Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and meet your group leader at 6 pm. If you get there early, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Canterbury Museum are both worth checking out. After meeting up, you're free to find your own dinner spot around the city.
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Visit Canterbury Museum
Landmarks Christchurch Botanic Gardens Canterbury Museum - Day 2
Christchurch to Lake Ohau/Twizel
Start by seeing Christchurch Cathedral and learning about the city's recovery since 2011. Then you'll drive inland to Lake Tekapo, which has those turquoise waters and purple lupins (if you're visiting at the right time). The Church of the Good Shepherd sits right there. Later, head to Lake Ohau or Twizel for the night.
Included Activities
- Visit Christchurch Cathedral
- View Lake Tekapo Mt John Lookout
Optional Activities
- Photograph Church of the Good Shepherd
Landmarks Christchurch Cathedral Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd - Day 3
Lake Ohau/Twizel to Queenstown
Drive through the Mackenzie Basin and Southern Alps with photo stops along the way. At Kawarau Gorge, you can try bungy jumping if you're keen or just watch others take the plunge. Then continue into Queenstown, where there's action on top of action - jet boating, skiing, hiking, and solid restaurants everywhere.
Optional Activities
- Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump
- Watch bungy jumpers at Kawarau Gorge
Landmarks Mackenzie Basin Southern Alps Kawarau Gorge 
- Day 4
Queenstown
This is your free day in Queenstown. You could try jet boating, kayaking, or take the gondola up for views. Gibbston Valley has good wine tasting if that appeals to you. Or just walk around Lake Wakatipu and grab lunch at one of the many cafes. Pick whatever sounds right.
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride on river
- River kayaking
- Skyline Gondola flight
- 4WD Lord of the Rings adventure tour
- Gibbston Valley wine tasting
- Walk around Lake Wakatipu
- Fergburger dinner
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu Gibbston Valley - Day 5
Queenstown to Wanaka
The morning's free for anything you didn't get to yesterday. In the afternoon, you'll drive over Crown Range Mountains toward Wanaka. Stop in Arrowtown, this old goldrush town with heritage buildings worth walking around. Arrive in Wanaka by late afternoon and settle into the laidback vibe there.
Optional Activities
- Morning Queenstown activities
- Walk through Arrowtown
- Visit Arrowtown lolly shop
- Hike from Wanaka
- Relax on shores of Lake Wanaka
Landmarks Crown Range Mountains Arrowtown Lake Wanaka - Day 6
Wanaka
Take a boat out to Mou Waho Island for a guided nature walk on this predator-free reserve. The geography here is unusual - an island within a lake within an island. Afternoon opens up for exploring Wanaka itself, checking out that famous willow tree in the lake or trying one of the hiking or cycling trails if you've got energy.
Included Activities
- Mou Waho Island Cruise and Guided Nature Walk
Optional Activities
- Photograph #thatwanakatree
- Hiking in Wanaka region
- Bike hire and cycling trails
Landmarks Mou Waho Island Arethusa Pool Lake Wanaka - Day 7
Wanaka to Franz Josef
Scenic drive toward Franz Josef with the mountains looking absolutely photo-worthy (weather depending). Your leader will stop at Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka lookout points and pull over at smaller spots for photos and leg stretches. Arrive in Franz Josef early evening and find a local pub for dinner.
Optional Activities
- Stop at Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka lookout points
- Visit cosy pubs for dinner
Landmarks Lake Hawea Lake Wanaka - Day 8
Franz Josef
You're in one of New Zealand's most beautiful areas now. Drop by a local gallery to carve your own pounamu (greenstone) pendant and hear about Maori cultural meaning. Franz Josef Glacier and Mt Cook are the backdrop here. Afternoon, choose between glacier heli-hikes, soaking at hot springs, or kayaking on glacial lakes.
Included Activities
- Greenstone Pendant Carving at local gallery
Optional Activities
- Glacier Lake Kayaking
- Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk (Free)
- Glacier Heli Hike
- Heli Experience with Snow Landing
- Relax in local hot springs
- Skydiving
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Mt Cook - Day 9
Franz Josef to Christchurch
Head up the west coast through New Zealand's rainiest region with thick rainforests around you. If timing works, stop at the National Kiwi Centre to see nocturnal kiwi birds. Then board the TranzAlpine train, one of the world's top train journeys. It crosses the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass and native beech forest. You'll arrive back in Christchurch by evening.
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine Train Journey to Christchurch
Optional Activities
- Visit National Kiwi Centre
Landmarks National Kiwi Centre Arthur's Pass Southern Alps Waimakariri River - Day 10
Christchurch to Kaikoura
Drive to Kaikoura, a seaside town where whale watching is world-class. Take an optional boat trip to spot humpback whales, orcas, and sperm whales out on the water. For dinner, go for crayfish at a local restaurant - it's a specialty here.
