18 Day New Zealand Epic Adventure Tour

We leave Auckland behind and travel north through landscapes shaped by giant kauri trees, freshwater lakes and native forest. Cool off at the crystal-clear Kai Iwi Lakes, visit the legendary Waipoua Forest and finish your first day by the Tasman Sea in Omapere.

Included: Kauri Museum and Kai Iwi Lakes
Discover the story of New Zealand's mighty kauri trees and the people who lived and worked alongside them before visiting the beautiful Kai Iwi Lakes. These clear freshwater dune lakes are surrounded by native forest and provide a refreshing introduction to the natural beauty of the Far North.

Included: Tāne Mahuta Guided Tour
Walk beneath towering kauri trees on a guided journey to Tāne Mahuta, New Zealand's largest living kauri tree. Standing deep within Waipoua Forest, this remarkable giant offers an unforgettable glimpse into one of the country's most ancient natural landscapes.

Included: Fish and Chips Dinner
Celebrate the first evening of your small group adventure with a relaxed fish and chips dinner by the coast. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere as the sun sets over the Tasman Sea.

This morning, continue across the Far North from the dramatic west coast to the calmer, island-speckled waters of the Bay of Islands. The drive reveals a quieter side of New Zealand, with rolling countryside, small settlements and subtropical vegetation along the way. Arrive in Paihia with time to stroll the waterfront, enjoy a drink overlooking the bay or choose an optional activity for the following day.

Included: Marsden Estate Wine Tasting
Enjoy a relaxed tasting at Marsden Estate, sampling wines produced in the warm Bay of Islands climate. Surrounded by vines and gardens, it is a lovely pause before continuing to the coast.

Today is yours to enjoy the Bay of Islands your way, whether that means joining an optional cruise, kayaking along the coast, spotting dolphins or simply relaxing beside the water. In the evening, come together with your small group for a memorable Māori cultural experience.

Included: Waitangi Treaty Grounds Combo Pass
Explore one of New Zealand's most important historic and cultural sites at your own pace. Discover the stories behind the Treaty of Waitangi and gain a deeper understanding of the country's Māori and European heritage.

Included: Hāngī Dinner at Waitangi
Experience a traditional Māori feast in the special setting of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. This included dinner brings the group together for an evening of great food and cultural connection.

We journey south from the Bay of Islands with time to stop in the charming village of Matakana, known for its boutique shops, galleries and relaxed atmosphere. Return to Auckland in the late afternoon, with the evening free to explore the city’s restaurants, harbour precinct or vibrant central neighbourhoods.

Travel east to the Coromandel Peninsula, a region famous for forested hills, hidden coves and pale-sand beaches. Base yourself near Hahei, where clear water and dramatic coastal rock formations create one of the North Island’s most recognisable landscapes. Spend the afternoon swimming, kayaking or walking towards Cathedral Cove, then enjoy a memorable beach experience at low tide.

Included: Hot Water Beach
At Hot Water Beach, naturally heated mineral water rises through the sand beneath your feet. Dig a pool at low tide and relax in your own beachside spa while waves roll in nearby.

Leave the coast and head inland through the heart of the North Island, where volcanic activity has shaped the land for thousands of years. Rotorua is known for its steam vents, bubbling mud pools, geothermal parks and rich Māori heritage. After checking in, take time to explore the lakeside city, sample local cuisine or unwind in one of its famous mineral pools.

Included: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland
Discover Wai-O-Tapu, a colourful geothermal wonderland filled with steaming craters, bubbling mud pools and mineral-rich terraces. Its vivid pools and otherworldly landscapes offer an extraordinary glimpse into New Zealand’s volcanic interior.

Today is yours to experience Rotorua at your own pace, with your guide close by to help with local tips and optional activity bookings. Join the group for an adrenaline-filled adventure such as rafting, luging or ziplining, or choose a more relaxed day exploring the geothermal parks and lakeside scenery. In the evening, consider visiting Mitai Māori Village for an immersive cultural experience featuring traditional performance, storytelling and a hāngī feast.

We travel south through the central North Island towards Lake Taupō, stopping along the way to discover some of the region’s most famous sights. Optional Hobbiton visits, thundering waterfalls and a sunset beside the lake make this a day full of contrasts, from movie magic to raw natural power.

Included: Huka Falls Walking Loop
We follow the Waikato River to Huka Falls, where huge volumes of bright blue water thunder through a narrow volcanic gorge. The walk offers excellent viewpoints and a chance to appreciate one of New Zealand’s most impressive river landscapes.

