23 Days All of New Zealand

Itinerary: day by day

Day 1 - Auckland to Paihia

We depart Auckland at 7am and head north to Paihia, with stops on the way to view giant kauri trees, snorkel at Goat Island Marine Reserve and then to hike to the beautiful waterfall of Piroa.

We arrive into the Bay of Islands in the afternoon, where you have the option to visit the historic Waitangi Treaty grounds (own expense) before settling into our accommodation for the night. The evening is yours free to relax and get to know your fellow travellers. (Meals at own expense).

Day 2 – Paihia to Urupukapuka Island

Tonight we uniquely stay on Urupukapuka Island - 20 minutes by boat from the mainland and the largest island in the Bay. On the way to the island we enjoy a wildlife cruise to explore the Bay of Islands taking in many of the other 144 islands, which gave the place its name. We almost always see dolphins and other marine life on this trip! The boat then drops us at the island in the late afternoon for us to have time settle in for the night! (D)

Day 3 - Urupukapuka Island to Auckland

You have the morning free to explore the island and experience one of its many great walks, relax on one of the golden beaches or go swimming or kayaking (own expense). There are also historic Maori Pa sites on the island that you can visit. At midday we leave via boat to head back to the mainland. We make a stop at the Native Bird Recovery Centre to see more native birds up close, before reaching Auckland around 7pm. (B)  

Day 4 - Auckland to Hahei (Coromandel)

We head southeast to the 'Coromandel region' via views of Waikato farmland. We head to our remote beach area to hike to the stunning Cathedral Cove (famous for use in NZ tourism posters worldwide), and have a chance to bathe in the natural hot pools of Hot Water Beach (tide dependent). We stay in cabins right by the beach and enjoy a BBQ together in the evening. Quad-share cabins only. (D)

Day 5 – Hahei to Rotorua

Travelling along the stunning Coromandel Coast we stop for some great walks on the way to Rotorua. We arrive at midday and you have the chance to do some awesome optional activities from walks to white water rafting (additional cost). We then head to our uniquely developed Maori cultural overnight stop at Tamaki Village, where you will be greeted with a powhiri (welcoming ceremony). In the evening you will be taught a waiata (song), enjoy a powerful cultural performance, have a hangi dinner (traditionally cooked on hot rocks covered in earth), then gather around a campfire for stories of the migration, settlement and survival of Maori in New Zealand. We spend the night in a marae (traditional Maori meeting house). (B, D)  

Day 6 - Rotorua to Whakahoro

We leave the marae early this morning, stopping for a swim in a geothermal river, then on to the impressive Huka Falls. We drive around Lake Taupo towards the Central Plateau where we go deep into the wilderness to our remote environmental award-winning stop at Blue Duck Lodge. You can choose to kayak the last 6kms (own expense), take a 4WD eco-warrior tour, a historic walk, or join in on a hunt to eradicate some pests! Tonight we cook a traditional bush dinner using local produce, and learn about the area's rich early-settlement history and the owner's huge efforts to restore the local plants and birdlife to their former glory. (B, D)

Note: Winter conditions may prevent us from kayaking. In this situation, kayaking will be substituted with the 4WD eco-warrior tour.

Day 7 – Whakahoro to National Park

This morning we head back towards the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park with the chance to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, rated as NZ's best one-day walk. For those less active there will be shorter walks and a visit to the Volcanic Centre Museum. Tonight we stay at the spectacular alpine lodge 'The Park'. (B, D)

Day 8 - National Park to Wellington

Following the great day we have had in National Park we head to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. We arrive early afternoon giving you time to explore 'Te Papa', NZ's national museum and strongly recommend the walk along Oriental Parade and/or up Mt Victoria to get the best view of the city. We stay in central Wellington accommodation tonight. (B)

Day 9 – Wellington/Picton to Abel Tasman

From Wellington we catch the inter-island ferry to the South Island port of Picton for the trip through

to Marahau. We stop for a wine tasting in Marlborough, NZ's premier wine region and world famous for its Sauvignon Blanc; then head across to Nelson and out to the Tasman region to experience the picturesque beaches and bays of Abel Tasman National Park. We stay in our exclusive campsite located adjacent to the national park, where your group gets the chance to plant a native tree or seedling to leave a legacy of your stay! Dinner tonight includes a taste of local seafood. (B, D)

Day 10 – Full day in Abel Tasman

An entire day to explore the Abel Tasman National Park. We have included a boat transfer out of the park so you can walk this famous coastal track, incorporating some of the NZ's best beaches. You can upgrade to one of the other great options including sea kayaking or sailing. We self-cater tonight with BBQ facilities available and stay again at our campsite right beside the National Park. (B)

