Highlights of New Zealand

G Adventures · 15 days

4.6

21 Reviews

Duration

15 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Two weeks is barely enough time to thoroughly explore your hometown, let alone a place as fascinating as New Zealand. For adventurers on a tight time-budget, this 15-day trip wraps up the must-sees of both islands with a nice little bow.

Includes

Activities

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
Waitomo Glowworm caves visit
Orientation walk in Wellington and Christchurch
Wine tasting
Fiordland National Park visit with Doubtful Sound day cruise
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park visit with hiking opportunity (weather permitting)
Internal flight between Wellington and Christchurch
Free time in Rotorua, Wellington, Franz Josef, and Queenstown
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

Hotels/motels (14nts).

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, plane, walking, boat.

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Highlights

Marvel at the striking Franz Josef glacier
Feast on a hangi in a Maori village
Let loose in Queenstown
Cruise around the fjords of Doubtful Sound

Trip Details

Duration

15 days

Transportation

Private vehicle, plane, walking, boat.

Guide Language

English

Starts

Auckland, New Zealand

Finishes

Christchurch, New Zealand

Accommodations

Budget

Travel Style

Classic, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland

Arrive at any time.
There are no activities until an evening welcome meeting, so head out and enjoy the city.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - 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.Accommodation - Oaks Auckland Hotel

Day 2: Auckland/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.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - 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

Day 3: Rotorua

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.

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - 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.Accommodation - Sudima Lake Rotorua

Day 4: Rotorua/Wellington

Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington

Day 5: Wellington

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.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - 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. Accommodation - Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington

Day 6: Wellington/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.

Meals included: Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Stop at a local winery and opt to sample some of the wines produced on site. Transport - Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - The White Morph

Day 7: Kaikoura/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.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Drifters Inn Hanmer Springs

Day 8: Hanmer 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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle. Driving time includes stops.Accommodation - Rainforest Retreat

Day 9: Franz 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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Don't waste a minute—get exploring.Accommodation - Rainforest Retreat

Day 10: Franz 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.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Heartland Hotel Queenstown

Day 11: Queenstown

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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - There's tons to do, get out and get going.Accommodation - Heartland Hotel Queenstown

Day 12: Queenstown

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.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle. Driving time includes stops.Activity - 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!Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Heartland Hotel Queenstown

Day 13: Queenstown 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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Stop by the visitor's centre to learn more about the region.Activity - 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.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Godley Hotel

Day 14: Tekapo 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.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - 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

Day 15: Christchurch

Depart at any time.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $7759

AUD $5,819

(Tour only)

Offer ends 29 Mar, 2026 Per Person Standard

Duration: 15 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 26 Mar 2026

View Map

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

5.0

Shagufta D.

Traveled, November 2023

12/28/2023

Excellent organization, itinerary, good accommodation and transport, group size great,

4.0

Nancy S.

Traveled, December 2023

12/28/2023

I like the smaller group style of travel.

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

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