New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North
The ultimate North Island hiking experience.
New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North Route Map
New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Arrive Auckland
Hike Matahuru Valley
Lunch
Dinner
Raglan
Arrive Auckland & Hike Matahuru Valley
Welcome to New Zealand’s North Island, a diverse sub-tropical paradise waiting to be explored. With a landscape ranging from barren geothermal plateaus to lush rainforest and golden sand beaches, it’s yours to explore for the next six days. After meeting your expert New Zealand guides and fellow travellers in Auckland, we’ll head South to explore the rolling green hills of the Waikato.
Made up of the shared land of three private farms, the Matahuru Valley Walk showcases the rolling green hills of the Waikato and epitomizes the lush fertile landscape of this spectacular region. As we explore you’ll enjoy exclusive access to this incredible property and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch overlooking the valley. From here we’ll make for the coast and our home for the night of Raglan – New Zealand’s surf capital.
*Tonight we stay in Raglan
2
Explore Bridal Veil Falls
Hike Pureora Forest
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Plateau Lodge
Raglan, Bridal Veil Falls & Pureora Forest Walk
After a restful night’s sleep, we’ll enjoy a slower start to the morning and have some free time to explore Raglan and its many bustling cafes and sun-soaked beach. Once hitting the road we’ll make our first stop at the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls. After a scenic walk through native forest, our destination will burst into view as cascading water tumbles some 55m from the Bridal Veil Falls above.
Pureora Forest
This afternoon we’ll make our way to Pureora Forest to stretch our legs in some of New Zealand’s iconic native forest. You’ll learn about our native flora and fauna as we take our time to explore Pureora Forest. After exploring the forest we’ll make our way to Tongariro National Park and Plateau Lodge where we’ll be staying for the next two nights.
*Tonight we stay at Plateau Lodge
3
Tongariro National Park
The Tongariro Crossing
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Plateau Lodge
Tongariro National Park & The Tongariro Crossing
Today we’ll experience our first New Zealand Great Walk of the trip and a trail widely renowned as the best day hike in the world – The Tongariro Alpine Crossing! Tongariro is New Zealand’s oldest National Park and boasts dual World Heritage status, acknowledged for both its cultural and environmental significance.
Starting with a healthy breakfast to fuel our adventure we’ll meet our local guides who’ll take us on a journey across this moon-like landscape. We'll pass bubbling geothermal steam vents, marvel at centuries-old lava flows and soak in the views across ancient volcanic craters. With our guides abundance of local knowledge and expertise, you’ll laugh, learn, and be left in awe as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage site.
*Tonight we stay at Plateau Lodge
4
Whanganui National Park
The Whanganui River Journey
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Stratford
The Whanganui River Journey & Bridge to Nowhere
Today we’ll enjoy one of the most uniquely New Zealand experiences of the trip and our second New Zealand Great Walk – the Whanganui River Journey. Unlike all our other Great Walks this journey takes us out on the water.
After a picnic lunch at a remote wilderness lodge deep in Whanganui National Park, we’ll hop in a jetboat for an exhilarating ride down the Whanganui River. From there we’ll explore this magical area on foot and discover one of the North Island’s best-kept secrets – the Bridge to Nowhere! Immersed in lush native rainforest you’ll be awestruck as this iconic bridge seemingly springs to life from the surrounding wilderness.
*Tonight we stay in Stratford.
5
Egmont National Park
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Waitomo
Hike Egmont National Park & Explore Waitomo Caves
This morning you’ll be treated to our third National Park of the trip as we explore Egmont National Park and marvel at Mt Taranaki’s iconic peak. The dormant snow-capped volcano towers above its surroundings and makes for one of the most spectacular views anywhere in New Zealand. If you’re a keen photographer be sure to have your camera ready! Today we'll sample a variety of hikes showcasing some of our favourite areas of the National Park like Dawson Falls, Stratford Plateau and Wilkies Pools.
Waitomo Caves Walk
This afternoon we’ll explore the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. We’ll visit two vastly different caves and learn all about their formation. Stepping onto a raft, you’ll be transported into a unique environment where it seems the night sky is always shining. With glowworms galore you will marvel at the constellations they seem to create! In the next cave, you will wander through whilst gazing at these wonderful creatures that are only found here in New Zealand!
