Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula
- Start point
- 54 Cook Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand (Lylo Hostel, 08:45 - 08:45)
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park)
Optional Activities
- Kayaking to Cathedral Cove
- Hot Water Beach - dig personal spa pool and soak in naturally heated mineral water
Landmarks Cathedral Cove Hot Water Beach - Day 2
Coromandel to Waitomo
- Accommodation
- Berth / Cabin (Waitomo Homestead Cabins)
Included Activities
- Hike through Karangahake Gorge walkways and old mining tunnels
- Visit Waitomo Caves - glow-worm caves with underground river system and stalactite/stalagmite formations
- Walk through Ruakuri Scenic Reserve including Ruakuri Natural Tunnel and native forest
Optional Activities
- Black Water Rafting - raft in tubes through underground rapids, leap off waterfalls, float beneath glow worms
Landmarks Karangahake Gorge Waitomo Caves Ruakuri Scenic Reserve - Day 3
Waitomo to Rotorua
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rock Solid Backpackers)
Optional Activities
- Hobbiton village visit - Lord of the Rings movie set
- White Water Rafting on Rotorua rivers
- Zip Lining across canopy
- Explore geothermal activity and natural hot springs
- Mitai Māori Village - 3-hour cultural experience including traditional Māori feast
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set Rotorua Geothermal Area Mitai Māori Village 
- Day 4
Rotorua
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rock Solid Backpackers)
Optional Activities
- Kaituna River White Water Rafting
- Mountain Jade Highlights tour
- Wai Ariki restorative spa journey
Landmarks Kaituna River - Day 5
Rotorua to Lake Taupō
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Adventure Hostel Taupo)
Included Activities
- Walk to Huka Falls
Optional Activities
- Te Puia geothermal reserve visit
- Sailing across Lake Taupō to Māori rock carvings
- Skydiving above Lake Taupō
Landmarks Te Puia Huka Falls Lake Taupō 
- Day 6
Lake Taupō to Wellington
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Haka House)
Included Activities
- Walk through Tongariro National Park native bush and waterfalls (summer time only)
Optional Activities
- Mount Victoria visit (free)
- Wellington craft beer scene and nightlife exploration
Landmarks Tongariro National Park Mount Victoria - Day 7
Wellington to Abel Tasman National Park
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Kaiteri Lodge)
Included Activities
- Interislander ferry crossing through Marlborough Sounds
Optional Activities
- Abel Tasman National Park exploration - on foot, by kayak, or water taxi
- Skydiving over Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks Marlborough Sounds Nelson Abel Tasman National Park - Day 8
Abel Tasman to Westport
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Bazils Hostel & Surf School)
Optional Activities
- Kayaking to Split Apple Rock and golden bays near Kaiteriteri
- Water taxi to Abel Tasman bays with native forest walk
Landmarks Split Apple Rock Nelson Lakes - Day 9
Westport to Lake Mahinapua
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Mahinapua Hotel)
Included Activities
- Cape Foulwind seal colony walk
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks visit
Landmarks Cape Foulwind Punakaiki Pancake Rocks Lake Mahinapua 
- Day 10
Lake Mahinapua to Franz Josef
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rainforest Retreat)
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef glacier and Alpine walking trails
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Te Wahipounamu 
- Day 11
Franz Josef
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Rainforest Retreat)
Optional Activities
- Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike tour
- Franz Josef Glacier walking trails (free)
- Lake Mapourika kayak tour
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Lake Mapourika - Day 12
Franz Josef to Wanaka
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Adventure Hostel Wanaka)
Optional Activities
- Haast Pass scenic drive
- That Wanaka Tree photo
- Wanaka lakefront stroll
- Winter skiing and snowboarding
- Summer mountain biking, mountain carting, day hikes
Landmarks Haast Pass That Wanaka Tree Lake Wanaka 
- Day 13
Wanaka to Queenstown
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Nomads Hostel)
Optional Activities
- Roy's Peak hike
- Kawarau Bridge activities
- Queenstown bungy jumping, jet boating, gondola rides, lakeside walks
Landmarks Roy's Peak Lake Hawea Crown Range Kawarau Bridge 
- Day 14
Queenstown
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Nomads Hostel)
Optional Activities
- Lake exploration and surrounding walks
- Adrenaline-pumping activities
Landmarks Lake Wakatipu - Day 15
Queenstown to Milford Sound
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Nomads Hostel)
Included Activities
- Scenic boat cruise on Milford Sound - Piopiotahi - beneath Rahotu/Mitre Peak
Optional Activities
- Te Anau stop for coffee or breakfast
Landmarks Milford Sound - Piopiotahi Rahotu / Mitre Peak Homer Tunnel Te Anau - Day 16
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
- Accommodation
- Hostel (Lakes Edge)
Optional Activities
- Lake Pukaki Mount Cook viewing
- Lake Tekapo lakeside relaxation
- Hot springs soaking
- Scenic walkway exploration
- Stargazing in world's largest dark sky reserve
Landmarks Lindis Pass Mount Cook / Aoraki Lake Pukaki Lake Tekapo - Day 17
Lake Tekapo to Kaikoura
- End point
- 12 Hereford Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand (Hotel Give, 14:00 - 14:30)
Optional Activities
- Christchurch street art exploration
- Christchurch botanical gardens visit
- Christchurch earthquake history exploration
Landmarks Christchurch Christchurch Botanic Gardens 
