Everywhere New Zealand Winter Tour from Christchurch

Depart 8.30am. We wind our way up the rugged coastal roads with stops for photos and a seal colony. Then we take the ferry crossing over the Cook Strait, back to Wellington.

ACCOMODATION

Central hostel

SIGHTS

Included: Ferry crossing from Picton to Wellington.

Free activities: Seal colony, Queen Charlotte View walk, explore the city.

Depart 6.40am. This is an express day via National Park to Auckland, arriving back in New Zealand’s largest city in the late afternoon. We hope you had a blast on your adventure! 

You are fee to explore New Zealand’s largest city today! Enjoy one of the many sailing trips on the harbour, head up the Sky Tower for some panoramic views of the city, catch a ferry to the volcanic Rangitoto Island.

ACCOMODATION

Central hostel

Depart Auckland in the morning and head south to the Coromandel Peninsula via the old colonial town of Thames. We’ll settle into our accommodation in Hahei before heading to Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own natural spa pool in the sand (tidal dependent).

ACCOMODATION

Exclusive accommodation by the waterfront 

SIGHTS

Hot Water Beach visit 

Today you have a full free day to embrace the laid back Coromandel lifestyle. Get up early to catch the sunrise on the beach, then take a scenic coastal walk or opt to kayak to stunning Cathedral Cove. You can also take a glass bottom boat tour through the nearby marine reserve.

ACCOMODATION

Exclusive accommodation by the waterfront 

SIGHTS

Free activities: Walk to Cathedral Cove, sunrise on the beach

Optional Paid activities: Kayaking, glass bottom boat tour

We leave Hahei early to travel towards the mighty Waikato River. Our destination is the world-renowned Raglan surf beach, with cow spotting and a walk to Bridal Veil Falls on the way. Chill out on the beach or go hard surfing the waves in this funky surf and arts town. 

ACCOMODATION

An eco-lodge surrounded by native bush near the beach 

SIGHTS

Free activities: Waterfall walk, relax on the beach, spot glowworms in the bush, West Coast sunset, Inspiration Point.

Optional paid activities: Learn to surf

Head to the rural town of Waitomo this morning for the chance to explore its famous cave systems and see the twinkling glowworms. We then carry on towards our overnight stop Rotorua, where you can spend the afternoon touring the Hobbiton Movie Set or checking out this popular tourist town. 

ACCOMODATION

Comfortable central city lodge

SIGHTS

Free activities: Walk around Ruakuri Reserve, Waitomo Valley Caves walk. 

Optional paid activities: Waitomo ‘must do’ caving options, Hobbiton Movie Set tour.

The morning is free to try one of the many adventure activities on offer in Rotorua. We depart Rotorua at midday and drive into the remote area of Lake Aniwhenua. We will meet a local Maori guide who will take us to visit the area’s sacred sites and a local Marae for a traditional welcome and afternoon tea. Tonight, we feast on a ground cooked hangi dinner at our lakeside accommodation.

ACCOMODATION

Scenic lakefront lodge 

SIGHTS

Included activities: Kohutapu Experience – guided tour of sacred Maori rock carvings, Marae experience, afternoon tea, delicious ground cooked hangi feast and buffet breakfast. 

Other optional paid activities: White water rafting, zorbing, ziplining 

We depart at 7.00am and head to Taupo, see Huka Falls and have time to experience skydiving if you’re brave! Our destination is Blue Duck Station, a 7,200 acre high country station that is both a working farm and an environmental conservation leader.  

ACCOMODATION

Country station lodge.

SIGHTS

Free Activities: Huka Falls, walk around the stunning Whakahoro Station.

Paid Activities: Bungy Jump in Taupo, Skydive, jet boat ride. 

Consider yourself lucky as you're getting another traditional NZ experience, that most people would miss out on completely. You have a free day to explore this truly amazing and secluded location. Start with a tour of the property; then immerse yourself in farm life with any of the activities on offer.

ACCOMODATION

Country station lodge

SIGHTS

Included: Eco-Warrior 4WD farm tour.

Optional paid activities: Horse riding, clay pigeon shooting and goat hunting.

Up early today to head to Tongariro National Park. You have a chance to walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – one of the world’s best day walks. 

ACCOMODATION

Alpine Lodge. 

SIGHTS

Free Activities: Taranaki Falls walk, visit the Volcanic Centre, Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s pool).

Paid Activities: New Zealand's best one-day walk, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. 

Depart 9am. We head to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, via Ohakune, Taihape and Bulls. Wellington is a fantastic city with a great cafe scene, a beautiful waterfront location and is home to the highly recommended National Museum - Te Papa. You have the afternoon to cruise around or explore.

ACCOMODATION

Central hostel

SIGHTS

Optional paid activities: Check out some of the great cafes and bars.

Free activities: Walk ‘Oriental Parade,’ head up Mt Victoria for fantastic views, and visit Te Papa - our national museum.

