The Ultimate Adventure
For departures from June 2025.
From Auckland to Christchurch (or, from Christchurch to Auckland – please see the reverse New Zealand itinerary), you’ll soon see that New Zealand is filled with many different landscapes and opportunities for adventure!
This small-group guided tour of the North and South Island will visit Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, Wellington, Kaikōura, Wanaka, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo (an International Dark Sky Reserve), and Franz Josef, with the option to visit Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves, The Tongariro Crossing and Milford Sound along the way.
The New Zealand's Amplified Tour comes with some very special inclusions: experiencing a Māori cultural night and traditional hāngī meal, learning haka and poi dance, and carving your very own pounamu (greenstone/jade) pendant in Franz Josef. Join this Haka Tour for an action packed two and a half weeks in New Zealand!
Keen to explore further? If you'd like to extend your time in New Zealand after the tour has finished, our team can book a few extra nights for you.
New Zealand Amplified Tour Tips
All activities can be purchased on the road – just let your tour guide know and we can book them in for you.
Our tour starts in the evening, so you can spend the day exploring Auckland at your leisure, you can check out our website for recommendations on what to do and where to explore!
The tour price includes dorm share accommodation but if you would prefer your own space you have the option to upgrade to a private room for the duration of your tour. Upgrading your accommodation to a two person private room costs INSERT PRICE HERE. You can select this upgrade when you start building your tour online. Please note: private room upgrades are not available for the one-night shared cultural experience (Murupara).
If you arrive in Auckland with a few days to spare either before or after your tour, we have a great three-day Bay of Islands Tour which showcases the Northland region of New Zealand.
As our tours are made up of a combination of tours, the composition of your group may change throughout your tour (Auckland and Christchurch are the hubs where the group may change).
Tour highlights
Learn about our unique Māori culture (Included)
Experience a living Māori village, learn the world-famous haka, enjoy a traditional hāngi and carve your own jade pendant.
Discover Hobbiton (Included)
Discover one of NZ’s most iconic experiences - Hobbiton Movie Set. On a fully guided tour of the 12- acre Middle-earth set you will see Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and even enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn!
Visit a seal colony (Included)
Get up close to Kaikōura’s cutest residents at a local seal colony.
Carve your own Pounamu pendant (Included)
Carve your own Pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) on the West Coast, a unique and memorable experience.
Visit Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre, World Home of Bungy - Included
Regardless of whether you are going to Bungy Jump yourself, a visit to the Kawarau Bridge is a must-do when in Queenstown. Fling yourself 43 metres off the historic bridge, or watch others take the plunge!
Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd (Included)
The Church of Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo is arguably one of the most photographed of New Zealand's buildings. A small stone church situated in a stunning landscape, it's not to be missed.
Discover Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World (Included)
Queenstown is famous around the world for being high energy, with outstanding natural beauty and a vast range of adventure activities to take part in! For those looking to do their own thing, there's a heap of accessible hikes, ranging in lengths, close by. Queenstown is truly the 'jewel in the crown'.
Tour itinerary
Auckland to Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand! This evening is a great opportunity to see Auckland's nightlife and meet your fellow travellers.
Auckland to Coromandel
We’ll kick things off with an iconic Kiwi road trip – leaving the big city and heading to a beachy paradise of oh-so-perfect scenery in the Coromandel.
Coromandel to Rotorua
The perfect beaches and massive rock arches of Cathedral Cove are calling us this morning – drink in the scenery before we head to Waitomo.
Rotorua to Rotorua
Today is a free day to explore Rotorua's geothermal wonders or choose your own adventure and cross off some bucket-list activities!
Rotorua to Murupara
Today you will discover why Rotorua is so unique to the world with its geothermal wonders and Māori culture, before our visit to a living Māori village.
Murupara to Taupō
It’s only a short drive to our next destination, Taupō, and there’s plenty to discover along the way.
Taupō to Taupō
Challenge yourself or unwind in style – you've got a full day in Taupō. The famed Tongariro Crossing is today’s optional bucket-list item (weather permitting).
Taupō to Wellington
A drive-by tour of some Lord of the Rings filming locations is part of the long-ish drive today. Foodies and craft beer lovers will savour Wellington’s bars and eateries.
