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Day 1:
Auckland to Bay of Islands
Steal away from 'the maiden with a thousand lovers' (aka Auckland) and become a tree-hugging hippie as you wrap your arms around NZ's botanical elder, the Kauri tree. James Cook named our next stop the 'Bay of Islands'. Well, you know what to expect. Seeing all 144 islands might take a while, so grab the optional 'Rock the Boat' island tour for 24 solid hours cruising and snorkeling the archipelago. Instagram your first Pacific sunset then get your mind blown by the southern night sky. You could get used to this.
**Pre-book your Rock the Boat trip to secure a spot as spaces fill up quickly. All meals, epic company and good times included.
Included today:
-Parry Kauri Park
Optional activities:
-Rock The Boat trip
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Day 2:
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is big on numbers: 144 islands, 90 miles of beach in one stretch, and 100-metre high Te Paki sand dunes ready for some serious sand boarding action. Opt in to get a dose of Kiwi history at the Waitangi Treaty house or in Russell-NZ's first capital then grab a kayak and paddle under the Haruru Falls. We're having fish and chips for dinner so good thing you did all that exercise.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
Optional activities:
-Dolphin sailing
-Kayak Haruru Falls
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Day 3:
Bay of Island to Auckland
NZ is so gorgeous it has waterfalls like Whangarei hidden just off the highway. We'll make a pit stop to walk to the waterfalls on our way back to Auckland. Then, it’s bye-bye to the wilds for now and back to the modern world as we hit the city. Take some time to wander Auckland’s heart at your leisure.
Meals:
-Breakfast
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Day 4:
Auckland to Marae Stay
First up, a visit to Waitomo Caves, then it’s on to our Marae stay. Maori legends and mythology have been passed down for thousands of years. Tonight, you have one night in a sacred Maori meeting house, so pay attention. After learning the tongue-thrusting Haka dance moves of the All Blacks and the finesse of the ladies’ Poi dance, you’ll polish off a traditional maori dinner and end the night feeling like a local. You lucky thing, you.
Included today:
-Overnight in a traditional Maori Marae
-Kapa Haka performance
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
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Day 5:
Marae to Rotorua
Mud, Middle Earth and massages are the order of the day in the bubbling, sulphur-soaked town of Rotorua. If you’re starting to resemble a muddy prune, flush out the mud by rafting over the waterfalls, or jump into the real-life landscapes of Tolkien’s dreams on the Hobbiton Shire escape (all optional).
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Hobbiton tour
-Whitewater rafting
-Hells Gate Mud Baths
-Canopy tours
-Experience Ogo
-Day spas & massage
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Day 6:
Rotorua to Tongariro National Park
Geothermal activity gets turned up to 11 with bubbling mud pools, and if that's not enough, you can bungy jump off a ledge as we pass by the largest lake in New Zealand. Lake Taupo was formed by an explosion that extended the Ice Age, so yeah, it's pretty big. It's also time to meet the dessert that's caused a battle between NZ and Australia since someone whipped an egg white: the pavlova.
Included today:
-Huka Falls
-Lake Taupo
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
Optional activities:
-Taupo bungy jump
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Day 7:
Tongariro National Park
With dual cultural and natural heritage status, and often described as the most epic hike in NZ, Tongariro NP is home to two active volcanoes that will hopefully keep a lid on things. The optional Tongariro Alpine Crossing will quickly top your list of favourites if you don't mind heights and the odd dormant lava chamber (and walks from 20 mins to 8 hours). Hike, raft or mountain bike then hit the spa and warm your feet by the fire in an alpine lodge overlooking Mt Doom.
Included today:
-Short walks
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Tongariro Crossing hikes
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Day 8:
Tongariro to Wellington
From hiking over lava to readjusting to city life, today we hit the nation's capital, Wellington (no, it's not Auckland!). After you conquer the six floors of the Te Papa museum, you'll probably be ready for a big city nightlife hit. With more bars and restaurants per capita than New York and a well-earned spot as the sporting capital of NZ, you can't go wrong with a craft beer and maybe some local rugby action.
Included today:
-Visit Te Papa Museum
-Wellington city tour including Mt Victoria
Meals:
-Breakfast
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Day 9:
Wellington to Nelson
Ferry across the Cook Strait through Marlborough Sounds and into the arms of the world's best Sauvignon Blanc for a private tasting in a family-owned vineyard. Work out how many bottles you can fit in your suitcase without breaking your back. With postcard-perfect vistas and 35,000 hectares under vines, it's a slice of heaven.
