I will be in New Zealand for a month in March 2027 across the north and south islands. We are young 60's and prefer seeing the beauty and getting out of the city. I have three days with Auckland as a base at the beginning of the trip and plan to acclimate to the time from North America the first day so we will see some of Auckland on this day. Then I am looking for a day trip on day two and I already have Hobbiton and Waitomo caves and glow worms booked for day three before heading to Bay of Islands and then onto Rotorua. We like to hike. I like wine, my husband not as much. I was looking at Tiritiri Matangi (for hiking and the birds), Waiheke Island (hop on hop off bus with some wine tasting - but what else?) or possibly arranging a trip to Pihu beach area and visiting kitekite falls and
Carecare falls (via Get Your Guide) We will not have a car. The first two options we can take a ferry to the islands. I am looking for recommendations among these or other possibilities:-).
Posted by
Auckland, NZ
47 posts
I haven’t been myself but know lots of people that really enjoyed the trip to Tititiri Matangi. The guided walks are informative. I have been to Waiheke lots of times. Good food and wine, nice beaches, great scenery, arts and crafts gallery.
Posted by
Calgary
2264 posts
We did some of the same day trips you are considering, and we didn't have a car. We booked private tours to Spellbound Cave (chose this over Waitomo, but Hobbiton isn't included with Spellbound and it is with Waitomo), and to Hell's Gate. We also took the ferry over to Waiheke Island and used the hop-on-hop-off bus there. I don't have any new ideas for you, but I'm sharing a link to my trip report in case you might find helpful information there.
Posted by
315 posts
Waiheke Island is great and I'd recommend renting e-bikes (easy to do when you get off the ferry). So much fun to bike from winery to winery or wherever you want.
Posted by
Victoria
52 posts
Piha Rides (find them on Facebook) is a locally operated service (run by a woman) that will get you safely to and from Piha, Kitekite Falls and probably also Karekare Falls and Karekare Beach.
I was there in May and I certainly would recommend it and surrounding areas.
Waiheke Island is very popular with winery tourists. Nice location but if wineries aren't your thing then it's not that exciting.
I haven't visited Tiritiri yet, on the list for next North Island trip.