Epic New Zealand - 19 Days

Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins in Christchurch – known for its rich Maori heritage and English-inspired architecture and gardens. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, you may like to stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens or stop by the Canterbury Museum to learn about the region’s cultural heritage. After your welcome meeting, maybe head out as a group for a tasty meal at one of the city’s lively restaurants.

This morning, take a city tour of Christchurch. After a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the downtown area in 2011, the city has begun to rebuild in innovative and creative ways. Stop by the Christchurch Cathedral, which stood as a symbol of the city before collapsing in the earthquake and has now been replaced with an architecturally striking and quake-proof structure made from cardboard! After, say goodbye to Christchurch and drive inland to the striking Lake Tekapo. An eye-catching combination of purple lupins (season dependent), turquoise waters and snow-dusted peaks makes this one of the most photo-worthy spots in the country. On the way, you'll stop at Fairlie for a Southland-style lunch of mince pies and cheese rolls. When you arrive in Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, which sits on the shores of the lake. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore Tekapo at your own pace – maybe stargaze from the summit of Mount John or unwind at the Tekapo Springs Hot Pool.

Today, set out on an adventure to Queenstown. When you arrive, jump on the Skyline Gondola and take in the panoramic views of Coronet Peak, the Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil. Then, race downhill on a luge (part go kart, part toboggan). Later, grab dinner at Fergburger – a popular ‘hole in the wall’ style restaurant known for their gourmet burgers. The rest of the night is free for you to continue exploring. Maybe head out into Queenstown’s vibrant nightlife – your leader will have the best recommendations of where to go.

The day is all yours to discover Queenstown and the surrounding areas. There are loads of options to get your heart rate up – maybe shoot down the river on a jet boat, go river kayaking, spend the day at Milford Sound, or join a 4WD adventure through landscapes that inspired the Lord of the Rings movies. If you’d like to take things a little slower, you could walk around Lake Wakatipu for a good dose of fresh air and some epic views.

This morning, travel to Arrowtown – a historic gold mining town known for its charming buildings and beautiful scenic hill landscapes. When you arrive, walk through the town and hear stories of what life looked like at the peak of the goldrush era. Continue to Kawarau Gorge – a scenic river gorge in Central Otago, carved by the Kawarau River. Finally, head to Gibbston Valley and join a wine tasting at the largest wine cave in the country, in the region's oldest vineyards. Tonight, travel back to Queenstown and enjoy your final night on the shores of the lake. 

Hit the road and take in the scenic views as you head to Makarora Blue Pools Track. Spend the morning walking through native forests, over a swing bridge and along a boardwalk to the viewing platform to see the striking Blue Pools. Along the way, look for large trout feeding in the pools and learn about the ecosystem of this beautiful river gorge and surrounding landscape. Then, travel to Franz Josef Glacier (also known as Te Wahi Pounamu, meaning ‘the place of greenstone,’ due to the region’s abundance of this culturally and spiritually significant stone). When you arrive, spend some time exploring the area.

Set off on the Franz Josef Glacier Forest Walk this morning. As you walk through the rainforest and along the Waiho River, you’ll pass cascading waterfalls and towering peaks. Soak in panoramic views of the Franz Josef Glacier when you reach the end of the track, then spend the rest of the day however you’d like. Maybe kayak on the Glacier Lake, carve your own Pounamu necklace or relax in the Waiho Hot Tubs.

Today, drive along the coast and explore the limestone landscapes of the pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools at Punakaiki. As you walk, take in the surrounding landscape of coastal forest, learn about the rich birdlife of the area and discover the bizarre shapes of the rocks, formed over 30 million years ago by acidic rains and wind. Continue your drive from Punakaiki to Westport, with the chance to stop by the nearby glow worm caves. When you arrive, maybe hire a surfboard and learn how to catch a few waves. Tonight, join your group for a barbeque dinner, which is a classic staple in any Kiwi household!

This morning, set off on a short walk to see the seal colony at Tauranga Bay. After, visit the Museum of Kawatiri (Westport). Spend time walking through the exhibition and learn about the rich Maori heritage of the people of the Buller District. Later on, travel to Abel Tasman National Park, known for the fur seal colonies, little blue penguins and bottlenose dolphins that call this place home. When you arrive, go for a walk through the park, take in the views or simply relax with your group at your accommodation.

Today is a free day to enjoy everything Abel Tasman has to offer. Maybe set off on a full day sailing adventure and explore the National Park from the water or walk along a section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track that’s known for panoramic views of the beach and sheltered bays. You could also go skydiving or unwind with a gentle walk. Whatever you decide to dive into, the Abel Tasman offers a simple, stunning backdrop to enjoy the day.

