New Zealand Discovery - 21 Days

From £3,289£157 per day Save 4%

Who is this trip for

Genders

  • Female75%
  • Male25%

Average age

29
18 Min39 Max

Start / End

  • Auckland
  • Christchurch

Physical rating

2/5

Group size

3 - 18

Meals included

23

Highlights

  • Hobbiton™ Movie Set - Experience the real Middle-earth™ and step into the Shire™.
  • Cathedral Cove - Discover the naturally formed archway and picturesque views.
  • Abel Tasman - Golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-famous coast track.
  • Wharariki Beach - Discover the natural beauty of the South Island's most spectacular beach.
  • Milford Sound - Cruise through what is considered the 8th Wonder of the World.
  • Franz Josef - Hike, heli or climb through New Zealand's steepest glacier.

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Summary

This could possibly be the best 3 weeks of your life as you road trip through the land of the long white cloud, hitting all the best spots! From surfing to glowworm caves in the North to mountains, glaciers & vistas in the South, travel New Zealand like never before.

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Auckland to Coromandel

    After a few scenic stops on the stunning drive to Coromandel Peninsula, we arrive into the coastal town of Hahei. Explore the Gateway to Narnia at Cathedral Cove, spend the afternoon kayaking or swimming in the turquoise waters then catch the sunset from the natural hot pools on Hot Water Beach.

  • Day 2

    Coromandel to Rotorua

    Say goodbye to the Coromandel as we head to Rotorua. We'll stop at Hobbiton on the way for you to experience the world-famous LOTR movie set. In the evening you have the option to visit the magical Mitai Maori Village. Learn and engage with Maori culture and traditions and enjoy a delicious hangi meal.

  • Day 3

    Rotorua

    Dive into a jam-packed day at the geothermal centre of New Zealand, Rotorua. Luging, zorbing, white water rafting, cultural performances or simply marvelling at the unique geothermal landscape; there’s heaps to do here!

  • Day 4

    Rotorua to Taupō

    For the next part of our journey, we head to Taupo, the adventure capital of the north island. Discover the thundering Huka Falls and the trout-filled rivers before we head for a sunset beer by the stunning Lake Taupo.

  • Day 5

    Taupō

    Explore the magnificent lake jetboating, sailing or from 15,000ft above. Fancy a hike? Spend the day conquering one of the best one-day walks in the world, Tongariro Crossing. Whatever you choose, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Taupo!

  • Day 6

    Taupo to Raglan (via Waitomo)

    The adventure continues to Waitomo, a town better known for what’s beneath it. Crawl, abseil, raft and squeeze your way through the dark abyss, lit only by the twinkling light of the glow worms above. After all that adventure it’s time for a beer on the beach in Raglan.

  • Day 7

    Raglan to Auckland

    Raglan is New Zealand’s quintessential iconic laid back surfer town. You’ll have the chance to explore the rugged landscape, unique black sand beach and catch a few waves. Then we head back to Auckland to catch a flight to Christchurch to continue your epic adventure in the South.

  • Day 8

    Christchurch to Punakaiki

    To kick off your South Island adventure, we drive one of three scenic passes across the Southern Alps to the west coast. The Lewis Pass takes us through unmodified beech forests, alpine wetlands and along the Lewis River. We have plenty of distance to cover but we will have stunning landscapes & stops on our way to the picturesque town of Punakaiki.

  • Day 9

    Punakaiki

    The ultimate beachside destination for adventure and exploration, this picturesque coastal village is full of exciting things to do but is best known for the Pancake Rock where columns of water shoot skyward from rocks that resemble giant stacks of hotcakes. Spend the afternoon experiencing luxuriant coastal forest, fantastic limestone cliffs and canyons, mysterious caves, pristine rivers, and an absolutely spectacular coastline.

  • Day 10

    Punakaiki to Abel Tasman

    Drive the wild west coast with stops that include lighthouse views and seal colonies. As we head inland we drive through the scenic Nelson Lakes towards arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful National Park, Abel Tasman. Spend the afternoon exploring the tiny town or go on an adventure to collect fresh green lipped mussels.

  • Day 11

    Golden Bay Day Trip

    Today we head to Golden Bay, home to New Zealand's longest sandspit along with stunning beaches and wildlife. Be ready for an adventure today, as we stop to explore the Ngārua Caves followed by a walk around Te Waikoropupū Springs, some of the clearest water you will see. Finally, follow the track to the most northern point on the South Island at Wharariki Beach.

  • Day 12

    Abel Tasman

    Kick back on the beach or, if you’re feeling adventurous, discover the raw natural beauty of Abel Tasman National Park by hiking parts of the track or grab a kayak and spend the day along the coastal track. If you’re lucky, you might spot native wildlife such as the Tui or Tuatara.

  • Day 13

    Abel Tasman to Kaikōura (via Marlborough)

    After a few epic adventures on our way out of town we head to the famed Marlborough Wine Region. Driving through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds we'll pop by Picton before settling into one of our favourite wineries. Have a sip or two of it’s world-famous Sauvignon Blanc and snap some Insta-worthy shots in the vineyards. Our drive continues on to Kaikoura, there are very few places in the world that can boast such natural wonders as those offered by land and sea in this small community. As we come into town you'll notice the dramatic, rugged cliffs on the edge of town, which are as impressive as the whale watching and dolphin swimming.

