Trip Overview
Expect beauty, beauty and more beauty! On this epic NZ adventure you’ll see everything – from soaring volcanoes and towering mountains to mirror-like lakes and winding rivers. Along the way we’ll sample a taste of a celebrated wine region’s finest produce AND chill out in a craft beer capital. Wanna do New Zealand properly and make friends for life while you’re at it? This is the trip for you!
YOUR #TOPDECKER TRAVEL MOMENTS
Trip Itinerary
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Fox Glacier to Queenstown
2Who’s ready to hit the ice? If the weather is good, you’ll have the chance to explore this chilly playground on a heli hike. Alternatively, you could go all-out and get a bird’s eye view on a scenic flight. Then: the adventuring continues as we roll into the adrenalin capital of NZ – Queenstown. Get your bearings on an orientation tour, then be free! The nightlife here is on a whole other level. Ice Bar, anyone?
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Heli-hike at Fox Glacier: from $499.00
- Scenic flight over Fox Glacier: from $280.00
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Meals
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Queenstown
3Ready. Set. GO! Queenstown is loaded with adventure activities - and you've got two days to cram them all in! For the thrill seekers: choose from bungy jumping, jet boating, canyon swinging, skydiving or zip lining. Doesn't sound like your thing? Take the skyline gondola for some incred views over Lake Wakatipu. There's even a sky-high luge track to challenge your Topdeck buddies on. It's on! Tonight, why not hit up Fergburger for a meal that will haunt your dreams? Yep, it's that good!
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Jet boating in Queenstown: from $159.00
- Canyon swinging in Queenstown: from $249.00
- Bungy jumping in Queenstown: from $205.00
- Skydiving in Queenstown: from $359.00
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Meals
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Queenstown (Milford Sound Day Trip)
4Plaster your face to the window as we take the scenic route to Milford Sound for today’s main event: a cruise on the fjord, complete with thundering waterfalls and towering cliffs that will just blow your mind. Keep your eyes peeled for the resident seals and dolphins, too!
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Included Today
- Cruise Milford Sound
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
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Included Today
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Queenstown
5Quick! It’s your last day here. Our hot tip: sign up for some whitewater rafting on the Shotover River, or jump in a funyak (like kayaking, but better). Hungry after all of that adventuring? You’re in luck. We have an included dinner tonight at one of Queenstown’s most popular hangouts!
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Funyaking in Queenstown: from $399.00
- Wilderness Jet in Queenstown: from $259.00
- Shotover rafting in Queenstown: from $239.00
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Meals
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Queenstown to Lake Ohau
6We’ve got an epic two-wheeled excursion in Arrowtown on the agenda today - so get ready to tone those thighs as we cycle along the banks of the Arrow River, crossing some OMG-worthy suspension bridges along the way. Later, take in all the pretty window views before hunkering down at our lodge for the night. Nestled between towering mountains and overlooking the sparkling lake, this is the perfect place to relax and recharge after a hectic few days.
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Included Today
- Mountain biking in Arrowtown
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Lake Ohau to Christchurch
7We’ll have plenty of time to squeeze in a pano at Lake Tekapo before we move on to Christchurch today. Then: after an orientation tour of the city, we’ll set you free to explore. Why not take the chance to check out the nightlife while you’re here?
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Included Today
- Orientation tour of Christchurch
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Christchurch to Kaikoura
8Spot the wild fur seals getting their tan on as we roll into Kaikoura today. And this afternoon? Channel all those mermaid/man vibes on an optional dolphin swim, or take in the wild acrobatics from above deck - these little critters love to put on a show! Then: soak up the laid back atmosphere, take a short stroll to the beach for sunset and maybe visit a local bayside vendor for the freshest of crayfish (Kaikoura literally translates to ‘eat crayfish’). This is livin’.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Swim with dolphins in Kaikoura: from $180.00
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Meals
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Kaikoura to Nelson
9Onwards to Nelson. The Marlborough region is super famous for its wine - and today we’ll find out why as we swing by a Cellar Door. Ready to raise those pinkies at an included tasting session? Heck, yes! And tonight? A delicious BBQ dinner awaits...
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Included Today
- Wine tasting in the Marlborough region
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Nelson
10Did someone say coastal paradise? Today is yours to explore this vibrant region. Hop from bay to bay via boat, sea kayak, on foot or see it all from above with an epic skydive. Whatever you choose, we know you’re going to love it!
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Kayaking and seal-spotting in Abel Tasman National Park: from $150.00
- Day tour of Abel Tasman National Park: from $92.00
- Skydiving in Abel Tasman National Park: from $329.00
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Meals
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Nelson to Wellington
11Today we’ll cross the Cook Strait by ferry and sail into the blue waters of Marlborough Sound. Next stop, Wellington! Did you know? This place has more bars and restaurants per capita than the mighty NYC. It’d be rude not to check ‘em out...
