Australia
Waitomo, Tongariro, Abel Tasman and the TranzAlpine train in 12 days.
A 12 day small group tour from Auckland to Christchurch with hotel and lodge stays: Waitomo caves, Lake Aniwhenua, a 4WD eco tour at Blue Duck Station, the Tongariro Crossing, Abel Tasman and the TranzAlpine train.
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$3,279 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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Twelve days, Auckland to Christchurch, with a guide, a private air-conditioned coach and private-use accommodation: hotels most nights and a country lodge or station stay for the rest. Fewer people, more room, and the TranzAlpine train as the finale.
The North Island starts at the Waitomo caves, then Rotorua and a water taxi to Te Rata Bay's hot beach, a cultural experience at Lake Aniwhenua and Huka Falls. A 4WD eco tour at Blue Duck Station leads to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. After the Cook Strait ferry come Abel Tasman National Park, Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and the TranzAlpine across the Southern Alps to Christchurch.
Included are 11 nights of private-use accommodation and 11 breakfasts. The Crossing costs extra when snow and ice mean an alpine guide and equipment are required.
Waitomo caves
Water taxi to Te Rata Bay's hot beach
Lake Aniwhenua cultural experience
4WD eco tour at Blue Duck Station
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
TranzAlpine train to Christchurch
Welcome to Tāmaki Makaurau, a city of over two million people built around roughly 50 volcanoes. Arrive any time and explore: lunch at the Viaduct, coffee in Britomart or shopping at Commercial Bay. Check in from 3pm, then meet your group and guide at reception at 6pm for a welcome dinner at your own cost.
Head south to Waitomo, famous for limestone caves lit by thousands of glowworms. Options include gliding down a cave stream by boat beneath the glittering ceiling, or pulling on a wetsuit and harness to abseil and rock climb through the caves. Then continue to Rotorua, the North Island's geothermal hotspot, to a hotel with a spa, swimming pool and unlimited Wi-Fi.
Today is all about the roto, the lakes. After breakfast you pass the Blue and Green Lakes to Lake Tarawera, then take a water taxi across to Te Rata Bay, where a hot spring feeds into the lake (not the Hot Water Beach next to Hahei). Hike the 15 km Tarawera Trail with views over Lakes Rotomahana and Tarawera, or settle in for a long soak and warm sand. Back in Rotorua in the afternoon, go white water rafting on the Kaituna River, zipline through the trees or relax at a geothermal spa, or see the boiling mud pools and steaming lakes at Kuirau Park for free.
Leave the tourist hub for a more authentic slice of Aotearoa at Lake Aniwhenua. You receive a welcome to the tribal lands at Kohutapu Lodge, owned by a local Māori family, and take a guided tour to sacred Māori rock carvings. Expect afternoon tea with fresh fried bread, stick games, a weaving lesson and a haka lesson, then a traditional hāngī dinner and dessert, with storytelling around the fire pit afterwards.
Say goodbye to your hosts, then see Lake Taupō, Australasia's largest lake, and the frothy Huka Falls. From there you head inland to Blue Duck Station beside Whanganui National Park, where the drive in feels like entering King Kong or Jurassic Park. Learn about life on the station and its sustainability efforts before a home-cooked dinner and a night around the campfire.
Jump on a 4WD and bounce through native bush to the Top of the World, with views of Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. Later, explore on your own: hike to Kaiwhakauka waterfall and look for the rare whio, the blue duck. In the evening, play games at the lodge, make s'mores by the campfire or go glowworm spotting.
Rise early for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, widely regarded as the best one-day walk in the world. The 19 km route crosses volcanic peaks, vast craters and turquoise alpine lakes. When there is snow or ice, a qualified alpine guide and equipment are required (extra cost may apply), and other walks are available if conditions are not suitable. Finish with a soak in the outdoor spa with mountain views.
After breakfast you drive down to New Zealand's capital. Start with Te Papa (at your own cost), then grab a craft beer at a brewery, climb Mt Victoria for panoramic views or stroll the waterfront and Oriental Parade. Wellington is proud of its coffee scene, so make time for a flat white.
Catch an early ferry across Cook Strait and head for the viewing deck if the weather is kind, because the Marlborough Sounds are stunning. From Picton you drive through the Marlborough region to Marahau, right on the edge of Abel Tasman National Park. Stargazing, a campfire and optional wine tasting round out the evening.
A free day in Abel Tasman National Park. You can walk straight into the park from your accommodation and follow the Coastal Track up to Anchorage Bay, about 4 hours each way, with golden beaches and brilliant blue water to swim in along the way. Take a water taxi back if you want more time to soak it up. Kayaking, canyoning and sailing are optional.
Drive the wild West Coast, through Buller Gorge on a stretch of road ranked among the world's top drives, with untamed beaches and lush rainforest outside your window. Stop at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes, then say farewell to your guide in Greymouth and board the TranzAlpine scenic train to Christchurch.
Your last morning is yours to explore Christchurch: street art in the laneways, the Botanic Gardens, a punt down the Avon River or a ride on the historic tourist tram.
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Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.
"What an adventure!! Fantastic from start to finish. Our group had a wide age range but we laughed so much throughout the trip."
Colette B
Tripadvisor review
"I had an awesome time, everyday was a new adventure and I saw a lot of beautiful places! Also our tourguide … was great, thanks to his constant fun facts and surprise stops, the long bus rides never got boring. He’s a super funny and kind person! I can definitely recommend the trip, you will have the time of your life!"
Tina G
Tripadvisor review
"Stunning scenery, interesting activities and a driver guide who was knowledgeable and had a great energy and made me fall in love with his country."
Leone K
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
$3279
