Highlights of New Zealand
15 days, Auckland to Christchurch
Itinerary Notes
Please note that when in Franz Josef optional activities may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Itinerary
Day 1Auckland
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities until an evening welcome meeting, so head out and enjoy the city.
This tour departs Auckland early on Day 2. If you are interested in exploring the city and its nearby attractions, like a local winery, it is recommended you book additional pre-trip accommodation nights.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Maritime Museum Visit
24NZD per personTour the museum’s seven galleries to learn more about New Zealand’s relationship with the sea. Be inspired by the country's most celebrated mariner, Sir Peter Blake, and his many accomplishments, and see maritime art that speaks to the sentiment of a nautical nation.
Waiheke Island Excursion
45-130NZD per personTake a ferry ride to Waiheke Island for a quick, fun getaway. Swim or kayak at white-sand beaches in the Hauraki Gulf. Tour the island's tracks and bush reserves, or sample your way through some of the island’s 19 boutique wineries (the island produces some of New Zealand’s finest reds).
Auckland Sailing: America's Cup Experience (Pre Tour)
195NZD per personAs part of the boat crew, you'll work together with your teammates to sail around Auckland's Waitemata Harbour in this competitive yacht. Either take the helm and participate or sit back and enjoy the spectacle - the choice is yours.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Oaks Auckland Hotel (or similar)
Day 2Auckland/Rotorua
Drive to the lakeside town of Rotorua, situated over an active geothermal zone and known for its volcanic features and rich Maori heritage. Stop en route at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Waitomo Cave Excursion
Enjoy a peaceful boat ride through 30 million year old caverns covered with magical glowworms that are unique to New Zealand. Hundreds of thousands of these tiny creatures radiate luminescent light in underground caves carved by rivers and time. Take in more than 136 years of cultural and natural history on this unique excursion.
Accommodation
Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Day 3Rotorua
Visit Rotorua and opt to check out the geothermal area or go whitewater rafting. In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment.
Rotorua sits over an active volcanic zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. Opt to visit one of the sites, or go whitewater rafting nearby.
If you are interested in visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set while in New Zealand we suggest you pre-book before arriving in New Zealand. G Adventures currently does not offer this as a tour add-on. Hobbiton is accessible as a day trip from Auckland or Rotorua.
Mitai Experience
Visit the Mitai Maori Village and learn the migration story of Tamatekapua of the Te Arawa canoe to Aotearoa and the Maori Pacifica connection told in dance form. Enjoy a delicious Hangi meal, similar to a Hawaiian Luau, with dishes such as chicken, sweet potato (kumara) and lamb steamed over heated rocks.
Free Time
Enjoy free time to visit the geothermal sites around town.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Hot Springs
45-75NZD per personSoak tired muscles in the area's natural hot springs and let the mineral water work its magic. Rotorua is home to a number of amazing geothermal parks – be sure you don't miss the healing and relaxing benefits of the city's naturally heated waters.
Whitewater Rafting
125NZD per personGet your adrenaline fix on this exhilarating white water rafting trip. Enjoy the amazing scenery along the way, but don't forget to paddle!
Rotorua Canopy Tours
189-259NZD per personExperience life among the treetops of a Kiwi forest through this one-of-a-kind nature tour. Gain a whole new perspective on the plants, animals, and insects that call this environment home, and learn about conservation efforts to protect the region's subtropical forests. Opt to book the Original Canopy Tour (3 hrs) or the Ultimate Canopy Tour (3.5 hrs).
Accommodation
Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Rotorua/Wellington
Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Wellington
Enjoy the atmosphere in this relaxed but lively city. After an orientation walk, enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit the Te Papa Museum or take the cable car up to the botanical gardens.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Spend some time exploring the city.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Te Papa Museum Visit
35NZD per personVisit this must-see museum, home to displays of historical Maori artifacts and modern exhibits. See how the museum is constructed on shock absorbers to withstand New Zealand’s many earthquakes – find the stairwell just outside the entrance and descend into the foundations of the building.
Zealandia
25-95NZD per personZealandia is about the most biodiversity-rich square mile of mainland New Zealand in terms of the species living wild here. Over forty different species of native birds have been recorded in the sanctuary valley, twenty-four of them endemic.
Wellington Cable Car
6-11NZD per personThere is simply no better way to experience the hidden charm that Wellington has to offer than to take this 5-minute ride from the heart of the city centre, up through the hillside terraced houses of Kelburn, to the lookout perched high above the city.
Enjoy easy access to the Botanic Garden, Cable Car Museum, Space Place (at Carter Observatory) and Zealandia (via free shuttle).
Weta Workshop Tour
99NZD per personThis 2 to 3-hour guided tour will give you a unique behind-the-scenes look at how the Weta workshop helps craft and create the imaginary realities of some of the world’s biggest films. Get so see creativity in action as the workshop crew members practice their trade and get up close and personal with props from The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and so much more!
Accommodation
Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington (or similar)
Day 6Wellington/Kaikoura
Fly to the South Island and travel to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life. Stop en route for a wine tasting at a local winery.
Winery Visit
Stop at a local winery and opt to sample some of the wines produced on site.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Hiking
FreeSet off along the hiking trail to take in the beautiful scenery along the Kaikoura Peninsula walkway.
Scenic Flight
225NZD per personTake a 30-minute flight and set off to search for whales, dolphins, and other marine life. On land, you'll see Maori sites, Kaikoura town and New Zealand's southern fur seals.
