9 Day History and Cultural Journey

Arrive in Auckland, Tāmaki Makaurau—New Zealand’s vibrant gateway to the North. Collect your rental car and check into your accommodation. Take the evening to unwind and tune into the slower rhythm of the season. Your cultural winter journey begins here.

Ferry across the sparkling Waitematā Harbour to Waiheke Island, where sacred stories and colonial histories are woven into the land. Join Terra & Tide’s History & Heritage Tour, a guided experience that reveals the island’s deep Māori significance, natural beauty, and layered past. Return to Auckland in the afternoon with a deeper connection to place and people.

Hit the road and journey to Rotorua, the geothermal and cultural heart of Aotearoa. Along the way, watch as the landscape shifts—misty valleys, dense forest, and signs of volcanic life greet your arrival. Check in and enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by steam, earth, and sky.

This morning, experience the raw power and healing energy of Hells Gate, a sacred Māori site where you’ll walk among bubbling mud pools and soak in mineral waters. In the evening, be welcomed into the heart of Māori culture with the Te Pō Combo at Te Puia—a night of ceremony, performance, and hāngī-style dining beside the illuminated geysers of Te Whakarewarewa Valley.

Travel to Murupara, where you’ll check in to Kohutapu Lodge—a place built on whānau (family), storytelling, and connection. Hosted by a local Māori family, your stay offers meaningful exchange and authentic hospitality. Take in the quiet beauty of the region and prepare for an immersive, soul-nourishing experience.

Depart Murupara and make your way to Taupō, stopping to walk beneath the towering trees of Whirinaki Forest—a sacred ngahere (forest) rich in biodiversity and ancestral presence. Arrive in Taupō and settle in by the lakeside for an evening of rest.

Today, join Chris Jolly Boats for a scenic cruise across Lake Taupō. Glide over crystal waters to the iconic Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay—guardians etched into the cliffs, standing as powerful symbols of cultural identity and legacy. It’s a peaceful and profound experience on Aotearoa’s largest lake.

Take your time driving back to Auckland, passing through fertile heartlands and rolling hills. Arrive in the city and check in for your final two nights. As urban life resumes around you, notice how the journey has grounded you—each place, a chapter in a deeper story.

Visit the Auckland Museum, a cultural cornerstone that houses Māori taonga (treasures), natural history, and national narratives. Take your time exploring the galleries at your own pace—each one offering insight into the heritage, resilience, and identity of Aotearoa

Check out and return your car before departing from Auckland. Though your winter journey ends here, you leave with memories of sacred places, warm encounters, and the enduring spirit of Aotearoa in your heart.