  • Day 14

    Kaikōura to Christchurch

    Spend the morning ticking off the rest of your bucket list, whether it's spotting seals, searching for whales, or swimming with dolphins. After a morning of adventure, we will hop on the road for our final drive back to Christchurch. Say your goodbyes to your Wild Kiwi fam or convince them to continue the adventure through the funky neighbourhoods of Christchurch.

  • Day 15

    Christchurch to Tekapo

    Prepare for an incredible first day as we head for the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo at one of New Zealand’s most insta-worthy spots. Explore the local bike trails before you relax in the lakeside hot springs for some stargazing at the world’s largest Dark Sky Reserve.

  • Day 16

    Tekapo to Queenstown

    Today we’ll head to the adrenaline capital of New Zealand – Queenstown! Before we head off you’ll have time to do a few activities or fit in any walks you didn’t do yesterday. Once we arrive, we’ll head to your accommodation for the next three days and get you settled in then it’s off exploring! Queenstown is the perfect place to tick off a number of items off your bucket list, with everything on offer from skydiving, and bungy jumping to canyoning and ziplining.

  • Day 17

    Milford Sound Day Trip

    Larger-than-life waterfalls, ancient forests, awe-inspiring mountainscapes and leaping dolphins, welcome to UNESCO-listed Milford Sound. After taking in the spectacular scenery cruising the fiord, kick back with a beer, drop into a party or devour NZ’s famous burger - the Fergburger.

  • Day 18

    Queenstown

    Bungy jumps, canyon swings, or horse riding; whatever your adventure threshold, there’s something in Queenstown for you to choose from! Try one of New Zealand’s most scenic skydives, hit the trails for a bike ride, go luging or jet boat up the canyon.

  • Day 19

    Queenstown to Franz Josef

    After a break in picturesque Wanaka, prepare to be dazzled as we travel along rugged coastline beside ancient rainforests, icy glaciers, and crashing waterfalls as we head over Haast Pass, before we arrive at the gateway to glacier country – Franz Josef.

  • Day 20

    Franz Josef

    Crampons at the ready, Franz Josef could be the most beautiful place you'll ever set your eyes on. Explore the stunning formations made over thousands of years, where you can hike, helicopter - or both! Want something at a lower altitude? Quad bike, kayak, or relax in glacier hot pools, before kicking back with a cold drink to soak it all in.

  • Day 21

    Franz Josef to Christchurch

    After a quick stop off at beautiful Hokitika, experience a spectacular journey through Arthur’s Pass amongst the stunning snow-capped Southern Alps. Then it's back to where it all began in Christchurch where our epic journey comes to an end around New Zealand's South Island. Fear not, we’ll say our goodbyes, hug it out and leave with stacks of great memories.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Flashpackers

  • Meals

    Breakfasts: 20, Lunches: 0, Dinners: 3

    Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.

    Vegetarian options available

  • Local Guide

    Guided

    This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.

  • Wifi

    Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.

Dates & Prices

  • Aug 25

    from £3,289
  • Sep 25

    from £3,289
  • Oct 25

    from £3,289
  • Nov 25

    from £3,289
  • Dec 25

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  • Jan 26

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  • Feb 26

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  • Mar 26

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  • Apr 26

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  • May 26

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  • Jun 26

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  • Jul 26

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  • Aug 26

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  • Sep 26

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  • Oct 26

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  • Nov 26

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  • Dec 26

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  • Jan 27

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  • Feb 27

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  • Mar 27

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  • Save 4%
    Sat 6 Sep 2025 > Fri 26 Sep 2025Guaranteed Departure
    6+ spaces of 18 left
    £3,426Best offer£3,289
  • Save 4%
    Sat 27 Sep 2025 > Fri 17 Oct 2025Guaranteed Departure
    6+ spaces of 18 left
    £3,426Best offer£3,289

Customer reviews & ratings

(4.9 out of 5)
Based on 283 reviews
  • Had the most amazing trip of my life! I did the southern voyager and we had Robbie as our tour guide! He was amazing in taking care of all of us throughout the trip and introducing great spots everywhere we went! Accommodations were fantastic! Activities were out of this world and the dinners together were amazing! Friends made on the tour were out of this world! <3 Everything was just well organised and definitely very fun with everyone on the tour! Would highly recommend anyone for wild kiwi tours!

    Jing ying Feb, 2024 Verified
  • I couldn't recommend this tour enough. I did the 14 day NZ Explorer Route as a solo female traveler from the UK and it was perfect. Daisy and Tom are top guides making the whole trip smooth from start to finish. If you are thinking of booking this tour, don't look any further and book now!

    Katie Blake Feb, 2024 Verified

Essential trip information

Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.

Frequently asked questions

  • How many people will be on my tour?

    Our guides take up to 18 guests with them each week to keep the groups small, personal and much more fun!
  • What type of people will be on my tour?

    Our trips attract 18 to 30 something year-olds who want to experience the same things; adventure, scenery, fun and did we say adventure? We have people from all over the world come and travel with us – perfect for making new friends!
  • Can I upgrade to private accommodation?

    There is the option to upgrade to a private room, subject to availability, for an additional cost. Please ask your Adventure Expert for a quote.
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