*Tonight we stay in Waitomo
6
Kaniwhaniwha Reserve
Depart Auckland
Breakfast
Lunch
Kaniwhaniwha Reserve & Depart Auckland
As we depart Waitomo it may be the final day of our North Island adventure, but it will certainly be one to remember. This morning we’ll explore the Kaniwhaniwha Reserve and the incredible Nikau & Kaniwhaniwha Caves walk and its impressive limestone formations.
From here we’ll make our way back to Auckland, allowing plenty of time to reminisce on the past six incredible days. We’re happy to drop you at the airport or at your Auckland accommodation. We recommend that you combine this trip with one of our South Island itineraries to enjoy the complete New Zealand experience. This trip works particularly well in conjunction with our Kiwi Classic and Masterpiece trips or combine it with New Zealand Great Walk Adventure – South for the ultimate Great Walks experience.
Photos of the New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North
Exploring the Matahuru Valley.
Tongariro National Park
Matahuru Valley Walk.
The Tongariro Crossing
Enjoy exclusive access to Matahuru Valley.
Explore Tongariro National Park.
Dawson Falls, Egmont National Park.
The iconic "Bridge to Nowhere"
Stratford Plateau.
New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North Accommodation
Raglan Sunset Motel
Plateau Lodge
Waitomo Village Chalets
Frequently asked questions
It's very important to us that you have all your questions answered about our New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North trip. We’ve collected some of the questions we get asked most often and answered them below. Or visit our general FAQ page here for more answers!
And if you still can’t find the answers you need, give us a call or send us an email and we’ll help you out!
Which National Parks and Great Walks does the New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North visit?
What is the accommodation like on The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North?
What time does The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North start and finish?
What are the bathroom facilities like on the New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North?
Is there electricity at all of the places we stay on The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North?
Will I have wifi access throughout the trip?
What's included in The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North?
What's not included in The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North?
What kind of people will be on The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North?
Can you organize a private trip of The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North for me and my friends/family?
Tell me about your safety standards.
How old are the people on your tours?
How fit do I need to be for the New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North?
Do I have to pay extra if I'm travelling by myself?
Do I need outdoor experience for The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North?
What does going on a guided trip entail?
Can you help with booking pre and post trip accommodation and flights?
How do we get around New Zealand? What happens with my luggage?
How much time will we spend in the vehicle?
Activity Level
The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North is an activity level 3 to 4 and is designed for those who want a hiking-focused trip. You know that sometimes the best views need to be earned and you love a wee bit of a challenge. You can scale your activity level up to a 4 or down to a 3 every day so you can enjoy New Zealand at a pace that's right for you. Walk on a variety of trails and enjoy day walks and hikes that showcase the best of New Zealand.
Tour dates
Explore the incredible natural diversity of our North Island across three of our National Parks and two Great Walks. This six-day adventure is the perfect complement to any of our South Island trips or as a own standalone adventure. From the lush native forest of the Whanganui River to the iconic peak of Mt Taranaki this trip is the ultimate North Island hiking experience.
Check out our trip dates below to find your ideal time to visit. Places on our trips fill up quickly so keep an eye on availability here too.
Thinking of visiting New Zealand in the next year or so?
We only run a limited number of departures each year and as you can see below, they fill up months in advance! Most of our guests lock in their trips at least a year out from travelling so they don't miss out on their preferred dates. If you have specific dates in mind, let’s chat!
2024
2025
2026
2027
New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - North – ready to book?
The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure – North is the ultimate North Island hiking experience. Explore the best of our North Island’s Great Walks and get off the beaten track on this six-day hiking adventure!
✓ Local guides
✓ Small groups
✓ All food (except where noted on itinerary), transportation and activities
✓ All inclusive
✓ All accommodation
NZD$6299
AUD$5999
USD$4399+tax
GBP£3499
NZD$7499
CAD$5999+tax
per person (twin or double share)
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Email: jodi@newzealandtrails.com