Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland to Mt Maunganui
You'll leave Auckland heading toward Tauranga with a walk through Karangakake Gorge to start things off. After grabbing lunch in Waihi, the route follows the coast to Mt Maunganui where you'll spend the afternoon at the beach. The day wraps up with a group dinner where everyone shares stories and tries local food.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Waihi), Dinner (Group dinner with local cuisine)
Included Activities
- Stroll through Karangakake Gorge
- Group dinner with local cuisine
Optional Activities
- Swim at Mt Maunganui Beach
Landmarks/POIs Karangakake Gorge Mt Maunganui Beach - Day 2
Mt Maunganui to Rotorua
Today takes you to Rotorua with a guided tour of Hobbiton, the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film location. You'll see how the sets were constructed, check out all the intricate details, and have lunch at the Shire's Rest Cafe. From there you continue to Rotorua, which sits surrounded by natural hot springs and geothermal activity.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Shire's Rest Cafe)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hobbiton movie set
- Lunch at Shire's Rest Cafe
Landmarks/POIs Hobbiton Movie Set - Day 3
Rotorua
You've got the day to yourself in Rotorua with several options depending on what appeals to you. If you want action, there's white water rafting on the Kaituna River or a treewalk through the Redwoods. For something calmer, the Polynesian Spa offers thermal soaks, or you could try an e-bike tour and hiking Mt Tarawera. It works for any energy level.
Optional Activities
- White water rafting on Kaituna River
- Polynesian Spa thermal pools
- Redwoods Treewalk
- E-bike tour
- Hike Mt Tarawera
Landmarks/POIs Polynesian Spa Redwoods Treewalk Mt Tarawera Kaituna River - Day 4
Rotorua to Taupo
You'll travel to Taupo with stops at Huka Falls to see the water's power, and Wai-o-Tapu where the geothermal landscape is remarkable. Later in the evening, there's an optional sunset cruise across Lake Taupo if you want to take in the views from the water.
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
This day is yours to plan in Taupo. You can take it slow exploring local spots or pick from optional activities like the Tongariro Crossing for serious hikers, jet boating for thrills, or fishing and scenic flights for something different. Hot spring soaks are also on the table if you prefer to relax.
Optional Activities
- Tongariro Crossing hike
- Jet boating
- Fishing
- Scenic flights
- Hot springs soak
Landmarks/POIs Tongariro - Day 6
Taupo to Cambridge
You'll head from Taupo to Waitomo Caves for a guided tour through underground passages with limestone formations and glowworms lighting the darkness. Next comes the Hamilton Gardens where a guide takes you through themed gardens from different cultures and time periods. The day finishes in Cambridge where you can wander the town's streets, shops, and cafes.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Waitomo Caves
- Guided tour of Hamilton Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Waitomo Caves Hamilton Gardens - Day 7
Cambridge to Auckland
The morning takes you to the coastal town of Raglan where you'll spend time checking out local shops and cafes. You'll stop at Bridal Veil Falls, a 55m drop that's worth the visit. Then it's back to Auckland for your airport drop-off so you can head to the South Island.
Included Activities
- Visit Bridal Veil Falls
Optional Activities
- Explore Raglan town, shops and cafes
Landmarks/POIs Raglan Bridal Veil Falls - Day 8
TranzAlpine Train to Greymouth to Punakaiki
You'll board the TranzAlpine train for one of the world's great scenic rail journeys. The route passes through snow-capped peaks, forests, and river valleys of the Southern Alps. Once you reach Greymouth, your guide and vehicle are ready to take you to Punakaiki, home of the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey
Landmarks/POIs Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Southern Alps - Day 9
Punakaiki
You've got a free day around Punakaiki to check out the coastal area. The Pancake Rocks have columns of water shooting through natural formations, and there are rainforests, limestone cliffs, caves, and beaches to walk around. If you want something more active, kayaking through the limestone valley in Paparoa National Park is an option.
Optional Activities
- Explore Pancake Rocks
- Walk through coastal rainforests
- Explore limestone cliffs, caves, and pristine beaches
- Kayak through Paparoa National Park
Landmarks/POIs Pancake Rocks Paparoa National Park - Day 10
Punakaiki to Abel Tasman
Today follows the wild West Coast with stops to take in scenery, seal colonies, and lighthouses. You'll head inland through Nelson Lakes toward Abel Tasman National Park. When you arrive in the Abel Tasman region, you'll have the afternoon free to explore the town or settle in at your accommodation.
