Wherever you lay your eyes in New Zealand, there’s something remarkable to look at. On this adventure from the South Island through the beauty of the North, spend 11 unforgettable days soaking up sunshine and hopping between beaches, lakes, villages and cities. A local leader will show you the best bits of this spectacular island as you jump off from Christchurch, head to seaside Kaikoura, explore trendy Wellington, marvel at the sight of Lake Taupo, learn about local culture in a Maori village, take in the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and chill out on the beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula before wrapping up in lively Auckland. Of all New Zealand’s assets, its people top the list, so embrace a warm welcome from the locals as you explore their beautiful backyard.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating "twin-share" when you manage your booking on our website.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Marty was extremely helpful and informative throughout the entire tour. His knowledge and humour was fantastic.
The various drivers during the tour were also very friendly and helpful.
The consideration the company extended to my wife's dietary requirements was immense.
I would recommend AAT to anyone who is considering a guided tour.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Queensto
Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Rotorua, Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo
14% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cairns, Christchurch, Blue Mount
Cairns, Christchurch, Blue Mountains, Sydney, Auckland, Hahei, Maori Village, Wellington, Cape Tribulation, Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Twizel, Airlie Beach, Byron Bay, Port Macquarie
Cam was wonderful, knowledgeable, kind and considerate! He cared about each person on the tour and went out of his way to ensure that everyone was safe and happy. 😃. The concierge Tony, at the Rendezvous Grand Hotel Melbourne was the best. The bus driver the morning of departure from Melbourne was a jerk! Our driver in New Zealand, Jaden, like Cam, became part of us. We love him and his driving was amazing. He and Cam were on the same wavelength and worked so well together that they were reading each other’s minds. All excursions were great fun and you should add the captain cook tours in Fiji to your options. The flights went off perfectly and the airport folks were great. The Compass mobile app was awesome and easy to use. Our tour guide in Hobart, Zoe, did a fantastic job. Loved her sense of humor. Thanks Cam, Jaden, and Zoe for being part of our family and sharing your homes (countries) with us. There are so many wonderful memories that it would take pages to share them all!
My wife and I have been on several trips with the Trafalgar group (AAT Kings / Insight / Trafalgar). We have not had a bad experience yet. The travel directors were like personal concierges to us. Our travel directors, Tony and Marty, were fantastic people. Funny, professional and helpful. Bus drivers were excellent, optional experiences were great. We look forward to going on future tours with the Trafalgar group.
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Melbourne, Christchurch, Queenst
Melbourne, Christchurch, Queenstown, Auckland, Rotorua, Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney
8% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Want a bit of everything? Sun, sand, city life, and wilderness all take centre stage on this Australia and New Zealand tour. Find yourself gliding across the Great Barrier Reef and getting to know the cities before Queenstown, Milford Sound, and hearing tales of Māori Warriors in just 18 incredible days.
Chill outBeach
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Melbourne, Christchurch, Queenst
Melbourne, Christchurch, Queenstown, Auckland, Rotorua, Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo, Cairns, Sydney
8% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
I had an amazing experience with intro traveling the north and south island with James and Ben as my tour leaders. New Zealand is a beautiful place and our tour leaders were great. I would highly recommend this trip.
Caves
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Home-stay, Hostel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Queenstown, Lake Tekap
Auckland, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Rotorua, Taupo, Huka Falls, Wellington, Christchurch
I had an amazing experience with intro traveling the north and south island with James and Ben as my tour leaders. New Zealand is a beautiful place and our tour leaders were great. I would highly recommend this trip.
CavesWaterfallsCruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
For departures from June 2025.
The North Island is full of fun and fabulous contrasts! Up North you’ll find the idyllic Coromandel where you can soak in a hot pool that you’ve dug in the sand or venture through a geothermal wonderland of geysers. Enjoy the real Middle Earth countryside and explore a Hobbit Hole, admire lush rainforests and marvel at a volcanic desert – you’ll be amazed by the variety of experiences and landscapes on offer.
This small-group guided tour of the North Island will visit Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, and Wellington, Hobbiton, and the Tongariro Crossing along the way. We’ve also extended the North Island trip so we can head down to the South Island and visit Kaikoura and Christchurch – a great win for those looking to visit the South Island but are short on time! Plus, an ideal for those looking to end their time in Aotearoa at an international airport.
As with all our tours, we do include a few 'must-do' events including a Māori cultural night and traditional Māori hāngī dinner cooked in an underground oven.
You’ll see a massive range of optional activities available to add to your tour, from bungy jumping and white-water rafting to canopy forest zipline tours and scenic flights. None of these are compulsory; you can just add in the ones you want.
Looking to extend your time in New Zealand? We can book a few extra nights for you at the beginning or end of your trip, so you can explore further.
New Zealand’s North Island Adventure Tips:
- All activities can be purchased on the road – just let your tour guide know and we can book them in for you.
- Our tour starts in the evening, so you can spend the day exploring Christchurch at your leisure. You can check out our website for recommendations on what to do and where to explore!
- The tour price includes dorm share accommodation but if you would prefer your own space, you have the option to upgrade to a private room. You can select this upgrade when you start building your tour online. Please note: private room upgrades are not available for one night on this tour: the cultural experience at Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Welcome to the 24-Day Ultimate New Zealand Haka Plus Tour!
Created for travellers in their mid-thirties and upwards, on this tour you will discover New Zealand’s unmissable highlights in just over three weeks: geothermal wonders, other-worldly glaciers, sublime beaches, lush forests, lofty mountains, secluded swimming spots, UNESCO World Heritage Areas, flora, fauna, heritage and culture.
This New Zealand tour includes special activities such as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, boat cruise on Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve, a fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, a traditional Māori meal, tour of Zealandia Nature Reserve in Wellington and a full-day sailing trip to Poor Knights Islands. You can also choose to select some tour add-ons such as hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, kayaking to a natural hot pool, climbing a glacier, visiting an off-shore eco-sanctuary, or flying over snow-capped mountains!
You’ll have the chance to swim, kayak, hike a glacier, skydive, see kiwis, relax in hot pools, roll down a hill in a giant ball, eat and drink like a local, and more! This is your trip, and it’s designed to be flexible. The choice is yours – pick the activities that appeal to you.
We'll fill your days with the best things to see and do in the North Island and the South Island and also give you a great insight into New Zealand life and culture. At the end of the day, you can relax in comfortable 3–4 star accommodation to ensure you have a great night’s sleep ready for the following day’s activities.
On this tour you’ll encounter an array of landscapes: lush, green rolling hills; beautiful golden sand beaches, tumbling waterfalls, geothermal valleys filled with bubbling mud and sulphuric lakes, magnificent mountains, icy glaciers, jurassic rainforests, cosy laid-back surf towns and vibrant cities. Prepare your camera and get ready to make some magical memories!
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch are the hubs where the group may change).
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A place of wild beauty and extraordinary friendliness, you’ll love getting to know New Zealand.
Begin your journey in the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland, explore ‘Middle-earth’ before taking in the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. Continue with a visit to Wellington before hopping on a ferry to the South Island.
Sample crisp Sauvignon Blanc in its place of origin, and marvel at the diverse marine life along the East Coast before arriving in Christchurch. This city will delight visitors with its resilience and positive outlook before crossing the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine. Franz Josef Glacier is a highlight,
as is the energy and passion of Queenstown, while waking up to the views of Milford Sound and Mount Cook will be a treasured memory for years to come.