New Zealand Northern Trail (Southbound)

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • Auckland, New Zealand

  Welcome to Aotearoa (New Zealand) – the land of the long white cloud! Your adventure begins in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest, busiest city on the North Island. Meet your local leader and new travel friends at your accommodation at 6 pm for a welcome meeting tonight. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe check out the beach down at Mission Bay or take a stroll along the restaurant-lined waterfront. After the meeting, you may like to dip into Auckland’s nightlife with your fellow travellers.

• Day 2 • Coromandel Peninsula

  This morning, leave the bright lights of Auckland City in the rear-view mirror as you jump in your vehicle and drive to the Coromandel Peninsula, following the coastline. A land of white sand beaches and rainforests, the Coromandel Peninsula feels a world away from where your journey began. Make a stop at Hot Water Beach, named after the famous warm water found beneath its golden sand. If the tide allows, dig a hole on the beach and enjoy your own natural hot tub! After a visit to Cathedral Cove, you’ll arrive at your accommodation in the afternoon.

• Day 3 • Coromandel Peninsula

  Hit the road and make the scenic drive along the Coromandel Peninsula. Join your local leader as they show you some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. This afternoon, maybe stop into Kuaotunu to try their famous ice cream and check out Coromandel Township. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations!

• Day 4 • Hobbiton/Rotorua

  This morning, watch the landscape change from beach to farmland as you drive to Waikato. Stop at Karangahake Gorge to see the remains of gold mining tunnels and railway tracks. Then, continue to Hobbiton – the living set where part of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films were shot. After wandering through Middle Earth, continue your journey to Rotorua, known for its Maori heritage and hotbed of geothermal activity with its distinctive sulphur smell (you’ll get used to it!). When you arrive, take a treetop walk through an ancient redwood forest over a network of suspension bridges, reaching 12 m at the highest point.

• Day 5 • Rotorua

  Spend the day discovering the natural and cultural wonders of Rotorua – home to simmering mud pools, dramatic geysers and fluorescent lakes. If you’ve got a head for heights, ziplining through Rotorua’s ancient forests is an unbeatable way to take it all in. This evening, you’ll get a true taste of Maori culture during a visit to a cultural and geothermal wonderland. Here, you’ll enjoy a hangi dinner alongside a soul-stirring haka performance.

• Day 6 • Rotorua/Taupo

  Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa is the perfect place to unwind with your free morning. Or, you can head to Kuirau Park to walk through a landscape of hissing natural hot pools. This afternoon, say goodbye to Rotorua and get on the road for Taupo. Stop at the thundering Huka Falls along the way, before arriving in the late afternoon. Set on the shores of the mighty Lake Taupo – New Zealand’s largest lake – this is one of the most scenic spots on the North Island. You’ll spend two nights here, as it’s the perfect base to explore Taupo and Tongariro National Park.

• Day 7 • Taupo

  A volcanic eruption 70,000 years ago created the magnificent Lake Taupo, which now hosts visitors from around New Zealand and the world, keen to both relax and get their blood pumping with the adventure sports and hikes on offer. With a free day here, you’ll have plenty to choose from. If you’re a keen hiker, you may like to complete the Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand’s most famous day hike. At 19.4 km long, the path takes you around a volcano, past lakes, craters and bush. A good level of fitness and appropriate gear for all types of weather are a must for anyone considering tackling the crossing today.

• Day 8 • Wellington

  Wellington is calling – leave Taupo behind and drive on to New Zealand’s trendy capital city. Strung between green hills and the harbour, Wellington holds onto a small-town charm despite its capital status. The city is known for its creative and artistic endeavours, and this afternoon, your leader will give you a brief introduction to the city. Then, you have free time to explore at your own pace. You may like to head up Mt Victoria for a view that will help you appreciate Wellington in all its glory. With a booming food scene, your leader will have no shortage of restaurant recommendations.

• Day 9 • Wellington

  Kick the day off with a visit to Zealandia – a ground-breaking conservation project that has successfully reintroduced over 20 species of native wildlife into this area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years. Visit Weta Workshop – the special effects studio used by Peter Jackson for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. While here you’ll have the chance to take an optional tour around the studio to find out how the team here create film magic. This afternoon, you may like to check out Wellington’s most famous cultural attraction, Te Papa Museum. Displaying an intriguing combination of New Zealand’s history and cultural heritage woven with cutting edge technology and interactive displays, there’s something here to entertain everyone.

• Day 10 • Marlborough Sounds/Kaikoura

  Say goodbye to the North Island and cross the Cook Strait on board a ferry, taking in some pretty unforgettable views along the way. Your introduction to New Zealand’s South Island sets the tone for the rest of the journey – pass through the iconic landscapes of the Marlborough Sounds as you cruise into Picton Harbour. Aside from its marvellous scenery, the Marlborough region is known for its production of world-class white wine, so what better way to get a taste of the South Island than by visiting some of its best wineries? Stop by and sample their goods while learning what makes Marlborough wine so renowned. Continue your journey south, eventually arriving in Kaikoura where you will stop for the night. This seaside town is known for its abundance of marine wildlife. This evening perhaps head out for a crayfish dinner – it’s a real specialty here!

• Day 11 • Kaikoura/Christchurch

  Embrace a free morning to enjoy all Kaikoura has to offer. Kaikoura is famously one of the world’s top spots for whale watching, so perhaps take advantage of your time here and head out on a boat trip in search of humpbacks, orcas and sperm whales. Regroup and check out a colony of native fur seals, then depart Kaikoura and travel down to Christchurch, the South Island’s biggest city. You’ll have another welcome meeting tonight at 6 pm, then the rest of the evening is yours to do as you please. Perhaps head out for dinner, or rest up for an exciting day ahead tomorrow.

