Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland to Paihia
- Start point
- 54 Cook Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand (Lylo Hostel, 07:15 - 07:15)
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Palm Tree Lodge (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Cruise to Hole in the Rock
- Spot marine life and secret coves
- Sailing
- Fishing
- Diving
- Parasailing
- Visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Beach relaxation
Landmarks Whangārei Falls Bay of Islands Hole in the Rock Waitangi Treaty Grounds 
- Day 2
Paihia
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Palm Tree Lodge (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Ferry ride to Otehei Bay
- Cruise to Hole in the Rock with dolphin spotting
- Explore Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Scenic horse trek along coastline
- Evening Sundowner Cruise
Landmarks Otehei Bay Hole in the Rock Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Day 3
Paihia to Auckland
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Lylo)
Optional Activities
- Island escapes
- Cultural discoveries
- Skyline viewing
- Day 4
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park)
Included Activities
- Kayaking to Cathedral Cove
- Hot Water Beach experience
Landmarks Cathedral Cove Hot Water Beach 
- Day 5
Coromandel Peninsula to Waitomo
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Waitomo Homestead Cabins)
Included Activities
- Hike through Karangahake Gorge and old mining tunnels
- Visit glow-worm caves
- Walk through Ruakuri Scenic Reserve
Optional Activities
- Black Water Rafting trip - raft in tubes, leap off waterfalls, float beneath glow worms
Landmarks Karangahake Gorge Waitomo Caves Ruakuri Scenic Reserve - Day 6
Waitomo to Rotorua
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rock Solid Backpackers)
Optional Activities
- Visit Hobbiton village
- White Water Rafting
- Zip Lining
- Geothermal activity exploration
- Natural hot springs
- Mitai Māori Village 3-hour experience with traditional Māori feast
Landmarks Hobbiton Mitai Māori Village 
- Day 7
Rotorua
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rock Solid Backpackers)
Optional Activities
- Ride the rapids of the Kaituna river
- Mountain Jade Highlights tour
- Wai Ariki restorative spa journey
Landmarks Kaituna River - Day 8
Rotorua to Lake Taupō
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Adventure Hostel Taupo)
Included Activities
- Walk to Huka Falls
Optional Activities
- Te Puia geothermal reserve exploration
- Sailing across Lake Taupō to Māori rock carvings
- Skydiving above Lake Taupō
Landmarks Te Puia Huka Falls Lake Taupō Māori rock carvings 
- Day 9
Lake Taupō to Wellington
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Haka House)
Included Activities
- Two-hour walk through Tongariro National Park native bush and waterfalls (summer only)
- Visit Mount Victoria (free)
Optional Activities
- Explore Wellington craft beer scene
- Wellington nightlife
Landmarks Tongariro National Park Mount Victoria - Day 10
Wellington to Kaiteriteri
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Kaiteri Lodge)
Included Activities
- Interislander ferry across Cook Strait through Marlborough Sounds
Optional Activities
- Explore Abel Tasman National Park on foot
- Kayak through Abel Tasman National Park
- Water taxi tour of Abel Tasman National Park
- Skydiving above Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks Marlborough Sounds Abel Tasman National Park 
- Day 11
Kaiteriteri to Westport
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Bazils Hostel & Surf School)
Optional Activities
- Kayaking to Split Apple Rock
- Kayaking along golden bays near Kaiteriteri
- Water taxi to Abel Tasman National Park bays
- Native forest stroll
- Photo stop at Nelson Lakes wharf
Landmarks Split Apple Rock Nelson Lakes - Day 12
Westport to Mahinapua
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Mahinapua Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cape Foulwind seal colony walk
- View rugged beaches
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Landmarks Cape Foulwind Punakaiki Pancake Rocks Lake Mahinapua - Day 13
Mahinapua to Franz Josef
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rainforest Retreat)
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier views
- Walking trails
- Explore Franz Josef wilderness
Landmarks Te Wahipounamu Aoraki/Mount Cook Franz Josef Glacier 
- Day 14
Franz Josef
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rainforest Retreat)
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike tour
- Walking trails (free)
- Lake Mapourika kayak tour
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Lake Mapourika - Day 15
Franz Josef to Wanaka
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Adventure Hostel Wanaka)
Optional Activities
- Haast Pass scenic views
- Visit 'That Wanaka Tree'
- Ski fields and pizza in skis (winter)
- Snowboarding (winter)
- Mountain biking (summer)
- Mountain carting (summer)
- Day hikes in the area (summer)
Landmarks Haast Pass That Wanaka Tree Lake Wanaka 
- Day 16
Wanaka to Queenstown
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Nomads Hostel)
Optional Activities
- Roy's Peak hike
- Kawarau Bridge adrenaline activities
- Bungy jumping
- Jet boating
- Scenic gondola rides
- Lakeside strolls
Landmarks Roy's Peak Lake Hawea Crown Range Kawarau Bridge 
- Day 17
Queenstown
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Nomads Hostel)
Optional Activities
- Lake exploration
- Surrounding walks
- Adrenaline-pumping activities
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu - Day 18
Queenstown to Milford Sound
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Nomads Hostel)
Included Activities
- Scenic boat cruise through Milford Sound
Optional Activities
- Stop in Te Anau for coffee or breakfast
- Spot dolphins, seals, and penguins
Landmarks Te Anau Homer Tunnel Milford Sound Rahotu/Mitre Peak Piopiotahi Marine Reserve - Day 19
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Lakes Edge)
Optional Activities
- Photo stop at Mount Cook/Lake Pukaki
- Lakeside relaxation
- Hot springs soaking
- Scenic walkway discovery
- Stargazing at dark sky reserve
Landmarks Lindis Pass Aoraki/Mount Cook Lake Pukaki Lake Tekapo - Day 20
Lake Tekapo to Kaikoura
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Hotel Give)
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch street art
- Visit botanical gardens
- Learn about earthquake recovery history
Landmarks Christchurch 
- Day 21
Kaikoura
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Dusky Lodge)
Optional Activities
- Whale watching
- Swimming with dolphins
- Beach relaxation
- Seafood dining
Landmarks Kaikoura - Day 22
Kaikoura to Wellington
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Haka House)
Included Activities
- Seal viewing at Kaikoura coastline
- Interislander ferry to North Island through Marlborough Sounds
Landmarks Kaikoura coastline seals Marlborough Sounds - Day 23
Wellington to Auckland
- End point
- 54 Cook Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand (Lylo Hostel, 18:00 - 18:00)
Landmarks Taihape Central Plateau Tongariro National Park
