Region Overviews: New Zealand Travel Guide: Overview
Whether you’re seeking unique wildlife, world-class restaurants, pristine hiking, unmatched cultural experiences or tropical beaches, New Zealand brings it all together.
Family — 20s & Beyond
8 days 7 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
From: $6,499 - $6,699 pp dbl occ
($1,400 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 with your family.
Start Auckland / End Napier
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Begin your family hike past giant tree ferns and hanging vines to a secret valley on the Coromandel Peninsula with our Kiwi guide | Enjoy a spectacular vista across the native bush and out to the Pacific as you climb to Pauanui Peak | Kayak in Cathedral Cove, where sandstone formations, beaches and bright-blue waters await | Kick your feet up at a laid-back chalet tucked into the thick forest canopy.
Settle into your private chalet at this secluded wilderness hideaway nestled among 25 acres of New Zealand bush. (pool, spa)
Cross suspension bridges and see an old gold-mining tunnel before cooling off under a waterfall in the lush Karangahake Gorge | Visit Rotorua, where steaming lakes and boiling mud pools create a living breathing landscape.
A sophisticated getaway on the shore of Lake Rotorua and set on an acre of immaculate mature gardens. (pool, spa)
Bike along rolling pastures to the Paeroa Range's white cliffs | The Waikite Hot Pools invite a rejuvenating dip | Take in views of Lake Taupo, the largest freshwater lake in Australasia | Shoot the rapids on an exciting white-water rafting adventure down the Tongariro River | Stroll along a pathway leading to an overlook of the thunderous Huka Falls | Now's your chance to bungee jump over the Waikato River | Ride alongside rolling fertile pastureland.
A comfortable property with captivating vistas of Lake Taupo and the Onekeneke Thermal Valley. (pool)
Our biking adventure takes us through Hawke's Bay, a wine region known for its Syrah, and stop for tastings under the shade of pines and oaks | Relax at Mangapapa Hotel, a country mansion your family won't want to leave | The 360-degree views of ocean and countryside from Te Mata Peak make our last hike extra thrilling.
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.
Share your adventure #MyBackroadsTrip
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.
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! Read on for your available bike options for this trip. (click the arrow to see all available options)
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.
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, our most popular 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.
Included in your trip price
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether you’re seeking unique wildlife, world-class restaurants, pristine hiking, unmatched cultural experiences or tropical beaches, New Zealand brings it all together.
Stay up to date on the latest Backroads news. You’re free to opt out at any time.