This tour will give you a true whitewater rafting experience. The Kaituna river is packed with action from start to finish. It is by no means the longest river trip but you will drop over a bunch of horizon lines that will keep you gripped, this include the famous 7m Tutea falls.
The river is lined with some of the most beautiful Native bush in all of New Zealand and the water is the warmest from any river in New Zealand. We encourage you to get amongst the river as often as possible with a few jumping spots and even lets you swim a rapid (flow depending).
After an hour on the river you will be left with a massive smile on your face wanting to do it all again.
70% of our cliental have never set foot on a raft before. No experience is required and we cater the trip to suit your adrenalin needs.
For departures from June 2025.
If you only have a short time to explore the largest island of New Zealand, this is the tour for you! Prepare for nine days of spectacular scenery and lots of opportunity for adventure. Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks, golden tussock lands and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef are all included on this iconic road trip!
Our small-group guided tour of the South Island will visit Christchurch, Wanaka, Queenstown, Tekapo (an International Dark Sky Reserve), Franz Josef Glacier, and back across to Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass. You’ll have the option to visit Milford Sound (dubbed the ‘8th Wonder of the World’ by Rudyard Kipling), and we’ll stop at many other scenic spots along the way.
There’s a range of optional add-on activities: from adrenaline-pumping bucket-list items like bungy jumping, jet boating, and skydiving to more gentle activities like heli-hiking, quad biking, kayaking, scenic flights and stargazing. None of these are compulsory; you can just add 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 South Island Adventure 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 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.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queen
Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
25% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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
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
Accommodation
Hostel, Lodge
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura
Auckland, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Wellington, Taupo, Murupara, Rotorua, Coromandel, MacKenzie Country, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef
10% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Iconic sights and in-depth adventures with a local Trip Leader.Eye-popping landscapes. Jaw-dropping activities. And local know-how by the bucketload. This trip isn’t about seeing the North Island – it’s about experiencing it. In all its spectacular, quirky, historic glory. Expect: towering volcanoes, roaring waterfalls, magical caves and out-of-this-world views. The adventure starts HERE.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This trip sees you exploring magical valleys, gigantic glaciers and truly lovely lakes with a group of 35-45s. From Arthur’s Pass to Wanaka & Fox Glacier (and a 4-day stint in Queenstown!) - you’re in for a thrill-packed ride. With plenty of hiking, biking, skydiving, stargazing and lake exploration to channel your energy into. And enough incredible views to clog up your camera reel - this is reunion adventure done right.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hostel, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Christchurch, Fox Glacier, Wanak
Christchurch, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo
Are you ready to explore the best of New Zealand over 13 epic days? We're going BIG for this New Zealand Adventure...Get ready to kick things off in Auckland before discovering Rotorua’s geothermal magic and Taupo’s 10/10 vibes. Think kayaking on crystal-clear waters, exploring Hobbiton (get your best Gandulf impression ready), and chasing waterfalls at Huka Falls. Then it's over to the South Island with bucket-list spots like Christchurch, Wanaka, and Queenstown! From a Maori cultural evening, walking through the jaw-dropping Hooker Valley, or simply taking in those insta-worthy views in every-single location, this is the perfect way to explore New Zealand and make the most out of every moment in this incredible country!
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
Experience one of the most remote, historic sectors of the deep South in comfort on this exploratory expedition aboard the luxurious Douglas Mawson. Your journey begins in the subantarctic, where yellow-eyed penguins waddle through wizened rata forests and royal albatross nest amid megaherb moors. Cross the Antarctic Circle and cruise the pack ice, keeping watch for emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge, orcas patrolling for prey and snow petrels soaring against a backdrop of the vast Antarctic Ice Sheet. Embrace the spirit of adventure as you continue along the Victoria Land Coast and into the Ross Sea, where the Antarctic Ice Sheet flows into the world's largest floating ice shelf. These are historic waters, where the explorers of the Heroic Age staged their bold assaults on the South Geographic Pole. Hear the stories of their expeditions and attempt to land at some of their remarkably well-preserved huts.
Navigate through gleaming pack ice - alive with Weddell and leopard seals, Adélie and emperor penguins
Revel in the richness of the unique Ross Sea ecosystem - part of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area
Visit rowdy beaches - crowded with harems of New Zealand sea lions
Explore rata forests - where rare yellow-eyed penguins can be found
Reflect on the remarkable achievements of the Heroic Age explorers - visit some of their historic huts
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
New Zealand is an outdoor lover’s dream, and on this two-week Solo-ish adventure, you’ll explore with new mates while still carving out time for yourself. Dive into nature’s wonders in Franz Josef and Queenstown, and satisfy your taste buds with a delicious Kiwi cooking experience in Auckland. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Māori culture with your local hosts in Rotorua. Discover the charm of Hokitika, a quirky west coast gem, as you journey from the North Island to the South. This is your chance to tick New Zealand off your bucket list in the most unforgettable way.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Queenstown, Franz Jose
Auckland, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Fiordland National Park, Rotorua, Kaikoura, Hokitika
27% 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
