12-Day New Zealand Northbound Tour: Christchurch, Kaikōura, Wellington, Rotorua, Paihia and Auckland

What you'll experience

Highlights

12 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Christchurch to Kaikōura

   Christchurch: Welcome to Christchurch (Ōtautahi)! We'll board the coach, travelling through South Island to reach Kaikōura by lunch.
   Kaikōura: We'll stop off at a seal colony on the seafront to get our daily fix of cuteness, before heading to Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue to meet a local wildlife biologist, Sabrina Leucht. She has been working to build a dedicated wildlife hospital in Kaikōura and we have been helping with the fundraising! We'll learn about the types of wildlife we might encounter here, which threats they face, and what we can all do to make a difference - locally and in our own hometowns.
   After a busy day of wildlife wonders, we'll check into our seafront hotel, before heading out for a spot of dinner. Did you know that Kaikōura literally translates into 'eat (kai) crayfish (koura)'? So, no prizes for guessing what type of local cuisine we'll be trying!

   Included Experience: Visit Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Sudima Kaikōura (or similar)
2. 2

   Day 2 — Kaikōura

   We all love a free day - especially one spent in beautiful Kaikōura! We recommend taking a whale watching tour, where you'll have the opportunity to see giant sperm whales in action, as well cute seas and dusky dolphins. Other free time add-ons include a kayak trip across the coastline, and more. We'll stay another night in Kaikōura after an action-packed day, before heading to Wellington tomorrow morning.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Sudima Kaikōura (or similar)
3. 3

   Day 3 — Kaikōura to Wellington

   Kaikōura: After breakfast, we'll head back on the coach and head to our next destination. We'll stop at a seal colony, where you'll struggle not to break into a collective 'cuuuute' as you watch these guys sunning themselves on the rocks. Afterwards we'll continue on to Wellington, the capital of NZ since 1865, when it replaced Auckland. Almost thirty years later, Wellington parliament was the first in the world to allow women the right to vote. A pretty cool city all in all.
   Wellington: By the afternoon, we'll have reached Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara), just in time for a tour of the city. After an orientation through the narrow streets of Wellington, and a chance to explore the great food scene, a night on the town will be on the cards.
   
   Included Experience: See Marlborough Sounds from a Ferry

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
4. 4

   Day 4 — Wellington

   Ready to explore Wellington in all its glory? Today, why not head to a local cafe and try the famed flat white coffee in its city of origin (sorry Australians). Caffeinated and refreshed, you can opt to take a trip to Zealandia, a 225-hectare (basically massive) eco-sanctuary that protects over 40 rare native wildlife species. Because Zealandia is fully fenced, you'll be able to walk alongside incredibly rare birds like the hihi and the takahē. Look out for the tuatara, a prehistoric reptile known as a 'living fossil', which can only be found in New Zealand!

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
5. 5

   Day 5 — Wellington to Mount Ruapehu

   Wellington: We wave goodbye to Wellington and its beautiful scenery and we prepare ourselves for our next adventure - and trust us, this one is bucket-list worthy.
   Mount Ruapehu: Known as the après-ski capital of the North island, Ohakune is a tranquil town with stupendous view.  Today you have the option to go mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd" or spend the day bettering your skills on the slopes or generally treating yourself to all the snowy based activities on offer, then tonight snuggle down in our Special Stay ski lodge, located in prime position at the base of Mount Ruapehu (Ruapehu).
   
   Included Experience: Check out the World's Biggest Carrot, See an Active Stratovolcano

   

   Mount Ruapehu

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Kings Ohakune (or similar)
6. 6

   Day 6 — Mount Ruapehu to Lake Taupō

   Mount Ruapehu: Wake up in the spectacular surroundings of Mt. Ruapehu with the epic views of the volcano. Today we head off to Lake Taupō!
   Taupō: Here we are in Lake Taupō (Taupō Nui a Kiwa). Volcanic peak views & trout fishing will seamlessly slip us into quaint lake life. But don't be fooled by the seemingly still scenery - a skydive is on the menu if that adrenaline itch needs scratching. This evening we jump on a cruise on the lake to watch the sun set, go fishing and enjoy some eats with our fam.

