Travel New Zealand’s North and South Island with Topdeck

Itinerary

• Day 1: Auckland to Bay of Islands

  James Cook named our first stop the Bay of Islands. Well, you know what to expect! Seeing over 140 islands might take a while, so hop on the optional ‘Rock the Boat’ island tour to take in as much as you can.
  
  **Pre-book your Rock the Boat trip to secure a spot as spaces fill up quickly. All meals, epic company and good times included.
  
  Optional activities:
  - ‘Rock The Boat’ overnight cruise

• Day 2: Bay of Islands

  What’s it going to be today? Stick to the water and opt in for a kayak adventure at Haruru Falls or set your sights high and go skydiving. Either way, you’ll be winning! We’re having a Kiwi fave for dinner – just the ticket after all of that excitement.
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  -Dinner
  
  Optional activities:
  -Kayak at Haruru Falls
  -Skydiving
  -Hole in the Rock cruise
  -Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach tour

• Day 3: Bay of Island to Auckland

  Tear yourself away from the beautiful Bay of Islands. We’ll make two pit stops: first at the pretty Whangarei Falls, then at Mt Eden for a view of the city from the top of a volcano. Pretty cool, huh?
  
  Included today:
  -Visit Whangarei Falls
  -Visit Mt Eden
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast

• Day 4: Auckland to Rotorua

  On our way to Rotorua we’ll swing by the Waitomo Caves. Take on the optionals and go exploring this otherworldly attraction. Why not try Black Water Rafting, explore the Ruakuri Cave or go see the glowworms. They’re all awesome, trust us. Maori legends and mythology have been passed down for thousands of years. You have one night in a meeting house to soak in as much as you can! After learning some Haka moves and checking out the ladies’ Poi dance, it’s time to tuck into a traditional Kiwi dinner.
  
  Included today:
  -Stay overnight in a traditional Maori Marae
  -Take part in a Haka and Poi class
  
  Meals:
  -Dinner
  
  Optional activities:
  -Visit the Waitomo Caves - Black Water Rafting or Glowworm Caves Tour

• Day 5: Rotorua

  While you're in Rotorua, you could head to the spa for a massage, jump into Tolkien's dreams at the Hobbiton movie set, take on the highest commercially-rafted waterfall in the world or roll down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball (all optional). When in New Zealand!
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  
  Optional activities:
  -Visit a day spa
  -Visit the Hobbiton movie set
  -OGO Rotorua
  -Whitewater rafting

• Day 6: Rotorua to Tongariro National Park

  Crank the heat up to the max – today we’re off to check out the geothermal activity in Rotorua on an included tour. Enjoy a traditional Hangi lunch – a meal cooked in an underground oven pit. Then, after taking a look at some Kiwi birds, we’ll make tracks to the epic Huka Falls (you’ll hear the rumble of the falls before you see them). Finally, we’ll swing by beautiful Lake Taupo before settling in at our accommodation near Tongariro National Park.
  
  Included today:
  -Visit Rotorua
  -Traditional Maori Hangi buffet lunch
  -Visit Huka Falls
  -Visit Lake Taupo
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  -Lunch
  -Dinner

• Day 7: Tongariro National Park

  Known as one of the best one-day hikes in the world, you’ll get the chance to complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing today (optional and weather dependent). With three volcanic peaks dominating the horizon and terrain that’ll make you feel like you’re on Mars, this hike is so worth the sore legs the next day. Look at you adventuring like a pro!
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  
  Optional activities:
  -Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
  -Shorter, local walks

• Day 8: Tongariro to Wellington

  Next up: Wellington. Get your bearings on an orientation tour, then go exploring. Our top tips? The incredible Te Papa Museum and the pretty botanical gardens. Don’t miss the nightlife here either. With more bars and restaurants per capita than New York, what better way to spend the night?
  
  Included today:
  -Orientation tour in Wellington
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  
  Optional activities:
  -Visit the Te Papa Museum
  -Visit the botanical gardens

• Day 9: Wellington to Nelson

  Today we’ll cross the Cook Strait by ferry and sail into the blue waters of Marlborough Sound. Hop off in Picton and you’ll find out why this region has become so famous for its wine (and scenery).
  
