Get Social: New Zealand

To say Rotorua has it ‘going on’ would be the understatement of the century. We’re talking: adrenalin-pumping activities, geothermal spas and nerd-central movie sets. And you’ve got all day to embrace it – hell yeah! For the LOTR fans (or closet fans), take a walk through Tolkien’s dreams at the Hobbiton movie set. Adrenalin junkie? Get your hit on a rapid ride down the mighty Kaituna River. Or play Tarzan on a sky-high canopy tour. Later, we’ll receive a traditional welcome at Kohutapu Lodge. Visit a working marae, enjoy a haka demo, and level-up your crafting skills during a weaving workshop. Then, we’ll tuck into a hangi with the gang. This is as authentic as it gets.

Bye bye Rotorua – today we’re leaving the city behind and heading for some of Mother Nature’s best bits. First: we’ll make a stop at roaring Huka Falls and play spot-the-extreme-kayaker as they tackle the immense 11-metre plunge down the canyon falls. Then: we’ll take in the A-Mazing views over Lake Taupo (FYI, this lake’s the size of Singapore – but with more fish, fewer airports). Finally, we’ll roll on to our accommodation and have a whip around Taupo’s best bits. Afterwards, there’ll be time to grab some snacks and chill out with your travel fam. You deserve it.

Dramatic volcanic peaks dominating the horizon. Rugged terrain that looks like you landed on Mars. And intense turquoise lakes gathered in steep valleys. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the best one-day hikes in the world – and it 100% deserves the rep. You’ve got a full day to find your Samwise up Mt Ngauruhoe (aka Mt Doom), soak up all the I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E views and wish you’d broken in those new hiking boots. If being on the water is more your vibe – there’s a Lake Taupo sailing excursion on the cards too. Or why not head to Wai-O-Tapu to admire its bubbling geysers and kaleidoscopic geothermal pools? Back at base camp with the group, sit back with a cold beverage and crack open that new pack of playing cards. Who knows Rummy?

Next up: Wellington. Get your bearings around the capital on an orientation tour before we head to Mt Victoria for 360-degree views over the harbour. Then: the rest is up to you. Grab lunch along Cuba Street. Soak up the rays at Scorching Bay. Treat yourself to a Snickers milkshake at Fidel’s Cafe. And spot a kiwi bird (or two) at the Zealandia ecological sanctuary. Tonight, dinner’s on you – but with more bars and restaurants per capita than New York, you’re not going to be stuck for options. Trust us.

What’s that? A free day to do whatever floats your boat? Yes please. Get your Middle Earth fix at the Weta Workshop. Head to the (free *punches the air*) Te Papa Museum for a dose of NZ history. Or jump on the Wellington Cable Car for all the vintage vibes. Tonight: gather the crew, grab some fresh ‘fush and chups’ from The Chippery and head down to the harbour for dinner-with-a-view. This is livin’.

Wave goodbye to the North Island – we’re heading across the Cook Strait into the gobsmackingly beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Sounds familiar? Chances are you’ve picked up a bottle (or two) of Savvie B from this region. Then: onwards to Abel Tasman! Home of some of New Zealand’s most pristine beaches. Get in.

Free day = your chance to do your own spontaneous this-is-what-I-came-here-for thing. Ever heard of the Abel Tasman National Park? Think: golden sandy beaches. Picturesque turquoise bays. Lush native forests. And cute locals (of the wildlife kind). Hire a kayak and head out on a seal-spotting adventure. Soak up bird’s eye views of both islands with an EPIC skydiving experience in nearby Motueka. Or activate adventure mode with a full day’s canyoning. This is your moment.

From one stunning coastline to another – we’re making tracks to the East Coast today. Spot the wild fur seals getting their tan on as we roll into B-E-A-Utiful Kaikoura. Options here = soak up the laid back atmosphere in town, take a hike around the peninsula for sunset, keep your eyes peeled for Giant Sperm Whales on a whale-watching tour, or get your butt down to one of the seafood caravans on the foreshore for some fresher-than-fresh crayfish. Fact: Kaikoura literally translates to ‘eat crayfish’ – so you know it’s gonna be good.