   Included Experience: Check out some LOTR Filming Spots

   

   Mount Ruapehu

   

   Lake Taupo

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Lakeland Resort Taupō (or similar)
7. 7

   Day 7 — Lake Taupō to Rotorua via Huka Falls

   Taupō: As we leave Lake Taupō keep an eye out for even more recognisable "The Lord of the Rings" backdrops.
   Huka Falls: 220,000 litres (58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Just let that sink in for a minute. Wild, right?
   Rotorua: When you catch your first whiff of that… "unusual" sulphur smell, you'll know we've arrived in Rotorua. Upon arrival in Rotorua we get to learn some fascinating info on NZ's national birds, as well as watch new lives hatch right in front of our eyes! How impressed are you right now? Soak in a hotspring, go skydiving or take a canopy tour - there's plenty of time for you to make the best of this town. Tonight we enjoy a Māori cultural performance and feast on a Hāngi dinner that is sweetly roasted in the ground. 
   
   Included Experience: Feel the Power of Huka Falls, See Mud Pools in Rotorua, Visit the New Zealand Kiwi Hatchery MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, Watch a Traditional Māori Cultural Performance

   

   Huka Falls

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
8. 8

   Day 8 — Rotorua

   The day is yours to roam free in this geothermal paradise. Soak in a hot spring, go white water rafting or hike up a volcano. The options are limitless and the decisions are yours. We recommend the Rotorua Dawn Canopy Tour, where you'll watch the sun rise, eat some breakfast and drink coffee up in the towering trees as the birds make start their morning calls. Then, you'll get to soar 1200m through the forest on the ultimate zipline adventure.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
9. 9

   Day 9 — Rotorua to Auckland

   Rotorua: Ta-ra, Rotorua! We're headed to Auckland, where there's an array of awesome Free-Time Add-Ons to choose from.
   Auckland: Welcome to Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau)! Adrenaline junkies, get ready for a bungee jump, climb over the iconic harbour bridge or sky jump off the Skywalk. For those who prefer to keep two feet on the ground, why not get your taste buds tingling with a multi-sensory ice cream experience at Giapo?

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Lylo (or similar)
10. 10

    Day 10 — Auckland to Paihia via Whangārei

    Auckland: We'll cross Aucklands Harbour Bridge admiring the 'City of Sails' harbour before starting our journey north to Paihia.
    Whangārei: We'll stop off at the stunning yacht marina in Whangārei to check out the quirky exterior of the weird and wonderful Hunderwassert art centre, a unique architectural project dedicated to the ecological activist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. After lunch we'll hit the road again onwards to the Bay of Islands.
    Paihia: We'll start off with a dose of Kiwi history on a guided tour at Waitangi Treaty grounds where in 1840 New Zealand officially became a nation of two communities. And because we like to give you that something extra, how about included admission to the Treaty museum for more detail on Kiwi history. Tonight we'll feast like the locals and enjoy a true Kiwiana fish'n'chips as we overlook the glittering Bay of Islands.
    
    Included Experience: Cross Auckland's Harbor Bridge, See the Iconic 'City of Sails' Harbor, View the Hundertwasser Art Center, Discover the Waitangi Treaty Grounds with a Local Guide, Eat Fish and Chips Kiwi Style in Paihia

     

     

    

    Auckland Harbour Bridge

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Eat Fish and Chips Kiwi Style in Paihia
11. 11

    Day 11 — Paihia

    Whether it's parasailing or a catamaran cruise - today's (idyllic) list of optionals reads like a who's who of adventure. This area is filled with natural beauty and is sure to inspire your inner wild child. Make the most of the Free Time Add-On experiences on offer - tomorrow we head back to the big city vibes.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Bounty Motel (or similar)
12. 12

    Day 12 — Paihia to Auckland

    Paihia: Feeling salty and sun-kissed we'll wave goodbye to beautiful Paihia and sashay our way back down NZ in the direction of Auckland.
    Auckland: Our adventure comes to an end in Auckland today. Make sure you swap contact deets and start planning the next adventure. Anyone for 'Straya?

     

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Cancellation policy

Important info

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