17 Day - North To South Island Tour (all Inclusive)

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland to Hot Water Beach

Stop At: Hot Water Beach, Hot Water Beach, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato Region, North Island
Dig your own hot pool and relax as the geothermal energy beneath you creates your own natural hot tub.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Cathedral Cove Walk, 65 Grange Rd S, Hahei 3591 New Zealand
Walk down to the famous Cathedral Cove.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Stop At: Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours, 88 Hahei Beach Road, Hahei 3591, New Zealand
Paddle through sea caves, interact with the local marine life and discover the thrill of kayak sailing with the wind on your back. The tour offers great photo opportunities and is topped off with cappuccinos, hot chocolates and cookies at Cathedral Cove!
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park

Day 2: Hot Water Beach to Waitomo

Stop At: Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3943 New Zealand
Enter a majestic underground world and visit the unique Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ruakuri Walk, Off Tumutumu Road, Waitomo Caves New Zealand
Your guide will talk you to this beautiful bush loop track, through limestone outcrops, caves, native forest and descends into the Ruakuri natural tunnel.
Duration: 40 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park

Day 3: Waitomo to Rotorua

Stop At: Hobbiton Movie Set, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, Hinuera 3472 New Zealand
Stop at Hobbiton Movie Set and visit The Shire, home to Hobbits from the famous Lord of the Rings series.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kuirau Park, Ranolf Street and Lake Road, Rotorua New Zealand
Nature park with geothermal foot baths, hot springs & a lake, plus picnic tables & a playground.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Kaitiaki Adventures, 1135 Te Ngae Road, Tikitere, Rotorua 3074, New Zealand
Snake through steep native bush clad canyons and over 14 awesome rapids & 3 waterfalls including world-renowned 7 metre Tutea Falls, the Highest Commercially Rafted Waterfall in the World! Blended with touches of Maori culture, this trip offers it all, for both white water rafting enthusiasts and first timers.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Rock Solid Backpackers

Day 4: Rotorua Free Day

Stop At: Kaitiaki Adventures, 1135 Te Ngae Road, Tikitere, Rotorua 3074, New Zealand
Mt Tarawera Crater Walk,
Experience the unique landscape and history of Mt Tarawera. Infamous for its eruption on June 10th, 1886, Mt Tarawera created the world’s youngest geothermal valley of Waimangu, at the same destroying the legendary Pink and White Terraces. This fully guided walking experience encompasses the unique landscape and history of the area. With unmatched scenic vistas and 360 panoramic views this experience is ideal for all ages and includes an optional run in to the heart of the volcanic crater.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, Long Mile Road The Redwoods, Rotorua 3046 New Zealand
The history and culture surrounding the Whakarewarewa Forest, the variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, diverse range of exotic tree species, mix of native undergrowth, panoramic views, and proximity to lakes, thermal areas and the city centre have made The Redwoods & Whakarewarewa Forest one of Rotorua’s most spectacular natural assets and one of the city’s greatest treasures.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Te Puia, Hemo Road, Rotorua New Zealand
Te Puia spans 70 hectares within the historic Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, on the edge of Rotorua. We are home to the world famous Pōhutu geyser, mud pools, hot springs and silica formations. You will also find the native Kiwi bird and the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving. We have shared these taonga (treasures) with manuhiri (visitors) for over 170 years and proudly continue that tradition today.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Tamaki Maori Village, 1220 Hinemaru St, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand
Experience the real New Zealand with Tamaki Maori Village.
Journey back in time to pre-European days to get close with the people and their culture. Step inside the village amongst a native Tawa forest to learn the rituals, stories and history of Maori culture. Witness traditional ceremonies, powerful performances of song and dance, get involved with the interactive activities and to finish feast on a traditional hangi, feast meaning ‘All You Can Eat’. Before enjoying the evening by the fire or hot tubs and then sleeping in a traditional wharemoe (sleeping house)
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tamaki Maori Village

Day 5: Tamaki Maori Village to Taupo

Stop At: Huka Falls tracks, Huka Falls Road, Taupo New Zealand
At Huka Falls you can witness the phenomenon of natural hydro power with more than 220,000 litres of water per sec barreling over 11 meter high waterfall.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Spa Thermal Park and Riverbank Recreational and Scenic Reserve, Taupo 3378 New Zealand
From Huka falls you can walk along side the Waikato river until you reach the warm geothermal waters from Otumuheke Stream. These waters flow gently into the Waikato River at Spa Thermal Park, providing a hot spot where bathers can relax in healing mineral water.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Skydive Taupo, Look for the PINK PLANE!, 1465 Anzac Memorial Drive, Wharewaka, Taupo 3378, New Zealand
CHEAPEST tandem skydiving in NZ + Unique Maori-designed plane + Jump up to 18,500ft. Jump with us in the BEST drop zone in NZ!
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Tiki lodge Taupo

Day 6: Taupo free day

Stop At: Lake Taupo, Lake Terrace, Taupo 3330 New Zealand
At the heart of New Zealand’s central volcanic plateau sits the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, Lake Taupo. This huge, shining expanse of water, moving between aquamarine blue and jade green, is crystal-clear to a depth of 13 metres. It is home to one of the best wild trout fisheries in the world, more than 30 species of water bird, several types of native fish and native koura (crayfish).Most days, the lake is beautifully calm, but its creation was one of the most spectacularly violent natural events in history. The gigantic Oruanui eruption, 27,000 years ago, shot volcanic debris 50km into the air, covered the North Island in a thick layer of volcanic ash, and created the caldera that is now the lake.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Off State Highway 48 Mangatepopo Valley, Whakapapa Village, Tongariro National Park New Zealand
Often described as the best one day hike in New Zealand, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing provides an opportunity to experience some of the most scenic, volcanically active areas of the park.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Tiki lodge Taupo

