4Day/3Nights Wellington to Auckland Tour

Recommended by 92% of travelers

Wellington, New Zealand

4 days (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Discover the North Island’s highlights without having to back-track on this 1-way, 4-day tour from Wellington to Auckland via Rotorua. Accommodation and all transportation are included, saving you logistical stress. Travel along the Kapiti Coast, past active volcanoes, and the bubbling mud pools of Rotorua. Watch Māori performances and visit the Hobbiton™ Movie Set. Take a boat ride through the Waitomo Caves, lit by hundreds of glowworms, and more.

All admission fees, including a guided tour of Hobbiton, are included
See and do more in four days than you would going alone
Avoid the stress of self-driving through the North Island
Ideal for travelers with a range of interests as you see many things

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup and drop-off for Auckland, Rotorua and Wellington
Commentary by local guides
2-nights accommodation in Rotorua; 1-night accommodation in Auckland
Admission fees and all transport/tour fees listed in itinerary

Food and drinks
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Wellington - Central
Waterloo Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Wellington Railway Station - Platform 10 - Intercity Coach

End point

Queens Wharf Village Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Central City Hotels

Operating hours
.7:00 am

Itinerary

Day 1

Wellington – Lake Taupo – Rotorua

2 Stops

Lake Taupo

7 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Rotorua

15 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel or similar

Meals: Not included

Day 2

Rotorua : Whakarewarewa Geothermal Reserve and Living Maori Village

2 Stops

Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Rotorua

18 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel or similar

Meals: Not included

Day 3

Day Three: Rotorua – Waitomo – Hobbiton - Auckland

3 Stops

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Hobbiton Movie Set

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Auckland Central

12 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Heritage Hotel Auckland or similar

Meals: Not included

Day 4

Auckland

1 Stop

Auckland (Pass By)

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Not included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate

Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Independent Touring - this is not a Group Tour - we use local suppliers and you will have a different coach & driver each day
The coach service from Wellington to Rotorua is an Intercity Coach, this is a full size tour coach, (door to door service provided) however, no commentary & maximum numbers likely to exceed 20
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.2

based on 13 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Sort by: Most insightful

Absolutely a scam tour

Elizabeth_W, Apr 2026

This was advertised as 4-day touring from Wellington to Auckland. There are descriptions, but not in detail, you only get your play-by-play itinerary two weeks before depart, when we have arranged everything around the tour. Many things vaguely described on the original itinerary were not included. I thought we get to view a little bit of Wellington, and a little bit along the way. They actually threw you in a bus, equivalent to greyhound, from Wellington to Rotorua 7:45am departure, 6:30pm arrival), then they instructed you to walk to your own hotel and check in. That was your first day, nothing else! I was extremely disappointed. The second day, they only scheduled one activity: to tour a native Māori village, which took less than two hours. Nothing else. We really wanted to see the famous geothermal park and geyser, and Skyline Park, which are not included at all (although the description of the tour leads you to believe that they are part of the tour). I had to frantically reach out to the contact person to rearrange the Māori village tour time, and spend more than $400 to arrange visiting those places by myself. The third day we were sent to be with a local Tour company, which I could have booked with much cheaper fee from either Rotorua or Auckland. The tour included two tourist spots then drove to Auckland, dropped off at a hotel. The fourth day morning we were picked up by another local Auckland city tour bus until noon. That was the conclusion of the tour! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? It cost the three of us close to $3000USD to book this trip. It is totally not worth it and I want a refund. I have booked many tours with Viator, and we have always been happy with the tours that we booked. This is a total disappointment and disaster! Again, I want a refund!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

A scam review unfortunately - the instructions and itinerary are very very clear from the very first enquiry. This is an itinerary to get you from A to B as you instructed. It is not a tour. A tour can be arranged with a tour guide at a higher price point. For the budget conscious this is designed to give you a taste of the North Island without the anxiety of driving. We are sorry your itinerary did not live up to expectations.

II recommend this trip. Good guides all along, you get to see so much but there is also time to explore on your own

Aditi_B, Feb 2026

It's an interesting concept with lots of different drivers; guides and two different hotels, but us it all went very smoothly. Well organised. Please note! It's three and half days and three nights

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for your review and sharing your experience. It is so much better getting authentic reviews from people who have experienced these itineraries. Thank you again.

Good Tour covers Hobbiton n Māori village

PreeyaaJai_B, Jan 2026

Nice tour to do north island. Māori Village, Hobbiton and Waitomo caves was the highlight of this tour. City tour in Auckland can be improved to cover more places like visit to the museum etc.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Great feedback thank you - and appreciate your review. Great comments.

