tuuur.com - Worldwide Trips

Basix

Explorer

New Zealand's North to South Island Adventure

11 days • 4.6

4.5

Excellent

16 reviews

11 days

Start

Auckland, New Zealand

Finish

Christchurch, New Zealand

Trip Code

PHRN

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 16

Physical Rating

Meals

9 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Vehicle, Ferry

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (10 nights)

From £1,415(11 days)

Trip Informations

Why you’ll love this trip

Head to a Maori village where the profits from your visit are fed back into the community, learn the haka and Maori weaving before tucking into a traditional hangi dinner.

Take the ferry from Wellington to Picton, sailing through the Marlborough Sounds – scenic sea-drowned valleys with lush peaks and bright blue waters. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some dolphins swimming next to the boat!

Dig your own natural hot tub on Hot Water Beach and check out the much-photographed Cathedral Cove – a little piece of paradise awaits on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Experience the geothermal delights of Rotorua, watch New Zealand’s largest geyser erupt and observe adorable kiwis in a nocturnal house at a conservation centre.

Chill out next to New Zealand’s largest lake in Taupo. Whether you fancy bungy-jumping, skydiving, kayaking or relaxing, Taupo has something for you.

Is this trip right for you?

This trip is run by Haka Tours, an Tuuur Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Tuuur customers. Tuuur works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.

Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. Dorms generally consist of 4-8 beds (private rooms are available on request). You may be required to share with non-Tuuur travellers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.

Itinerary

Travel from North to the South on the ultimate adventure through New Zealand’s best highlights

From heart-racing moments to awe-inspiring scenery, this road trip through New Zealand is one to remember for a lifetime. Join a local leader for an 11-day adventure taking in epic landscapes, wildlife and culture. Take it easy at Coromandel’s Hot Water Beach, check out simmering mud pools and geysers in Rotorua, learn the Haka and tuck into a traditional hangi at a Maori village and make the most of all Taupo has to offer. See Hobbiton of Lord of the Rings fame and feel like you’re stepping straight into a fantasy as you drive through landscapes used in the films. Then, travel to the South Island to continue your adventure, sailing on the ferry through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds. End it all in Christchurch, the perfect spot to extend your journey into the south! IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating "twin-share" on sections of booking confirmations and invoices.