Optional Activities
- Whale watching boat trip
- Crayfish dinner
Landmarks Kaikoura 
- Day 11
Kaikoura to Wellington
Head to the Marlborough region to see how world-class white wine gets made. Visit local wineries for tastings and learn what makes this region special. Then drive north and cross Cook Strait by ferry, sailing through the Marlborough Sounds toward the North Island. You'll reach Wellington, New Zealand's capital, by evening. New travellers meet the group leader at 7:30 pm.
Included Activities
- Wine tasting at Marlborough wineries
- Ferry crossing through Marlborough Sounds
Optional Activities
- Dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks Marlborough region Cook Strait Marlborough Sounds - Day 12
Wellington
Get oriented to Wellington starting at Zealandia, a groundbreaking conservation area that's brought back over 20 native species. Your leader takes you around the bays, through central Wellington, the Botanic Gardens, and past Parliament. Afternoon, consider Weta Workshop (where Lord of the Rings effects were done) or Te Papa Museum.
Included Activities
- Visit Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
- Orientation tour of Wellington
Optional Activities
- Weta Workshop Cave Tour
- Te Papa Museum Tour
Landmarks Zealandia Wellington Botanic Gardens Parliament Building Weta Workshop Te Papa Museum - Day 13
Wellington to Taupo
Drive from Wellington toward Ruapehu with views opening up over Tongariro National Park. Stop in Taumaranui village to visit Morero marae, a Maori meeting house. Local iwi members welcome you for a korero (conversation) about their way of life. Later, Lake Taupo comes into view - New Zealand's largest lake with spectacular scenery. You're staying two nights here as your base.
Included Activities
- Visit Morero Marae and korero with local iwi
Landmarks Tongariro National Park Lake Taupo Morero Marae 
- Day 14
Taupo
Free day at Lake Taupo with plenty to do. Check out geysers, mud pools, and caves at Orakei Koako Geothermal Park. If hiking appeals to you, the Tongariro Crossing is New Zealand's most famous day hike - it circles a volcano past lakes, craters, and native bushland. It's a solid full day out.
Optional Activities
- Explore Orakei Koako Geothermal Park and Cave
- Tongariro Crossing day hike
Landmarks Lake Taupo Orakei Koako Geothermal Park and Cave Tongariro Crossing - Day 15
Taupo to Rotorua
Head out from Lake Taupo toward Rotorua. Stop at Huka Falls first - that icy blue water thundering down is absolutely worth the photo stop. Once in Rotorua, you'll do a treetop walk through ancient redwoods on suspension bridges that reach 12 metres high. Evening options include Waimangu Volcanic Valley or exploring Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest.
Included Activities
- View Huka Falls
- Redwood Forest Canopy Walk
Optional Activities
- Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley
- Hike through Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest
Landmarks Huka Falls Waimangu Volcanic Valley Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest 
- Day 16
Rotorua
Spend your full day discovering Rotorua's mix of natural and cultural wonders. Walk around geothermal areas with simmering mud pools and geysers and hot lakes. If you don't mind heights, there's optional ziplining through ancient forests. Evening wraps up with a visit to a cultural and geothermal site featuring a hangi dinner and a haka performance.
- Meals
- Dinner (Hangi Dinner)
Included Activities
- Pohutu Geyser visit
- Hangi Dinner and Haka Dance performance
Optional Activities
- Forest ziplining
- Explore geothermal mud pools
Landmarks Pohutu Geyser Rotorua geothermal areas - Day 17
Rotorua to Coromandel Peninsula
Drive to Matamata and tour Hobbiton, the actual Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film set. You'll see the Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and finish with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Then head toward Coromandel Peninsula and visit Cathedral Cove, a marine reserve with sandy beaches and hidden coves tucked around.
Included Activities
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- Cathedral Cove visit
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set Cathedral Cove Mercury Bay 
- Day 18
Coromandel Peninsula
Explore Coromandel Peninsula with your leader checking out white sand beaches and lush rainforests. Hot Water Beach is the star here - the sand below gets warm naturally. When the tide's right, you can dig a hole and soak in your own natural hot tub. Stop in Kuaotunu for ice cream and walk around Coromandel Township. Dinner at a local restaurant rounds out the evening.
Included Activities
- Hot Water Beach visit
Optional Activities
- Try famous ice cream in Kuaotunu
- Explore Coromandel Township
- Cathedral Cove kayaking
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Hot Water Beach Kuaotunu Coromandel Township - Day 19
Coromandel Peninsula to Auckland
Spend the morning soaking in final moments at Coromandel Peninsula. Then drive to Auckland following a coastline with clear blue water views. You'll arrive in New Zealand's biggest city and celebrate the trip with other travellers at dinner, sharing memories of what you've seen and done.
Optional Activities
- Free morning in Coromandel
- Dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks Coromandel Peninsula - Day 20
Auckland
Your North Island adventure ends today. You'll depart from Auckland or arrange extra time in the city through your booking agent if you want to stay longer.
