Summary
See all the natural and cultural highlights of New Zealand on this 24-day journey through the North and South Islands. First, you’ll explore the sub-tropical islands, expansive coastlines and dense forests of Northland. Soak up the coastal beauty of Tutukaka – home to one of the world’s most gorgeous coastlines (as voted by National Geographic Traveller) – then hit the Bay of Islands for a full-day cruise through the scenic Poor Knights Islands. Go scuba diving, snorkelling and kayaking in your free time before soaking up some of the local cultural history at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Visit hot water beach for a swim in Coromandel, see the geothermal springs of Rotorua and go wildlife spotting in Wellington. Ram up the energy in the South Island’s ‘adventure capital of the world’ (Queenstown), then chill out in laidback Wanaka. See the awe-inspiring Franz Josef Glacier, then cross the Southern Alps on a world-famous train journey. Between old forest landscapes, mountain-scapes and glacial hikes, you’ll soon fall head over heels for New Zealand’s natural beauty.
Short Itinerary / Route
- Day 1
- Auckland
- Day 2
- Auckland / Tutukaka
- Day 3
- Tutukaka / Paihia
- Day 4
- Paihia
- Day 5
- Paihia / Auckland
- Day 6
- Coromandel Peninsula
- Day 7
- Raglan
- Day 8
- Waitomo / Rotorua
- Day 9
- Rotorua
- Day 10
- Taupo
- Day 11
- Taupo
- Day 12
- Wellington
- Day 13
- Wellington
- Day 14
- Kaikoura
- Day 15
- Kaikoura / Christchurch
- Day 16
- Christchurch / Lake Tekapo / Ohau
- Day 17
- Mackenzie Country / Queenstown
- Day 18
- Queenstown
- Day 19
- Queenstown / Wanaka
- Day 20
- Wanaka
- Day 21
- Franz Josef
- Day 22
- Franz Josef
- Day 23
- Hokitika / Greymouth / Christchurch
- Day 24
- Christchurch
Travel Cities (9): Auckland, Christchurch, Franz Josef Glacier, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Whangarei