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Price based on Shared Room
Price based on Private Single Room
Price based on Private Double Room
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- Platinum Operator
- Explore!
- In-depth Cultural
- Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Fully Guided
- An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
- Medium Intensity
- Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
- Guided in English
- Group Size 4 - 16
- Ages 16+
Places You’ll See

Highlights
- Explore Auckland's city center and wharf
- Tour the Hobbiton movie set in Matamata
- Experience Maori culture with a home-hosted lunch
- Visit Napier's famous vineyards and taste local wines
- Discover Wellington's Te Papa National Museum
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 Join trip in Auckland
- Day 2 Explore Auckland, visit Hobbiton and drive to the Bay of Plenty
- Day 3 Maori cultural experience with modern hangi lunch
- Day 4 Visit Wai-o-tapu en route to Napier, Hawke’s Bay vineyard wine-tasting
- Day 5 Morning 4WD nature safari experience, afternoon art deco tour of Napier
- Day 6 Drive to Wellington
- Day 7 Free day to explore the capital
- Day 8 Ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton, drive to Nelson
- Day 9 Explore the Abel Tasman National Park by boat and on foot
- Day 10 Scenic drive on the Great Coast Road to Hokitika
- Day 11 Visit Franz Josef Glacier en route to Fox Glacier
- Day 12 Explore Fox Glacier then travel to Wanaka
- Day 13 Free day in Wanaka
- Day 14 Visit Queenstown and see glowworms en route to Te Anau
- Day 15 Take a cruise on the magnificent Doubtful Sound
- Day 16 Drive to Dunedin, afternoon wildlife cruise to see albatross
- Day 17 Drive to Mackenzie Country via the Moeraki Boulders
- Day 18 Drive to Christchurch
- Day 19 Trip ends in Christchurch
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Additional Services
- Transport
- Free eSIMTourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Optional
- Additional Services
Where You'll Stay
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Hotelday 1Copthorne Hotel Auckland City (or similar)
Hotelday 1Lakes Lodge Wilderness Retreat - Okataina Rotorua
HotelDays 2, 3Lakes Lodge Wilderness Retreat - Okataina Rotorua (or similar)
HotelDays 2, 3Quality Inn
HotelDays 4, 5Quality Inn (or similar)
HotelDays 4, 5West Plaza Hotel
HotelDays 6, 7West Plaza Hotel (or similar)
HotelDays 6, 7The Hotel, Nelson
HotelDays 8, 9The Hotel, Nelson (or similar)
HotelDays 8, 9Jade Court Motel
Motelday 10Jade Court Motel (or similar)
Motelday 10Heartland Hotel
Hotelday 11Heartland Hotel (or similar)
Hotelday 11Wanaka Hotel
HotelDays 12, 13Wanaka Hotel (or similar)
HotelDays 12, 13Kingsgate Te Anau
HotelDays 14, 15Kingsgate Te Anau (or similar)
HotelDays 14, 15Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin
Hotelday 16Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin (or similar)
Hotelday 16Mackenzie Country Hotel
Hotelday 17Distincton Mackenzie Country Hotel (or similar)
Hotelday 17Bealey Quarter
Hotelday 18Bealey Quarter (or similar)
Hotelday 18
Customer Photos

Operated by
Explore!
Number of tours
564
Age Range
16 to 85 years old
Response time
12 hours
Response rate
96%
Explore is a global adventure travel company with 42 years’ experience in...
Read moreSustainability Initiatives
Reduce Carbon Emissions
Animal Welfare
Supporting Destinations
Sustainability Programs
Customer Reviews
- Overall RatingExcellent
- ItineraryExcellent
- GuideExcellent
- TransportExcellent
- AccommodationExcellent
- FoodGood
Paul Baden· November 30th, 2025Fantastic experience. The very best way for a first time visitor to get a great overview of the country without wasting any time. Our guide was friendly and fun and full of info.Show more
Explore! commented on this reviewThank you so much for your feedback, and it’s brilliant to hear you had a wonderful time seeing the beautiful country with Explore! We will be sure to pass on your kind words about your Tour Leader, these mean so much to us. We hope to welcome you back... Show moreTrip date: November 2025- AAnne· February 4th, 2023Too many to mentionShow moreTrip date: January 2023Review collected by Explore!
- AAngela· February 28th, 2023My highlights were: 1. The Maori lunch & time in Rotorua. Seeing how a modern Maori family live & being able to talk to/eat with the family was quite an emotional experience. 2. The boat rides & walk in Abel Tasman National Park. That was a chance to really appreciate the indigenous wildlife & plants plus the scenery was beautiful. 3. Doubtful Sound The scenery was beautiful & seeing seals in the wild was great.Show moreTrip date: January 2023Review collected by Explore!
- ACarolyn· February 7th, 2023There were many highlights, loved all the boat trips, the many hikes with awesome views, the gorgeous lakes, fjords and beaches, the cave tour with the glow worms, the Maori home visit, etc.Show moreTrip date: January 2023Review collected by Explore!