DAY 1
Day 1 • Auckland
Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins in Auckland – a multi-cultural city full of good food, local music, arts and culture. You’ll meet up with your local leader and new travel buddies for a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, why not head out and explore at your own pace? This is a great city to explore on foot (the hills make for a good warm up!) and there’s lots of cool pubs and shops to check out. Tonight after your meeting, maybe chill out by the harbour or head to a restaurant with your group.
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Coromandel Peninsula
This morning, get on the road and travel towards the Coromandel Peninsula. This super scenic drive sets the tone for the rest of your journey, as you cruise down the coastline past views of glittering water and white sands. The Coromandel Peninsula is known for its lush rainforests and gorgeous beaches, but there’s one that tops them all! Hot Water Beach is made famous by the warm waters that run beneath its sand, meaning all you need to do to make your own hot tub is dig a hole. If the tide times line up with your visit, take advantage of this unusual phenomenon and relax in a natural hot tub. The rest of the day is yours to chill out on the beach or enjoy the cool little town.
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
DAY 3
Day 3 • Coromandel Peninsula / Hobbiton / Rotorua
Take a deeper dive into the landscapes of the Coromandel Peninsula today with a walk along the clifftops and down to Cathedral Cove, one of the region’s most beautiful and photogenic spots – the rock arches, columns and pristine beaches are a truly impressive sight. While here, maybe explore the coastline on a guided kayaking tour and keep an eye out for dolphins swimming alongside the boat! In the afternoon, head to the rolling green hills of Matamata where you’ll find Hobbiton – the set where parts of the Lord of the Rings films were shot. On a fully guided tour, you’ll see Hobbit Holes, the Mill and finish with a drink (and maybe a pie) at the Green Dragon Inn. After an amazing day, you’ll continue to Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and Maori culture.
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
Optional activities
Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove Kayaking - NZD175
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
DAY 4
Day 4 • Rotorua
There’s so much to see and do in Rotorua, so today is free to discover it all. Have a chat to your local leader for tips on how to get the most out of your day here. You may like to take a stroll through Kuirau Park, surrounded by bubbling and boiling mud pools. If you feel like getting your heart racing, the Kaituna River is one of the world’s top white water rafting destinations. Maybe head deep into one of New Zealand’s most ancient forests for an exhilarating eco canopy adventure, learning about the native wildlife and ecology as you zipline from tree to tree. Or take a guided kayak trip where you’ll enjoy a fun-filled evening of hot pools (which are only accessible by boat), BBQ dinner and paddling through magical glow worm caves.
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Optional activities
Rotorua - Forest Ziplining Canopy Tour - from - (3.5hrs) - NZD189
Rotorua - River Sledging - NZD135
Rotorua - ZORB - from - NZD45
Rotorua - Whitewater Rafting - NZD139
Rotorua - Redwoods Nightlights Tree Walk - NZD37
Rotorua - Guided Glowworm Kayak, Hot Pools & Dinner - NZD300
Rotorua - Mt Tarawera Hike - NZD209
DAY 5
Day 5 • Rotorua / Murupara
Start the day with a visit to the Te Puia Maori Village, where you’ll get firsthand insight into Maori culture. You’ll also have the chance to see Pohutu, New Zealand’s largest geyser, in action – this is a sight that will blow you away! A visit to the kiwi conservation centre will allow you to observe this endearing nocturnal bird as it behaves at night. This afternoon, travel to the Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara – the majority of proceeds from the activities you take part in here are fed back into the local community. You’ll be greeted by a member of the Maori community who will show you around the Ngati Manawa Tribal Lands while sharing the history and culture of this tribe. Meet with other members of the village and learn a famous haka war dance, then weave a plate for tonight’s dinner out of flax plants. Dinner tonight is one for the books – tuck into a traditional hangi meal, cooked underground to create a delicious, earthy flavour.
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Included activities
Murupara - Hangi Dinner
Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village
Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax
Murupara - Learn the Haka
Murupara - Village Tour with Local Maori
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.
DAY 6
Day 6 • Taupo
Hit the road this morning and head to Taupo, making a few stops along the way. Check out simmering mud pools, the rushing waters of the Huka Falls and the impressive Aratiatia Dam and rapids. Arrive in Taupo, sitting in the shores of Lake Taupo – New Zealand’s largest lake. With calm waters fringed by mountains, this is one of the prettiest spots in the country. If you’re after an adrenaline rush, you’re in the right place! The afternoon is yours to try out bungy jumping or skydiving, or you may prefer to take it easy with a sunset lake cruise.
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Optional activities
Taupo - Water Touch Bungy - NZD235
Taupo - Skydive - from - NZD529
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
DAY 7
Day 7 • Taupo
The day is yours to enjoy all Taupo has to offer. Chill out lakeside to soak in the inspiring views, or get active and take on one of the awesome hiking trails in the area. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the Tongariro Crossing in the nearby Tongariro National Park is considered one of the best one-day walks in the world (but it’s not for the faint hearted!). Carved into the cliff faces surrounding Lake Taupo you’ll find 14-metre-tall Maori artwork that can only be accessed on a boat trip. Want to relax and unwind? A visit to the natural hot pools at Otumuheke Stream is a must! However you decide to spend the day, it’s sure to be one to remember.
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
Taupō - Lake Taupō Sailing Adventure - NZD69
Taupo - Tongariro Crossing Return Shuttle to/from Trail Head (Nov-Apr only) - NZD130
DAY 8
Day 8 • Wellington
Get ready for a long drive from Taupo to Wellington with views so incredible you’ll wish the drive was longer! Weave through the barren landscapes of the Rangipo Desert and pass through Tongariro National Park. Look out for the volcanic peaks of Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, which was used as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Arrive in Wellington, New Zealand’s cool and creative capital city. Celebrated for its amazing food and craft beer scene, Welly is the perfect place to grab dinner and a drink with your group.
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive
Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
DAY 9
Day 9 • Marlborough Sounds / Kaikoura
Say goodbye to the North Island and jump on a ferry across the Cook Strait. Your introduction to the South Island is certainly a beautiful one as you cruise through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds and into Picton Harbour. Next, travel down to Kaikoura, famous for its abundance of marine wildlife. If you’re heading out for dinner in town tonight, the local crayfish should be at the top of your must-try list!
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Marlborough - Cook Strait Ferry Crossing
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
DAY 10
Day 10 • Kaikoura / Christchurch
Experiencing Kaikoura’s wildlife while you’re in this corner of the country is a must, so take the chance this morning to get to know the town’s most famous creatures. You may like to set out on a trip to encounter dolphins in their natural habitat – dusky dolphins, hectors dolphins and common dolphins are all common around these parts. Kaikoura is one of the best spots in the world for whale watching, with humpbacks, orcas and sperm whales often sighted on whale watching cruises. On your way out of town, stop by a seal colony to watch endearing fur seals go about their business. Travel down to Christchurch, arriving in time to head out for dinner at one of the city’s many top-notch eateries.
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Kaikoura - Visit to a Seal Colony
Optional activities
Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter - NZD175
Kaikoura - Wildlife Kayaking - NZD140
Kaikoura - Whale Watching - NZD175
Kaikoura - Dolphin Encounter - NZD120
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
DAY 11
Day 11 • Christchurch
Your adventure wraps up this morning after breakfast. Keen to see more of Christchurch? Get in touch ahead of time and your booking agent can help to arrange additional accommodation.
Meals
Breakfast

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Vehicle, Ferry

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (10 nights)

Included activities

Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach

Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove

Murupara - Hangi Dinner

Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser

Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village

Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax

Murupara - Learn the Haka

Murupara - Village Tour with Local Maori

Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive

Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout

Marlborough - Cook Strait Ferry Crossing

Kaikoura - Visit to a Seal Colony

Optional activities

Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove Kayaking - NZD175

Rotorua - Forest Ziplining Canopy Tour - from - (3.5hrs) - NZD189

Rotorua - River Sledging - NZD135

Rotorua - ZORB - from - NZD45

Rotorua - Whitewater Rafting - NZD139

Rotorua - Redwoods Nightlights Tree Walk - NZD37

Rotorua - Guided Glowworm Kayak, Hot Pools & Dinner - NZD300

Rotorua - Mt Tarawera Hike - NZD209

Taupo - Water Touch Bungy - NZD235

Taupo - Skydive - from - NZD529

Taupō - Lake Taupō Sailing Adventure - NZD69

Taupo - Tongariro Crossing Return Shuttle to/from Trail Head (Nov-Apr only) - NZD130

Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter - NZD175

Kaikoura - Wildlife Kayaking - NZD140

Kaikoura - Whale Watching - NZD175

Kaikoura - Dolphin Encounter - NZD120

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

Saturday Jul 12, 2025

Tuesday Jul 22, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 9 spaces left

£1,887£1,509

Saturday Aug 09, 2025

Tuesday Aug 19, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left

£1,887£1,415

Thursday Sep 11, 2025

Sunday Sep 21, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 10 spaces left

£1,887

Friday Oct 03, 2025

Monday Oct 13, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left

£1,870

Friday Oct 10, 2025

Monday Oct 20, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 15 spaces left

£1,964£1,865

Thursday Oct 23, 2025

Sunday Nov 02, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 7 spaces left

£2,024

Monday Nov 03, 2025

Thursday Nov 13, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 10 spaces left

£2,002

Saturday Nov 08, 2025

Tuesday Nov 18, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left

£1,964

Friday Nov 14, 2025

Monday Nov 24, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 14 spaces left

£1,964£1,865

Friday Nov 21, 2025

Monday Dec 01, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 14 spaces left

£1,964£1,865

Monday Nov 24, 2025

Thursday Dec 04, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 13 spaces left

£1,964£1,865

Thursday Dec 04, 2025

Sunday Dec 14, 2025

Trip size max: 16 - 14 spaces left

£2,035£1,933

Friday Jan 02, 2026

Monday Jan 12, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 10 spaces left

£2,074

Tuesday Jan 06, 2026

Friday Jan 16, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 13 spaces left

£2,035

Friday Jan 09, 2026

Monday Jan 19, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 11 spaces left

£2,057

Important notes

1. Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share hostels. Multishare typically includes 4-8 beds. You may be required to share with group members of a different gender, couples and non-Tuuur travellers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.

2. A single supplement (with shared bathroom facilities) is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. If you are a single traveller this will give you a single room, if you are travelling as a couple a double room will be allocated to you. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Murupara) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3. This trip is run by Haka Tours, an Tuuur Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Tuuur customers. Tuuur works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.

Reviews (16)

5 stars

4 stars

1 star

Amy

May 15, 2025

I would definitely recommend this trip to all type of ages. It is well organized and you will see and learn a lot about NZ and make lots of new friends!

Austine

May 15, 2025

If you want a trip that is well organized , is fun, diversity and Māori inclusion. Then You are definitely at the right place with Intrepid. Just book and let the good times roll!

Nerida

Apr 24, 2025

Fantastic trip across the north island. So many great activities to do to give such a wonderful experience. Our guide also made the trip too and we had a great group of people. 10 out of 10 trip loved it

Helene

Mar 16, 2025

Absolutely amazing your. Great itinerary, lovely group and really good guide.

Melissa

Jan 20, 2025

Angela is the best tour guide imaginable!!! She will take your trip to a whole new level!

Alexander

Nov 21, 2024

Our incredible tour guide elevated this fairly simple tour into an unforgettable trip. Overall it vastly exceeded my already high expectations.

Ebony

Oct 04, 2024

Brilliant trip around the North Island of NZ, was a trip of a lifetime with amazing people! Got to do loads of adventurous and fun activities and learn about the culture!

Ryan

Jul 16, 2024

Absolutely amazing trip! I had a blast with my tour guide, Grant, and the team. New Zealand has so much to offer, and Intrepid provides a great overview of the North Island. Highly recommend!

Ellie

Nov 04, 2023

This was a great trip. The activities were very interesting, I had a great group that did lots of things together and a very knowledgeable guide who brought the whole group together.

Paige

Oct 11, 2023

Great glimpse of the beauty of the North Island. Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate about NZ and friendships were easily formed amongst the group. Highly recommend the kayaking in the Coromandel and sailing in Taupo

DAY 11
Day 11 • Christchurch
Your adventure wraps up this morning after breakfast. Keen to see more of Christchurch? Get in touch ahead of time and your booking agent can help to arrange additional accommodation.
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DAY 11Day 11 • Christchurchexpand_moreYour adventure wraps up this morning after breakfast. Keen to see more of Christchurch? Get in touch ahead of time and your booking agent can help to arrange additional accommodation. restaurant_menu MealscircleBreakfast

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DAY 11
Day 11 • Christchurch
Your adventure wraps up this morning after breakfast. Keen to see more of Christchurch? Get in touch ahead of time and your booking agent can help to arrange additional accommodation.
Meals
Breakfast