  Included today:
  -Cook Strait ferry crossing
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  -Dinner

• Day 10: Nelson

  Explore the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park by boat, take to the walking tracks, paddle along the shoreline in ocean kayaks, or see it all from above with a skydive. This is a real South Island gem, so get amongst it.
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  
  Optional activities:
  -Visit Abel Tasman National Park
  -Hiking
  -Kayaking
  -Skydiving

• Day 11: Nelson to Kaikoura

  This place is famous for producing some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc. Today, see if you agree with an included tour and tasting at a Marlborough winery. As we carry on down the coast, try to spot a New Zealand fur seal or two in Kaikoura.
  
  Included today:
  -Wine tasting in Marlborough
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast

• Day 12: Kaikoura to Christchurch

  Few places in the world can boast such natural wonders as Kaikoura. Get amongst it today with some unique optional activities. There’s optional whale watching and swimming with the resident dusky dolphins today. Then: after an orientation tour in Christchurch, the city is yours to wander.
  
  Included today:
  -Christchurch orientation tour
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  
  Optional activities:
  -Whale watching
  -Swim with dolphins

• Day 13: Christchurch to Fox Glacier

  The Canterbury Plains make for pretty window views today – but we’ll be in mountain territory in no time. We’ll make a pit stop by the stunning Lake Matheson en route to Fox Glacier. Fingers crossed for good weather so you can see NZ’s two tallest mountain peaks reflected in the mirror-like lake!
  
  Included today:
  -Visit Lake Matheson
  -Stay in the Fox glacier region
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  -Dinner

• Day 14: Fox Glacier to Queenstown

  Hit up NZ's most famous glacier with an optional guided terminal face walk or heli-hike. Then, we’ll journey past Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea as we roll into Queenstown. Get your bearings on an orientation tour, then be free! The nightlife here is unreal. Trust us.
  
  Included today:
  -Queenstown orientation tour
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  
  Optional activities:
  -Heli-hike
  -Guided terminal face walk

• Day 15: Queenstown

  Queenstown has sooo many adrenalin-fuelled activities to try. Question is, how many can you fit in to your time here? You could try bungy jumping, a canyon swing, skydiving, hiking or the skyline gondola. Hungry after all of that adventuring? Don’t miss Fergburger, Queenstown’s famous burger joint. The queues are worth it.
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  
  Optional activities:
  -Jet boating
  -Bungy jumping
  -Canyon swinging
  -Skydiving
  -Skiing in winter
  -Hang-gliding
  -Ziplining
  -Whitewater rafting
  -Half day hike
  -Scenic helicopter flights

• Day 16: Queenstown

  It’s time for the main event! We’re headed to the unbelievable beauty of NZ’s southwestern fjords for a cruise through Milford Sound. This place comes complete with thundering waterfalls and towering cliffs that’ll blow your mind. Keep your eyes peeled for resident seals and dolphins too (cute).
  
  Included activities:
  -Cruise Milford Sound
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  -Lunch

• Day 17: Queenstown

  Our hot tip for your last day here? Sign up for a jet boat ride or some rafting (both optional). For dinner, why not try the yummy pizzas at Winnie’s before a final night out on the town? Let’s gooo!
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  
  Optional activities:
  -Jet boating
  -Rafting

• Day 18: Queenstown to Lake Ohau

  Hop on a bike and ride past mountains, lakes and rivers in Arrowtown on the most spectacular ride on the Queenstown trail. Crossing the 80 m suspension bridge, get ready for open farmland and stunning views.
  
  Included today:
  -Mountain bike in Arrowtown
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast
  -Dinner

• Day 19: Lake Ohau to Christchurch

  It may be our last day, but there’s still plenty of time to squeeze in a visit to a real working farm. We’ll tuck into afternoon tea with the owners before moving on to Christchurch to say our goodbyes.
  
  Included today:
  -Visit a local farm
  
  Meals:
  -Breakfast