- AEve· March 26th, 2023Wine tasting at Rippon, Wanaka. Wellington, Zealandia, Te Papa National Museum and Botanical Gardens. Abel Tasman NP walking/beach.Show moreTrip date: February 2023Review collected by Explore!
- AJudith· June 6th, 2023WE generally enjoyed it allShow moreTrip date: March 2023Review collected by Explore!
- AHilary· December 1st, 2023I’ve always wanted to see an albatross in flight and I did - around 40 of them. Helicopter landing on Franz Josef was very specialShow moreTrip date: November 2023Review collected by Explore!
- AJane· February 4th, 2024Glow worms Māori interactions GisborneShow moreTrip date: December 2023Review collected by Explore!
- ALinda· January 26th, 2024The inclusion of Whakatane, Gisborne, Nelson and Dunedin were great. We opted out of the walk in the Abel Tasman NP and had a lovely day in Nelson instead. Knowing nothing about the Hobbit films, we were pleasantly surprised by Hobbiton and pleased we saw this.Show moreTrip date: December 2023Review collected by Explore!
- APaul· January 26th, 2024The scenery was amazingShow moreTrip date: December 2023Review collected by Explore!
Dates & Availability
Select departure month and travellers
- -15%From Monday12 Jan, 2026To Friday30 Jan, 2026EnglishFilling FastThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:$14,560NZ $12,380 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Monday2 Mar, 2026To Friday20 Mar, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $15,260 per personMultiple Room Types
- From Monday16 Nov, 2026To Friday4 Dec, 2026EnglishAlmost Sold OutThis departure date is available and will 100% departGuaranteed departureFrom:NZ $15,500 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Monday23 Nov, 2026To Friday11 Dec, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $15,260 per personMultiple Room Types
Why book with TourRadar?
- Trusted and vetted operators
- Rated excellent on
- Best price guarantee
- 24/7 customer support
- Earn $150 in travel credits
- Free eSim with every purchase
To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in Australia, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- T
Tracy
Asked on May 21st, 2025if i start in auckland how do i get back to auckland
Explore!Operator•Written May 2025This tour is land only and does not include flights. Most airlines give you the option when flying to New Zealand to fly into Auckland and return to Canada from Christchurch. That is how most of our clients book their flights for this trip.
- T
Tracy
Traveler•Written May 2025if i took the tour from auckland to christshurch i need to get back to auckland
Explore!Operator•Written May 2025The trip does end in Christchurch. You will need to arrange your travels from the end destination.
T
2 more answers - S
Suzanne
Asked on November 22nd, 2023I am 73, in decent shape but use a small portable mobility scooter for walks due to a spatial disorientation problem. The scooter folds up so doesn't take much space, and it will handle trails as long as they aren't gravel. Need hotel rooms that don't require stair access. Can you accommodate me?
Explore!Operator•Written November 2023Whilst this isn't a walking trip some of the trails are rough under foot and across gravel. However this are optional walks and can be discussed with the tour leader. For the accommodation we would need to check with our local agent to see if we can guarantee rooms without stair access. Would you need any other adaptations in the accommodation or vehicles? Are you able to walk short distances un assisted and carry your own luggage as this may be required?
- I
Ian
Asked on September 11th, 2023I'm planning a trip to New Zealand in March 2024. I'd like to know: 1: list of hotels/motels the group will be staying in. 2: which night will be spent on a boat. 3: if the tour operator plans to send the participants a list of the equipment required for the activities proposed.
Explore!Operator•Written September 2023I have attached the Trip Notes to the dashboard for you, these will give you detailed information including the accommodation used for the tour, the day-to-day activities as per the itinerary & a packing/budgeting list.
- V
Vicki
Asked on May 9th, 2023how much is the single supplement on new Zealand tours
Explore!Operator•Written May 2023The single supplement is different depending on the departure date. When were you looking to travel?
- L
Louise
Asked on October 6th, 2022I'm considering the 19-day tour of New Zealand on March 20th. How are single travelers paired with roommates?
Explore!Operator•Written October 2022Solo travellers with bookings on a twin share basis live with another person of the same gender. If there is no person with the same gender to accommodate you with you will have your room for your own.
- M
Margaret
Asked on September 15th, 2022I will be travelling by myself and was wondering in regards to this tours accomodations, if the twin shared rooms could be purchased by a solo traveler (so I would have a twin shared room to myself). Is that possible?
Explore!Operator•Written September 2022There are two options to book a trip with us: on a twin share basis and single basis. In the first case you're gonna share your room with other member of the group. In the second case you're gonna stay by yourself - extra charge is applicable. For this particular trip that's £1075 and you can book originally with single supplement included. The price for the whole booking plus single accommodation will be £5565.
Price based on Cheapest Room
Price based on Shared Room
Price based on Private Single Room
Price based on Private Double Room
Best price guarantee Learn More
Good to Know
Tour ID: 31880
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