Person kayaking on Backroads trip
People rafting on Backroads Trip
New Zealand North Island waterfall
New Zealand North Island Beach
Hikers on Backroads trip
Hikers on Backroads trip
Te Manaroa, New Zealand
Hiker on Backroads trip
North Island New Zealand landscape
Te Mata Peak, New Zealand
Bikers on Backroads trip
Fern in New Zealand
Hawkes Bay Vineyard
Toi whakairo, Maori traditional carving
Huka Falls, New Zealand
Hikers on Backroads trip
Multi-Adventure
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New Zealand North Island Multi-Adventure Tour

Auckland to Hawke's Bay

Couples, Friends & Solos

8 days 7 nights

Activity Level: 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From: $6,699 - $8,399 pp dbl occ

($1,300 - $1,650 for sgl occ)

Every moment indoors is a missed opportunity. You're in New Zealand, after all. Isn't there a waterfall to swim under? Or a coastal scene to admire? This is why kayaks were invented. And basking in the South Pacific. What about bungee jumping? OK, maybe not. But you could. Follow it all up with a glass of local wine. Done and done. Enjoy New Zealand.

Walk/Hike
Bike
Kayak
Raft
New Zealand North Island Multi-Adventure Tour map
New Zealand North Island Multi-Adventure Tour map

New Zealand

Start Auckland / End Napier

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Highlights

  • Raft exhilarating white-water rapids on the famed Tongariro River and hike to thunderous Huka Falls
  • Bike through beautiful Hawke's Bay, where some of New Zealand's best and most famous wines are produced
  • Discover the splendor of Cathedral Cove's sculpted sandstone forms and gorgeous beaches by kayak
  • Witness steaming lakes and slide into a calming hot pool for a naturally geothermic form of relaxation

Itinerary

Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
8 Days Premiere Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Description

Start your trip with a scenic bike ride on the historic Hauraki Rail Trail and along the coast of the Firth of Thames | Spin into the quaint gold rush town of Thames | Enjoy a spectacular vista across the native bush and out to the Pacific as you hike at Shakespeare Cliffs | Kayak in Cathedral Cove, where sandstone formations, beaches and bright-blue waters await | Put your feet up at a laid-back chalet tucked into the thick forest canopy.

Accommodations
Exterior view of Puka Park Resort
Puka Park Resort
Pauanui
| Premiere Hotel

Settle into your private chalet at this secluded wilderness hideaway nestled among 25 acres of New Zealand bush. (pool, spa)

Day 3
Description

Follow a meandering path through native bush and past rushing streams to stunning McLaren Falls | Visit Rotorua, where steaming lakes and boiling mud pools create a living breathing landscape.

Accommodations
Exterior Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel & Spa
Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel & Spa
Rotorua
| Premiere Hotel

A sophisticated getaway on the shore of Lake Rotorua and set on an acre of immaculate mature gardens. (pool, spa)

Days 4-5
Description

Bike past undulating pastures and relax in geothermal waters | Take in views of Lake Taupo, the largest freshwater lake in Australasia | If you’re feeling fearless, now’s your chance to bungee jump over the azure Waikato River | Walk along a pathway leading to an overlook of thunderous Huka Falls | Shoot the rapids on an exciting white-water rafting adventure down the Tongariro River | Be welcomed into a Maori family-run marae (meeting house) for a traditional performance and meal.

Accommodations
Hilton Taupo
Hilton Taupo
Taupo
| *Casual Hotel

A comfortable property with captivating vistas of Lake Taupo and snowcapped volcanic peaks in the distance. (pool)

Days 6-8
Description

Cruise on two wheels alongside rolling fertile pastureland | Pedal through Hawke’s Bay, a wine region known for its Syrah, and stop for tastings under the shade of pines and oaks | Settle into cozy Mangapapa Hotel, a country mansion you won’t want to leave | The 360-degree views of ocean and countryside from Te Mata Peak make our last hike extra thrilling.

Accommodations
Exterior view of Mangapapa Hotel
Mangapapa Hotel
Hawke's Bay
| Premiere Hotel

Built over a century ago, a beautifully renovated country hotel with a wraparound veranda and lush gardens. (pool, spa)

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Activity Level: 1-3

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.

Daily Route Options

* Includes shuttle.
Day 1
Biking
Level 1 | 21 miles | 200 ft. gain
Day 2
Kayaking
at Hahei Beach (3 hours)
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 2 miles | 200 ft. gain
Day 3
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 2 miles | 200 ft. gain
Level 2 | 4 miles | 400 ft. gain
Day 4
Biking
Level 2 | 17 miles* | 1000 ft. gain
Level 3 | 21 miles | 1200 ft. gain
Day 5
Rafting
on the Tongariro River (3 hours)
Day 6
Biking
Level 1 | 18 miles* | 500 ft. gain
Level 2 | 32 miles | 800 ft. gain
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles | 0 ft. gain
Day 7
Biking
Level 1 | 12 miles | 100 ft. gain
Level 2 | 27 miles | 600 ft. gain
Day 8
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 2 miles | 400 ft. gain
Level 1 | 3 miles | 700 ft. gain

What's Included

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Click the arrow to see all bike options.

Backroads Performance Road Bike
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike

Included in your trip price

This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork. 

Backroads Touring Bike
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike

Included in your trip price

A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.

Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Electric-Assist Bike

Included in your trip price

Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

Also Included

  • All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
  • Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
  • Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
  • On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
  • Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
  • Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
  • Park and other entry fees
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
  • Select coach transfers
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Straight talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Accommodations

While our hotels are some of the finest in New Zealand and offer all the comforts of home as well as many modern amenities, they may not offer the level of customer service that you're used to, especially during the hectic summer holidays in New Zealand (our winter). The relaxed Kiwi approach to service is reflected in the hotels on this trip—they are authentic, down-to-earth and without a lot of bells and whistles.

Traffic

While Backroads strives to include routes that are quiet and off the beaten track, New Zealand's North Island has a limited road system. This means that some of our routes sometimes see fast and heavy traffic, especially around the holidays when locals are taking their summer break. Our shuttle is always available to help you bypass more heavily trafficked or rough sections.

Shuttle Time

In order to access the most scenic routes and significant points of interest on this trip, strategic shuttles are incorporated into several days of our itinerary. Most will be limited to an hour or so at a time, but on some days you can expect to spend a bit more time in the shuttle. We've planned our itinerary to make the most of our time in this spectacular area, so sit back and relax, knowing that someone else is doing the driving, and enjoy the beauty of the journey.

Ask a trip expert

Have a question and need expert advice? Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! You can also visit our Help Center.

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