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Included Today
- Cook Strait ferry crossing
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Wellington
12Free days are the best days. Get lost in the awesome Te Papa museum or hit up Cuba Street for some quirky stores and cafés. Anyone for another night of bar-hopping later? Sign us up!
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
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Wellington to Tongariro National Park
13If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, why not hit up the Weta Workshop for maximum Middle Earth vibes this morning? Then: after heading to Mt Victoria for 360-degree city, harbour and ocean views, we’ll leave Wellington behind us and move on to Tongariro National Park. Get excited: tomorrow we’ll be able to roam the park as we please!
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
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Tongariro National Park
14Rise and shine - we’ve got exploring to do! Known as one of the best one-day hikes in the world, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing sure lives up to its reputation – and you’ll get the chance to complete it today (weather dependent). With three volcanic peaks dominating the horizon and terrain that’ll make you feel like you’re on Mars, this hike is 100% worth the sore legs the next day. Rather have yourself a four-wheeled adventure? There’s an optional quad biking experience on offer, if you’re interested. Let’s do this!
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Included Today
- Short guided walk around Tongariro National Park
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: from $195.00
- Quad biking in Tongariro National Park: from $155.00
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Included Today
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Tongariro National Park to Rotorua
15Today we’ll swing by beautiful Lake Taupo before making tracks to Huka Falls (you’ll hear the rumble before you see them). Then: crank the heat up to the max, ‘cos we’re off to check out the area’s famous geothermal activity on an included tour. This experience comes complete with a traditional Hangi lunch – a meal of roasted meat and veggies slowly cooked in an underground oven pit. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Kiwi birds! Later, we’ll learn some Haka moves and watch a Poi dance before tucking into a delicious dinner at a traditional marae (Maori meeting ground).
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Included Today
- Visit Lake Taupo and Huka Falls
- Traditional Hangi lunch
- Overnight stay in a traditional Maori marae
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Rotorua
16Are you ready for all the optional extras your free day has to offer? Take a walk through Tolkien’s dreams at the Hobbiton movie set or head to a geothermal reserve for a relaxing mud spa. For the thrill-seekers, there’s Zorbing on offer here too (think: rolling downhill in a giant inflatable ball). When in New Zealand!
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Visit the Hobbiton movie set: from $124.00
- Canopy tour of Rotorua: from $159.00
- Visit a mud bath and spa: from $75.00
- Zorbing in Rotorua: from $45.00
- Whitewater rafting in Rotorua: from $90.00
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Meals
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Rotorua to Auckland
17Wah! It’s the last day already? On our way out of Rotorua we’ll swing by the Waitomo Caves - a glowworm-studded labyrinth of underground caves and rivers. This place is like something out of a sci-fi movie! Choose to explore on foot, by boat or brave the cold on a unique blackwater rafting experience (trust us, it’s awesome). Later on, we’ll say hello to Auckland – and goodbye to the trip. With so much to see here, we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to stick around, though!
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves: from $53.00
- Ruakuri Cave: from $76.00
- Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $147.00
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Meals
What's included
Included Experiences
- Visit Lake Matheson
- Stay in the Fox Glacier region
- Cruise Milford Sound
- Mountain biking in Arrowtown
- Wine tasting in the Marlborough region
- Visit Lake Taupo and Huka Falls
- Traditional Hangi lunch
- Overnight stay in a traditional Maori marae
Accommodation
-6 nights in hotels, 4 nights in motels, 3 nights in lodges, 1 night in a cabin, 1 night in a hostel, 1 night in a traditional Maori marae
Transport
Modern air-conditioned vehicle with free Wi-Fi
Optional activities
-Heli-hike at Fox Glacier: from $499.00
-Scenic flight over Fox Glacier: from $280.00
-Jet boating in Queenstown: from $159.00
-Canyon swinging in Queenstown: from $249.00
-Bungy jumping in Queenstown: from $205.00
-Skydiving in Queenstown: from $359.00
-Funyaking in Queenstown: from $399.00
-Wilderness Jet in Queenstown: from $259.00
-Shotover rafting in Queenstown: from $239.00
-Swim with dolphins in Kaikoura: from $180.00
-Kayaking and seal-spotting in Abel Tasman National Park: from $150.00
-Day tour of Abel Tasman National Park: from $92.00
-Skydiving in Abel Tasman National Park: from $329.00
-Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: from $195.00
-Quad biking in Tongariro National Park: from $155.00
-Visit the Hobbiton movie set: from $124.00
-Canopy tour of Rotorua: from $159.00
-Visit a mud bath and spa: from $75.00
-Zorbing in Rotorua: from $45.00
-Whitewater rafting in Rotorua: from $90.00
-Waitomo Glowworm Caves: from $53.00
-Ruakuri Cave: from $76.00
-Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $147.00
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