【Private Tour】3-Day Boutique North Island Tour: New Plymouth & Taupō (Round Trip from Auckland)

Itinerary details

Depart in the morning and head to the Three Sisters, three enormous rock pillars rising from a black-sand beach, set against the waves of the Tasman Sea. Formed over millions of years by weathering and erosion, they are surrounded by unusual rock formations, including Elephant Rock. Views of the Three Sisters are greatly affected by the tides and weather, so visiting at low tide is recommended. Please take care. This is also a paradise for photography enthusiasts, offering spectacular shots of waves crashing against the rocks. (Subject to weather and tides.) Explore the unusual coastal rock pillars and marvel at the power of nature. Visit the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre, a landmark building in New Plymouth dedicated to the work and creative vision of renowned New Zealand artist Len Lye. Then stroll along the beautiful New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, where you’ll find plenty of landmarks to photograph along the way. Stop by the pristine white Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, whose shape resembles a fish skeleton and has earned it the nickname “Fishbone Bridge” online.

Meals

Breakfast: at own expense Lunch: at own expense Dinner: at own expense

Accommodation

Millennium Hotel New Plymouth Waterfront or equivalent four-star hotel

Attraction details

Fishbone Bridge Walkway

Fishbone Bridge Walkway

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This arched beam bridge spans a short distance. A long, column-shaped beam runs diagonally from one end of the bridge to the other, supported in the middle by several structural members. Its semicircular curves are beautiful from both the side and the front. Designed to resemble a whale skeleton, this steel bridge showcases the artistic ingenuity of New Zealanders. It marks the end of the seven-kilometer coastal walkway and is also a new landmark in New Plymouth.

The three sister

The three sister

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Three rocks about 25 meters high stand on Three Sisters Beach. They are called the “Three Sisters,” giving the beach its name. Nearby is Elephant Rock, which looks remarkably lifelike.

Itinerary details

After breakfast, drive to the Whangamōmona Republic, famous for its self-proclaimed “republic” status. Visitors can get a passport stamped with the “republic” seal and enjoy the novelty of a “country within a country.” Then visit Egmont National Park and explore the forest “tunnel,” which looks straight out of a Studio Ghibli animated film, before discovering Mount Taranaki, known as “New Zealand’s little Mount Fuji.”

Meals

Breakfast: at hotel Lunch: at own expense Dinner: at own expense

Accommodation

Millennium Hotel New Plymouth Waterfront or equivalent four-star hotel

Attraction details

Egmont National Park

Egmont National Park

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Egmont National Park is located in western North Island, New Zealand, and is named after Mount Egmont (also known as Mount Taranaki). At 2,518 meters, Mount Egmont is a famous dormant volcano in New Zealand. Precious plants such as rimu and rata trees grow in the forests beneath the mountain. The park is a famous tourist destination. The trails near Dawson Falls are like a maze, but the most popular is the trail to Wilkies Pools, where several waterfalls feed a series of pools carved into the rock.

Mount Taranaki

Mount Taranaki

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Mount Taranaki—known by its Māori name, Taranaki Maunga—is New Zealand’s latest natural landmark to be granted “legal personhood.” New Zealand had previously ruled that a river and a sacred area of land had legal status. This pristine, dormant volcano, capped with snow year-round, rises to 2,518 meters (8,261 feet). It is the second-highest peak on New Zealand’s North Island and a popular destination for sightseeing, hiking, and skiing.

Itinerary details

After breakfast, head to Taupō to visit Huka Falls. At the falls, New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato, suddenly narrows, and its force is enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just 11 seconds. The sight is deafening and awe-inspiring. Then set off on the return journey to Auckland.

Important notes

Note: All times shown on this webpage are for reference only. Actual arrival times may be delayed due to various force majeure events, such as weather, traffic jams, traffic accidents, festivals and sporting events, riots, or strikes. We appreciate your understanding. If you have onward travel plans requiring other transportation to another city, we strongly recommend allowing at least 3 hours of free time to avoid inconvenience caused by delays disrupting your plans. Our company accepts no responsibility for any losses resulting from travel arrangements you make yourself without allowing sufficient free time. Thank you for your understanding.

Meals

Breakfast: at hotel Lunch: at own expense Dinner: at own expense

Attraction details

Lake Falls

Lake Falls

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The Waikato River plunges over a 12-meter riverbed drop, sending 230 tons of water cascading by every second. The river’s jewel-blue water, combined with the gorge and drop, creates tremendous force, shooting down into a foamy waterfall. Locals call it “Huka,” meaning foam.