Taupō is an adventure playground, and today we choose how we want to experience it. Sail to Māori rock carvings, jet boat the river, skydive over the lake, relax by the water or take on the optional Tongariro Alpine Crossing with fellow hikers from the group.

We head west to Waitomo, where an incredible underground world of limestone caves, glowworms and hidden rivers awaits beneath the rolling hills. Later, our small group arrives in Raglan, a laid-back surf town with black-sand beaches, creative cafés and a famously easy-going atmosphere.

Included: Waitomo Area Exploration
We explore the Waitomo region, where ancient limestone has been shaped into caves, sinkholes and underground passages over millions of years. Optional adventures can take us deeper into this glowworm-lit world, from gentle cave tours to black-water rafting and abseiling.

We enjoy a final morning in Raglan, with time for a beach walk, coffee or a look at the powerful west-coast surf. Then we return to Auckland and fly south together to Christchurch, ready to begin the South Island section of our New Zealand Epic adventure.

Included: Auckland to Christchurch Flight
Our included domestic flight links the North and South Islands smoothly, taking us from Auckland to Christchurch. On arrival, we begin to feel the shift towards the South Island’s alpine landscapes, wide plains and dramatic mountain ranges.

We head into the heart of the South Island and arrive at the spectacular turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. Spend time enjoying the mountain scenery, exploring the area and soaking up the peaceful atmosphere of one of New Zealand's most photographed destinations.

Included: Church of the Good Shepherd

Visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, beautifully positioned beside Lake Tekapo with magnificent views across the lake and surrounding mountains. This small stone church has become one of the region’s most photographed landmarks.

Included: Tekapo Dark Sky Experience

Spend the evening beneath the stars in the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve. With exceptionally clear skies and very little light pollution, Tekapo offers an unforgettable opportunity to appreciate the brilliance of the southern night sky.

Enjoy more time in Tekapo before travelling south through dramatic alpine scenery towards Queenstown. Set beside the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by towering mountains, this lively resort town is known as New Zealand’s adventure capital.

Take the afternoon to explore the town, stroll along the lakefront or choose from an exciting range of optional activities. From skydiving and bungy jumping to ziplining and canyoning, Queenstown offers plenty of ways to add an adrenaline rush to your adventure.

Travel deep into the spectacular landscapes of Fiordland, where ancient rainforest, towering mountains and powerful waterfalls create some of New Zealand’s most dramatic scenery. Keep an eye out for native wildlife as you journey through this remarkable UNESCO-listed wilderness.

Included: Transport to Milford Sound

Sit back and enjoy the spectacular journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound, travelling through one of New Zealand’s most scenic regions. The road itself is part of the adventure, passing through mountain valleys, lush rainforest and dramatic Fiordland landscapes.

Optional: Milford Sound Cruise

Take to the water and cruise beneath towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls in one of New Zealand’s most famous natural attractions. The experience offers a spectacular perspective of the fiord and the chance to spot wildlife along the way.

Today is yours to enjoy Queenstown your way, whether that means chasing adrenaline, exploring the outdoors or simply soaking up the lakeside scenery. With an incredible range of optional activities, there is something for every type of traveller.

Try a bungy jump, canyon swing, jet boat ride or scenic skydive for an unforgettable rush. If you prefer a slower pace, explore the walking and cycling trails, ride the gondola or relax with views across Lake Wakatipu.

We leave Queenstown and travel through the stunning landscapes of Central Otago, stopping in picturesque Wānaka before continuing towards the West Coast. Cross the dramatic Haast Pass, where mountains, waterfalls and ancient rainforest lead the way to glacier country.

Arrive in Franz Josef, a small township surrounded by lush rainforest and spectacular alpine scenery. This remarkable region is one of the few places in the world where glaciers descend so close to temperate rainforest.

Spend the day exploring Franz Josef and choosing from a range of unforgettable optional adventures. From the icy landscapes of the glacier to the surrounding rainforest and rivers, there are plenty of ways to experience this extraordinary region.

Take a guided glacier hike, soar above the mountains on a scenic helicopter flight or combine both on a heli-hike adventure. Alternatively, enjoy quad biking, kayaking or a relaxing soak while surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the West Coast.

On our final day, we leave Franz Josef and journey north along the wild West Coast, where lush rainforest meets the Tasman Sea. We stop in Hokitika, a creative coastal town known for its beach, pounamu (New Zealand jade) and relaxed local character, before turning inland towards the Southern Alps.

Our route takes us through Arthur’s Pass National Park, where snow-capped peaks, deep valleys and braided rivers showcase the Southern Alps at their finest. We make our way back to Christchurch, where we say farewell to our small group with cameras full of unforgettable landscapes, new friendships and stories from two remarkable islands.