7-Day Couples Escape

Duration
7 Days

Transport
Campervan or Car

Start and Finish
Auckland

This itinerary is crafted for couples seeking a blend of relaxation, scenic coastal experiences, and cultural exploration.

Arrive at Auckland International Airport, pick up your vehicle.
Explore Auckland – choose your own adventure:
Enjoy a romantic escape in Auckland City, where stylish hotels, skyline views, and intimate dining experiences set the scene for a memorable stay.
Explore Auckland’s Iconic Food Scene with the Big Foodie Food Tour.
- Get adventurous with a SkyWalk or SkyJump from the SkyTower.
Evening Stroll and Dinner: Wander through Viaduct Harbour, Commercial Bay, both buzzing with waterfront energy. Enjoy dinner at one of the many vibrant restaurants or rooftop bars to toast the start of your trip.

Morning Ferry to Waiheke: Depart from Auckland’s ferry terminal for a scenic 40-minute ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island.
Explore the Island: Browse boutique shops and galleries in Oneroa Village, filled with handcrafted jewellery, fine art, and local fashion. Take a coastal walk-through olive groves and native bush tracks, or for those with a spirit for adventure, enjoy a three-hour ziplining experience with Eco Zip.
Enjoy a long lunch or go wine tasting with Anada Tours visiting Waiheke’s world-class wineries.
Return Ferry to Auckland: Head back in the early evening to the city for a relaxed night in or dinner at one of Auckland’s buzzing waterfront spots.

Drive to Tauranga (approx. 2.5 hours): Enjoy the scenic route through the Karangahake Gorge, stopping at Flatwhite Café at Waihi Beach for lunch.
Following your lunch, stop in Katikati for a tour of an Avocado Orchard with Avocado Tours, where you can savour delicious, locally grown produce and learn more about one of New Zeland’s favourite fruits.
Upon arrival in Tauranga, stretch your legs with a Mauao (Mount Maunganui) walk: Take the base track (approx. 50 mins) for a gentle coastal loop, or challenge yourself with the summit track.
After your walk, rejuvenate in the geothermal pools at Mount Hot Pools located at the base of Mauao.
Evening: Join an evening kayak tour to a spectacular glow worm canyon with Waimarino. After your tour indulge in fresh, local cuisine at one of Tauranga’s vibrant dining spots.
Accommodation: Unwind in comfort at Tasman Holiday Parks Pāpāmoa, where cosy seaside cabins offer the perfect romantic retreat just steps from the beach–ideal for couples craving relaxation and coastal charm.

Drive from Tauranga along the eastern seaboard towards Ōpōtiki, passing through Whakatāne. Along the way, stop at Tio Ōhiwa Oyster Farm to sample fresh, delicious kaimoana (seafood). Once in Te Kaha, enjoy an exhilarating Jet Boat Experience with Motu River Jet. Afterward, continue east on Highway 35, where the journey becomes part of the adventure, soak in the breathtaking, off-the-beaten-track beauty of the East Coast.
Continue around the coast, and take in all the stunning bays such as Waihau Bay, Lottin Point, and Te Araroa.

If you’re wanting to experience the Maunga Hikurangi sunrise tour, great accommodation options include Nga Puriri B&B, or Te Araroa Holiday Park (motel rooms & perfect for campers).

Sunrise at Maunga Hikurangi: Rise early for the Te Urunga – Sunrise Experience with local guides at Maunga Hikurangi. Be among the first in the world to greet the new day, surrounded by sacred Māori carvings and stories on this awe-inspiring mountain. This experience includes 4WD journey and local storytelling & is a once in a lifetime experience.
If you’re not a morning person, Maunga Hikurangi offer a mid-morning tour where you learn local history, including the significance of the mountain to the local iwi (tribe) of Ngati Porou.
Post tour, enjoy the 3hr drive from Ruatoria to Gisborne. On the way you’ll pass great seaside villages such as Tokomaru Bay (be sure to try the Abalone Pie), and also pull into Tolaga Bay where you’ll walk on the famous Tolaga Bay Wharf.
Arrive into Gisborne and enjoy a relaxed evening checking out Gisborne’s local restaurants, or experience the quirky and unique Dome Cinema.

Arrive in Gisborne and choose from the range of accommodation options.
Dive Tatapouri: Begin the morning with the unforgettable Marine Wildlife Encounter at Dive Tatapouri, where you can walk across the reef at low tide and interact with wild stingrays and other reef species under expert guidance. A deeply engaging marine experience, even in winter. On the way back from Dive Tatapouri, take in the stunning Makorori & Wainui Beach.
Looking for an afternoon activity? Why not become a railway conductor for a few hours and experience Gisborne Railbikes, where will enjoy stunning scenic coastal views whilst learning about the region. Post your Railbikes adventure, pop into Matawhero winery and reward your cycling effort with a delicious Chardonnay.
Dinner: Have a relaxed evening checking out local Gisborne restaurants, or experience the quirky & unique Dome Cinema.

Drive back to Auckland (approx. 6.5 hours): Enjoy the scenic journey through the rolling hills and farmland of the North Island’s East Coast and Waikato regions.
Stop in Whakatāne: Break up the drive with a relaxed lunch stop in Whakatāne, a charming coastal town with riverside cafés and a laid-back atmosphere.
Evening in Auckland: For your final night, treat yourselves to a memorable meal at one of Auckland’s best dining destinations. Choose from: Viaduct Harbour – a lively waterfront setting with elegant restaurants and harbour views; Commercial Bay – a stylish precinct in the heart of the city offering boutique shopping and top-tier cuisine; Westfield Newmarket – for rooftop dining.