Connoisseur’s North Island

Fishing, wine and gourmet food – this exclusive self-drive journey through New Zealand’s North Island has it all.

Australasia & South Pacific, New Zealand
8 days, from AU$8,035pp
Private

Fishing, food, and wine – this exclusive self-drive journey through New Zealand’s North Island has it all. Discover firsthand why the Tongariro River is the country’s fly-fishing capital. View the world’s biggest mainland colony of gannets at Cape Kidnappers. And experience a thrilling jet-boat ride at the thunderous Huka Falls.

Journey Highlights

Savour artisan flavours on Waiheke Island
Step into sophistication at Huka Lodge
Discover a fly-fishing paradise on the world-famous Tongariro River
Seek cliff-top adventures at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Auckland – Waiheke Island

Ferry transfer to Waiheke Island, a haven of beautiful vineyards, olive groves and beaches.
The Boatshed

Day 2: Waiheke Island

Enjoy a gourmet food and wine tour of Waiheke Island, tasting fresh oysters, award-winning olive oil and other locally produced specialities and wine from the island’s top vineyards.
The Boatshed | BL

Day 3: Taupo

Ferry transfer to Auckland, collect your rental vehicle and journey south to Huka Lodge on the Waikato River. Nestled in manicured grounds on the door step of the World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park, this luxury lodge is your perfect base. Soak up the surrounds over pre-dinner drinks.
Huka Lodge | BD

Day 4: Taupo

Enjoy a full day of fly-fishing on the Tongariro River. Let experienced guides introduce you to the most diverse range of rainbow and brown trout fly-fishing in the country. Later, feast on a five-course gourmet dinner.
Huka Lodge | BLD

Day 5: Taupo

Journey upstream to the thunderous Huka Falls for a thrilling jet-boat ride. The afternoon is at your leisure. Heli touring, lake cruising or golf are nearby. Or relax within Huka Lodge’s 17-acre manicured grounds to play tennis, pètanque and croquet, swim, soak in a spa pool or enjoy in-room massages and beauty treatments.
Huka Lodge | BD

Day 6: Hawke’s Bay

Self-drive to Hawke’s Bay and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. This magnificent property sits atop rolling hills and rugged cliffs with infinite ocean views.
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers | BD

Day 7: Hawke’s Bay

Join your guide on a discovery of the 6,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm on which your 5-star retreat is located. Witness the highly-trained farm dogs muster sheep. Trek across hidden trails to see the largest, most accessible mainland colony of gannets in the world. If you are feeling adventurous, take a picnic and venture to the colony by mountain bike.
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers | BLD

Day 8: Hawke’s Bay – Depart Napier

Return your rental car to Napier airport.
B

Show Full Itinerary

Preferred Accommodation

This journey features the following Preferred Accommodations:

Huka Lodge, Taupo

A member of the select Small Leading Hotels of the World group, this internationally acclaimed retreat was the dream of a young Irish a ... Read more

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay

Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of pasture land, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers encompasses terrain which is reminiscent of Montana but plunges ... Read more

As this suggested itinerary can be personalised to your specific requirements, it is not available for online booking.

Depending on your preferred dates and arrangements, final pricing will vary from low season to peak season travel.

Please call A&K on 1300 851 800 or send us a booking enquiry to book this journey.

Brochures

Australia and New Zealand
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Fishing, wine and gourmet food – this exclusive self-drive journey through New Zealand’s North Island has it all.

Journey Overview