Australia
Both islands in three weeks: Hobbiton, hot springs, whales and Queenstown.
A 21-day backpacker group tour of New Zealand from Auckland: Hobbiton, Hell's Gate geothermal spa, a Lake Taupo cruise to the Maori rock carvings, Kaikoura whale watching and Queenstown.
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New Zealand is two islands with two personalities, and three weeks is the right amount of time to meet both. This group tour starts in Auckland with a welcome dinner and a drink and works south, with a group leader and 20 nights of accommodation included.
The North Island does the culture and the steam: the Hobbiton Movie Set tour, a soak at Hell's Gate geothermal spa, and a catamaran cruise on Lake Taupo out to the Maori rock carvings, then Wellington.
The South Island does the adrenaline. Kaikoura's whale watching is included, and Queenstown rounds it out, where the optional activities list is long and your wallet will need a word with you. Most meals are at your own cost.
Hobbiton Movie Set tour
Hell's Gate geothermal spa
Lake Taupo cruise to the rock carvings
Kaikoura whale watching
20 nights accommodation + group leader
Kia ora! Your New Zealand Highlights adventure kicks off in Auckland, New Zealand's biggest and busiest city. Meet your travel buddies, hear what is in store from your group leader and come back together for the welcome dinner. The tour starts at 6pm.
Your leader takes you around Auckland's must-see sights and local hotspots on a city orientation. After that the day is yours to relax or soak up the city's lively atmosphere.
Head to the Coromandel Peninsula on a guided day trip to Cathedral Cove, one of New Zealand's most iconic photo spots with its picture-perfect archway. Finish at Hot Water Beach, a natural geothermal hotspot where you dig your own hole in the sand, let it fill with hot water and watch the sunset.
Head to the Shire for a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, with its charming hobbit holes, behind-the-scenes secrets and a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Lunch is included. At the end of the day you carry on south to Rotorua.
Arrive in Rotorua, famous for its Maori culture and geothermal landscapes, and settle in with free time to explore. Adrenaline seekers can add white water rafting, including the chance to tackle the world's tallest commercially rafted waterfall, as an optional extra.
Spend the day at Hell's Gate Geothermal Mud Spa with a guided bush walk through the geothermal wonderland and a two hour mud spa in the natural hot springs. Tonight is a traditional Maori village experience at Te Pa Tu, with performances, interactive activities and a dinner while learning about Maori history and traditions.
Next stop is Taupo, on the shores of a lake roughly the size of Singapore. Your leader takes you on a guided walk to the Huka Falls lookout to see New Zealand's most powerful waterfall.
Spend the afternoon on a private catamaran cruise across the clear water of Lake Taupo, with a chance to swim, watch the sunset and cruise past the famous Maori rock carvings.
Travel south to Wellington, New Zealand's creative, waterfront capital. Enjoy a free evening of arts, food and nightlife before joining the group for dinner together.
A day to explore at your own pace: the Te Papa museum, the Wellington Cable Car up to the Botanic Gardens, or the panoramic view from Mount Victoria Lookout. Cuba Street and Hannahs Laneway have cafes, craft beer and nightlife, and the Weta Workshop shows the magic behind some of New Zealand's biggest films.
Cross the Cook Strait on the Interislander ferry with the group to the South Island, then continue to the relaxed seaside town of Kaikoura, New Zealand's home of marine wildlife. The ferry ticket is included.
A bucket-list day: a two hour whale watching cruise around the bay to see marine wildlife, with whales and sometimes dolphins and orcas.
Arrive in Christchurch with free time to explore. Start in the lively city centre and one of New Zealand's most iconic laneways, a precinct of bars, restaurants and boutique shops with the Christchurch tram running through the middle.
Take the scenic drive to Lake Tekapo and check in to your lakefront hostel with front-row views of the ice-blue water. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd or soak in the Tekapo Hot Springs, then wrap up warm for a group stargazing experience under some of the clearest skies in the southern hemisphere.
A free day to enjoy Tekapo your way: the hot springs if you missed them, a walk along the lake shore, or simply taking in one of New Zealand's most beautiful landscapes. Tonight there is another chance to soak up the star-filled skies.
Head towards Queenstown with a stop in the foothills of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. This fully guided half-day trip takes in the scenery of the Southern Alps and a group tour around the base, with an optional upgrade to an alpine scenic flight. Then continue to Adventure Capital Queenstown.
Welcome to the backpacker and adrenaline capital of New Zealand. Check in to your hostel, get your bearings in this lakeside town, then join the group on a bar crawl through Queenstown's legendary nightlife.
A full day trip to Milford Sound, one of the most breathtaking places on earth. Cruise through the 8th wonder of the world past dramatic landscapes, huge waterfalls and towering mountains, then return to Queenstown in the evening for one last night out.
Time for some epic once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Thrill-seekers can take on a 15,000 ft skydive over alpine scenery or the Nevis Bungy, the tallest bungy jump in the Southern Hemisphere (activities at extra cost). Or simply soak up the scenery.
Your final day in Queenstown is your last chance to squeeze in anything you have not done yet. Pick up souvenirs, grab a meal with your new friends and take it all in one last time.
Your New Zealand Highlights adventure comes to an end this morning as you say farewell to your new friends. The tour ends at 10am.
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Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.
The operator's track record
Review excerpts below are from Tripadvisor.
"Traveling to the other side of the world and being surrounded by people you don't know can be both exciting and intimidating, but … made the entire experience feel comfortable and welcoming from the very beginning."
Liselot d
Tripadvisor review
"I think a big compliment to her, the tour and our group was that no one wanted it to end already."
Sanne B
Tripadvisor review
"Everything was planned nice and the activities were really good!"
Ilse v
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
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