Ultimate North Island

After packing all our kit and driving east, into the rugged forest ranges of Te Urewera. This is the traditional home of the Tūhoe (Māori tribe) and one of the last places to have been reached by European settlers.

By late morning, we'll reach the Whirinaki Forest trail. This is a preserved remnant of the vast forests believed to have covered the supercontinent of Gondwana more than 150 million years ago. Our first hike follows the beautiful Whirinaki River through towering podocarp rainforest up to a forest clearing. Here, a simple kiwi-style backcountry hut stands beside the river. Tonight, we cook dinner together and with time for an evening fire and chat, ease into the wilderness at your pace with the choice to sleep in the hut or camp under the stars. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We start the day with a drive to the Volcanic Plateau and its myriad natural wonders. Explore an extraordinary thermal park, bathe in a natural hot river and view the impressive Huka Falls. Feel the spray here as the mighty Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest, plunges 11 metres into a stadium-like pool. 

Later we arrive at Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest lake. Incredibly, this 600 square kilometre crater lake was formed in 186AD by the most powerful volcanic explosion in recorded history.

At Taupō, we grab our takeaway food and head to a lovely lake-side spot. Here we can relax on the unusual pumice beach and in summer enjoy an evening swim before continuing to our lodge accommodation near Whakapapa Village, Tongariro National Park. Includes breakfast and lunch.

Today’s destination, Oturere Hut is a shorter distance, which gives ample time to explore. Depending on conditions and the group, we may take a more adventurous off-trail hike across ash-moraine ridges and below lava cliffs to a spring or a viewpoint above a remote lake (additional 2-4 hours), or visit the clear waters of Ohinepango Springs (40 min).

Enjoy the park’s extraordinary landscape of active volcanoes and lava valleys in its three main peaks: Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngāuruhoe. Ngāuruhoe starred as Mount Doom in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. We later traverse across this stony desert to an alpine hut situated on the edge of an old lava flow. We usually sleep in Oturere Hut, but occasionally we need to camp. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Driving south, we leave the volcanoes to descend through the beautiful river valleys of the Rangitikei and along the coast to Wellington, where we arrive mid-afternoon after a café break. Wellington is so much more than just New Zealand’s capital. It is also the nation’s stylish hub for arts, culture, cafés and politics. Enclosed by hills and a harbour, this compact city has many attractions within easy walking distance.

Options include enjoying the National Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa) or watching the political shenanigans of the ‘Beehive’ (Parliament House). Many visitors immerse themselves in the vibrant café scene and the accessible downtown area. Includes breakfast.