Budget Auckland, Abel Tasman & Christchurch - 14 days

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14 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

18 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Auckland, New Zealand

Ends

Christchurch, New Zealand

Highlights

Rotorua - Spend two nights in this land of geological and volcanic formations, with optional activities and the chance to visit Hobbiton

Lake Taupo - See the Huka Falls and enjoy scenic hiking around Lake Taupo, with plenty of possibilities for optional sailing

Waitomo - Explore the cavernous networks of caves and tunnels with optional excursions

Raglan - Relax on the beach or catch some waves at one of New Zealand's top surfing destinations

Punakaiki - Admire the famous Pancake Rocks and enjoy free time to explore or embark on optional excursions

Abel Tasman National Park - Take an included day trip to Golden Bay and enjoy a free day for skydiving, canyoning or kayaking

Kaikoura - Spot whales and dolphins at the shoreline or on a boat trip and enjoy scenic cliff walks along the coast

Abel Tasman National Park - Take an included day trip to Golden Bay and enjoy a free day for skydiving, canyoning or kayaking

Kaikoura - Spot whales and dolphins at the shoreline or on a boat trip and enjoy scenic cliff walks along the coast

Itinerary

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.

day 1 - Auckland to Hahei

Auckland - Hahei. You will be collected from our designated pick up point in Auckland (detail in Trip Notes) at approximately 9:00. Our journey to the Coromandel Peninsula offers a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with your guide and fellow travelers. We’ll enjoy a picturesque drive, taking in the stunning scenery with many stops along the way until we arrive in Hahei.

You can discover the Gateway to Narnia at Cathedral Cove, spend the afternoon kayaking or swimming in the crystal-clear waters, and then enjoy the sunset from the natural hot pools at Hot Water Beach.

Please note:This tour offers a variety of optional excursions throughout the tour that can be booked and paid for locally. We will give examples of some of the optional activities available on tour, your guide can assist you with any other available options. Sightseeing and activities are generally not included on tour, this gives you the flexibility to shape your own adventure!

OverNight:Hahei

day 2 - Coromandel Peninsula to Rotorua

Hahei - Rotorua. We bid farewell to the Coromandel Peninsula and make our way to Rotorua, with a stop at Hobbiton along the route so you can explore the renowned Lord of the Rings movie set (optional). In the evening, you’ll have the option to visit the enchanting Mitai Maori Village, where you can immerse yourself in Maori culture, traditions, and enjoy a traditional hangi feast.

Rotorua offers a plethora of activities: explore the bubbling mud pools at one of the geothermal parks, take a walk around the lake, or hike and bike through the stunning Redwood Forest on the town's edge. For those seeking adventure, options include luging, zorbing, or tackling white water rafting on the mighty Kaituna River. This evening, you have the chance to visit Matai Maori Village and enjoy a traditional hangi dinner.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Rotorua

day 3 - Rotorua at leisure

Today is completely free for you to enjoy a day full of activities in and around Rotorua. Take a zip line tour, relax with a Polynesian spa, head out on a kayaking adventure or hike the stunning Mount Tarawera volcanic crater. Your guide will be on hand to advise you on activities and to get everything booked in for you.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Rotorua

day 4 - Rotorua to Taupo

Rotorua - Taupo. After breakfast, we set off on the next leg of our journey, with our destination being Taupo, the adventure capital of the North Island. We’ll visit the impressive Huka Falls and explore trout-filled rivers before relaxing with a sunset beer by the stunning shores of Lake Taupo. For the evening, you might choose to dine at one of the local restaurants or opt for a scenic evening sailing cruise on the lake.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Taupo

day 5 - Taupo at leisure

You'll have the entire day to explore Lake Taupo and its surroundings, whether from the water's edge or from 15,000 feet above! The choice is yours. You can spend the day tackling the Tongariro Crossing, jetboating, sailing, exploring, or bungy jumping, Taupo offers endless options! After an exhilarating day, you can relax with a glass of wine or a craft beer from a local brewery and share your adventures with your fellow travellers.

Please note: There are two included group dinners on this tour. These will take place at a favourite spot of your guide, and the days on which they take place will vary by tour and guide!

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Taupo

day 6 - Waitomo & Raglan

Taupo - Waitomo - Raglan. We have an early start today and our journey leads to Waitomo, a town famous for its underground wonders. You can explore the depths as you crawl, abseil, raft, and navigate tight passages through the dark caverns, illuminated by the soft glow of the native glowworms. We'll spend about 3.5 hours in Waitomo before completing our drive to the surf town of Raglan. Spend your evening unwinding with a cool beer beachside.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Raglan

day 7 - Flight to Christchurch

Raglan - Auckland - Christchurch. Rise early this morning if you are interested in a surf lesson at this renowned surf beach. Alternatively, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the rugged landscape, the distinctive black sand beach, and even catch a few waves independently. We will then begin our final journey back to our starting point, Auckland, for our onward included flight to Christchurch.