Day 11 - Abel Tasman to Hanmer Springs

Today we set off early passing through two more national parks en route to the tranquillity of Hanmer Springs. The Kahurangi and Nelson national parks boast fabulous scenery and some great small hikes with craggy mountain ranges draped with forest to the lake's edge. We will have a picnic on the lake edge today. We arrive at Hanmer Springs in the afternoon and have a relaxing soak in the hot pools. We go for a group meal tonight. (B, D)

Day 12- Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura

The day begins with a short, leisurely drive to the coast heading to Kaikoura, a stop that offers a sanctuary of marine life. Regardless of what you choose to do you will encounter marine life in many forms. There are seals, dolphins, whales or the king of the skies, the Royal Albatross. There is a fantastic walk starting from the seal colony around the cliff tops where you will get amazing views. Tonight we stay overnight at this quaint seaside village. (B)

Day 13 – Kaikoura via Christchurch to Franz Josef

We start early for a stunning journey across the Canterbury Plains. Enjoy a quick stop in Christchurch before heading over Arthur's Pass to the West Coast. The scenery changes constantly so we stop for many walks and photo opportunities along the way. We stop in Hokitika, famous for pounamu (jade) and stop in at the Bushman's Centre to learn about local history, before heading down to Franz Josef for its majestic glacier. We stay in a lodge in the rainforest at Franz Josef. (D)  

Day 14 – Full day at Franz Josef

Today is free for exploring this World Heritage area. There are many great walks but we highly recommend that you pay to go on one of the guided trips (where they provide you with specialised equipment) so that you can get further onto the glacier. Self-cater tonight – there are great local cafes and a kitchen at the lodge. (B)

N.B. in winter a half day guided glacier hike is included.

Day 15 - Franz Josef to Makarora

We follow the coast further south today for even more amazing scenery (including NZ's most photographed lake), some great walks, waterfalls and a breathtaking alpine pass. We arrive at our wilderness accommodation at the foot of Mount Aspiring National Park by mid-afternoon. The locals provide some of the most spectacular activities from scenic flights to wilderness jet boating. Our accommodation tonight is in chalets. (B, D)

Day 16 - Makarora to Queenstown

We journey on to the adventure capital of the world today, Queenstown, the spiritual home of bungy jumping. On the way we stop in the scenic town of Wanaka for a walk and lunch before heading to the bungy bridge. Everyone has the option of observing or jumping themselves. We arrive at our accommodation in the afternoon ready for two days of whatever activities you choose to do from the relaxing to full-on adrenaline. Your guide will take you on an orientation of the resort when we arrive and a tour of the town's nightspots in the evening. (B)

Day 17 and 18 - Full day Queenstown.

Optional activities available (No meals).

Day 19 - Queenstown to Doubtful Sound

This morning we head into the awe-inspiring Fiordland National Park. Doubtful Sound is truly an amazing place; one of the most remote and untouched places on earth where you will see fur seals, Fiordland Crested Penguins and dolphins. We spend the day and night on a purpose-built boat, which includes a dedicated nature guide and sea kayaks. We overnight in a secluded bay in the fiord. (D)

N.B. In winter we do the Doubtful Sound day cruise and stay overnight in Te Anau.

Day 20 – Doubtful Sound to Central Otago

The morning is spent departing Doubtful Sound. We board our own mini-coach at midday and head through the beautiful Otago region. We explore relics of the gold rush, which was responsible for the European settlement of this area. We stay in our own unique and historic accommodation in the middle of Otago gold country. You have the option of curling tonight (like bowling but with big stones on an ice rink), we challenge you to try and beat your guide. (B, D)

Day 21 – Central Otago to Rangitata

In the morning we grab our mountain bikes and head out to sample part of the old Otago Gold Mining Rail Trail. It is an ideal activity for riders of all abilities and a great way to soak up the incredible scenery and history of the area. We then express along the Canterbury plains to Rangitata, one of the region's original sheep stations surrounded by the Southern Alps. Tonight we build a campfire and exchange stories from the trip. (B)

Day 22 – Rangitata via Christchurch to Picton/Wellington

We leave Rangitata this morning for an express trip via Christchurch to Picton and Wellington. Enjoy the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and some great harbour shots of our capital as we take a flight over the Cook Strait.

Day 23 - Wellington to Auckland

Today is an express journey from Wellington to Auckland. We stop along the way for photos and to have lunch in the township of a dual World Heritage area – National Park. (B)