This morning, drive to Picton to take the ferry through the Marlborough Sounds – an extensive network of sea-drowned valleys at the northern end of the South Island. See the forested hills, sheltered inlets and sandy bays of the islands and if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot a dolphin from the boat. Tonight, you'll hit Wellington – the capital of New Zealand known for its food, coffee and art. When you arrive, maybe join your friends for dinner and drinks to cheers to the end of an epic trip.

Today is a free day to explore Wellington until your next welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your new local leader. Maybe visit the Weta Workshop – a special effects studio used by Peter Jackson for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, hike up Mount Victoria or walk through the Te Papa Museum (New Zealand’s national museum) and learn about the country and Pacific cultures. Tonight, maybe get together with your group at one of Wellington's many restaurants for a bite to eat (Wellington is a foodie's heaven)!

Wake up and hit the road to Taihape today. Famous for being the gumboot capital of the country, even home to a giant gumboot sculpture, Taihape is also an active adventurer's must-visit destination. After arriving at the lodge, you’ll have a free afternoon to soak up the natural scenery. Those looking to get their heart rate up can opt for whitewater rafting, while anyone wanting a calmer ride can rent an e-bike for the local trails. Get back in time for tonight’s included farm-to-table dinner with the group, where you’ll sample a selection of Kiwi produce and regional favourite dishes.

Start the day with a hearty cooked breakfast before departing the lodge for Rotorua. Along the way, make a stop at Huka Falls, the loud and powerful waterfall that sits within New Zealand’s longest waterway, the Waikato River. Spend some free time exploring the town and Lake Taupo before you set off again. The rest of the day is free to check out Rotorua. A hotspot for geothermal activity, this area boasts plenty of hot springs, mud baths and spas. But the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Visitors to the Redwoods Treewalk after dark can partake in the Redwoods Nightlights Tree Walk, featuring light displays and lanterns as you walk on suspension bridges high above the trees.

Rotorua is not only known for its geothermal sights, but it’s also a region that advocates for the preservation and education of Maori culture. Begin the day with a guided tour of the Whakarewarewa Maori Village, a living Maori settlement spanning over 200 years. You’ll be led by a village guide who’ll share how locals have learnt to live with the region’s geothermal resources as you wander through heritage landmarks, an active Marae (community meeting grounds) and the sacred tapu burial grounds. During your outing, you’ll also visit the Pohutu geyser, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere that erupts up to 20 times a day. The rest of the afternoon is free for fun in the Rotorua region. There are many options for nature-based adventures in the area, such as canopy ziplining, whitewater rafting or even a guided glowworm kayaking tour.

Before leaving Rotorua, you’re in for a truly Kiwi-made experience. Head over to the rolling hills outside the city for a morning Zorb. Invented right here in Rotorua, you’ll jump into a giant plastic ball filled with water and roll down the hill. Next, travel onwards to Mount Maunganui, the oceanside suburb with great surf and sand beaches. Lace up your trainers for a hike up the summit track. Arrive at the top of ‘The Mount’ and soak up the well-earned 360-degree views of the harbour and surf beach. Return to sea level for a dinner of classic Kiwi kai – fish and chips on the beach.

Choose your own adventure today in Mount Maunganui. The beach is perfect for those wanting a relaxing day and those keen to grab a board and sample the surf. Lessons are available to anyone wanting to brush up their skills or catch their first wave. If you’re looking for even more water-themed fun, the Bay of Plenty has options galore, including the nearby Waimarino Adventure Park. Complete with slides, rock walls, swings and kayaks, you’re sure to have an entertaining afternoon. For tonight’s dinner, ask your local leader for their recommendations.

Say goodbye to Mount Maunganui and hello to Auckland, also known as the City of Sails. There’s no question as to why this city is often thought of as the country’s capital. With a thriving urban life of eateries, bars and nightlife, it won’t be hard to fill your time. Perhaps head to the top of the Sky Tower to get your bearings, then sample more of New Zealand’s fresh seafood staples. Sports fans may enjoy the All-Blacks experience, where you’ll pass through interactive rooms, facing off to a haka and even comparing your skills to the pros. Tonight, maybe get the group together to toast to your North Island adventure before you say your goodbyes tomorrow.

Your adventure comes to an end this morning, but if you’re not ready to go home yet, just get in touch ahead of time and your booking agent can arrange additional accommodation in Auckland.