North Island of NZ Fly Fishing Itinerary

Welcome to Auckland, our City of Sails.

Situated amongst a cluster of extinct volcanic cones, Auckland is a large harbour that bustles with life, both on water and on land. It straddles a slim piece of land with the coastline facing both the Pacific Ocean and, on the wild West Coast, the Tasman Sea.

After checking into your hotel, relax and stretch your legs with a stroll around our beautiful city. Explore the highly acclaimed Waterfront Restaurant Quarter or choose one of the many activities available for a more in-depth understanding of Auckland and the surrounding area.
 

Some activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Today you'll drive to the North Island's west coast to meet the Waitomo glow worms before heading onwards to geothermal Rotorua.

Waitomo Underground Cave Tour 
As you gently float along an underground river, a spectacular light show unfolds before your eyes. Your local guide will tell you all about these fascinating creatures and the secrets of their underground home.

Emerging into daylight, take a gentle walk along a gorge path to Te Ana o te Atua, the Cave of the Spirit. Here you will find a treasure-trove of history including evidence of past explorers and the fossils of extinct giant Moa birds.

Your journey ends today at Peppers on the Point, with private lake frontage on the shores of tranquil Lake Rotorua, there's no better backdrop for your first taste of New Zealand Fly Fishing tomorrow.

 Sir David Attenborough: “An Astonishing Cave” And “one of natures most Magical Illuminations!”

Approximate Distance: 225 km | 140 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 50 mins

Accommodation Rotorua - 2 nights

The best way to experience Lake Taupo's renowned trout fishing is to charter a boat. Have fun fishing, or just sit back and enjoy the scenery while your mates do all the work. Most fishing on Lake Taupo takes the form of trolling, either lures or flies (no bait fishing is permitted). We use a combination of downriggers, harling and trolling on board. Trout average around 4 pounds and a typical Taupo fishing excursion will see your crew prepare your catch for a delicious snack, either barbequed or sashimi style. Experience Taupo's renowned trout fishing or just relax and enjoy the scenery.

A scenic drive brings you to Turangi in less than two hours. Welcome to the unofficial trout-fishing headquarters of New Zealand.

The mighty Tongariro River is world-renowned for fly-fishing. Its clear, fast-moving waters flow over a mixture of rock, gravel, and sand. With deceptively deep pools and boisterous rapids, it attracts huge brown and rainbow trout in the tens of thousands.

The fabulous Tongariro Lodge will be your home for the next two nights. Situated in beautiful park-like grounds on the banks of the Tongariro River, this authentic luxury fishing lodge is as close to the action as you can get.

Settle in by the open fire, and treat yourselves to a four-course meal cooked by the talented Lodge chefs: great fuel for tomorrow's trout-stalking expedition on the river.

Approximate Distance: 132 km | 82 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 37 mins

Accommodation: Turangi - 2 nights

Spend an unforgettable day on the largest and most important spawning river in the area with your expert Tongariro Lodge fishing guide.

Guided Tongariro Fly Fishing Expedition 
This morning your guide will collect you from the Lodge for an exciting day exploring the Tongariro River and its tributaries. Trophy trout over 10lbs are landed by Tongariro Lodge guests each year, so keep those camera batteries charged and ready.

Any non-fishing companions travelling with you are blessed with an outdoor lover's paradise right at the doorstep. One of the world's greatest one day walks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, is within easy reach. There is also a gentle riverside walking and biking trail accessible directly from the lodge.

As they say – “Zane Grey made it famous, the Queen Mother stalked trout in it, Jimmy Carter found solitude beside it. The incomparable Tongariro River, yours to share and enjoy.”

Drive east to beautiful Hawkes Bay, an area loved for its sheltered beaches, Mediterranean climate and award-winning wines.

When you arrive in the Bay, why not make time to visit the charming coastal city of Napier? The exquisitely preserved 1930s Art Deco architecture gives a unique feel and atmosphere - it's like stepping back in time.

Driving a little further south, you'll arrive at your destination: Craggy Range Vineyards. These award-winning wines are begging to be sampled of course, but you're also here to for a relaxing stay in one of the four luxury Vineyard Cottages nestled among the vines.

The Hawkes Bay area is NZ's best-kept trout fishing secret. With three nights here, you have two full days to explore its braided rivers and lowland waters.

Approximate Distance: 220 km | 136 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 48 Min

Accommodation: Napier - 3 Nights

Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced angler, the uncrowded waters of Hawkes Bay offer countless opportunities for challenge and success.

Four main river systems make their way from mountains of the central North Island to the Pacific Ocean across the fertile plains of Hawkes Bay. Thanks to these systems and their tributaries, this region offers you a fascinating variety of spring-fed streams and fast-flowing rivers as well as beautiful Lake Tutira for still water enthusiasts.

Over the next two days, your Hawkes Bay fly fishing guide will assess the conditions and select the best locations for you to take full advantage of his local trout-stalking knowledge. Who knows, you could have a monster in your hands by the end of your stay!

For non-anglers, the Tukituki Valley area around Craggy Range is home to some of Hawkes Bay's most spectacular scenery. Panoramic views of Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru Ranges and Cape Kidnappers are a worthy reward for hiking to the summit of nearby Te Mata Peak. The nearby country town of Havelock North offers boutique shops, cafés, restaurants, and specialty food stores and is a charming place to browse.
 

What will your second day of guided Hawkes Bay Fly Fishing have in store?

You could tackle the turbulent, boulder-strewn Mohaka River or hunt for the huge brown prizefighters of the Tutaekuri and Ngaruroro. Serene Lake Tutira offers hilly views and an audience of local ducks: great for a family day out.

Closer to Craggy Range, the willow-lined Tukituki River is famous for its dry fly opportunities and fearsome fish who will let you know about it if you hook them.

This is the beauty of a guided trip: insider knowledge of all the best locations for any given day, season or weather condition. Fishing in Hawkes Bay will take your breath away.

Back at the vineyard, the award-winning Craggy Range Restaurant is the perfect place to celebrate your catch and enjoy your final night in New Zealand.
 

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage! Today we say farewell. We take care of your transfer to Napier Airport where you will board your onward flight to Auckland, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand holiday.

We know you will flyfishing in the North Island and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Before you arrive in NZ...

Practicing your basic casting techniques before arriving in New Zealand will allow you to maximise the many opportunities to catch "the big one". This will help to prevent excessive false casts which could spook your target unnecessarily. New Zealand trout can be very unforgiving of poorly presented flies!

Felt-soled boots are prohibited for use by freshwater anglers in New Zealand. The felt may harbour microscopic waterborne pests, particularly didymo which is a major concern here. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand also requires ALL used freshwater fishing equipment brought into New Zealand to be clean and dry.