Accommodation
The White Morph (or similar)
Meals included:
DinnerDay 7Kaikoura/Hanmer Springs
Enjoy a free morning in Kaikoura. Opt to go on a whale watching tour and search for giant sperm whales. Or head out on a tour to swim in the open ocean in a place often visited by wild dolphins. In the afternoon, travel to Hanmer Springs. Opt to take a soak in the hot springs.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Whale Watching
175NZD per personFollow in the path of Paikea, the Maori "whale rider", and set out in search of Giant Sperm Whales as they spray and dive their way through the waters off Kaikoura.
Dolphin Tour
240NZD per personHop aboard a boat and head out to the open seas to search for wild dusky dolphins. If we come upon them, depending on conditions, most groups have 20-40 minutes of swim time with the dolphins.
Accommodation
Drifters Inn Hanmer Springs (or similar)
Day 8Hanmer Springs/Franz Josef
Take in the stunning scenery while travelling across the Southern Alps to the rugged and remote West Coast, before staying in the rainforest near the world's fastest moving glacier.
Private Vehicle
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle. Driving time includes stops.
Accommodation
Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Franz Josef
Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. Opt to explore the glacier with a heli hike.
There are plenty of optional activities in the area to suit just about any budget and preference. Try heli hiking, scenic helicopter flights, skydiving or lake kayaking.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Franz Josef, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like a glacial hike or a helicopter hike. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Hiking
FreeTake your pick of many scenic and memorable treks in Franz Josef – a true hiker’s haven. Get prepared before heading out, and be mindful of signs along the track. See majestic mountains, glaciers, rivers, and amazing views that you’ll definitely want your camera on hand for.
Heli Scenic Flight with Snow Landing
350-445NZD per personTake a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride high up on Franz Josef Glacier. Hop out on the snow to soak up the experience, before flying back to land. Cool!
Franz Josef Kayaking
135NZD per personExplore the stunning Lake Mapourika by kayak. This lake was created as the Franz Josef glacier retreated 14,000 years ago, and the still water has created a natural mirror allowing you to soak in the incredible panoramic views.
Guided Heli Hike (Heli Transfer)
698NZD per personThe sheer size and power of Franz Josef is something you need to see to believe. Board a chopper for a leisurely flight over the glacier before landing directly on the ice. From there, get up close and personal on a three-hour guided hike past towering peaks and stunning blue ice. The constantly shifting ice flows and crevices ensure your visit will be one-of-a-kind!
Accommodation
Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Franz Josef/Queenstown
Continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. With beautiful scenery and tons of activities, there's something for everyone. Enjoy the great night life.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
Day 11Queenstown
With free time here, opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving or hiking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.
Opt to pre-book the "Queenstown Jet Boating" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Queenstown, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like mountain biking, bungee jumping, and jet boating. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Vineyard Tour
210-240NZD per personVisit vineyards in New Zealand's fastest growing wine region. Taste some of Queenstown's finest Pinot Noir, as well as Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc and learn more about the grape varietals that flourish here. Pick up a few bottles to savour back home.
Bungee Jumping
265-450NZD per personAdrenaline junkies will be happy with a stop at the world's original commercial bungee site (bungy in New Zealand!). Opt to take the plunge or simply observe where it all started from the comfort of solid ground. Shoot some amazing photos of those brave enough to dive into the abyss.
Earnslaw Steamship Cruise
99-120NZD per personDiscover the breathtaking Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a 103 year old traditional steamship. This 90 minute cruise highlights that stunning alpine scenery that surrounds Queenstown, and lets you check out the views while relaxing on deck.
Gondola Ride
66-80NZD per personTake a ride up to the top of the mountain by cable car gondola. Get a spectacular 220º view of Coronet Peak, the Remarkables mountain range, and Lake Wakatipu below.
Queenstown Jet Boating
169NZD per personJet boating is a typical New Zealand activity— go as fast you can in a boat over water. Hang on tight as you fly across the surface of the water. Shoot through narrow rocky gorges and dare to watch as the driver takes hairpin turns frighteningly close to the cliffs.
Skydiving
430-535NZD per personEnjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of Queenstown from an eagle's perspective. Suit up, get briefed and board the prop plane to soar high about the rugged alpine landscape. Strap onto your instructor, take a breath and leap into a once-in-a-lifetime free fall. This is what a natural high truly feels like!
Accommodation
Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Queenstown
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Take in the waterfalls and wildlife, then return to Queenstown for the night.
Private Vehicle
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle. Driving time includes stops.
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
Cruise through the stunning Doubtful Sound, one of the most untouched, remote places in the world. The only way to get here is by boat across Lake Manapouri, then bus across Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound. Marvel at the steep cliff walls and cascading waterfalls, and keep an eye out for area wildlife: dolphins, penguins, seals, and a variety of birds. This isolated part of New Zealand is truly a special place!
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Heartland Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 13Queenstown to Tekapo
Travel north through the centre of the South Island to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, named after New Zealand's highest peak. Spend the afternoon hiking the region, taking in the alpine scenery. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Visitor's Centre, before a short but scenic journey to Tekapo Village.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre
Stop by the visitor's centre to learn more about the region.
Aoraki/Mount Cook Visit
Aoraki/Mount Cook is both a village, a national park and the name of New Zealand's highest mountain. Located in central South Island, the park includes a mix of rocks and glaciers, as well as alpine plants including the world's largest buttercup, the Mount Cook lily. There are several short walks that reward with spectacular views.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Godley Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Tekapo to Christchurch
Continue on to Christchurch and take in an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy one final night together with the group.
Travel to the Garden City of Christchurch, a little piece of England in New Zealand, still recovering from a devastating earthquake.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Enjoy a last night out.
Accommodation
Bealey Quarter (or similar)
Day 15Christchurch
Depart at any time.