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.
It was a once in a lifetime experience with amazing people and great guides! Wish I could do it all over again and would surely recommend doing it with you guys
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hostel, Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cairns, Wellington, Queenstown
Cairns, Wellington, Queenstown, Tekapo, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Sydney, Abel Tasman National Park, Arrawarra, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Fraser Island, Noosa, Airlie Beach, Westport, Franz Josef
27% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Retrace the historic voyage of Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) and experience the grandeur of remote East Antarctica. Cross the Antarctic Circle and cruise the pack ice, skirting majestic ice cliffs and marvelling at beautifully sculpted icebergs. Keep 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. Continue towards Commonwealth Bay and the fabled Cape Denison. Conditions permitting, make landfall to explore what remains of Mawson's main base, and find yourself transported back to the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Then onwards to Dunedin, with a pause to enjoy the ruggedly beautiful New Zealand subantarctic islands, where nesting royal albatross, the endemic yellow-eyed penguin and lush megaherb meadows await.
Navigate through gleaming pack ice - alive with Weddell and leopard seals, Adélie and emperor penguins
Discover the historic Commonwealth Bay - as we attempt to make a rare landing to the site of Mawson's huts.
Skirt rowdy beaches - crowded with harems of New Zealand sea lions
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Ship Cabin
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Hobart, Dunedin, Macquarie Islan
Hobart, Dunedin, Macquarie Island, East Antarctic Coastline, Commonwealth Bay, Campbell Island
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!
Overall great experience! This tour really allowed me to see some amazing sights in both New Zealand and Australia. I really enjoyed trying out surfing for the first time and getting to try so many new experiences. Our tour group became like a little family and had so much fun together.
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hostel, Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Arra
Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Arrawarra, Byron Bay, Raglan, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington
18% 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
Absolutely amazing guides.
Lots of options for free time including free activities in the area.
I loved the group chat and photo circle. Having a daily text to tell you times and plan for the next day worked really well. Would highly recommend but budget for the optional activities because they were amazing
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hostel, Lodge, Hotel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Cairns, Franz Josef, Q
Auckland, Cairns, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Tekapo, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Raglan, Wellington, Sydney, Arrawarra, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Fraser Island, Noosa, Airlie Beach, Rotorua, Taupo, Abel Tasman National Park, Westport
27% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
If New Zealand’s been calling your name, why not answer with a side of Australia? This 30-day adventure takes you from the tip of New Zealand’s North Island to the depths of the South. Immerse yourself in Maori culture, surf, kayak, and explore breathtaking National Parks. Then, hop over to Australia to soak up some sun and surf along the coast. Overnight at a surf camp, trek to spot koalas, and cap off your journey in vibrant Brisbane — whether you’re ready to chill or crave more Aussie adventures, this trip’s got you covered.
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Lodge, Hostel, Hotel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Brisbane, Franz Josef
Auckland, Brisbane, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Tekapo, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Raglan, Wellington, Sydney, Arrawarra, Byron Bay, Rotorua, Taupo, Abel Tasman National Park, Westport
27% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.