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Compared with their enormous neighbour to the left, the islands of New Zealand don’t look especially big on the map, but don’t let their small stature deceive you. There is much to do here, be it biking to old gold mining sites, cruising remote fjords, or taking in some of the world's most breathtaking views. But if you’re short on travel dollars, fear not; this trip squeezes in the very best of both the North and South Islands into an affordable, action-packed 21-day itinerary that moves swiftly without ever seeming rushed.
- Duration: 21 Days
- Guaranteed Departure: Yes
- For lovers of:
- Physical rating: Average
- Accommodation standard: Not Rated%
- Your Guide: English speaking
- Supplier Tour ID: ONNS/133107
- Starts: Auckland, New Zealand
- Finishes: Wellington, New Zealand
- Auckland
- Raglan
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Wellington
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Westport
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Te Anau
- Wedderburn
- Christchurch
- Kaikoura
Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland
Arrive at any time.
Arrive in Auckland at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. If you arrive early enough, opt to visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island.
Day 2: Auckland/Raglan
Visit a conservation farm to learn about their methods before sea kayaking to a harbour for a picnic lunch.
Travel backroads to a remote conservation farm where they are using natural means to boost the stocks of traditionally farmed marine life. Farmers have created a balanced ecosystem to attract native birds and animals back to the area.
After, kayak to a remote part of the harbour for a boat cruise and lunch, before heading to our lodge a few minutes drive from the famous surf and arts town of Raglan for the night.
Day 3: Raglan
Enjoy an included surf lesson in one of the world's most famous surf areas, then opt to go mountain biking or rent a stand up paddle board.
Head down to the beach for an included surf lesson. The afternoon is open for optional activities such as yoga, mountain biking or exploring the many trails in the area.
Day 4: Raglan/Rotorua
Opt to go caving in world famous Waitomo before heading to Rotorua, notable for its geothermal activity and culture. Visit a local village to gain insight into Maori culture.
Stop en route at Waitomo. Enjoy free time to visit the Waitomo Caves, famous for their glow-worms and adventure activities, or explore this scenic area by foot.
Continue to Rotorua for an engaging cultural experience on the grounds of a historic Maori village.
Day 5: Rotorua/Taupo
Take advantage of free time in the adrenaline capital of the North Island, and opt to go whitewater rafting, check out a geothermal park with technicolour pools, or hit up a nearby spa. Continue on to spend the night near the shores of Lake Taupo.
Day 6: Taupo/Wellington
Take in the ever-changing scenery on the drive down to the nation's capital at the southern end of the North Island. Opt to take the cable car to the hills overlooking the city, visit the national museum, Te Papa, or stroll along Oriental Parade. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.
Travel to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. Arrive early enough for a visit to the National Museum, Te Papa.
Take a short walk from our accommodation to see the sights of the central business district. Finish the day off with an optional night on the town.
Day 7: Wellington/Abel Tasman National Park
Take a ferry over to the South Island and transfer to Abel Tasman National Park.
Catch a morning ferry and cross the scenic Cook Strait. Make sure to stand outside and enjoy the views of the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island. Disembark and transfer to Abel Tasman National Park, well-known for its stunning white sand beaches. Board a water taxi to transfer to the middle of the National Park for the night. The night will be spent on a floating boat hostel.
Day 8: Abel Tasman National Park
Hike and explore Abel Tasman's golden beaches and waterways.
Day 9: Abel Tasman National Park/Westport
Head south down the coast of black-sand beaches. Visit a seal colony before travelling to Westport, the stop for the night.
Day 10: Westport/Franz Josef
Take in the pancake rock formations at Punakaiki before continuing on to Franz Josef. Enjoy free time for optional activities like hiking, horseback riding, and quad biking.
Continue following the coastal road towards Franz Josef arriving at a unique wilderness lodge set in the rainforest for the night.
Day 11: Franz Josef
Free day for optional activities. Options include various hikes, horseback riding and quad biking.
Day 12: Franz Josef/Queenstown
Visit the adventure capital of the world—Queenstown.
Day 13: Queenstown
Free time in Queenstown. Get the heart pumping with some adrenaline-filled options, such as jet boating, bungee jumping, mountain biking or skydiving.
Day 14: Queenstown
Free time in Queenstown. Get the heart pumping with some adrenaline-filled options, such as jet boating, bungee jumping, mountain biking or skydiving.
Day 15: Queenstown/Te Anau
Visit Fiordland National Park and enjoy a boat cruise through breathtaking Milford Sound. In the evening, opt to cruise across Lake Te Anau and visit a cave that is home to thousands of glowworms.
Day 16: Te Anau/Central Otago
Enjoy free time in the morning to discover the natural beauty of Te Anau. Later, transfer to Wedderburn in Central Otago.
Day 17: Central Otago
Bike 35 km of the Otago Rail Trail, passing through one historic town to the next. Along the way sample some local food and drink.
Day 18: Wedderburn/Christchurch
Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Christchurch.
Overnight in the very unique converted jail house.
Day 19: Christchurch/Kaikoura
Opt to go whale watching, swim with seals or take a walk along the coast.
Spend the afternoon swimming with dolphins or taking a scenic flight over the peninsula.
Bird watchers will be pleased to know that big ocean birds such as albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters frequent the area.
Day 20: Kaikoura/Wellington
Travel to Picton to catch the ferry back to Wellington. Opt for a final night out with the group.
Day 21: Wellington
Depart at any time.
We highly recommend post-accommodation to fully explore this vibrant city. Looking for a lift back to Auckland? Add on the "Auckland Express" and ride with your CEO back north. Ask your sales CEO or agent about this Extra.
What is the Auckland Express Extra? Depart Wellington at 6am and return to the Nomads Auckland hostel for around 5pm (8-9 hours driving time). If you have booked this transfer NOT on the last day of your tour, you must book post-accommodation through G Adventures. All services must be connected.
- Activities
- Hands-On: Surf Lessons, Raglan Big Night Out: Wellington
- Conservation farm visit (Raglan)
- Sea kayaking excursion (Raglan)
- Maori cultural experience
- Visit to a seal colony
- Walks in Franz Josef and Abel Tasman National Parks
- Fiordland NP visit
- Milford Sound nature cruise
- Mountain biking excursion (Central Otago)
- Orientation walks in Wellington and Christchurch
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Hostels (11 nts), basic hotel (3 nts), basic lodges (6 nts). Most nights are multi-share
- 20 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners
- Private vehicle, kayak, boat, ferry
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides
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