua area without seeing at least ten lakes of different colours and temperatures I will be surprised.
North Island Odysseys
Day Four
Exiting by 8: 30 am South from Rotorua.
Walk around Lake Okaro.
Hot Lake Rotowhereo, soak in a warm geothermal lake with native shrubs.
Kerosene falls, a hot water stream.
Waiotapu boiling Mud pools,
Recommended paid entry to Wai O Tapu geothermal park, with three walks. Allow at least two leisurely hours You pay 30 NZ$
We aim for a 10 am geyser eruption,
Recommended free option further Soak in hot and cold water streams, Just South Of Wai O Tapu.
Possible Huka falls on Waikato river or we visit Huka falls next day.
Stay in a Lake Taupo region camp ground.
North Island Odysseys
Day Five
Dropped off at View Waikato river Aratiatia rapids 10am on dam water release four times daily every two hours at N of Taupo. Depending on the schedule of days other activities. 40 minutes
Walk along river Huka waterfalls, leisurely walk to Spa park for one hour. Optional soak in the warm stream flowing into the cool Waikato River.
Picked up in a vehicle taken to watch the bungee jumpers. You pay option participate
Possible paid option book on a shared fishing boat, for sure you will catch rainbow trout for us to cook.
Possible Polynesian hot swimming pools option.
Possible Lava Glass studio, Walk through a garden with more than 600 glass sculptures. Watch glass blowers at work. The garden has been endorsed as a national ‘Garden of Significance’
Drive to South of lake Taupo with scenic stops and arrive camp ground near Mt Tongario. With scenic stops 1 hour.
Option of a two hour track circling beautiful Rotopounamu lake surrounded by native forest and is a special favourite of tree lovers, birdwatchers, and families. Best to skip this if doing the eight hour Tongario crossing the next day.
North Island Odysseys
Day Six.
Highly Recommended, Tongariro Mountain crossing, Best day hike in the world” One way. I drop off and pick up at the other end. Grade medium. Duration seven to eight hours.
Drop you back to Turangi Taupo or Tokaanu Hot pools. 6 to 14 $ for hot soak weary muscles.
Or Walk through ancient forest, experience spectacular lake vistas and enjoy constant birdsong on a variety of walks on the southwestern shores of Lake Taupō
During the tour we can discuss the best options for you to continue South or return with me on a different route North. This trip can also be done in reverse.
Cost Inclusive NZD 1300 per person if two. 1200 per person if above two clients, maximum eight clients. Minimum two. If you are single or a small group I can merge you with another group up to maximum of eight.
Tour detours possible to Waitomo glow worm caves NZ$ 79 you pay, 1 hour. Optional black water rafting. Thousands of glowworms vied from a boat on an underground river. You pay.
Hamilton Gardens. https://hamiltongardens.co.nz/ vast number enclosed themed garden 20NZ$ One of the The top three things to do in NZ.
Tell me what you would like to do and I can make suggestions that will keep you absorbed all day.