Hotel · 01
DeBrett
New Zealand North Island, New Zealand
Art Deco elegance
Australia / New Zealand
New Zealand North Island
A 8-day island escape through New Zealand North Island, New Zealand — hand-planned by Rachana, with where to stay, what to do and where to eat all mapped out.
- Ideal stay
- 8 days
- Best season
- December
- From
- $3,480–$8,792 pp
The place
About this destination
A 8-day island escape through New Zealand North Island, New Zealand — hand-planned by Rachana, with where to stay, what to do and where to eat all mapped out.
My experience
This is Rachana's own 8-day itinerary for New Zealand North Island, New Zealand — the version she'd plan for a close friend. It threads together stays she rates like DeBrett and Britomart, a day-by-day plan, and the meals worth booking ahead. Everything here is personally travelled and curated — no filler.
LuxuryBeaches & IslandsMountainsWine & VineyardsCity Break
Through the lens · 6 frames
Photo journal
01
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 01
Auckland
- 01Visit Sky Tower, Auckland Art Gallery, Viaduct Harbour
- 02Day trip to Waiheke Island for wine and views
- 03Shopping in Ponsonby or Newmarket
- 04Park Hyatt Auckland
- 05The Hotel Britomart (Green Star-certified boutique)
- 06Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
- 07Cordis, Auckland (executive suites)
- 08Outdoor/Adventure
- 09Kayak to Rangitoto Island
- 10Climb Mount Eden
- 11Surf at Piha Beach
- 12Vegetarian-Friendly Dining
- 13Little Bird Kitchen (Raw & Vegan Café)
- 14KIND (Sustainable plant-based meals)
Day 02
Rotorua
- 01Māori cultural experience at Te Puia
- 02Soak in Polynesian Spa’s geothermal pools
- 03Visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
- 04Treetops Lodge & Estate (Eco-luxury in forest)
- 05Solitaire Lodge (Lake Tarawera views)
- 06Outdoor/Adventure
- 07Zorbing
- 08Redwood Forest canopy walk
- 09Mountain biking in Whakarewarewa Forest
- 10Vegetarian-Friendly Dining
- 11Capers Café + Store
- 12Atticus Finch (shared plates)
- 13Terrace Kitchen
- 14Urbano Bistro (fine casual with veg options)
Day 03
Taupō
- 01Cruise to Māori Rock Carvings
- 02Visit Huka Falls
- 03Relax by Lake Taupō
- 04Huka Lodge (Riverside legend of NZ luxury)
- 05Outdoor/Adventure
- 06Jet boating near Huka Falls
- 07Skydiving over Lake Taupō
- 08Craters of the Moon geothermal walk
- 09Vegetarian-Friendly Dining
- 10The Bistro (Modern European)
- 11Replete Café & Store
- 12Plateau Bar & Eatery
- 13Vine Eatery (upscale tapas & wines)
Day 04
Tongariro National Park
- 01Hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing (one of NZ’s best day hikes)
- 02Visit Mount Ngauruhoe & Ruapehu
- 03Chateau Tongariro Hotel (Classic alpine grandeur)
- 04Tongariro Suites (Modern boutique retreat)
- 05Outdoor/Adventure
- 06Hiking
- 07Mountain biking the Old Coach Road
- 08Stargazing at night
- 09Vegetarian-Friendly Dining
- 10Ruapehu Restaurant (classic fine dining)
- 11The Station Café
- 12Schnapps Bar
- 13Macrocarpa Café
Day 05
Wellington
- 01Te Papa Museum (must-visit)
- 02Cable Car to Botanic Garden
- 03Walk through Cuba Street and Oriental Bay
- 04Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary
- 05InterContinental Wellington
- 06Sofitel Wellington
- 07Bolton Hotel
- 08QT Wellington (art-centric stay)
- 09Ohtel (boutique)
- 10Outdoor/Adventure
- 11Mount Victoria lookout hike
- 12Kayaking on Wellington Harbour
- 13Waterfront cycling
- 14Vegetarian-Friendly Dining
Day 06
Napier (Hawke’s Bay)
- 01Art Deco city walk
- 02Explore local art galleries & Marine Parade
- 03Wine tasting in vineyards (Craggy Range, Elephant Hill)
- 04The Dome Boutique Apartments
- 05Art Deco Masonic Hotel
- 06Note: Cape Kidnappers removed in favor of Rosewood Kauri Cliffs
- 07Outdoor/Adventure
- 08Biking Hawke’s Bay Trails
- 09Visit Gannet Colony
- 10Farmers’ market (Sunday mornings)
- 11Vegetarian-Friendly Dining
- 12Bistronomy (inventive veg options)
- 13Mister D
- 14Hunger Monger (vegetarian dishes)
Day 07
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs – Matauri Bay, Bay of Islands
- 01Panoramic ocean views and white-sand beaches
- 02Rosewood Kauri Cliffs (2 nights in luxury suite with spa, golf access, and gourmet dining)
- 03Outdoor/Adventure
- 04Golf at world-renowned course
- 05Helicopter tour of the Bay of Islands
- 06Kayaking, hiking, or private beach picnic
- 07Vegetarian-Friendly Dining (at or near Rosewood)
- 08Rosewood Restaurant (will cater to vegetarian fine dining)
- 09Charlotte’s Kitchen (Paihia)
- 10Alfresco’s Restaurant (Paihia)
- 11The Gables (Russell – historic dining)
- 12Omata Estate (Vineyard dining with veg options)
Day 08
Return to Auckland
- 01Day trip to Matakana or Waitakere Ranges
- 02Shopping, coffee at Ponsonby Central
- 03Relax before your flight
- 04Park Hyatt Auckland
- 05Sofitel Auckland Viaduct
- 06Rosewood Kauri Cliffs: Luxury golf, spa, nature
- 07Tongariro Crossing: NZ’s top 1-day trek
- 08Outdoor activities: Zorbing, jet boating, kayaking, mountain biking
- 09Vegetarian food across all towns – casual to fine dining
- 10Urban charm of Auckland & Wellington + Rotorua’s geothermal and Maori culture
02
Where to sleep
Hotels worth booking
03
Tables to book
Restaurants
What to order
Local cuisine
Must try
Kumara (roast sweet potato)
Local speciality
Kumara (roast sweet potato)
Must try
Local speciality
Vegetarian hangi
Must try
Local speciality
Manuka honey
Must try
Local speciality
Hokey pokey ice cream
Must try
Local speciality
Central Otago wine
04
Logistics
Getting there & around
01 · Seaplane / speedboat transfers
Resorts are reached by scenic seaplane or private speedboat from the main airport.
02 · On-island
Buggies, bicycles or on foot — distances are short and unhurried.
03 · Airport arrival
A private meet-and-greet transfer is arranged from the moment you land.
The numbers
Budget breakdown
Total · per person
$3,480–$8,792 pp
USD
Breakdown
- Accommodation
- $300–$700 / night
- Food & dining
- $54–$154 / day
- Transportation
- $36–$105 / day
- Activities
- $45–$140 / day
Keep exploring
You may also love
New Zealand
New Zealand South Island
A 8-day island escape through New Zealand South Island, New Zealand — hand-planned by Rachana, with where to stay, what to do and where to eat all mapped out.
Read guide
Australia
West Australia
A 5-day curated journey through West Australia, Australia — hand-planned by Rachana, with where to stay, what to do and where to eat all mapped out.
Read guide