Things to Do on a Small Group Tour of New Zealand's North Island

Travelling in a small group makes different experiences accessible. You and your fellow travellers can share memorable moments at intimate venues, get to know your local hosts on a new level, and discover the real NZ. Along with all the iconic highlights, here are some experiences you can treasure from a small group tour of New Zealand’s North Island.

Stay on a Working Farm in rural Whanganui

Blue Duck Station is a working farm in rural Whanganui. Surrounded by Whanganui National Park it is the perfect gateway to explore the area and offers a unique setting to truly immerse yourself in the natural landscape.

Blue Duck Station works to conserve endangered wildlife and their habitat and preserve the local history of the area. They open their doors to visitors who will learn about the area, the station’s sustainable farming practices, and the native species of the local ecosystem (including the namesake endangered New Zealand blue duck) during their stay.

When visiting with G Adventures, you’ll stay in the charming River Quarters on site. Previously used as a shearers’ quarters it has since been renovated, offering comfortable accommodation complete with views of the Whanganui River from the covered deck.

Meet Local Pioneering Coffee Growers in Doubtless Bay

The hills above Doubtless Bay are home to Ikarus Coffee Roasters and Pekerau Hills Coffee Farm, the only commercial coffee growers in New Zealand. The boutique roastery was established in 2008 and now services numerous cafes in the Far North as well as the local Farmers’ Markets.

Owners Rob and Carol Schluter have pioneered the coffee scene in New Zealand and you’ll get the opportunity to hear their story when you tour NZ’s North Island with Trafalgar. Meet these visionaries and learn how they experiment and work with the climate to produce their popular high quality coffee.

You will also get to enjoy a seed-to-cup experience and sample their caffeinated delicacies in a beautiful setting, with the rolling green hills sprawling before you. The duo has also developed some unique teas such as coffee cherry tea, so you can find the flavour profile you enjoy the most.

Take a Tour of Napier in a Vintage Car

Napier is known for its beautifully preserved architecture that was born from tragedy. In 1931 an earthquake devastated the city’s commercial centre and took almost 260 lives. The rebuild saw the architectural styles of the time reflected in the charming facades that remain until this day.

The concentration of Art Deco buildings now draws travellers to admire Napier’s streetscapes, and how better to explore them than on a vintage car tour? Immerse yourself in another era as a knowledgeable driver, adorned in Art Deco attire, shares fascinating commentary of the area’s history.

Relive the glamour of days as you wind your way through Napier marvelling at the buildings that flank the streets and discover the stories of the people who led the city’s rebuild. This is a highlight of NZ’s North Island, and is an included experience with Inspiring Journeys’ Endless Shores itinerary.

Enjoy a Dinner Cruise on Raglan Harbour

Raglan is a black sanded surfing town set on the coast, west of Hamilton. The long left-handed point break of Manu Bay is celebrated in the surfing world and the area is also popular for kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, harbour cruises, and pretty much anything on the water.

You’ll stop into Raglan as you travel the Northern Trail with Haka Tours. Here you’ll get a taste of the area on a sunset boat cruise as you kick back and watch as the last light of the day throws its rays across the water, a place so special to the region.

As you cruise on Raglan Harbour you will also enjoy a dinner of fish and chips (or fush and chups, as it tends to hit the ear in a Kiwi accent). Devour New Zealand’s unofficial national dish as you soak up the surrounds of Raglan with your newfound friends – the perfect end to a day touring NZ’s North Island.

Visit a Kiwi Hatchery Near Rotorua

Rainbow Springs Nature Park is nestled on the outskirts of Rotorua and runs a conservation project for the national mascot of New Zealand, the kiwi bird. The National Kiwi Hatchery at Rainbow Springs works to preserve the future of this iconic species in New Zealand, providing a safe environment for these little birds to hatch.

Contiki guests will enjoy a rewarding visit to the Kiwi Hatchery and get an insight into the conservation efforts with a behind the scenes tour of the project on their North Island trip. The little chicks provide a cuteness overload, while experts share stories about their efforts to preserve this beloved national species.

Once the chicks have grown to a reasonable size, they are released into the wild. Keep your eyes peeled as you travel beyond Rainbow Springs at night; you may see fully grown nocturnal kiwi that started their journey in that very hatchery, now living a full life outside captivity.

Sail the Bay of Islands in a Luxury Catamaran

Nestled on the East Coast roughly three hours from Auckland, the Bay of Islands is a jewel in the crown of New Zealand’s North Island. It is home to 144 islands, pristine beaches ringed by turquoise water, and a world teeming with marine life below the surface.

When you visit this subtropical paradise with Grand Pacific on their Ultimate Northern Island Escape you will enjoy an included cruise in a luxury catamaran showcasing the natural splendour of the region. Step aboard with your fellow travellers and set sail through the clear waters to discover why the Bay of Island is such a popular destination.

During your luxury escape visit Urapukapuka Island and spend some time soaking up the beauty and tranquillity of Otehei Bay. You’ll also cruise to Cape Brett and the iconic Hole in the Rock, an unmissable highlight of the region and one of many treasures of NZ’s North Island.