Day 7: Taupo to Wellington

Stop At: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable St, Wellington 6011 New Zealand
A Museum
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Mount Victoria, Alexandra Lookout Rd, Wellington 6001 New Zealand
Great views over our capital city and the Wellington waterfront
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: YHA Wellington or similar

Day 8: Wellington to Kaikoura

Stop At: Wellington Ferry Terminal,District of Freedom#8573311~!#, 1 Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Interislander ferry service is New Zealand's original Cook Strait ferry. Sailing between Wellington and Picton, the Interislander journey is considered one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world and one of New Zealand's most iconic experiences.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: FROMM Winery, 15, Godfrey Road, Blenheim 7272 New Zealand
Wine tour and tasting along with cheese platters in the heart of the Marlborough wine region
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ohau Point Seal Colony, State Highway 1, Ohau Point, Kaikoura New Zealand
Check out one of NZ's most populated seal colonies on your way to the marine capital of NZ, Kaikoura.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Dusky Lodge or similar

Day 9: Kaikoura to Christchurch

Stop At: Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, 40 Fyffe Quay West End, Kaikoura 7300 New Zealand
Check out the beautiful peninsula walkway finishing in south bay before making your way further south to the south island's most populated city.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: All stars inn

Day 10: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

Stop At: The Church of the Good Shepherd, Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999 New Zealand
The most photographed church in NZ, sitting on the picturesque shores of the stunning lake Tekapo. You will soon see why this church is a photographers dream.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Mount John University Observatory, 422 Godley Peaks Road, Lake Tekapo 7999 New Zealand
Hike to the top of Mt John to get stunning 360 degree views of the lake below and the towering southern alps. This hike will not disappoint.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo 7945 New Zealand
Enter the world of the "Dark sky project," where your guide will take you on a journey into the universe and a chance to learn more about our stars and moons
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Lakefront Lodge Tekapo or similar

Day 11: Tekapo to Wanaka via Mount Cook

Stop At: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice and rock, with 19 peaks over 3,000 metres including New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: YHA Wanaka or similar

Day 12: Wanaka to Queenstown

Stop At: Roys Peak Track, Wanaka-Mount Apsiring Road Mount Aspiring National Park, Wanaka New Zealand
Take in breathtaking views over Lake Wānaka, Mount Aspiring/Tititea and surrounding peaks after a steep climb through alpine meadows and tussock grasslands to the summit.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: That Wanaka Tree, 3 Tapley Paddock, Wanaka 9305 New Zealand
'From humble beginnings over 70 years ago as a wooden fence post charged with keeping stock from wandering, the Wanaka Willow has become the beautiful tree we see today with photographers flocking from around the world.'
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Mount Iron Track, State Highway 84, Wanaka New Zealand
Mount Iron is an impressive, glacier carved, rocky knoll that rises nearly 250 m above the surrounding countryside. As a result, from the summit there are excellent 360-degree views of the The Pisa range, the Upper Clutha Basin, Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner: Head up the world famous Skyline gondola for a dinner with some of the most insane views over Queenstown.
Accommodation included: Nomads Queenstown or similar

Day 13: Queenstown free day

Stop At: AJ Hackett Bungy - Queenstown Bungy Centre, Shotover &, Camp Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Ever since 1988, Aj Hackett has been in the business of fueling people with courage and adrenaline. Take an opportunity to Bungy/swing or catapult at one of the three sites located in Queenstown.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Shotover Jet Queenstown, 3 Arthurs Point Road, Otago 9371, New Zealand
Adventurous boat ride through the Shotover River Canyons, at 85km/hour, with spins & spraying water.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Nomads Queenstown or similar

Day 14: Queenstown free day

Stop At: Glenorchy, Glenorchy, Otago Region, South Island
Road trip out the head of lake Wakatipu in the small town of Glenorchy. Here you take some walks and soak up the picturesque scenes before making your way back to Queenstown
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Nomads Queenstown or similar

Day 15: Queenstown to Franz Josef

Stop At: Thunder Creek Falls, Haast Pass-Makarora Rd Haast River, Wanaka 9382 New Zealand
An extremely tall and easy accessible 96 metre waterfall, Thunder Creek Falls is located in Mt Aspiring National Park along the Haast highway.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Lake Matheson Walk, Lake Matheson Road, Fox Glacier, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
Lake Matheson is a small lake in South Westland, New Zealand, near the township of Fox Glacier. It is famous for its reflected views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, and is a traditional mahinga kai for Māori people, the lake contains as well as being home to many water birds
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Rainforest Retreat or similar

Day 16: Franz Josef free day

Stop At: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
After an exciting brief flight over rugged terrain, you will land on Franz Josef Glacier ready for a three hour guided hike. Your guide, with an eye for the most spectacular ice formations, will lead you through some of the most awe-inspiring glacier scenery Aotearoa (New Zealand) has to offer.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Skydive Franz, Rainforest Retreat Reception 46 Cron Street, Franz Josef Glacier 7886, New Zealand
Skydive Franz & Fox has New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook and the biggest glaciers Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers immediately on the right and the wide blue ocean on the left. Skydive amongst mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers and ocean views
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Rainforest Retreat or similar

Day 17: Franz Josef to Christchurch

Stop At: Lake Mahinapua, Hokitika New Zealand
Get your hands on some unique NZ pounamu (greenstone) and have a go at carving your very own treasure to take home with you to remember your epic adventure in NZ
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Arthur's Pass National Park, Arthur's Pass National Park, Canterbury Region, South Island
Arthur’s Pass National Park is in the heart of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Its high mountains with large scree slopes, steep gorges and wide braided rivers straddle the main divide, and are the ‘back bone’ of the South Island. This drive will blow your mind
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.