Wellington to Kaikōura
Venture around Wellington before taking a scenic ferry journey across the Cook Strait and get up close and personal with the South Island.
Kaikōura to Christchurch
The Kaikōura Ranges make for an epic backdrop for all the marine and wildlife activities you can enjoy here including whale watching and dolphin encounter tours.
Christchurch to Christchurch
Enjoy a relaxing day in Christchurch, explore and take it at your own pace!
Christchurch to Mackenzie Country
See the innovative ways Christchurch is rebuilding after the 2011 earthquake, and then get your cameras ready for the turquoise waters and International Dark Sky Reserve of Lake Tekapo.
Mackenzie Country to Queenstown
From the golden tussocklands of Mackenzie Country to the home of bungy-jumping and on to the jaw-dropping beauty surrounding Queenstown: it’s like you’re driving into a postcard.
Queenstown to Queenstown
This is New Zealand’s adventure playground and the perfect spot to check off bucket list items and challenge yourself! For scenery lovers, Milford Sound is a must-see option.
Queenstown to Wanaka
On the way to wondrous Wanaka (cue more towering peaks and another glacial blue lake) we’ll stop in at Arrowtown, a charming historic gold rush village.
Wanaka to Franz Josef
Hot tip: don’t nap on the bus! Today’s road trip to the UNESCO World Heritage area famous for its glaciers is rated by many of our guides as their favourite.
Franz Josef to Franz Josef
Franz Josef Glacier has been around for 18,000 years – it’d be rude not to explore it! Today your tour includes the chance to carve a greenstone pendant.
Franz Josef to Christchurch
Franz Josef Glacier has been around for 18,000 years – it’d be rude not to explore it! Today your tour includes the chance to carve a greenstone pendant.
Christchurch to Christchurch
Enjoy a well-deserved lie in this morning, as the tour has officially finished! Relax and explore, or more on to see more of the incredible places in the South Island!
What’s included?
What's included on every adventure tour:
- Small groups, up to 16 people
- Passionate Kiwi guides
- Comfortable bus transport
- High-end hostel accommodation
- Tasty continental breakfasts every day
- Experiences to teach you about our unique Māori culture
What's also included on this tour:
- 18 nights total, with 17 nights in high-end hostel accommodation (dorm share as standard) and 1 night shared cultural experience
- Stunning visit to the spectacular arched cavern of Coromandel’s Cathedral Cove
- A guided visit to the filming location of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy, Hobbiton
- Learn a haka and learn to weave flax with a local iwi (tribe)
- Visit Te Puia - a local cultural centre - to learn more about traditional Māori culture and discover Rotorua’s geothermal wonders
- See kiwi birds up close and personal
- Eat a traditional Māori hāngī meal cooked in an underground oven
- Follow your nose to Rotorua’s bubbling mud pools
- Discover what makes Huka Falls the most visited natural attraction in NZ
- Check out the views from Matairangi/Mount Victoria, Wellington
- Fall in love with Wellington’s cafe and craft beer culture
- Iconic ferry ride between the North and South Islands across the Cook Strait
- Get up close to Kaikōura’s cutest residents at a local seal colony
- Explore downtown Christchurch and see its inspiring regeneration since the 2011 earthquake
- Visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, nestled by the shores of Lake Tekapo
- Unparalleled stargazing opportunities in Tekapo’s Dark Sky Reserve
- Two nights in Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World
- Visit the charming, historic gold rush village of Arrowtown
- Carve your own pounamu (jade) pendant in Franz Josef
- Visit the Mountain Jade Factory in Hokitika
- Plus many surprise stops along the way
ENHANCE YOUR TRIP WITH ADD-ON ACTIVITIES AND UPGRADES
Your tour includes all the essentials but you can add extra wow-factor to your tour by adding on the activities and accommodation upgrades that suit you best.
GUEST REVIEWS
Available dates
Only $400 to secure your seat unless you book within 60 days of departure. Once your spot is booked, you can log in and customise your tour with any extra experiences or activities up to 60 days before departure.
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