Turn fantasy into reality and savour the jaw-dropping scenery of ‘Middle Earth’, as made famous by the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies.
Enjoy the Land of the Kiwi’s myriad charms on a Topdeck NZ trip with fellow travellers between 18 and 39 years old. Throw yourself off a bridge in Queenstown, go whale watching in Kaikoura, hike on Franz Josef and feast at a Maori Marae – there’s no wonder New Zealand is considered the world’s top adventure country. Come and explore the mountains, lakes, rivers and plains of New Zealand’s North and South Islands – I guarantee you’ll fall in love with NZ!
What’s included
- – Overnight stay in a traditional Maori marae and hangi dinner
- – Visit Lake Taupo and Huka Falls
- – Orientation walk of Tongariro National Park with Trip Leader
- – Orientation walk of Wellington with Trip Leader
- – Cook Strait ferry crossing
- – Orientation walk of Christchurch with Trip Leader
- – Visit Hokitika
- – Visit Lake Matheson
- – Stay in the scenic Franz Josef Glacier region
Day 1: AUCKLAND TO PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS
Leave the city behind and get ready to explore New Zealand in all its breathtaking glory as we step into an adventure 130 million years in the making. Become a tree hugging hippie as you wrap your arms around NZ’s botanical elder, the Kauri tree, then ‘Rock the Boat’ on an optional overnight houseboat trip. Meal(s) included : None
Day 2: PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS
The Bay of Islands is big on numbers: 144 islands, a 90-mile beach, and 100-metre-high Te Paki sand dunes, ready for some serious sandboarding action. The islands (and all their optional activities) are your oyster on this free day. Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: PAIHIA, BAY OF ISLANDS TO AUCKLAND
Wave bye-bye to the wilds for now – it’s back to the modern world today as we return to Auckland. Take some time to wander the heart of the city at your leisure. Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 4: AUCKLAND TO ROTORUA (MARAE STAY)
We’ll make a stop to check out the Waitomo Caves, then learn the tongue-thrusting Haka and polish off a traditional Maori dinner. Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: ROTORUA
When it comes to optional activities, mud, Middle Earth and massages are the order of the day in the bubbling, gurgling and sulphursoaked town of Rotorua. Also: optional whitewater rafting. Ahh, yaaasss! Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 6: ROTORUA TO TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK
Next up: Lake Taupo and a chance for a bungy over the river, or check out some natural hot pools before heading to the hills of Tongariro National Park. Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK
Lace up your boots and opt in to tramp the lunar landscape of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – home to three active volcanoes – or save your feet and take to wheels (or some optional skis). Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 8: TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK TO WELLINGTON
From hiking over lava to readjusting to city life, today we make tracks to buzzing, beautiful Wellington – the ‘best place to live in the world 2017’. Expect artsy vibes, waterfront promenades and a cool nightlife scene (you bring the facial hair and tatts, Wellington will supply the craft beer). Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 9: WELLINGTON TO NELSON
Ferry into the arms of the world’s best Sauv Blanc on the banks of the Marlborough Sounds and enjoy a private tasting in a family-owned vineyard. Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 10: NELSON
Dense forest, incredible beaches and the epic Abel Tasman National Park. Kayak with seals or jump out of a plane. You’ve got the whole day to explore. Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: NELSON TO KAIKOURA
It’s down the coast we go to spy New Zealand fur seals before we lace up our boots for a Peninsula walk. If you work up an appetite as you roam, no worries – this afternoon we’ll be sampling some of the yummiest crayfish you ever did taste. Mmm. Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 12: KAIKOURA TO CHRISTCHURCH
Today, brace yourself for the triple threat of dolphin swimming, seal swimming or whale watching. Then on to Christchurch. Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 13: CHRISTCHURCH TO FOX GLACIER
The Canterbury Plains make for epic scenery. Stop for whitebait fritters and pounamu (jade) pendant shopping. Try to grab a shot of NZ’s two tallest mountain peaks reflected in Lake Matheson. Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: FOX GLACIER TO QUEENSTOWN
Hit up NZ’s most famous glacier. Strap on some crampons and get an up-close look on an ice walk or optional heli-hike. Then journey past Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea and feel your pulse start to quicken as we roll into Queenstown. Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15: QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown has adrenalin on tap. Get your fix with our optionals: bungy jumping, a narrow canyon swing, Shotover Jet, paragliding, hiking, horse riding and the skyline gondola. Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 16: QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown has adrenalin on tap. Get your fix with our optionals: bungy jumping, a narrow canyon swing, Shotover Jet, paragliding, hiking, horse riding and the skyline gondola. Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 17: QUEENSTOWN INCLUDING MILFORD SOUND
Steady yourself for the otherworldly beauty of the fjords. Milford Sound comes complete with seals, dolphins and thundering waterfalls. Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 18: QUEENSTOWN TO LAKE OHAU
Zig-zag a gold-bearing river on a mountain bike ride through A+ scenery. Think: icy clear pools, an 80m suspension bridge, and the site of the world’s first bungy at the finish line. Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 19: LAKE OHAU TO CHRISTCHURCH VIA MT COOK VILLAGE
Round off the trip with an optional soak in a hot pool today – or take to the skies with a scenic flight for some stunning views of the Tekapo region. Then, it’s on to Christchurch to say our goodbyes.