We catch the 8am ferry across to Picton on the South Islands. We will cruise through the famous Marlborough vineyard area and the coastal town of Nelson, before heading to our amazing overnight stop of Marahau, right on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park.

ACCOMODATION

Unique accommodation on the edge of the national park 

SIGHTS

Included: Ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton

Optional Paid Activities: Wine tasting, skydiving

Free Activities: Swim, walk, mussel tasting around the fire

You have the entire day at leisure to explore this stunning coastal national park. Whether exploring by land, sea or air, there are tons of fantastic options for getting around to see as much as possible.

ACCOMODATION

Unique accommodation on the edge of the national park

SIGHTS

Included Activities: Walk part of the Abel Tasman track and catch an Aqua Taxi home

Optional Paid Activities: Full day sailing trip, kayaking, skydiving, water taxi, horse riding or hang gliding

We travel south today towards the ‘wild’ West Coast passing through Buller Gorge and down a stretch of road that was rated as one of the top ten drives in the world. We stop at Cape Foulwind to visit the seal colony and then head for the historic coal mining town, Westport. The sunset from our accommodation tonight is a must see if the weather is clear! 

ACCOMODATION

Charming villa in the center of town

SIGHTS

Optional Paid Activities: Surfing, horse riding, jet boating, caving

Free Activities: Westport seal colony, West Coast sunset, Truman Track walk

An early start takes us down the rugged West Coast to the spectacular Punakaiki limestone pancake rocks and blowholes. We’ll stop to take a short walk and grab refreshments at the café before we head for the historic gold mining town, Greymouth. We do pick-ups in Greymouth and make stops in Hokitika, before heading to the quaint little town of Franz Josef – home to the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. 

ACCOMODATION

Lodge in the middle of the rainforest

SIGHTS

Optional Activities: Bone carving and jade carving

Free Activities: Punakaiki pancake rocks and the mighty blowholes; walk along the beach.

Today you have to option to do one of the best experiences in New Zealand - the Franz Josef Ice Explorer (added expense). After a helicopter trip from the village, you'll be guided around this ancient and stunning piece of ice. Truly magical. 

ACCOMODATION

Lodge in the middle of the rainforest.

SIGHTS

Free activities: Any of the good bush walks in the area 

Optional paid activities: Ice Explorer Trip (short helicopter flight onto the glacier) Glacier Valley Walk

We depart in the morning stopping for hostel pick-ups at Fox Glacier before heading for the amazing mirror Lake Matheson. Today we cross the mountainous Haast Pass and Makarora towards Wanaka. We’ll pass by the beautiful Lake Hawea and arrive in Wanaka late-afternoon in time to enjoy this picturesque lakeside town.  

ACCOMODATION

Central hostel.

SIGHTS

Free Activities: Stunning views on the way to Wanaka, Blue Pools walk, Thundercreek Falls walk, explore Wanaka.

We depart around mid-morning, giving you time to check out amazing views of the lake either by skydiving or taking a walk up Mt Iron! Then we’re off to Queenstown – the Adventure Capital of the World. 

ACCOMODATION

Central Hostel. 

SIGHTS

Free Activities: Watch people bungy jump, go for a hike.

Paid Activities: Bungy jump, skydiving, jet boat tour. 

Enjoy three full days in Queenstown to get amongst the action in NZ’s ‘Adventure Capital.’ Your tour price includes the famous Shotover Jet trip as well as the highly-reccomended day trip to Doubtful Sound. You'll have plenty more time to get your adventure on, or simply relax in this chilled out resort town. 

ACCOMODATION

Central hostel

SIGHTS

Included: Shotover Jet and Doubtful Sound Day Trip (these can be done on day of your choice).

Optional paid activities: Any adventure activity that we mad Kiwis can dream up (bungy, swing, jetboating, skydiving, mountain biking, zipline, horse riding...), trip to Milford Sound.

Free activities: Sleep in, great walks, take in beautiful views from this cool resort town.

Today it’s off over the Lindis Pass en route for New Zealand’s highest peak. We arrive in the early afternoon with time to do a Mt. Cook 4WD and Argo Tour, check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine centre or do one of the many great short walks in the park. 

ACCOMODATION

Stunning alpine lodge inside the National Park. 

SIGHTS

Free Activities: Take photos of stunning scenery.

Paid Activities: Cruise on a lake filled with iceburgs. Scenic flights. 

Today we make our way through a landscape made famous by the Lord of the Rings films. We head past turquoise Lake Tekapo, where we stop for ice-skating, snow tubing or a swim at the hot springs. We arrive in Christchurch later in the afternoon, giving you time to explore parts of the South Island’s largest city.

SIGHTS

Free activities: Take photos of stunning scenery, go for a walk around central Christchurch.

Optional paid activities: Ice skating, snow tubing or soak in the hot springs.