1 Week North Island Itinerary
Hi All, first time visiting NZ, unfortunately I only have a week so am sticking to the north of the northern island.
My rough itinerary is as follows:
Start in Auckland - trip to Waiheke Island for some wine tasting.
Auckland - Waitomo caves ( I am hoping to do one of the tours with the black water rafting co)
Waitomo caves - Rotorua (Perhaps with Hobbiton en route)
In Rotorua I am planning to do Wai Ariki, white water rafting, Mitai Maori, Redwood tree walk
Rotorua - Taupo
In Taupo I am planning to do the walk from spa thermal park to Huka Falls, and also the Maori rock carving cruise
Taupo - Auckland
My biggest sticking point is that I am not driving. I have found this really restricting for the Auckland- waitomo - rotorua leg. This tour used to exist which would have been perfect,https://www.greatsights.co.nz/new-zealand-tour-destinations/waitomo-caves-tours/waitomo-caves-blackwater-rafting-rotorua however it no longer runs and there doesn't seem to be anything similar (i.e that will allow me to do the black water rafting co tour - I know there are tours that will allow for the 45 min boat ride in the caves)
If anyone has any thoughts on how I could best navigate this I would love the help!
Further to this, any recommendations on the Waiheke wine tasting (whether I should use local buses or book a tour - which vineyards to go to etc)
Also any comments or helpful tips relevant to my above itinerary would be really appreciated.
Thanks!