Just a few hours south of Auckland lie three of New Zealand’s greatest natural wonders; geothermal Rotorua, stunning Lake Taupo and the awe-inspiring Waitomo Caves.

Join us, and bask in the dramatic beauty of the world-famous Waitomo Caves. Feast your eyes on Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro Mountains reflected in Lake Taupo before watching the Waikato River launch itself over the Huka Falls. Then experience nature’s geothermal pyrotechnics at Wai-O-Tapu near Rotorua.

Day One, we head south from Auckland, guided by New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato.  After passing the sacred mountain at Taupiri that watches over the home of the Maori king, we stop to pick-up lunch in Otorohanga, the fun loving home of kiwiana kitsch.

A short drive leads us to the Waitomo Valley, gateway to the celebrated caves. Here in the company of a local guide you leave the beaten track to follow a winding trail to a pretty backcountry farm. First a Glow-worm cave offers a magnificent underground antechamber before culminating in a breathtaking underground boat trip, lit by millions of tiny glow-worms. Later you′ll enjoy an alfresco morning tea, probably observed by inquisitive sheep, before entering Te Ana o te Atua − the Cave of the Spirit. Steeped in legend, the cave contains an incredible collection of stalactites, stalagmites and fossils. Lonely Planet calls the Waitomo Caves a ‘must do’, and you’ll soon understand why.

Our southeast direction sees us climb North Island’s rugged central plateau before we spy shimmering Lake Taupo. Once a village, Taupo is now a cosmopolitan town with excellent shops, cafés and restaurants. Here you can try: a serene sunset cruise on a yacht once owned by Errol Flynn; tandem skydiving; trout fishing; bungy-jumping; spa treatments; or mountain biking, amongst many other things, (your guide can pre-arrange these activities for you at an extra cost). Or, simply check-in to your lakeside hotel and enjoy the view as the sun sets on the crystal clear lake and the snow capped peaks of Tongariro National Park.

Day Two begins with a short drive to the incredible Huka Falls – known to Maori as Hukanui, meaning ‘great body of spray’. Here the Waikato River squeezes through a natural chasm before exploding in a torrent of foam and spray, the droplets refracting the sunlight into a blazing kaleidoscope of colour.

Winding north through pine forests we are soon greeted by the billowing steam of Wai-O-Tapu. Meaning Sacred Waters, Wai-O-Tapu has endured volcanic activity for more than 150,000 years and has the greatest area of surface thermal activity in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Wai-O-Tapu is home to the world famous Champagne Pool, the Artist’s Palette and the Lady Knox Geyser. During an easy 1-1½ hour walk on level boardwalks, you’ll witness nature’s fiery geothermal spirit: bubbling mud pools, steaming ground, huge volcanic craters and erupting geysers.

From Wai-O-Tapu, it’s north to Rotorua and the living Maori village at Whakarewarewa. Unlike some ‘stage managed’ experiences, Whakarewarewa is home to a Maori community that has lived there for generations. Here, on a guided 1-hour tour, a resident will explain – peppered with humorous anecdotes – how locals harness the area’s geothermal power, and use its steam for everything from cooking to heating and washing. You’ll then be treated to an astonishing Maori cultural performance where, in a wonderfully informal setting, you’ll be introduced to Maori song, ritual and storytelling, culminating in the world famous, spine-tingling, haka.

Later, we reach the shores of Lake Rotorua with its view of Mokoia Island, famed in the tale of Hinemoa and Tutanekai. Here choose between a soak in the lakeside geothermal pools of the Polynesian Spa, a guided tour of the fabulous Rotorua Museum or simply relax by the picturesque lake or browse for authentic souvenirs.

Finally we return to Auckland, arriving back in the early evening to say our farewells.