Ultimate North Island Adventure

After a picnic lunch, we sort out gear and pack our backpacks for the hike into the rainforest. A further hours’ drive gets us to the south end of this huge conservation park.

The Whirinaki Forest is a preserved remnant of the vast forests believed to have covered the supercontinent of Gondwanaland more than 150 million years ago. Our first hike is an easy one, on a descending track through native beech forest, to a simple forest hut beside the stunning Whirinaki river. We cook up our meal together and either stay in the hut or camp nearby with an evening campfire and time to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Accommodation: Simple forest hut

Meals: L,D

Trekking distance: 9.5 km/3 hours hiking

Later in the afternoon we drive east, into the rugged forest ranges of Te Urewera. This is the traditional home of the Tūhoe (Māori tribe) and one of the last places to have been reached by European settlers.

After two hours winding through the most incredible rain forest, we reach the northern arm of remote Lake Waikaremoana. We continue around the lake before stopping for the night at a camping area with sweet little cabins. Here we relax and cook a meal together in the communal kitchen. We usually stay in the simple cabins but occasionally camp.

Accommodation: Simple forest hut

Meals: B,L,D

Trekking distance: 15 km/5 hours hiking

Take time to absorb the view with a lunch stop at Bald Knob before we return back along this undulating trail, and if time permits once back at the road end we will explore the fascinating Onepoto Caves trail. Enjoy a second night at the cabins (occasionally we camp).

Accommodation: Simple forest hut

Meals: B,L,D

Trekking distance: 14 km/7 hours hiking

Later we arrive at Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Incredibly, this 600 square kilometre crater lake was formed in 186AD by the most powerful volcanic explosion in recorded history.

At Taupo, we grab our takeaway food and head to a lovely lake-side spot. Here we can relax on the unusual pumice beach and in summer enjoy an evening swim before continuing to our lodge accommodation near Whakapapa Village, Tongariro National Park.

Accommodation: Lodge accommodation 

Meals: B,L

Trekking distance: 4 km/2 hours hiking

We sort out gear and pack our backpacks ready for our two nights away. In the late morning, hike out of Whakapapa through tussock-grasslands and over the low saddle that cuts between the volcanoes Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. Late afternoon we arrive at the simple but modern Waihohonu Hut among patches of mountain beech forest beside a quiet stream. There are great mountain-views from the spacious common room.

Accommodation: Waihohonu Hut

Meals: B,L,D

Trekking distance: 15 km/6 hours hiking

After lunch continue on, traversing stony desert to an alpine hut at 1400m situated on the edge of an old lava flow. We stop to enjoy fantastic views of the park’s three main peaks: Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. The latter starred as Mount Doom in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. It’s an extraordinary landscape of active volcanoes and lava valleys.

Evening provides an opportunity to share the hut with hikers from all over the world. Oturere ‘sardine tin’ Hut is small, quite busy, but still our favourite spot. We usually sleep in the hut, but sometimes we camp.

Accommodation: Oturere Hut

Meals: B,L,D

Trekking distance: 8-15 km/3-8 hours hiking

The next few hours of hiking takes us through an unforgettable wonderland of lava valleys, steaming craters and brooding volcanoes before our descent through bonsai-like alpine foliage and alongside mineral-infused streams. In good conditions, we have the option of climbing high on the volcanic peaks.

An evening drive takes us back to our lodge in the heart of the National Park – the perfect place to relax with a beer and enjoy million-dollar volcanic views before dining in the alpine village.

Accommodation: Lodge accommodation 

Meals: B,L

Trekking distance: 12 km/6 hours hiking

Wellington is so much more than just New Zealand’s capital. It is also the nation’s stylish hub for arts, culture, cafés and politics. Enclosed by hills and a harbour, this compact city has many attractions within easy walking distance.

Options include enjoying the National Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa) or watching the political shenanigans of the ‘Beehive’ (Parliament House). Many visitors immerse themselves in the vibrant café scene and the accessible downtown area.

Meals: B

Trekking distance: 1 km/1-2 hours hiking