Waitomo Caves and Kiwi House (private vehicle and driver)

Following an 8:30am pickup at your centrally located Auckland hotel, take a seat in your vehicle for the 2.5-hour drive south along the mighty Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves — widely considered among New Zealand’s most impressive natural attractions.

On arrival, enter the dark caves with your guide and admire the deep limestone shafts, impressive stalactites, and open caverns you find. During your 45-minute visit, travel on foot and by boat, and marvel at the millions of bright green glow worms clinking to the dank walls.

After lunch at a local cafe, continue onward to the Kiwi House in the small country town of Otorohanga. Here, gain insight into the life cycle and feeding habits of New Zealand’s famous national bird and see tuatara — prehistoric native New Zealand reptiles.

When your time at the Kiwi House comes to an end, return in comfort to your Auckland hotel to bring your tour to an end.