• Day 12 • Christchurch/Lake Tekapo/Ohau

  Christchurch is not just a pretty city – it’s also remarkably resilient. After a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the downtown area in 2011, the city has begun to rebuild in innovative and creative ways. Head out with your leader this morning to see this for yourself. Stop by the Christchurch Cathedral, which stood as a symbol of the city before collapsing in the earthquake and has now been replaced with an architecturally striking and quake-proof structure made from cardboard. After a morning of exploring, say goodbye to Christchurch and drive inland to Lake Tekapo. An eye-catching combination of purple lupins, turquoise waters and snow-dusted peaks makes this one of the most photo-worthy spots in the country. The Church of the Good Shepherd sits on the shores of the lakes and attracts couples from all over the world to shoot their wedding pictures. Continue to Lake Ohau or Twizel (depending on departure) where you’ll spend the night.

• Day 13 • Mackenzie/Queenstown

  Hit the road this morning for a journey to remember – watch out the window as you pass the sprawling grasslands of the Mackenzie Basin and showstopping peaks of the Southern Alps. Your drive will be broken up with plenty of scenic stops, including a visit to Kawarau Gorge, a popular spot for bungy jumping. If you’re feeling adventurous, get involved and jump off the suspension bridge crossing the gorge, or just stand back and watch brave jumpers take the plunge. Continue on to Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of the world, and rightfully so! Aside from its high-adrenaline attractions, Queenstown has a booming culinary scene, produces some of the world's best wine and boasts unbelievable scenery at every turn.

• Day 14 • Queenstown

  The day is all yours to discover the varied delights of Queenstown. There are loads of options to get your heartrate up, whether you fancy shooting down the river on a jet boat, river kayaking, flying above the town in a gondola or a 4WD adventure through landscapes of Lord of the Rings fame. If you’d like to take things a little slower, perhaps head to the Gibbston Valley to taste wines only topped by the inspiring scenery. A walk around the stunning Lake Wakatipu will give you a good dose of fresh air and epic views. There’s no shortage of dining options to tempt your tastebuds – if you’re willing to wait, a famous Fergburger is hard to beat!

• Day 15 • Queenstown/Arrowtown/Wanaka

  Take the chance this morning to cross off any Queenstown activities you didn’t have time for yesterday – be sure to speak to your leader for tips on the best way to spend a morning here. In the afternoon, get back on the road for the scenic drive to Wanaka, through the Crown Range Mountains. Stop off along the way in Arrowtown – a little goldrush town popular for its heritage buildings and Autumn festival. Take a walk along the tree-lined high street and maybe pop into the old-school lolly shop. Arrive in Wanaka in the afternoon and embrace the vibe of this laidback and beautiful town. With Lake Wanaka as its glittering centrepiece and dramatic mountains as its backdrop, the town is undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s best. This afternoon you may like to head out on a hike or just stretch out on the shores of the lake and take it all in.

• Day 16 • Mou Waho Island/Wanaka

  Visit Mou Waho Island today. Accessible only by boat and famous for being home to an (unnamed) island, in a lake (Arethusa Pool), on an island (Mou Waho), in a lake (Lake Wanaka), on an island (the South Island) in the ocean (the Pacific). Sounds complicated, but once you are there it will all make sense! Enjoy a walk as you learn more about this predator-free reserve with a natural glacial-formed lake at its summit. Your afternoon is free to explore Wanaka and surrounds. No visit to Wanaka would be complete without seeing #thatwanakatree. Springing up from the waters of Lake Wanaka, this sloping willow is one of the most photographed trees in the world. There's no shortage of excellent hiking routes in the region if you'd like to get out and explore on foot, or you may prefer to hire a bike and hit the cycling trails.

• Day 17 • Franz Josef

  Get back on the road and make tracks for Franz Josef. This is another incredible drive, so have your camera ready! Depending on the weather, stop off at either Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka lookout points. Along the way, your leader will pause at some off the beaten track spots to snap some pictures and stretch your legs. Arrive in Franz Josef in the early evening and perhaps head out to one of the town’s cosy pubs for dinner.

• Day 18 • Franz Josef

  Rise and shine – you’re in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and there's so much to discover here. Known for the dazzling Franz Josef Glacier and awe-inspiring views of Mt Cook, this is natural beauty on the biggest scale. The region also has a cultural history that’s every bit as captivating as its natural wonders. Only found in the South Island of New Zealand, pounamu (greenstone) is an important part of Maori culture. Today, you’ll visit a local gallery where you’ll have the chance to carve your own pounamu pendant while learning about its spiritual and cultural significance. If you’d like to get up close and personal with Franz Josef Glacier in the afternoon, you can arrange for a helicopter to drop you in for a hike. You may prefer to sit back and unwind in local hot springs, or head out kayaking on an icy blue glacial lake.

• Day 19 • West Coast/Greymouth/Christchurch

  Begin the journey up the west coast – this is the rainiest part of New Zealand, resulting in greenery and lush rainforests like nowhere else in the country. If time allows, there may be the chance to check out the National Kiwi Centre – the nocturnal house here gives visitors the opportunity to see how these nocturnal birds behave. The next stretch of your journey may just be the most magnificent – hop aboard the TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch, widely believed to be one of the top train journeys in the world. Cross through the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass and travel past the rushing blue waters of the Waimakariri River and endless native beech forest. Arrive in Christchurch in the evening.

• Day 20 • Christchurch

  Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend some more time in Christchurch, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.