• Topdeck travellers taking a group photo during their New Zealand trip, with Mount Sunday in the background.

Get Social: New Zealand

Up to 15% off selected departures on this trip

Trip overview

TRIP VIBE = fast-paced fun with tons of socialising, bucket-list sights and good times all round.

Home of Lord of the Rings, E-X-T-R-E-M-E sports and haka – there’s no doubt this little country has a BIG reputation for being jam-packed with pure awesomeness. Don’t waste time choosing between North and South, adventure or chill, culture or landscapes – bungy out of boring and dive headfirst into the best 17 days of your life. We’re waiting.

Worth noting…

On this trip, you’ll get two in one – your Trip Leader is also your Driver.All optionals are weather-dependent.

Tales from Topdeckers

Trip itinerary

  1. Auckland (North Island, New Zealand) – Waitomo – Rotorua

    1

    You’ve got your home life, and home friends... and home routine. But this is your chance to leave it all behind. Ready? Meet us in Auckland and say kia ora to your fellow Topdeckers. First stop on our Kiwi adventure: Waitomo Caves. A glowworm-studded labyrinth of underground caves and rivers – this place is like something out of a sci-fi movie. Spend your free time exploring Ruakuri Cave on foot. Cruise through the magical grotto. Or dare your new travel fam to strap in for a unique blackwater rafting experience (disclaimer: you’re gonna get wet). Later, you’re heading to Rotorua where you’ll get your bearings on a walk around town with your Trip Leader. Then, it's food o’clock. Tuck into some delish dishes and make that stomach smile.

    • Activities
      • Orientation of Rotorua with Trip Leader
    • Your Options
      • Waitomo Caves (boat cruise): from $75
      • Ruakuri Cave: from $70
      • Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $170
  2. Rotorua – Kohutapu

    2
  3. Rotorua – Huka Falls – Taupo

    3
  4. Taupo

    4
  5. Taupo – Wellington

    5
  6. Wellington

    6
  7. Wellington – Abel Tasman (South Island)

    7
  8. Abel Tasman

    8
  9. Abel Tasman – Kaikoura

    9
  10. Kaikoura – Christchurch

    10
  11. Christchurch – Hokitika – Franz Josef Glacier Region

    11
  12. Franz Josef Glacier Region

    12
  13. Franz Josef Glacier Region – Wanaka – Queenstown

    13
  14. Queenstown

    14
  15. Queenstown

    15
  16. Queenstown – Lake Tekapo

    16
  17. Lake Tekapo – Christchurch

    17

Your Inclusions

Activities

  • -Orientation of Rotorua with Trip Leader
  • -Orientation tour, marae visit, workshops and hangi dinner at Kohutapu Lodge
  • -Visit Huka Falls
  • -Orientation of Taupo with Trip Leader
  • -Orientation of Wellington with Trip Leader
  • -Cook Strait ferry crossing
  • -Orientation of Christchurch with Trip Leader
  • -Visit Lake Matheson
  • -Stay in the scenic Franz Josef Glacier region
  • -Visit Wanaka
  • -Orientation of Queenstown with Trip Leader
  • -Visit Church of the Good Shepherd

Accommodation

-3 nights in lodges, 13 nights in hostels

Transport

Air-conditioned coach

Your Options

FYI: these are optional activities available locally. Things might change – prices are here to give you a rough idea.

-Waitomo Caves (boat cruise): from $75

-Ruakuri Cave: from $70

-Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $170

-Visit the Hobbiton movie set: from $150

-Ziplining canopy tour: from $179

-Whitewater rafting in Rotorua: from $139

-Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a local guide (October to April): from $395

-Visit to Wai-O-Tapu hot springs: prices available locally

-Sailing on Lake Taupo: from $375

-Weta workshop: from $49

-Visit to Te Papa Museum: from $35

-Wellington cable car: from $6

-Guided kayaking and seal-spotting tour in Abel Tasman National Park: from $220

-Full-day canyoning in Abel Tasman National Park: from $295

-Skydiving in Abel Tasman National Park: from $329

-Whale watching in Kaikoura: prices available locally

-Heli-hike excursion in Franz Josef Glacier region: from $749

-Scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier: from $325

-Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary kayaking experience: prices available locally

-Scenic Milford Sound cruise (including lunch): from $245

-Jet boating in Queenstown: from $159

-Canyon swinging in Queenstown: from $259

-Bungy jumping in Queenstown: from $265

-Skydiving in Queenstown: from $335

-Funyaking in Queenstown: from $429

-Wilderness Jet adventure in Queenstown: from $299

-Whitewater rafting down the Shotover River: from $219

-Visit Tekapo Springs hot pools: from $37

-Dark Sky stargazing in Lake Tekapo: from $50

Other information

Optional activities

All optional activities are subject to availability, but there’s *always* something lit to do in New Zealand! Visiting Hobbiton high on your wish list? How about blackwater rafting or a scenic cruise through the glowing Waitomo Caves? You’ll need to pre-book them via Your Options in the Topdeck Travel app at least two weeks before your trip starts.

Views & reviews

Latest reviews

Average rating based on 49 reviews
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  • Anonymous August 2024

    Incredible Topdeck trip. Experienced the beauty of New Zealand and provided a variety of adrenaline adventurous activities. Created an everlasting group with fellow members of the group tour and just had the best time getting to know and sharing this experience with new friends. My tour guide Robbie John made this trip enjoyable and provided a lot of knowledge at each stop.

  • Anonymous August 2024
  • Eliza August 2024

    In-depth tour. Great for adrenaline junkies. A few extra days here and there would have been perfect. My trips leader Robbie John was awesome - so knowledgeable and knew all the best stops.

Read all 49 reviews

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