Three World Heritage Sites on one tour? It’s a reality on this two-country adventure. Whether you’re drifting across the Great Barrier Reef, sailing Sydney Harbour, gazing at Uluru, Kata Tjuta or cruising through Milford Sound, this Melbourne to Christchurch tour has ‘pinch me’ moments abound. These moments come with experiences of Indigenous heritage, from an authentic Maori experience in Rotorua to Aboriginal guides in the Red Centre.
Set off on an epic self-drive adventure through New Zealand, starting in the vibrant "City of Sails," Auckland. Dive into the city's dynamic culture and breathtaking coastal scenery before heading south to Rotorua, where you’ll be captivated by its geothermal marvels and rich Maori heritage. Journey to Lake Taupo, marvel at the thundering Huka Falls, and then make your way to Wellington, New Zealand’s charming capital. Experience one of the world's most scenic ferry rides as you cross the Marlborough Sounds to Picton, where rugged coastlines and crystal-clear waters await. Explore the stunning Kaikoura Coast, renowned for its abundant marine life, before reaching the lively city of Christchurch. Continue your adventure into the heart of the Southern Alps at Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes. Feel the thrill in Queenstown, the adventure capital, and end your journey with a scenic drive through the Crown Range to the awe-inspiring Fox Glacier. This unforgettable tour seamlessly blends vibrant cities, natural wonders, and adrenaline-pumping experiences, making every moment an adventure.
Self-drive or vehicle rental
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Auckland, Christchurch, Fox Glac
Auckland, Christchurch, Fox Glacier, Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, Mount Cook National Park, Queenstown
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.
Just how many legendary Antipodean attractions can you tick off in one journey? This comprehensive Melbourne to Auckland tour does both Australia and New Zealand justice. There’s the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics of Queensland, Sydney Opera House, electric Melbourne lanes, Queenstown’s Remarkable Range, Rotorua’s steamy thermals and Auckland’s just-as-hot restaurants, just to name some highlights… whew!
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Auckland, Melbourne, Queenstown
Auckland, Melbourne, Queenstown, Rotorua, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney
11% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Just how incredible are Australia and New Zealand, you ask? So great that you still couldn’t see it for all it's worth on this 38-day adventure. Starting in Sydney, you’ll fly to the famed Red Centre and have a chance to witness Uluru at sunrise. Then travel south down the East Coast, filled with beautiful beach, kangaroos, wallabies and all the crazy Australian wildlife you could hope to see. After three weeks, fly to New Zealand’s North Island first, then down to the South Island for even more fun Down Under.
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
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
56% 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
See what life is like “Down Under” on this incredible journey through New Zealand and Australia. Experience Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Cruise Lake Wakatipu and enjoy a lakeside BBQ. Cruise Milford Sound and Sydney Harbour. Discover the wonders of Aboriginal culture. From the ethereal beauty of New Zealand's glacial fjords to the tropical splendor of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, enjoy the best of the South Pacific.
Local culture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cairns, Queenstown, Auckland, Sydney
Cairns, Queenstown, Auckland, 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
11% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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
11% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
New Zealand and Australia are the ultimate adventure combo. Dive into a month-long journey packed with thrills, led by your expert CEO. Ride the waves at Spot X in Australia, explore the stunning landscapes of Queenstown and Fiordland in New Zealand, and immerse yourself in Māori culture in Rotorua. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for koalas in Queensland! This trip is a non-stop adventure that just might be the best month of your life.
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
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Australia and New Zealand's South Island are calling, and this adventure answers with a resounding "yes!" Discover the best of New Zealand from Wellington to Queenstown to Franz Josef, with epic explorations by boat and on foot. Then, hop over to sunny Sydney for a taste of true Aussie life, kicking things off with hiking and surfing. If it's an adrenaline-packed, down-under adventure you're after, this trip has your name all over it.
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hostel, Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Brisbane, Wellington, Queenstown
Brisbane, Wellington, Queenstown, Tekapo, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Sydney, Abel Tasman National Park, Arrawarra, Byron Bay, Westport, Franz Josef
27% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.