Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland to Tauranga
You'll leave Auckland heading toward Tauranga, starting with a walk through Karangakake Gorge before stopping for lunch in Waihi. After that, you'll follow the coast to Mt Maunganui and have the afternoon to relax by the water. By evening, the group gathers for dinner where you can trade stories and try local food.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Group dinner with local cuisine)
Included Activities
- Stroll in Karangakake Gorge
- Lunch in Waihi
- Visit Mt Maunganui
- Group dinner
Landmarks/POIs Karangakake Gorge Mt Maunganui - Day 2
Mt Maunganui to Rotorua
This morning you'll get a guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set from Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit films. You'll learn how the movies were made, check out the set details, and grab lunch at the Shire's Rest Cafe. Later you'll head to Rotorua, which sits surrounded by hot springs and geothermal activity.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Shire's Rest Cafe)
Included Activities
- Hobbiton Movie Set guided tour
- Lunch at Shire's Rest Cafe
Landmarks/POIs Hobbiton Movie Set - Day 3
Rotorua
You have a free day in Rotorua to do what interests you. If you want something active, white water rafting on the Kaituna River is an option. For something more low-key, try the Polynesian Spa's thermal pools, walk through the Redwoods Treewalk, take an e-bike tour, or hike up Mt Tarawera.
Optional Activities
- White water rafting on Kaituna River
- Polynesian Spa thermal pools
- Redwoods Treewalk
- E-bike tour
- Hike Mt Tarawera
Landmarks/POIs Kaituna River Polynesian Spa Redwoods Treewalk Mt Tarawera - Day 4
Rotorua to Taupo
You'll start at Huka Falls to see the force of the water, then stop at Wai-o-Tapu geothermal park before arriving in Taupo. In the evening, there's an optional sunset cruise on Lake Taupo if you want to get out on the water and see the surrounding landscape.
Included Activities
- Visit Huka Falls
- Visit Wai-o-Tapu geothermal wonders
Optional Activities
- Sunset cruise on Lake Taupo
Landmarks/POIs Huka Falls Wai-o-Tapu Lake Taupo - Day 5
Taupo
Another free day where you can move at your own pace around Taupo. Want adventure? Try the Tongariro Crossing or jet boating. Prefer something quieter? Go fishing, take a scenic flight, or soak in the hot springs nearby.
Optional Activities
- Tongariro Crossing
- Jet boating
- Fishing
- Scenic flights
- Hot springs soak
Landmarks/POIs Lake Taupo Tongariro Crossing - Day 6
Taupo to Cambridge
You'll head from Taupo to Waitomo Caves for a guided tour underground where you'll see limestone formations and glowworms lighting up the cave ceiling. Next, you'll visit Hamilton Gardens with its different themed gardens from various cultures. The day finishes in Cambridge, a small town with shops and cafes to wander through.
Included Activities
- Waitomo Glowworm Cave guided tour
- Visit Hamilton Gardens with guided tour
Landmarks/POIs Waitomo Caves Hamilton Gardens - Day 7
Cambridge to Auckland
On your last day on the North Island, you'll drive to Raglan on the coast and spend the morning checking out local shops and cafes. You'll also stop at Bridal Veil Falls before heading back to Auckland. From there, you'll be dropped at the airport to head to the South Island.
Included Activities
- Visit Raglan
- Visit Bridal Veil Falls
Landmarks/POIs Bridal Veil Falls - Day 8
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
You're starting on the South Island in Christchurch and traveling through Rakaia Gorge. Lunch happens in Geraldine, a small town known for good local food. Later you'll arrive at Lake Tekapo, which is known for its bright turquoise water and views of the Southern Alps.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Lunch in Geraldine
Landmarks/POIs Rakaia Gorge Lake Tekapo - Day 9
Lake Tekapo to Te Anau
You'll head south toward Te Anau, and along the way you'll stop at Mt Difficulty Vineyard for lunch and wine tasting. It's a nice break in the drive and a chance to try wines from the region.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch and wine tasting at Mt Difficulty Vineyard)
Included Activities
- Lunch and wine tasting at Mt Difficulty Vineyard
Landmarks/POIs Mt Difficulty Vineyard Lake Te Anau - Day 10
Te Anau to Queenstown
Today you're heading to Milford Sound for a scenic cruise through the fiord. You'll see waterfalls and tall cliffs, plus there's a good chance of spotting wildlife. After the cruise, you'll drive to Queenstown, which sits in the mountains next to a beautiful lake.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch onboard Milford Sound cruise)
Included Activities
- Milford Sound cruise including lunch onboard
Landmarks/POIs Milford Sound - Day 11
Queenstown
You have a free day in Queenstown, known for adventure activities. Depending on what you're up for, you can try bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating, take a scenic hike, or just walk around the city and its streets.
Optional Activities
- Bungy jumping
- Skydiving
- Jet boating
- Scenic hike
- Explore city streets
- Day 12
Queenstown to Franz Josef
You're heading from Queenstown to Franz Josef. On the way, you'll stop in Wanaka, a quiet town by a lake with nice views. As you drive up the west coast, the scenery gets more dramatic with mountains and wilderness all around.
Landmarks/POIs Wanaka - Day 13
Franz Josef
You have a free day in Franz Josef to choose your own activities. If you're interested in glaciers, do a guided walk on the ice. For something more relaxed, use the thermal pools. Or if you want a different perspective, take a helicopter tour to see the glacier and surrounding terrain from above.
Optional Activities
- Guided glacier walk
- Thermal pools
- Helicopter tour
- Day 14
Franz Josef to Christchurch
On your final day, you're heading back to Christchurch with stops along the way. You'll visit Hokitika to see jade carvings, check out Arthur's Pass and its mountain views, and see Castle Hill with its limestone rock formations. You'll finish the tour back in Christchurch after exploring New Zealand for the past week.
Included Activities
- Visit Hokitika
- Visit Arthur's Pass
- Visit Castle Hill
Landmarks/POIs Hokitika Arthur's Pass Castle Hill