Included today:
-Cook Strait ferry crossing
-Marlborough wine tasting
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
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Day 10:
Nelson
Dense forest, snow-capped mountains and acres of pinot noir grapes. Green, white and red… no wonder Nelson has been referred to as the Naples of the southern hemisphere. Throw clay or wield a paintbrush in the creative artist hub. Skydive or kayak, whichever takes your fancy (all optional). Or go treasure hunting in Nelson's galleries. Round out the day with a traditional Kiwi BBQ dinner catered by yours truly. Not bad, Nelson. Not bad.
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Kayaking
-Skydiving
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Day 11:
Nelson to Kaikoura
Today we head back through the Rai Valley and Marlborough Wine Region to the coast to spy New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point before reaching our destination at Kaikoura. This afternoon we can tackle the elements on the very scenic Kaikoura Peninsula Walk. Seafood fans can settle in for a crayfish bonanza.
Included today:
-Kaikoura Peninsula walk
-Ohau Point seal colony
-Crayfish tastings
Meals:
-Breakfast
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Day 12:
Kaikoura to Christchurch
Make some marine mates and brace yourself for the optional triple threat of dolphin swimming, seal swimming or whale watching. Then on to Christchurch, which has recovered from the 2011 Earthquake and bounced back with new pop-up bars and a shopping precinct, with still more to come.
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Dolphin swimming
-Whale watching
-Seal swimming
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Day 13:
Christchurch to Fox Glacier
Roll across the pastoral patchwork quilt that forms the Canterbury Plains and watch 50 shades of green melt into snow-topped peaks. Hang out in Hokitika for whitebait fritters and pounamu (Jade) shopping, then take your best photography shot of NZ's two tallest mountain peaks reflected in Lake Matheson for the #picoftheday. Excited? You should be.
Included today:
-Lake Matheson walk
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
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Day 14:
Fox Glacier to Queenstown
Today's your chance to walk on water. Well, frozen glacial water to be precise. Scale a mountain in minutes to get amongst ethereal ice caves and formations. With barely enough time to let your heart rate slow, we journey back through the mountains past Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. Feel your pulse start to quicken as we roll into Queenstown.
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Fox Glacier hikes
-Helicopter scenic flights
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Day 15:
Queenstown
Here's some basic math: Queenstown has over 220 activities. You have two days. No rush. This lakeside city has adrenaline on tap and will match any adventure you had in mind and then throw a Fergburger (amazing Queenstown burger place) in there for good measure. Get your fix with a bungy jump, a narrow canyon swing, Shotover Jet, hiking or horse riding. If you're bored here, there's something wrong.
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Jet boating
-Bungy jumping
-Canyon swinging
-Horse riding
-Skydiving
-Skiing in winter
-Wine tours
-Hang-gliding
-Ziplining
-Visit a Birdlife Pak
-Whitewater rafting
-Fox Glacier helicopter hike
-Half day hike
-Scenic helicopter flights
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Day 16:
Queenstown
Free day, take two. Get your adrenalin fix with bungee, a narrow canyon swing, Shotover Jet, or horse riding. If you're bored here, there's something wrong.
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-Jet boating
-Bungy jumping
-Canyon swinging
-Horse riding
-Skydiving
-Skiing in winter
-Ziplining
-Whitewater rafting
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Day 17:
Queenstown (Milford Sound)
By now you might be a little desensitised to the otherworldly beauty of NZ but when you see the fjords for the first time, it's okay to enter a total Instagram meltdown! Carved by glaciers during the ice age, the Milford Sound comes complete with seals, dolphins and thundering waterfalls. Steeped in Maori myth, this is a history and geology lesson rolled into one, minus the homework.
Included today:
-Milford Sound Nature Cruise
-Fiordland National Park Walks
Meals:
-Breakfast
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Day 18:
Te Anau to Lake Ohau
Back in the heyday of Arrowtown, everyone was here for the gold. Recharge your batteries with venison burgers and a central Otago pinot noir in Arrowtown then zigzag across the five bridges that span the ever-changing Arrow River. Test your nerves on the suspension bridge then chill out by the crystal clear river waters while you catch your breath. Cue relaxation and a chance to practice your stone-skimming skills in Lake Ohau.
Included today:
-Mountain bike ride along Arrow River
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
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Day 19:
Lake Ohau to Christchurch
Lap up Lake Pukaki under the shadow of Mt Cook. It's about as Kiwi as 'fush and chups' (fish and chips with a local accent). Then shift into sheep country, where these furry things outnumber humans 12:1. It makes sense that today includes the Church of the Good Shepherd, a monument to the faithful sheep dog. Afterward, it's back to into the city of Churches as our trip winds to a close.
Included today:
-Mt Cook Village (weather dependent)
-Scenic walks
Meals:
-Breakfast