Your flight is booked for 18:00 or 19:00, and you’ll receive your boarding pass from your guide the day before. Upon arrival in Christchurch, you’ll be transferred to our accommodation for the night, where the rest of the night is at your leisure.

Please note: Some travellers may leave the tour in Auckland, and others may join in Christchurch for the second part of our journey. Your tour guide may also change.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Christchurch

day 8 - Christchurch to Punakaiki

Christchurch - Punakaiki. This morning we set off from Christchurch to begin our South Island adventure. We'll cross one of three spectacular passes through the Southern Alps, making our way towards the West Coast. Our journey via the Lewis Pass will lead us through pristine beech forests, alpine wetlands, and along the Lewis River. Although we have a considerable distance to travel, we’ll be rewarded with stunning scenery and take several scenic breaks en route to the picturesque town of Punakaiki.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Punakaiki

day 9 - Punakaiki at leisure

Today is for exploring Punakaiki, a delightful coastal village which is the perfect beachside destination for adventure and discovery. It is famed for the Pancake Rocks, where columns of water are sent skyward from rock formations that resemble stacks of hotcakes. Spend the afternoon exploring these geological marvels, wandering through lush coastal forests, striking limestone cliffs and canyons, mysterious caves, pristine rivers, and an absolutely breathtaking coastline.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Punakaiki

day 10 - Punakaiki to Abel Tasman

Punakaiki - Abel Tasman National Park. We travel along the untamed west coast, making stops for breathtaking lighthouse views and to observe resident seal colonies. Heading inland, we journey through the picturesque Nelson Lakes on our way to Abel Tasman National Park, often considered one of New Zealand's most stunning natural reserves. You can spend the afternoon discovering the quaint town of Abel Tasman, or embark on an adventure to gather fresh, green-lipped mussels.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Abel Tasman National Park

day 11 - Golden Bay day trip

Abel Tasman National Park - Golden Bay - Abel Tasman National Park. Today, we journey to Golden Bay, home to New Zealand's longest sandspit, along with breathtaking beaches and diverse wildlife. Prepare for an adventure as we explore the Ngarua Caves, followed by a walk around Te Waikoropupu Springs, renowned for its remarkably clear water. Lastly, we'll follow the track to Wharariki Beach, the northernmost point on the South Island. After our day of exploration, we return to Abel Tasman for the night.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Abel Tasman National Park

day 12 - Abel Tasman at leisure

Today you have the flexibility to explore Abel Tasman in various ways: kayaking, sailing, hiking, canyoning, or even skydiving! For a more relaxing experience, you can take a leisurely stroll along the beach and find out why we believe this National Park boasts some of New Zealand’s finest beaches. With a bit of luck, you might also encounter some of New Zealand’s fascinating native wildlife, such as the Tui and the Tuatara.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Abel Tasman National Park

day 13 - Wine tasting & Kaikoura

Abel Tasman National Park - Marlborough - Kaikoura. As we leave Abel Tasman, we head to the renowned Marlborough Wine Region. Driving through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds, we'll make a stop at one of our favorite wineries. Here, you can enjoy a sip or two of its world-famous Sauvignon Blanc with an included tasting and capture some Instagram-worthy shots in the vineyards.

Our next destination is Kaikoura, one of the few places in the world that can boast such natural wonders both by land and sea. As we approach the town, you'll notice the dramatic, rugged cliffs at its edge, which are just as impressive as the whale watching and dolphin swimming opportunities.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Kaikoura

day 14 - Christchurch

Kaikoura - Christchurch. Spend the morning completing the rest of your bucket list, whether it's spotting seals, searching for whales, or swimming with dolphins. Following a morning of adventure, we'll hit the road for our drive back to Christchurch, where we will arrive mid-afternoon.

We will drop you back to Lylo Christchurch, which is a short 10-minute walk from the airport. If catching a flight from Christchurch, please make sure your flight is after 17:00 on your final day or 19:00 for an international flight.

Meals:1 Breakfast

Budget Auckland, Abel Tasman & Christchurch - 14 days

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What's Included

Accommodation

13 nights dorm accommodation in well-equipped hostels (mixed-sex)

Meals

13 breakfast & 2 dinners

Transport

Transportation in a luxury vehicle with Wi-Fi, leather seats, USB chargers, air-conditioning and a sound system perfect for road trip singalongs

Guide

Escorted by an expert local driver/guide

Others

Hot Water Beach (Tide Dependent)Domestic flight Auckland - ChristchurchWai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland entry in RotoruaHuka Falls walking loopPunakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowhole walkOhau Point and Cape Foulwind seal coloniesAbel Tasman National ParkWine tasting in MarlboroughNote: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 26 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.

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