OUR NEW ZEALAND HIKING TOURS  

📌New Tour

Keen to discover and walk something brand new? So are we!

We’ve found something truly special for the coming season - a brand-new, private walking experience on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island. It’s remote, wild, and only just opening up for small guided groups like ours.

 

The February date combines perfectly with our other North Island tour: Nuku Trail

 

Day 1: Auckland - Whitianga boat tour incl Cathedral Cove – Colville

We pick you up at Auckland domestic airport at 9:30am and head towards the Coromandel Peninsula. As both sides of the Coromandel are so different in character, we begin by heading up the east coast towards Whitianga. We stop for a short lunch on the way (not included). Once in Whitianga, a real highlight awaits: a scenic boat tour takes us right along the coastline.

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We will see all the picturesque highlights along the coast including Cathedral Cove, beaches, blowholes and sea caves. Approaching the sheltered bays and volcanic formations on clear turquoise water is the most beautiful way to see this part of the peninsula. 
Afterwards, we continue north to quiet Colville and settle into our accommodation on White Star Farm – a peaceful, rural base for the days ahead.

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Driving time: ~ 5 hours / 250 km

Boat tour: ~ 1.5 – 2 hours

Accommodation: White Star Station – Farm Cottage

Meals: Evening Snack Platter  

 

Day 2: White Star Track, Hiking Day 1

Our first day on the new trail begins with a steady climb to the 400-metre summit known as “White Star.” From the top, the views stretch across the Hauraki Gulf, sometimes as far as Great Barrier Island – a wonderful place for lunch.

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In the afternoon, we follow an open ridgeline before descending into the valley to the Eco Bush Cabins, nestled deep in the trees. If you still have energy, you can take a short detour to the Wairore Waterfall – a cold, clear swimming hole that many will remember fondly.

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Hiking distance: 12 km / 3-6 hours

Accommodation: White Star Station - Bush Cabins

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 3: White Star Track, Hiking Day 2

Today the trail shows its full variety: small waterfalls, deep native forest, old mining and kauri-logging paths, and stretches of quiet ridgeline with big views over the Colville Bay and the Hauraki Gulf. It’s a day with a few steeper climbs, but plenty of time to walk at your own pace and enjoy the landscape.

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In the evening we arrive at Oceanview Cottage. It’s a lovely place to end the day - with a sunset view, a drink on the deck, and (if you like) a warm soak in the spa pool under the stars.

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Hiking distance: 13 km / 4-7 hours

Accommodation: White Star Station – Oceanview Cottage

Meals: B, L, D

 

Day 4: Final Hiking Section - Driving Creek Railway - Auckland

Our last walking section is short and mostly downhill. We wander beneath rocky bluffs, through quiet bush and across a small stream before returning to the wide valley floor of the station.

 

We return along the west coast of the Coromandel, but we don’t head straight back to Auckland. Just a few kilometres south is the Driving Creek Railway - a quirky, hand-built narrow-gauge train that winds through native forest, crosses small viaducts and climbs to a viewing tower with a wide outlook over the hills. It’s a gentle, very “Coromandel” way to finish the tour. There is a nearby café for lunch (not included). In the afternoon we drive back to Auckland Airport for drop-off around 5:30pm.

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Hiking distance: 8 km / 2-3 hours

Railway outing: ~ 1 hour

Driving time: ~ 3 hours / 190 km

Meals: B

 

Tour Grading

🥾 White Star Track – Grade 3 (Moderate)

The White Star Track is new for us too - and we’re excited to explore it with you!

We call it moderate, mainly because of the uneven terrain and some steeper sections.

Most of the track is on old farm/forest tracks with a good trail surface that is wide, even and easy to walk. But you’ll be walking in varied landscapes including some narrow trails, uneven ground, shallow creek crossings and potential slippery surfaces if wet that ask for a bit of balance and a steady step now and then. Days 1 and 2 include climbs of 400-500m.

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👉 Our recommendation:
A reasonable level of fitness will definitely help you enjoy the journey more - but there’s no need to rush. We’ve got the whole day to reach our next stop, so we’ll just take our time. Good footwear, a little sure-footedness, and a spirit of adventure are all you need. If you’re active, up for a bit of a challenge, and enjoy being out in nature, you’ll be just fine!

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You can find more about how we grade our tours here:

→ Our Hiking Track Grading System explained
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