Backpacker Adventure Tours Northland, New Zealand

Backyard Roadies - Awesome Tours For The Adventurous

Northland's Twin Coast Highway Backpacker Tour

We have a pretty epic backyard here in Aotearoa, New Zealand and we want you to see it! We have put together tours specifically for people living in New Zealand and in the near future our international visitors again.

We are stoked to be connecting people with the culture and land we call home.

Northland is stunningly beautiful, and rich in culture and history, and our Far North Escape tour will take you to some of the best bits! There is sailing, sandboarding, swimming, and a whole new group of mates to share it with!

You have the perfect team when you join Jason & Isaac together to lead this real New Zealand road trip of Northland. taking you to visit some of New Zealand’s Northland best spots and hidden gems, including places they spent time as kids. They have spent years away internationally developing the skill set to create what we think is a truly unique and special experience, and we are stoked to be taking our international visitors and people living in Aotearoa on our Backyard Roadies this season!

Price: $1099 per person
Departs: Select date when booking
Tour Duration: 4 Days 3 nights

Northland's Twin Coast Highway Tour - Backyard Roadies

Day 1: Auckland - Waipu - Paihia

After a quick meet and greet in Auckland, we load into the van and head north towards Waipu for lunch, via a beautiful section of coastline only a stones throw from the city of sails. We stop at Mcleod’s Brewery and Pizza Barn for lunch*, then continue on our way to the Bay of Islands. On arrival at our accommodation in Paihia, you will be given time to settle in and get changed before we embark on an exclusive evening sailing trip around the surrounding bays. We have chartered the boat just for our group, so this is the perfect opportunity to share a drink and get to know your fellow road-trippers. After the sailing trip, we head back to the accommodation where your guides will prepare a delicious dinner for you to wrap up the day.

Day 2: Paihia - Matauri Bay - Henderson Bay

Your guides will prepare a continental breakfast for you, before winding our way up the east coast to explore stunning beaches and short walks. We stop at one of, if not the best, fish and chip shop in the country (bold claim, we know, so you’ll have to try for yourself!) for lunch*. We then continue on our way into the Far North, heading for the classic kiwi bach we have to ourselves for the evening. There is time to wander down and relax on the pink sand beach the property backs onto, or continue along the coastal walkway to stroll the long, golden sands of Henderson Bay. But be back in time for dinner! Your guides will be cooking up a feed on the barbeque, because is it really a New Zealand road trip without a barby?

Day 3: Henderson Bay - Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) - Ahipara

We start day 3 slightly later than the day before, to allow time for a sleep in and a cooked breakfast. After, we head straight for Te Rerenga Wairua, where your guides explain the cultural significance of the northernmost tip of Aotearoa. We check out the famous lighthouse, and allow some time to take in the beauty and magic of this special place. Your guides will prepare lunch for you, before taking to the giant sand dunes of Te Paki for some sandboarding! You will work up a sweat climbing and sliding the sand dunes, so we make an essential stop for real fruit ice cream, before continuing to our accommodation at the southern end of 90 Mile Beach. You may be lucky enough to witness a west coast sunset, while your guides prepare the final dinner of the trip.

Day 4: Ahipara - Waipoua Forest - Auckland

It may be the last day, but we aren’t finished yet! After breakfast, we head back in time aboard a car ferry that crosses the sleepy waters of the Hokianga Harbour. This little-known area was the birthplace of our nation, and you will learn about the incredible history from your guides on our way to lunch*, and again when we go to visit Tāne Mahuta – the God of the forest. Depending on weather and group energy levels, there is an opportunity to stop at Kai Iwi lakes, before making the final leg of the journey back to Auckland. .

Price:$1099 per person
Departs: Select date when booking
Tour Duration: 4 Days 3 nights

Included:

– ALL transport and accommodation
– ALL activities
– ALL breakfasts and dinners, plus lunch on day 4

Our tours are not only about experiencing the beauty of Aotearoa.

They’re about bringing strangers together and creating long lasting friendships.

10 Day North Island Explorer

Price:$2199 per person
Departs: Select date when booking
Tour Duration: 10 Days 9 nights

Day 1: Auckland - Thames - Coromandel

Welcome! We leave Auckland early in the morning for the stunning Coromandel Peninsula. You’ll see why Kiwis love this location for summer vacations and why it’s consistently rated one of the world’s most beautiful. First a brief lunch break in ancient Goldmine Town. Then we’ll go to Cathedral Cove (as seen in multiple Hollywood feature films). This wonderful place is a free 30 minute stroll one way. Or you may add a kayaking excursion as an extra. Depending on the tides, we may be able to dig a mini-Jacuzzi at the surreal Hot Water Beach today or tomorrow. After a long day of sun, sand, and surf, we return to our Whitianga hotel for some kai (food), a traditional Kiwi BBQ. The night is yours!

Accommodation: Multi share hostel with shared facilities Included meals: BBQ Dinner
Included activities: Visit Thames township, Hahei Beach, Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach

Day 2: Coromandel - Whangamata - Mount Maunganui

After breakfast and a van-load of new friends, it’s time to head south. From Whitianga, we’ll head to famous Mount Maunganui. On the way, we’ll stop in the popular beach/surfing town of Whangamata to stretch the legs and explore this idyllic beachside town. At Mount Maunganui, we show you freedom. The afternoon and evening is completely free for you to enjoy as you wish and, while it’s your choice, we’ll also recommend some awesome activities to help you have an unforgettable night of one of New Zealand’s most popular summer destinations.