Hotels just OK

Douglas_W, Jan 2026

Overall experience was fine. The provided hotels could have been better. Hotel in Rotorua is old, and feels like it. Tour in Auckland is the hop on hop off bus - that should be mentioned in the overall description.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for your review - your comments are noted. And we will do our best to improve where you have mentioned.

Great short tour of the North Island of New Zealand

John_A, Feb 2025

I had read some unflattering reports of the beginning of this trip because it used an Intercity Coach from Wellington to Rotorua. However, I have to say that this was an enjoyable part of the journey and a way of appreciating the scenery. This was enhanced by our driver Martin. To my untrained Scot’s ear sounded very much like Russell Crowe, although his jokes were (probably) better. Having used the Northern Explorer to travel from Auckland to Wellington the previous day, I would say that the bus journey offered a better experience. In Rotorua we had the pleasure of Herms and Bunty driving us to the various locations. Not being a Lord of the Rings geek, Hobbiton was never on my to do list. We are so glad that we visited the site. It should be noted that walking around the set is about 1.5km. This proved a little challenging as my wife who has MS, but all the guides were there to support her, and we did manage it. The simple sight seeing tour of Auckland on the last day with Margaret was an easy end to the flying visit of the North Island. The key point that this was an ideal introduction to the North Island. So much so that we are determined to return to New Zealand. We found the people friendlier and more polite than our encounters with Australians. One of the drivers said that New Zealanders and also better looking. I cannot comment as I don’t have enough evidence. If we require a tour company on our next visit then I would have no hesitation in using Leisure Tours.

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Great to learn that you had an enjoyable four day tour and that everything went well and was well organized. I do hope that you will have the opportunity to visit New Zealand again at some future date.

Easy Logistics, Fun 4 Days

Anonymous, Dec 2024

All of the logistics were smooth and 4 days were exactly as described! Note that the trip from Wellington to Rotorua is long and on a public bus. Upgraded seats are reserved, and trip is smooth - just no tour included on that part. Every reservation was made, every driver on time. Easy logistics and good hotel accommodations.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Kiaora and thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are glad that you enjoyed your tours with us!

No Guide, but no problem

Bryan_H, Jun 2024

This is not a guided tour, it is an organized tour with an itinerary - it was nice and well-planned. This means that all travel is planned with cabs, coach busses, some tours, and a nicely described itinerary to follow for each day. There was a fair amount of down time, but it was a nice trip that covered a lot of things and was easy to follow. If you are ok with a little thinking on your part, this tour is a good value.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Kiaora Bryan and thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are glad that you enjoyed your tours with us and found them to be good value!

4 Day Wellington- Rotorua- Auckland tour

Utpal_B, Apr 2024

Overall the trip & experience was very good except inter city coach ride from Wellington to Rotorua. I was expecting the ride will be in the private coach. Everything was on time and hotels at Rotorua & in Auckland were good. Staffs were courteous and helpful. Hobbiton movie set tour, Waitomo cave, and Auckland city tour was memorable too!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Kiaora and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your days with us!

Wellington to Rotorua and Auckland

DOLORES_C, Mar 2024

The arrangements at Wellington Station could have been clearer. The driver to Rotorua could have been more helpful and informative. Good information from there to Auckland

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Kiaora Dolores and thanks for leaving a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your tours with us!

Good trip

Linda_S, Feb 2020

Connections were fairly seamless. Transport drivers were friendly and informative. Good variety of activities although a couple of activities stated in itinerary were not included. A disappointment.

Response from Host, Feb 2020

Thanks for the great review! I'm really happy you enjoyed your 4 Day Wellington to Auckland via Rotorua Tour and that your driver guides were friendly, accommodating and informative. With regards to your comments about missed activities, we have fully reviewed your itinerary and we are not aware of any activities that were skipped on your multi day tour. We would need to know exactly what activities were skipped in order to completely investigate this matter. Thanks again and I hope you get to visit New Zealand again soon!

On the road

eviberlingo, May 2025

The first route is by regular bus an experience on the roads seeing Lake Taurus. Precise with all withdrawals beautiful hotel in rotorua where in the afternoon I went to mud bathing and bathing in hells gate

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Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you for taking the time to submit your review which are valuable to us to ensure we meet and where possible exceed our customers expectations. We do hope that you will have the opportunity to visit New Zealand again in the not too distant future.