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
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
13% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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
For departures from June 2025.
From Auckland to Christchurch (or, from Christchurch to Auckland – please see the reverse New Zealand itinerary), you’ll soon see that New Zealand is filled with many different landscapes and opportunities for adventure!
This small-group guided tour of the North and South Island will visit Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, Wellington, Kaikōura, Wanaka, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo (an International Dark Sky Reserve), and Franz Josef, with the option to visit Hobbiton, The Tongariro Crossing and Milford Sound along the way.
The New Zealand's Amplified Tour comes with some very special inclusions: experiencing a Māori cultural night and traditional hāngī meal, learning haka and poi dance, and carving your very own pounamu (greenstone/jade) pendant in Franz Josef. Join this Haka Tour for an action packed two and a half weeks in New Zealand!
Keen to explore further? If you'd like to extend your time in New Zealand after the tour has finished, our team can book a few extra nights for you.
*New Zealand Amplified Tour 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 Auckland 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 for the duration of your tour. You can select this upgrade when you start building your tour online. Please note: private room upgrades are not available for the one-night shared cultural experience (Murupara).
- If you arrive in Auckland with a few days to spare either before or after your tour, we have a great three-day Bay of Islands Tour which showcases the Northland region of New Zealand.
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour (Auckland and Christchurch are the hubs where the group may change).
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Between old forest landscapes, mountainscapes and glacial hikes, you’ll journey through New Zealand’s diverse natural beauty on this 24-day adventure. Explore sub-tropical islands and soak up the coastal beauty of Tutukaka – home to one of the world’s most gorgeous coastlines (as voted by National Geographic Traveller). Cruise through the scenic Poor Knights Islands, visit a hot water beach for a swim in Coromandel and ride a train across the Southern Alps. Learn about local cultural history at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, spot wildlife in Wellington and live it up in the South Island’s ‘adventure capital of the world’ (Queenstown) during your free time.
Walking toursCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Our overall experience was very positive. We were able to see the things we wanted to see. Some of the travel was long but that is the size of the countries. Would recommend it to others.
Explorer
Tour Type
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
Christchurch, Sydney and NSW, Sy
Christchurch, Sydney and NSW, Sydney, Cairns, Cape Tribulation, Airlie Beach, Byron Bay, Port Macquarie, Blue Mountains, Manly Beach, Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Tekapo, Yulara, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Melbourne
13% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
The trip was absolutely amazing!! We had an amazing trip Manager and bus driver! The group on the contiki was the best and I definitely made some life long friends!! The trip was pure enjoyment and I couldn't fault it.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Queensto
Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington, Mount Ruapehu, Taupo, Rotorua, Franz Josef, Kaikoura
20% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Explore New Zealand, where snow-dusted peaks rub shoulders with glacial lakes and off-the-grid surf towns give way to cosmopolitan cities. This in-depth 20-day adventure takes you to some of the best landmarks of the country, from the North Island to the South Island. Join your local leader in Auckland, travel through the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and relax on the beaches of Coromandel and Raglan. See the otherworldly landscapes at Tongariro National Park, then continue to the South Island, where the high-adrenaline activities of Queenstown, the fabulous wineries of Marlborough and the beautiful scenery of Franz Josef await.
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Coromandel Peninsula, Raglan, Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, Taupo, Wellington
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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
BUDGET TOUR: This 14-day New Zealand tour starts in Auckland and journeys through the scenic Coromandel Peninsula, including Hahei and Cathedral Cove. Continue to Rotorua, known for its geothermal landscapes, before heading to the lakeside town of Taupo. Explore the underground wonders of Waitomo and the coastal town of Raglan, then fly to Christchurch to begin your South Island exploration. Cross the Southern Alps to the coastal village of Punakaiki, visit Abel Tasman National Park’s stunning beaches, and explore the renowned Marlborough Wine Region, plus so much more. Staying in dorm rooms & hostels, recommended for travellers aged 18-39.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Hahei, A
Auckland, Christchurch, Hahei, Abel Tasman National Park, Kaikoura, Rotorua, Taupo, Raglan, Punakaiki
