Australia
Both islands in 14 days: Hot Water Beach, Rotorua, Abel Tasman and Pancake Rocks.
A 14 day small group road trip through both islands: Hot Water Beach, Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua, Taupō, Waitomo, Raglan, Punakaiki, Abel Tasman, Golden Bay, Marlborough and Kaikōura. Maximum 18 guests, 13 nights included.
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From
$3,639 AUD
per person
Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.
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Fourteen days, both islands, and a route that leaves the coach-tour trail on purpose. A local guide drives a custom-outfitted Mercedes Sprinter with panoramic windows, with a maximum of 18 guests and free onboard WiFi.
The North Island half runs from Hahei and Hot Water Beach to Wai-O-Tapu, Rotorua, Taupō and Huka Falls, with Waitomo and Raglan's black sand surf beach on the way back to Auckland. From there you catch a flight to Christchurch for the South Island: Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks, Cape Foulwind and Ohau Point seal colonies, Abel Tasman, a Golden Bay day trip, Marlborough wine tasting and Kaikōura.
Included are 13 nights in flash pack dorm accommodation and breakfast daily. Late bookings within 14 days of departure depend on availability, so rooms may not always be shared with the group.
Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove
Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland entry
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowhole walk
Ohau Point and Cape Foulwind seal colonies
Golden Bay day trip and Abel Tasman National Park
Wine tasting in Marlborough
Leave Auckland with a few scenic stops on the way to the Coromandel Peninsula and the coastal town of Hahei. Explore Cathedral Cove, the Gateway to Narnia, spend the afternoon kayaking or swimming in turquoise water, then catch the sunset from the natural hot pools at Hot Water Beach (tide dependent).
Say goodbye to the Coromandel and head for Rotorua. On the way, stop at the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (entry included), a showcase of colourful geothermal formations sculpted over thousands of years.
A jam-packed day at the geothermal and cultural centre of New Zealand. Go luging, zorbing or white water rafting, take in a cultural performance, or simply marvel at the geothermal landscape. In the evening there is the option to visit the Mitai Maori Village to learn about Maori culture and traditions.
Head to Taupo, the adventure capital of the North Island, via the world-famous Hobbiton movie set. Then stand beside the thundering Huka Falls on the walking loop, before a sunset beer by Lake Taupo. In the evening you can take an optional sailing cruise on the lake or try a local restaurant.
Your choice of adventure. Explore the lake by jet boat or sailing boat, skydive from 15,000ft, or spend the day on the Tongariro Crossing, one of the best one-day walks in the world. Whatever you pick, you are spoilt for choice.
Travel to Waitomo, a town better known for what is beneath it. Crawl, abseil, raft and squeeze your way through the dark, lit only by glow worms overhead (activities optional). After all that adventure, head to Raglan for a beer on the beach.
Raglan is New Zealand's laid-back surfer town. Explore the rugged landscape and unique black sand beach and catch a few waves. Then head back to Auckland for the flight to Christchurch, where your South Island adventure begins.
Kick off the South Island by crossing the Southern Alps on the Lewis Pass, through unmodified beech forest and alpine wetland and along the Lewis River. There is plenty of distance to cover, with stunning landscapes and stops all the way to the coastal town of Punakaiki.
A beachside base for adventure and exploration. Walk the Pancake Rocks and blowholes, where columns of water shoot skyward from rocks that look like giant stacks of hotcakes. The afternoon is for luxuriant coastal forest, limestone cliffs and canyons, caves, pristine rivers and a spectacular coastline.
Drive the wild West Coast with stops for lighthouse views and the seal colonies at Ohau Point and Cape Foulwind. Then turn inland through the Nelson Lakes towards Abel Tasman, arguably New Zealand's most beautiful national park, with time to explore the tiny town in the afternoon.
Day trip to Golden Bay, home to New Zealand's longest sandspit, beaches and wildlife. Explore the Ngarua Caves, walk around Te Waikoropupu Springs, some of the clearest water you will see, and follow the track to Wharariki Beach, near the northernmost point of the South Island.
Kick back on the beach or discover the raw beauty of Abel Tasman National Park by hiking parts of the coastal track or grabbing a kayak for the day. With luck, native wildlife such as the tui or tuatara may show up.
Leave the park and head to the Marlborough wine region for a wine tasting, with plenty of photo-worthy vineyards. Then continue to Kaikoura, where dramatic, rugged cliffs meet the sea, with whale watching and dolphin swimming on offer.
Spend the morning ticking off the rest of your list: spot seals, search for whales or swim with dolphins. Then take the road back to Christchurch and spend the afternoon exploring its funky neighbourhoods.
Got a question that's not here? Ask us or hit the chat, instant AI reply with a follow-up from the Wanderlust crew.
Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.
"Right from the first phone call this trip was perfect. The customer service and ease of planning took all the stress out of making sure I had the best experience start to finish. I didn’t want it to end and I will be recommending this trip to everyone I know."
Kirsty
Tripadvisor review
"Experienced some amazing places and did incredible activities all tailored to your own preferences."
Sophie O
Tripadvisor review
"Group was small (8), and we all got close. Good vibes only! It was all our mission to find a decent bar with a pool table in every town. In the end, 7 days didn’t feel like long enough. We hope to be back soon!"
Mikayla M
Tripadvisor review
Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Auckland to Wellington
6 meals included
$1999 AUD
≈ $222/day
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Christchurch to Queenstown
7 meals included
$1999 AUD
≈ $222/day
New Zealand
17 days · 16 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Auckland to Queenstown
13 meals included
$4399 AUD
≈ $259/day
From
$3639