Optional Activities
- View seal colonies
- Visit lighthouse vistas
Landmarks/POIs West Coast Nelson Lakes Abel Tasman National Park - Day 11
Abel Tasman
You spend the full day in Abel Tasman National Park with options to match your interests. Kayaking along the golden shores, hiking the coastal track, canyoning, or even skydiving are all available. If you want to take it easier, a beach walk gives you some of New Zealand's best shoreline while keeping an eye out for native Tui and Tuatara.
Optional Activities
- Kayaking along golden shores
- Hiking the coastal track
- Canyoning
- Skydiving
- Beach walk
Landmarks/POIs Abel Tasman National Park - Day 12
Abel Tasman to Marlborough
You'll drive through the Marlborough region where vineyards cover the landscape and Sauvignon Blanc is the local specialty. You'll stop at a winery for lunch and a tasting so you can try the region's wines while looking out over the vineyard views.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local winery with wine tasting)
Included Activities
- Stop at local winery for lunch and wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Marlborough Wine Region - Day 13
Marlborough to Kaikoura
After breakfast you continue to Kaikoura, a small coastal town with dramatic cliffs rising from the water. This is where you get chances to spot seals, whales, and dolphins in their natural environment.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura - Day 14
Kaikoura to Christchurch
Your final morning in Kaikoura offers wildlife choices. You can see seals, go whale watching, or swim with dolphins depending on what appeals to you. After that, your guide drives you back to Christchurch, arriving around 4:00 pm.
Optional Activities
- Seal spotting
- Whale-watching tour
- Swim with dolphins
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura - Day 15
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
You travel through Rakaia Gorge, a natural wonder worth seeing. Later you'll stop in Geraldine for lunch to taste local food and drinks. Then it's on to Lake Tekapo, known for its turquoise water and views of the Southern Alps.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Geraldine)
Included Activities
- Lunch in Geraldine
Landmarks/POIs Rakaia Gorge Lake Tekapo - Day 16
Lake Tekapo to Te Anau
You head south to Te Anau with a stop at Mt Difficulty Vineyard for lunch and wine tasting surrounded by great views. It's a nice break in the drive with local flavors to experience.
- 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 - Day 17
Te Anau to Queenstown via Milford Sound
You travel to Milford Sound for a scenic cruise through the fiord past waterfalls, tall cliffs, and dramatic landscapes where wildlife sightings are common. After the cruise, you head to Queenstown, situated between mountains and pristine lakes.
Included Activities
- Scenic cruise through Milford Sound
Landmarks/POIs Milford Sound - Day 18
Queenstown
You have the day free in Queenstown, the adventure capital. Optional activities include bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating, scenic hikes, or just walking around the city's streets. There's something here for different interests and comfort levels.
Optional Activities
- Bungy jumping
- Skydiving
- Jet boating
- Scenic hike
- Explore city streets
Landmarks/POIs Queenstown - Day 19
Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wanaka
You leave Queenstown heading to Franz Josef, famous for glaciers. You'll stop in Wanaka, a lakeside town with great scenery around it. As you drive up the west coast, the landscape keeps changing with new views.
Landmarks/POIs Wanaka - Day 20
Franz Josef
You've got a free day at Franz Josef to choose your own adventure. A guided glacier walk lets you get up close to the ice, thermal pools offer relaxation, or a helicopter tour shows you the surrounding terrain from above.
Optional Activities
- Guided glacier walk
- Thermal pools
- Helicopter tour
Landmarks/POIs Franz Josef Glacier - Day 21
Franz Josef to Christchurch
You head back toward Christchurch with stops in Hokitika, known for jade carvings, and Arthur's Pass with its mountain scenery. You'll visit Castle Hill, a collection of limestone rock formations. The tour finishes in Christchurch where you can reflect on everything you've experienced.
Included Activities
- Stop at Hokitika
- Stop at Arthur's Pass
- Visit Castle Hill
Landmarks/POIs Hokitika Arthur's Pass Castle Hill
