Australia
Beaches, glowworms, hot pools and Mt Cook, Auckland to Queenstown in 13 days.
A 13 day small group tour from Auckland to Queenstown: Coromandel beaches, Waitomo glowworms, Rotorua hot pools, Wellington, Kaikōura marine wildlife, Lake Tekapo and a walk in the shadow of Mt Cook. Maximum 24 travellers.
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$2,589 AUD
per person
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Thirteen days, two islands, one direction: Auckland to Queenstown with a driver guide, a bed every night and the big-ticket experiences in the price. The North Island comes first, with the Coromandel's beaches, the Waitomo caves and Rotorua's geothermal pools, then the ferry across Cook Strait and south through Kaikōura, Christchurch and Lake Tekapo to Aoraki/Mt Cook, finishing with two free days in Queenstown.
Day 1 is a welcome evening in Auckland, then Cathedral Cove and digging your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach. Waitomo brings a 90 minute Ruakuri Cave tour; Rotorua has a Māori village evening and a day at Wai Ariki Hot Springs. You roll to Wellington via Wai-O-Tapu, Huka Falls and gumboot throwing in Taihape, get a free day in the capital, cross the strait to Kaikōura with wine tasting on the way, walk the peninsula for the seal colony, and move on through Christchurch to Tekapo Hot Springs. Day 11 is the Hooker Valley Track under Mt Cook and a Lake Pukaki stop before dinner in Queenstown, where days 12 and 13 are yours.
You travel by private bus with a local driver guide, in the New Zealand winter, 6 May to 6 October 2026. Included are 12 nights in 4 to 6 bed hostel dorms, 6 breakfasts and 2 dinners, the cave tour, cultural evening, two hot springs, the Cook Strait ferry, wine tasting and the scenic hikes. It is for ages 18 and over, most people come solo, and you carry one 23kg bag plus a day bag. Everything in Queenstown is optional and paid on the day.
Dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach
90 minute Ruakuri Cave tour at Waitomo
Māori village evening experience in Rotorua
Wai Ariki and Tekapo hot springs both included
Cook Strait ferry and Kaikōura seal colony walk
Hooker Valley Track under Aoraki/Mt Cook
Two free activity days in Queenstown
Kick things off in the City of Sails, tucked between two harbours with big views over the Waitematā. Check in from 2pm and meet the group at the welcome evening. Arrive early to stroll Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter, or ferry out to Rangitoto Island and hike the dormant volcano.
Head over the hills to the beaches of the Coromandel and walk to Cathedral Cove, the huge natural rock arch in the marine reserve. Kayaking and the Hahei Explorer boat are optional extras. If the tide is right, dig your own spa pool in the sand at Hot Water Beach.
Walk the Karangahake Gorge's historic walkway through the remains of a booming gold mining era, then continue to Waitomo. Explore the formations and glowworms of Ruakuri Cave on a 90 minute tour. If you want to get wet, blackwater rafting is an optional upgrade, with underground waterfall jumps and glowworms lighting the way.
Start with the Ruakuri Scenic Walk, a loop past sculpted cliffs and limestone arches. Hobbiton is an optional guided tour on the way, then it is on to Rotorua, New Zealand's geothermal wonderland. In the evening you head to the Mitai Māori Village for a traditional performance and a hāngī dinner.
A free day in Rotorua, with entry to Wai Ariki Hot Springs by the lake included for a proper thermal soak. Optional extras include the Redwoods treetop walk, ziplining, zorbing, white water rafting, jade carving and the Mt Tarawera crater, or wander Kuirau Park's free geothermal pools.
Head south via a photo stop at Waiotapu Thermal Park and a short walk around the Huka Falls, then compete in a round of gumboot throwing in Taihape before you arrive in the capital in the evening.
Today the decisions are yours. Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, is a great place to start, and e-bikes along the waterfront and Zealandia wildlife sanctuary are optional extras. Finish the day finding Wellington's hidden bars.
Ferry across Cook Strait (included) and through the Marlborough Sounds, regarded as one of the most beautiful crossings in the world. Then stop for wine tastings in Marlborough on the drive down a spectacular coastline to Kaikōura, famous for marine life. Whale watching, dolphin swims and kayaking are all optional.
Walk the Kaikōura Peninsula to meet the seal colony, or head out to sea first for an optional dolphin swim or whale watch. Then drive on to Christchurch with the afternoon free to explore. A street art tour or a waka paddle on the Avon are optional.
Cruise into the Mackenzie Country, a land of turquoise lakes and golden grasslands. Stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the Lake Tekapo shore, a free stop, then finish the day in Tekapo Hot Springs with mountain views. Dark Sky stargazing is an optional extra.
Into Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park for the Hooker Valley Track, with three swing bridges out to Hooker Lake beneath the mountain. Stop for photos at Lake Pukaki, then arrive in the adventure capital of Queenstown for a group dinner.
A free day in the adventure capital with something for everyone. Optional extras include skydiving, bungy, jet boating on the Shotover, canyon swing and white water rafting, or take it easy on a bike, a boat cruise or a spa. In winter, Cardrona is a short drive away.
Your tour finishes in Queenstown. Use the last day for the optional Milford Sound day trip, a two-hour cruise through Fiordland National Park with dolphins, fur seals and birdlife (plus the chance of a Fiordland crested penguin), or anything you missed yesterday.
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Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.
"My tour was all younger solo travelers and it was a great way to make friends and see so many nooks and crannies of the country."
Madison B
Tripadvisor review
"we had the best time seeing all NZ had to offer from amazing natural beauty, fascinating culture and great activities."
Cerian D
Tripadvisor review
"The best possible way to see all of New Zealand’s beauty. We done the classic tour which was brilliant we done so many fun activities and we got to learn so much along the way thanks to our brilliant driver …."
Reeve
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
$2589