Accommodation: Multi share hostel with shared facilities Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Whangamata Beach, Optional Mt Maunganui Summit Walk

Optional add-ons: Mt Maunganui Surf lesson – $89

Day 3: Mt Maunganui - Matamata - Rotorua

It’s time to pack up the van and head to New Zealand’s tourism Mecca – Rotorua. On the way to this geothermal wonderland you will have the option to get lost in the magical world of Hobbiton and check out some of the clearest springs you’ve ever seen and the beautiful waterfall before arriving to our next stop. Today is your chance to immerse yourself in traditional Maori culture in Rotorua or try out any of the exciting adrenaline filled activities in this town.

Accommodation: Multi share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Blue Springs, Okere Falls,

Day 4: Rotorua

We’re spending an extra night in Rotorua tonight, but today we’re bringing you to Te Puia’s world renowned Geothermal Valley, kiwisantuary, and Maori history and culture. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy! There are lots of paid activities available across the city to keep you and your new friends occupied. No matter whether you wish to take on the world’s tallest commercially rafted waterfall or zip-line over the forest canopy, we’ll make sure to provide you with the greatest experiences possible. After supper, take a stroll around the majestic Redwoods Treewalk. This is a trek to remember. Visit 75-metre-tall redwoods while walking on eco-suspended bridges and platforms built to honour and emphasise the spectacular natural surroundings. One of New Zealand’s greatest treetop treks

Accommodation: Multi share hostel with shared facilities Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included activities: Te Puia day pass & Night Redwood forest walk

Optional add-ons:

Redwood Altitude Walk – $99 Kaituna River Rafting – $115
Day Trip to Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools – $75pp Mitai Maori Village Evening experience – $123
Tamariki Maori experience $160 Jet boat ‘The squeeze’ – $89-189
Skyline Rotorua (Gondola + 3 Luge rides) – $52

Day 5: Rotorua - Taupo

OK, after two nights in Rotorua we’re off! This time to stunning Lake Taupo, but not before stopping in at the breathtaking Huka Falls. Here, 200,000 litres per second of crystal clear water flows from the great lake into the start of New Zealand’s longest river – the Waikato River. Once in Taupo, optional paid activities like bungy jumping, skydiving or jet boat riding are on offer, or simply ask your tour guide who’ll point you towards some of Taupo’s lesser known gems or the many free activities available. For sunset we will board an exclusive yacht charter with the group around the lake itself! We provide dinner on board and your more then welcome to bring a few beverages for this epic experience.

Accommodation: Multi share hostel with shared facilities Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included activities: Private yacht charter around Lake Taupo.

Optional add-ons:

Taupo Skydive
Taupo Bungy Jump

Day 6: Taupo - Tongariro National Park

This is an optional activity for people wanting to do a free hike. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is heralded as the best one-day trek in New Zealand and is regarded as among the top ten single-day treks in the world. Other guests are welcome to spend the day in Taupo exploring the activities on offer.

Accommodation: Multi share hostel with shared facilities Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Transport to and from Tongariro National Park

Optional add-ons:

Taupo Skydive
Taupo Bungy Jump

Day 7: Taupo - River Valley

After a few hours in the van, we’ll arrive into New Zealand’s best kept secret, River Valley. This afternoon we’ll chill out and enjoy our stunning lodge with on-site café and bar, saunas, and spa. Using the Lodge as a base, you can go on a rafting adventure, a horse trek, or explore some of the local rural back roads on an e-bike. Of course, you could simply relax beside the river and enjoy some delicious food, many of the ingredients of which come from the on-site organic gardens. Tonight your in for a treat as you’ll be served a farm to table dinner made with fresh seasonal vegetables harvested from their gardens and free range organic or grass fed local meats. The night is ours after!

Accommodation: Multi share lodge with shared facilities Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Optional add-ons: Horse Trek – $80 Grade 5 White water rafting – $215 E-bike hire – $80

Day 8: River Valley - Wellington

Enjoy a full cooked breakfast before heading south from Taihape, we’ll stop at the home of New Zealand’s army base to stretch our legs and have some lunch. From there, we trek on to the nation’s capital – Wellington! Once in ‘Welly’, we’ll grab some dinner and hit the streets of this incredible city on a local pub crawl. Doesn’t sound like your cup of tea? No problemo! The night is yours to explore what is often referred to as NZ’s coolest city.

Accommodation: Multi share hostel with shared facilities Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: National Army Museum

Optional add-ons:

Horse Trek – $80 Grade 5 White water rafting – $215 E-bike hire – $80

Day 9: Wellington (Free Day)

After breakfast, the day is yours! Get lost in Wellington. Visit a local cafe, take photos of the local street art, head along to New Zealand’s famous national museum – Te Papa (it’s FREE!), hell – spend the whole day hitting the bars if you want!

Accommodation: Multi share hostel with shared facilities Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: NA

Optional add-ons:

Te Papa Musuem (free)

Day 10: Wellington (Check Out Day)

Today is our last day of tour! We will check out of our accommodation and say our goodbyes! Optional add-on for transport back to Auckland for those needing to get back. Some guests can continue onto our 10 day South Island Tour starting in Christchurch the next day.

Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: NA

Optional add-ons: Transport back to Auckland via Van – $69