Fly Fishing New Zealand's North Island

Auckland, Wellington, Tongariro River, and Hawke’s Bay

Trip Details

grapes in a vineyard

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

  • World-renowned fishing: Take to the famed waters of the North Island, fishing the island’s most productive rivers, streams, saltwater, and lakes.
  • Array of lodges: A historic chateau-style lodge in the center of Tongariro National Park, a clifftop Relais and Chateau resort, a “go-to” fishing lodge on the Tongariro River, and two wonderful boutique hotels in Auckland and Wellington. Done!
  • Local fishing guides: Each day of fishing has you out with just the sort of person with whom you’d like to fish – a local, experienced guide who knows the waters intimately, and a congenial, fun, good teacher.
  • Fishing- and then some! While you’ll have plenty of time for fishing, there will also be lots of opportunity for other activities that can be arranged depending on your interests. Hiking, horseback riding, bike riding, golf, kayaking, sightseeing… you name it!

Fly Fishing New Zealand's North Island

Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel

Territory: Oceania

Region: New Zealand

Trip Price: $9,750

Duration: 16 days/15 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: Auckland, New Zealand / Wellington, New Zealand

National Parklands: Tongariro NP

Select Terms & Conditions

All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index

Energy Index Spectrum

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

Fly Fishing New Zealand's North Island

Fly Fishing New Zealand's North Island - Energy Index

The Energy Index detailed above relates to the level of exertion associated with the sample trip detailed. This would be modified to fit the style and ability of your group as a part of the custom trip planning process

How custom-made travel works at Off the Beaten Path

We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.

The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.

The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland

Welcome to New Zealand! Arrive into Auckland and discover the “City of Sails,” named for beautiful Auckland’s most popular sport. Stay in a boutique hotel in the center of the city. 

Days 2-4: Waiheke Island

Enjoy some time wandering around Auckland this morning. Then catch the ferry to Waiheke Island at your leisure. Waiheke Island, in Hauraki Gulf, is part of the protected Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. While some are drawn to this island for its moniker “Island of Wine,” others come for its amazing saltwater fly fishing. Spend a full day on the water with a private fishing guide, and one afternoon on a privately guided wine tour. Each night, settle in to luxury accommodations in coastal cottages overlooking the white sandy beach and bay. An excellent restaurant is onsite. 

Days 5-7: Tongariro National Park

Returning from Waiheke Island by ferry, drive south through beautiful countryside to the center of the North Island and the heart of Tongariro National Park. Tongariro is the oldest national park in New Zealand, boasting some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes, including emerald lakes, alpine meadows, massive volcanoes, and hot springs.A full day in the great outdoors includes either an all-day horseback ride through the Kaitieke Valley or the Tongariro Crossing, a classic trek through the mountains. Stay in an elegant chateau, with comfortable accommodations and excellent access to all things Tongariro. 

Days 8-10: Turangi

Travel east, but not too far! Next stop – Turangi, a small fishing town (with a big reputation) on the west bank of the Tongariro River. This is New Zealand’s hottest trout fishing destination, known in particular for its rainbow trout. Spend days casting a line into the Tongariro River, smaller streams, and possibly neighboring Lake Taupo.After a full day of fishing, retreat to a fabulous fishing lodge on 22 acres within casting distance of the Tongariro River, boasting fine accommodations, superb dining, and excellent hosts. 

Days 11-13: Hawke’s Bay

Another stunning drive! Return to the coast, this time to Hawke’s Bay, an area known for its award-winning wines and variety of fisheries – five rivers flow across the bay! (Don’t speed – you’ll get there, you’ll get there!) Needless to say, there are many angling options to choose from, and your local fishing guide will lead the way depending on weather and conditions. Accommodations are at a very special Relais and Chateaux property, situated atop dramatic cliffs on 6,000 rolling acres of pasture land in one of the most spectacular settings anywhere. Activities are plentiful, with wildlife viewing, clay target shooting, walking trails, horseback riding, mountain biking, and spa services. Three days to fish, play, dine, stay! 

Days 14-15: Wellington

This fishing extravaganza wraps up with a leisurely drive to Wellington, and more beauty along the way. There is much to see and do in Wellington, and a boutique hotel located opposite the harbor and a stone’s throw from the National Museum is the perfect place from which to stroll and take in the city sites. 

Day 16: Fly Home from Wellington

Make an easy transfer to the airport for flights home across the Pacific. 

Start Planning My Trip

Lodging

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