Next stop: the South Island's largest city. After having most of the CBD demolished by a devastating earthquake in 2011, Christchurch has rebuilt itself into a VIBING hub of quirky bars, restaurants and cafes. After getting the run-about-town with our Trip Leader, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon off to do whatever you want. Need some suggestions? Head to Little High Eatery: a hip marketplace full of locally run food trucks. After, gather the gang and head to Rockpool for pool tables and a pumping dance floor.

One minute you’re sipping lattes in the city, next minute you’re off to one of New Zealand’s most famous glaciers. En-route, we’ll make a photo stop in historic Hokitika. Head to the beach and find the quirky sculpture made by the locals. Gift a pounamu (greenstone) to your new travel BFF for good luck. Or gather the gang and give ‘mountain oysters’ a try (hint: Google it first). Then, we'll roll into the jaw-dropping Franz Josef Glacier region. After grabbing dinner in town with the group, you could seek out the resident glow worms on an after-dark adventure – just ask your in-the-know Trip Leader.

Rise and shine! If the weather is good, you’ll have the chance to explore this chilly playground on an optional heli-hike. Strap on your crampons and pile into the chopper – we’ll head up to 800m above sea level to explore the maze of ice formations with an expert local guide. Or go all-out with a scenic flight that’ll leave you with goosebumps and a full camera roll. There’s also an out-of-this-world kayaking trip through the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary up for grabs.

This morning, we’ll make tracks to Wanaka: a lakeside, alpine town with some ‘holy-sh*t’-worthy scenery. It’ll then be time to turn our attention to the adventure capital of the world: Queenstown. Get the lay of the land with your Trip Leader, then spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around the bay area or holed up with your crew in World Bar. With world-famous teapot cocktails, it’s the perfect spot to make a plan for the next few days.

If Queenstown had a Tinder profile it would read: fun-filled outdoor enthusiast – looking for a fellow adrenalin junkie to share adventures with. And all its pics would be of people throwing themselves off extreme heights. Swiping right? Hell yes! Skydiving. Bungy jumping. Jet boating. White water rafting. Canyon swinging. You want it, this place has it. And you’ve got 24 hrs to embrace it all. Or jump on an optional day trip to the totally mesmerising Milford Sound. The main event? A cruise on the Milford fjord complete with thundering waterfalls, razor-edge cliffs and resident seals. This place is National Geographic on steroids (like Schwarzenegger steroids). Tonight, we’ll regroup in Queenstown – gather the fam and see if the nightlife here really lives up to the rep.

Today = options. Didn’t tick everything off? We’ve got your back – here’s another free day we prepared earlier. Head into Mount Aspiring National Park on a Wilderness Jet adventure. Jump in a funyak down the Dart River (like a kayak, but better). Or conquer the wild Shotover River on an adrenalin-pumping whitewater rafting experience. If you’d rather cruise in the slow-lane, sip your way through the Otago region or get your Fergburger take-away and head up to Queenstown Gardens for stunning views over The Remarkables. And tonight? Head to the Cookie Bar. We’re talking: warm cookies, freakshakes, s’more, ice-cream...*wipes drool from chin*.

Fuel up with an included brekkie 'cos we're heading to Lake Tekapo. Press your nose to the coach window and soak up all the stunning views racing past. Nestled between towering mountains, it’s the perfect place to spend the last night of our Kiwi encounter. Add one of New Zealand’s most photographed buildings to your camera roll with a visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd. The rest of the day is up to you. Go for a stroll along the shoreline (it’s absolutely covered in colourful lupins between Nov and Feb). Fancy a spa day? Head to the Tekapo Springs hot pools for a soothing soak. Then: we’re gonna give this trip the send-off it deserves at tonight’s final group dinner. Afterwards, look to the heavens during an optional star-gazing experience. Lake Tekapo sits within a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, so prepared to be WOWED.

Ok, nobody panic – the adventure is coming to a close. But we’re sure as hell not done yet! Squeeze in one last pano at Lake Tekapo before we make tracks for Christchurch. 17 days. 2 islands. 1 country. Countless thrills, spills and good times. One HUGE adventure. You embraced it all and shared the ride with a bunch of strangers who are now like family. But it’s time to say goodbye. Reunion trip next year? 100%.