8-Nights Kiwi Horizons Road Trip: New Zealand's North Island - Road Trips from $1,341

Day 1: Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula

Rental Car: Hertz - Auckland Airportto Wellington Airport

Depart Auckland and travel the Pacific Coast Highway touring route to the Coromandel Peninsula.

The Coromandel's dramatic and unspoiled coast, and beautiful white sandy beaches, offer endless opportunities for fishing, diving, boating, surfing and swimming.

Hotel: Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort Pauanui (4 Star Rating)

Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort is a secluded hideaway located at Pauanui Beach. Situated 800m away from the 3km long sandy beach and nestled into the slopes of Mt. Pauanui select from 48 romantic chalets surrounded by native bush. Our Restaurant offers an intimate ambience, superb local cuisine and beautiful views, while other facilities include an outdoor swimming and spa pool, gym, tennis court and bikes for hire, with an international 18-hole golf course and excellent fishing nearby.

Idyllically located at beautiful Pauanui Beach in the Coromandel, Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort is the perfect vacation spot for couples, groups and families seeking a secluded and tranquil spot to enjoy the scenery and indulge in simple relaxation. Take long walks along the pristine sands of Pauanui Beach, take a stroll through local bush reserves, or take a short drive to the local Pauanui Paintball attraction to burn off some energy after all that rest and relaxation.

Enjoy the unique experience of Hot Water Beach where at low tide you can dig in the sand, allowing the sulphur-heated waters to rise to the top to create your very own thermal spa.

Swim with dolphins, hire a kayak and explore the many offshore islands or simply let the azure water lap at your feet and marvel at the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.

Hotel: Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort Pauanui (4 Star Rating)

Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort is a secluded hideaway located at Pauanui Beach. Situated 800m away from the 3km long sandy beach and nestled into the slopes of Mt. Pauanui select from 48 romantic chalets surrounded by native bush. Our Restaurant offers an intimate ambience, superb local cuisine and beautiful views, while other facilities include an outdoor swimming and spa pool, gym, tennis court and bikes for hire, with an international 18-hole golf course and excellent fishing nearby.

Idyllically located at beautiful Pauanui Beach in the Coromandel, Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort is the perfect vacation spot for couples, groups and families seeking a secluded and tranquil spot to enjoy the scenery and indulge in simple relaxation. Take long walks along the pristine sands of Pauanui Beach, take a stroll through local bush reserves, or take a short drive to the local Pauanui Paintball attraction to burn off some energy after all that rest and relaxation.

Depart Coromandel and arrive in the Bay of Plenty region early afternoon, in time for a swim or lunch at one of the many restaurants. Continue on to Rotorua, famous for its spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools and warm geothermal ponds.

Hotel: Millennium Hotel Rotorua (4 Star Rating)

Next to mystical Lake Rotorua and just a short stroll from the city centre, Millennium Hotel Rotorua is an eco-friendly destination offering comfort and convenience in the heart of New Zealand’s geothermal wonderland. Perfect for leisure and business travellers, our hotel is within walking distance of Polynesian Spa, Rotorua’s vibrant dining scene, and local attractions.

Spend the day experiencing the many wonders of Rotorua. Perhaps book a 4WD trip to Mt Tarawera to see an amazing crater and hear the stories of Maori legends.

Hotel: Millennium Hotel Rotorua (4 Star Rating)

Next to mystical Lake Rotorua and just a short stroll from the city centre, Millennium Hotel Rotorua is an eco-friendly destination offering comfort and convenience in the heart of New Zealand’s geothermal wonderland. Perfect for leisure and business travellers, our hotel is within walking distance of Polynesian Spa, Rotorua’s vibrant dining scene, and local attractions.

Depart Rotorua for a short journey through to the Lake Taupo region. Taupo is the main centre of the region and Lake Taupo is one of the North Islands most popular holiday destinations.

Hotel: Millennium Hotel and Resort Taupo Manuels (4 Star Rating)

Set on the shores of the country’s largest lake, this is one of Taupo's luxury hotels with uninterrupted views of the magnificent lake and mountains. Many of Taupo’s famous attractions are just minutes away, including Huka Falls, water and snow skiing, hot mineral pools, golf courses, and lake cruises. The charming Edgewater Restaurant is a superb choice for savoring award-winning cuisine as swans gracefully swim by.

Our Lake Taupo resort has also been artfully decorated to create an air of glamorous elegance, and its heated swimming pool, private grotto plunge pool, sauna, and gym provide guests with leisure options right at their doorstep. With 3 stylishly appointed event venues, 12 luxurious suites, and 39 boutique guest rooms, Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels Taupo is undoubtedly the town’s most desirable location for events and vacations.

Depart Taupo for the Hawke's Bay region. Basking in a Mediterranean climate, the Hawke's Bay region is known for its wine, food and fabulous scenery. Over 30 vineyards offer visitors a wine tasting and indoor/ outdoor dining experience. Napier and Hastings, the two main centres in the region, have a high concentration of Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the many vineyards and wonderful restaurants in the area.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Te Pania Napier (3 Star Rating)

Hawke's Bay is one of the first places in the world to see the light each day, with our Napier hotel enjoying a premium waterfront location on Napier's Marine Parade. The hotel’s slender curved form echoes the shape of the bay and guests are treated to sweeping views out over the water. A fresh, contemporary style hotel, Scenic Hotel Te Pania is just a short stroll from Napier’s main art deco style street and is located in close proximity to many of Napier's attractions.

We invite you to enjoy quality 4-star hotel accommodation of an international standard. From the moment you step into our spacious, light-filled lobby, you will experience our commitment to quality and customer service. If you fancy waking up to serene ocean views, Scenic Hotel Te Pania is the perfect place to start your day in Hawke’s Bay. Simply leave the curtains open, roll over in bed, and soak it all in. See you soon.

Today travel south, options include stopping at the small country towns of Carterton, Greytown and Featherston. Travel to Martinborough well known for the range of vineyards in the area and its growing worldwide reputation for its Pinot Noir wine. The afternoon is at leisure.

Hotel: Martinborough Hotel (4 Star Rating)

A beautiful old girl full of charm and quirks, The Martinborough Hotel offers boutique accommodation located on the doorstep to everything Martinborough and the South Wairarapa has to offer.

Come and wander around Martinborough wine village, enjoy a tasting at award winning vineyards, dine at commended local eateries, or discover the natural environment of the South Wairarapa. Whatever your desires, The Martinborough Hotel is the perfect location.

Drive over the beautiful Rimutaka Hills to Wellington. The nations capital is home to Te Papa - the interactive Museum of New Zealand, numerous art galleries and national treasures such as the original Treaty of Waitangi. A diverse range of cafes and restaurants support the city's vibrant nightlife.

Hotel: InterContinental Wellington (4 Star Rating)

Adjacent to Wellington’s waterfront, InterContinental Wellington is the most centrally-located and experienced global five-star hotel in New Zealand’s capital city. It is the seamless and personal service of the team that makes your Wellington accommodation and travel experience truly memorable. Guests can spend time with the award-winning concierge team whose tips and insider knowledge help travelers discover the arts, events, shopping, and culinary cultures surrounding the hotel.

This morning is at leisure before returning your rental vehicle.