02 Nov 2026
Twin share
£876pp
Escorted tour
One Week in New Zealand’s North Island for 18–35s – 8 Days
Wellington, Taihape, Rotorua, Mount Maunganui and Auckland in a week, for travellers aged 18–35.
8 days
From £825
Tour overview
This 8-day trip is designed for travellers aged 18 to 35 who want to pack the highlights of New Zealand's North Island into a week, from the capital to the City of Sails, with geysers, Māori culture and surf beaches along the way. Groups have up to 16 travellers, with a local leader throughout and a private vehicle between stops. You stay seven nights in multi-share hostels and a lodge with shared bathrooms, which keeps the trip great value. A cooked breakfast and two dinners are included, a farm-to-table feast and fish and chips on the beach, leaving you free to eat out with your new friends.
Your adventure begins in Wellington, a city famous for its food scene, with time to visit Te Papa, the national museum, or ride the cable car. You then head to Taihape, the gumboot capital of New Zealand, with a free afternoon for whitewater rafting or e-bike trails before a farm-to-table dinner of Kiwi produce.
Read more
On the way to Rotorua you stop at the thundering Huka Falls on the Waikato River and the shores of Lake Taupō. Rotorua is a centre of geothermal activity and Māori culture, and a village guide leads you through Whakarewarewa, a living Māori settlement, where you see the Pōhutu geyser, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere. Free time lets you try ziplining, a night walk in the Redwoods or a glow-worm kayak trip.
Before leaving Rotorua you climb into a giant water-filled ball for a Zorb ride down a hillside, a Kiwi invention, then head to the coast at Mount Maunganui to hike to the summit for 360-degree views, followed by fish and chips on the beach. A free day lets you surf, relax or visit an adventure park, before a final night in Auckland, with its harbour, Sky Tower and nightlife.
The physical rating is low. This trip suits young, sociable travellers who want a fun, great-value introduction to New Zealand.
Trip highlights
-
A farm-to-table dinner in Taihape (Day 2)
-
Huka Falls and Lake Taupō (Day 3)
-
Whakarewarewa Māori village (Day 4)
-
The Pōhutu geyser (Day 4)
-
A Zorb ride in Rotorua (Day 5)
-
Mount Maunganui summit and beach (Day 5)
Your route
7 stops from Wellington to Auckland
- Wellington Day 1
- Taihape Day 2
- Huka Falls Day 3
- Taupo Day 3
- Rotorua Days 3–4
- Mount Maunganui Days 5–6
- Auckland Days 7–8
Why choose this tour
The North Island's highlights in a week at a great price. Designed for travellers aged 18 to 35.
Best suited to
- Travellers aged 18 to 35
- Travellers on a budget
- Solo travellers looking for a social group
- Active travellers
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Wellington, New Zealand to Auckland, New Zealand
-
Day 1 · Wellington Wellington
A welcome meeting in the capital.
- Hotel
- Hostel, multi-share
-
Day 2 · Taihape Taihape
The gumboot capital and a farm dinner.
- Hotel
- Lodge, multi-share
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 3 · Huka Falls, Lake Taupō, Rotorua Rotorua
Waterfalls and geothermal country.
- Hotel
- Hostel, multi-share
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Whakarewarewa, Pōhutu Geyser Rotorua
A living Māori village.
- Hotel
- Hostel, multi-share
-
Day 5 · Rotorua, Mount Maunganui Mount Maunganui
A Zorb ride, a summit and fish and chips.
- Hotel
- Hostel, multi-share
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 6 · Bay of Plenty Mount Maunganui
A free beach day.
- Hotel
- Hostel, multi-share
-
Day 7 · Auckland Auckland
To the City of Sails.
- Hotel
- Hostel, multi-share
-
Day 8 · Auckland Trip ends
Depart at any time.
Where you stay
- Wellington (1 night) Hostel, multi-share
- Taihape (1 night) Lodge, multi-share
- Rotorua (2 nights) Hostel, multi-share
- Mount Maunganui (2 nights) Hostel, multi-share
- Auckland (1 night) Hostel, multi-share
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 7 nights in multi-share hostels and a lodge
- Meals 1 breakfast and 2 dinners
- Private vehicle throughout
- Whakarewarewa Māori village tour
- Zorb ride in Rotorua
- Mount Maunganui summit hike
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Optional activities such as rafting
- Meals not included 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
- Private room supplement, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You are outside the 18–35 age range
- You dislike shared dorms
- You want luxury
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Day 3 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: Days 2 and 5
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for New Zealand
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £825 per person, twin share, tour only. 34 upcoming departures.
16 Nov 2026
Twin share
£948pp
07 Dec 2026
Twin share
£848pp
21 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,015pp
18 Jan 2027
Twin share
£1,055pp
15 Feb 2027
Twin share
£1,055pp
15 Mar 2027
Twin share
£1,030pp
29 Mar 2027
Twin share
£1,030pp
19 Apr 2027
Twin share
£950pp
03 May 2027
Twin share
£995pp
17 May 2027
Twin share
£995pp
12 Jul 2027
Twin share
£995pp
09 Aug 2027
Twin share
£995pp
06 Sep 2027
Twin share
£995pp
01 Nov 2027
Twin share
£825pp
15 Nov 2027
Twin share
£825pp
06 Dec 2027
Twin share
£825pp
20 Dec 2027
Twin share
£825pp
03 Jan 2028
Twin share
£865pp
17 Jan 2028
Twin share
£865pp
07 Feb 2028
Twin share
£865pp
21 Feb 2028
Twin share
£865pp
06 Mar 2028
Twin share
£865pp
20 Mar 2028
Twin share
£865pp
03 Apr 2028
Twin share
£865pp
17 Apr 2028
Twin share
£865pp
01 May 2028
Twin share
£865pp
15 May 2028
Twin share
£865pp
17 Jul 2028
Twin share
£865pp
11 Sep 2028
Twin share
£865pp
30 Oct 2028
Twin share
£865pp
13 Nov 2028
Twin share
£865pp
04 Dec 2028
Twin share
£865pp
18 Dec 2028
Twin share
£865pp
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Who is this trip for?
Travellers aged 18 to 35.
What is the accommodation like?
Multi-share hostel dorms of 4 to 8 beds with shared bathrooms. Private rooms can be added for a supplement.
Is the Zorb included?
Yes, along with the Māori village tour and the Mount Maunganui hike.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors need an NZeTA to visit New Zealand. Check the latest advice before travel.
Where does the trip end?
In Auckland, after the final night.
How many people travel together?
Up to 16 travellers, with a local leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary