Tour overview

This 24-day journey is one of the most complete tours of New Zealand, from the subtropical north to the glaciers of the west coast. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen, by private vehicle, ferry and the TranzAlpine train. You stay twenty-three nights in hotels and motels, with breakfast daily, a lunch and four dinners.

From Auckland you head north for a full-day cruise to the Poor Knights Islands, then explore the Bay of Islands and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. The Coromandel brings Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, followed by Hobbiton, Rotorua's geysers and a Maori hangi with haka.

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After Lake Taupo and Wellington, with a visit to Zealandia, you cross to the South Island for Kaikoura and Christchurch. Lake Ohau, Queenstown and Wanaka, with a boat trip to Mou Waho Island, lead to two nights at Franz Josef Glacier and a ride on the TranzAlpine back to Christchurch.

The physical rating is low. This trip suits travellers with time who want to see every corner of New Zealand.

Trip highlights

  • The Poor Knights Islands (Day 3)
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds (Day 5)
  • Cathedral Cove (Day 7)
  • Hobbiton and a hangi (Days 8–9)
  • Mou Waho Island (Day 20)
  • The TranzAlpine train (Day 23)

Your route

28 stops from Auckland to Christchurch

24-day route: Auckland – Paihia – Coromandel – Rotorua – Taupo – Wellington – Kaikoura – Christchurch – Queenstown – Wanaka – Franz Josef – Christchurch
  1. Auckland Day 1
  2. Whangarei Falls Day 2
  3. Tutukaka Day 2
  4. Paihia Days 3–4
  5. Russell Day 4
  6. Waitangi Treaty Grounds Day 5
  7. Auckland Day 5
  8. Cathedral Cove Day 6
  9. Coromandel Peninsula Days 6–7
  10. Karangahake Gorge Day 8
  11. Hobbiton Movie Set Day 8
  12. Rotorua Days 8–9
  13. Huka Falls Day 10
  14. Taupo Days 10–11
  15. Tongariro National Park Day 11
  16. Wellington Days 12–13
  17. Picton Day 14
  18. Kaikoura Day 14
  19. Christchurch Day 15
  20. Lake Tekapo Day 16
  21. Lake Ohau Day 16
  22. Queenstown Days 17–18
  23. Arrowtown Day 19
  24. Wanaka Days 19–20
  25. Lake Hawea Day 21
  26. Franz Josef Days 21–22
  27. Greymouth Day 23
  28. Christchurch Days 23–24

Why choose this tour

The most complete tour of New Zealand. The TranzAlpine and a Maori hangi included.

Best suited to

  • Travellers with time to spare
  • Nature lovers
  • Solo travellers
  • First-time visitors to New Zealand
Islands and turquoise bays in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Day-by-day itinerary

24 days from Auckland, New Zealand to Christchurch, New Zealand

  1. Day 1 · Auckland Auckland

    A welcome dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Matapouri Beach, Whangarei Falls, Tutukaka Tutukaka

    To the north.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Poor Knights Islands, Paihia Paihia

    A marine reserve.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day 4 · Bay of Islands Paihia

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Auckland Auckland

    A nation's founding.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Coromandel Peninsula Coromandel

    To the peninsula.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach Coromandel

    Beaches and coves.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Hobbiton, Rotorua Rotorua

    The Shire.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Te Puia, Redwoods Rotorua

    A hangi and haka.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  10. Day 10 · Taupo Taupo

    A great lake.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Lake Taupo, Huka Falls Taupo

    Free time.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Wellington Wellington

    The capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Zealandia, Te Papa Wellington

    A wildlife sanctuary.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Cook Strait, Kaikoura Kaikoura

    To the South Island.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Kaikoura, Christchurch Christchurch

    Whale country.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Christchurch, Lake Ohau Lake Ohau

    A resilient city.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  17. Day 17 · Lindis Pass, Queenstown Queenstown

    To Queenstown.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  18. Day 18 · Queenstown Queenstown

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  19. Day 19 · Wanaka Wanaka

    Lake country.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  20. Day 20 · Mou Waho Island Wanaka

    An island in a lake.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  21. Day 21 · Haast Pass, Franz Josef Franz Josef

    To the glaciers.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  22. Day 22 · Franz Josef Glacier Franz Josef

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel or motel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  23. Day 23 · Greymouth, TranzAlpine, Christchurch Christchurch

    The TranzAlpine.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  24. Day 24 · Christchurch Christchurch

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Hobbit holes in the green hills of Hobbiton, New Zealand

Where you stay

  • Auckland (1 night) Hotel
  • Tutukaka (1 night) Hotel
  • Paihia (2 nights) Hotel
  • Auckland (1 night) Hotel
  • Coromandel (2 nights) Hotel or motel
  • Rotorua (2 nights) Hotel or motel
  • Taupo (2 nights) Hotel or motel
  • Wellington (2 nights) Hotel
  • Kaikoura (1 night) Hotel or motel
  • Christchurch (1 night) Hotel
  • Lake Ohau (1 night) Hotel or motel
  • Queenstown (2 nights) Hotel or motel
  • Wanaka (2 nights) Hotel or motel
  • Franz Josef (2 nights) Hotel or motel
  • Christchurch (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 23 nights in hotels and motels
  • Meals 23 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
  • Private vehicle, Cook Strait ferry and TranzAlpine train
  • Poor Knights Islands cruise and Mou Waho boat trip
  • Hobbiton, Waitangi and Zealandia
  • Maori hangi dinner with haka
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Optional activities
  • Meals not included 21 lunches and 19 dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
The famous lone tree in Lake Wanaka

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury hotels
  • You want most meals included
  • You want a short trip
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–24 · Lunch: Day 3 · Dinner: Days 1, 9, 16 and 20
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for New Zealand
A geothermal landscape and blue lake near Rotorua, New Zealand

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £6,264 per person, twin share, tour only. 39 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for New Zealand?

UK citizens need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), applied for online before travel.

Is the TranzAlpine train included?

Yes, from Greymouth to Christchurch.

Is there free time?

Yes, in Paihia, Taupo, Queenstown and Franz Josef.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available on request.

What are the motels like?

Comfortable, well-located motels with private bathrooms.

How many people travel together?

No more than sixteen travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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