New Zealand Amplified (Northbound)





Dive into the gorgeous natural landscapes of New Zealand, an adventure hub for every traveller
Today is a free day to explore Christchurch at your own pace. Maybe chill out in the Botanic Gardens to see some of the native plants, or stop by the Canterbury Museum to learn about the region’s cultural heritage. Tonight, you’ll have another welcome meeting at a 6 pm to meet the new travellers joining you for the next leg of your adventure. After, why not head out to dinner at a local restaurant and get to know each other better.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating "twin-share" when you manage your booking on our website.
4.4
5 reviewsStart: Christchurch, New Zealand
End: Auckland, New Zealand
- Duration
- 19 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Minimum age
- 18 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Basix
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Wander around Arrowtown – a heritage town and living historic settlement that’s perfect for exploring on foot. This town, surrounded by sometimes-snowy peaks, dates back to gold mining times and is now a popular spot with cute cafes, small shops and scenic landscapes.
- Stand in awe of the epic Franz Josef glacier and visit a local gallery to learn about the significance of pounamu (greenstone) to Maori culture while carving your own pendant.
- Explore Hobbiton on a guided tour, finishing with a drink at The Green Dragon – this iconic must-see location is where scenes from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed and is like stepping right into Middle Earth!
- Calling all adventure seekers! Queenstown is overflowing with adrenaline-pumping activities, so dive straight in or sit back with a glass of world-class local wine.
- Head to a Maori village where the profits from your visit are fed back into the community, learn the haka and Maori weaving before tucking into a traditional hangi dinner.
Itinerary
Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins in Christchurch – the largest city in the South Island. After being rocked by an earthquake in 2011, much of Christchurch’s downtown has been destroyed, but there are now tonnes of examples of the cool and creative ways the locals rebuilt what was lost across the city. One of the best examples of this is the Christchurch Cathedral – rebuilt out of cardboard, this is now one of the city’s most interesting architectural features. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to get to know your leader and group. After, why not head out for dinner at one of the city’s excellent restaurants.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
This morning, head out with your local leader to get to know Christchurch. After exploring some of the sites, it’s time to get on the road and drive to Lake Tekapo – this spot is a designated Dark Sky Reserve and the lake is a truly stunning sight, with its bright blue waters and surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for newlyweds snapping pictures in front of the Church of the Good Shepherd, which boasts one of the world’s most gorgeous backdrops! Night fall reveals a whole new side of Tekapo – this is one of the top spots in the country for stargazing, so if the weather’s right, maybe set your gaze up to the glittering stars above.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lake Tekapo - Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
- Christchurch - City Tour
- Lake Tekapo - Tekapo Springs Hot Pool - NZD50
- Lake Tekapo - The Crater Experience - NZD129
- Lake Tekapo - The Summit Experience - NZD209
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
Please note that on select departures you will stay overnight at an alternative location close to Lake Pukaki instead of at Lake Tekapo. You will still visit Lake Tekapo in the afternoon, but will then continue your drive along the shores of stunning Lake Pukaki for your overnight accommodation.
Rise and shine! If you’d like to really embrace the morning, maybe take a hike to the summit of Mt John for views of the Southern Alps. If you skip the walk, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of incredible views to be seen today. You’ll drive past the tussock lands of the Mackenzie Basin and the snow-dusted peaks of the Southern Alps today, as you travel down to Queenstown, making plenty of photo-worthy stops along the way. Swing by the Kawarau Gorge, where you’ll have the chance to take the plunge with a bungy jump if you’re feeling brave! Arrive in the adventure capital of the world and your home for the next two nights. Whether you’re into high-adrenaline experiences or sitting back with a glass of wine, Queenstown is sure to tick all your boxes.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge
- Lake Tekapo - Hike up Mt John - Free
- Queenstown - Kawarau Bridge Bungy - NZD320
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
The day is yours to experience all Queenstown has to offer. If you want to get your heart racing, look no further! Paragliding, jet boating, mountain biking, canyon swinging and bungy jumping could all be on the cards for you today – just speak to your leader. For scenery lovers, a day trip to Milford Sound is a must. Sail past outstanding mountains and plunging waterfalls as you cruise down the fiord - these views cannot be missed! For Lord of the Rings fans, maybe take a 4WD adventure through landscapes where some of the film’s scenes were shot. If you’re a wine lover, this is one of the top wine-producing regions in the world and there’s no shortage of fantastic wineries where you can sample some for yourself.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Queenstown - Canyoning - NZD239
- Queenstown - Shotover River Jet Boat Ride - NZD169
- Queenstown - Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour - NZD285
- Queenstown - Canyon Swing - from - NZD295
- Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip - NZD274
- Queenstown - Nevis Bungy - NZD395
- Queenstown - Skyline Gondola - NZD64
- Queenstown - Dart River Funyaks - from - NZD495
- Queenstown - Time Tripper - NZD20
Take the morning to tick off anything you didn’t get to see or do yesterday, then leave Queenstown in the rear-view mirror and begin the super scenic drive across the Crown Range to Wanaka. Along the way, stop off in the little gold-rush town of Arrowtown, where the high street’s historic facades make it easy to imagine what life here once looked like. Take a walk around this gorgeous town, then continue to the huge Lake Wanaka – the star of the show. With the surrounding mountains, there’s no doubt this is one of the most attractive towns in New Zealand. Hit a hiking trail, explore on a bike or find a cosy cafe to admire the view.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Arrowtown - Village visit
- Wanaka - Happy Hour on the Lake - NZD64
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Soak up a free morning to explore Wanaka at your own pace. Maybe take a bike ride along the shores of Lake Wanaka or get on the water and cruise to Mou Waho Island, where you’ll find an island in a lake on an island in a lake! There are heaps of beautiful short walks in the area, and a visit to the famous #thatwanakatree is a must. Depart Wanaka in the afternoon and venture further north, stopping off at a lookout point over either Lake Wanaka or Lake Hawea, depending on conditions. Grab a window seat as you pass the impressive waterfalls of the Haast Pass and the spectacular coastline (your leader will make a few special stops along the way too!). Arrive to Franz Josef village – your base for the evening.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- West Coast - Haast Pass
- West Coast - Lake Hawea Lookout
- Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk - NZD159
- Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise - NZD119
- Wanaka - Waterfall Climbing - from - NZD199
Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
Franz Josef is where glaciers and soaring peaks make a spectacular background to the slow-paced, daily life. This part of the country is known as Te Wahi Pounamu, meaning ‘the place of greenstone’, due to the region’s abundance of this culturally and spiritually significant stone. Visit a local gallery and carve your own pendant while learning about pounamu’s importance to Maori culture. This afternoon, if you’d like to get closer to the Franz Josef Glacier, speak to your leader about the options available. There’s the chance to kayak over a glacial lake. No matter how you choose to spend the day here, it’s sure to be a good one!
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Franz Josef - Carve your own Pounamu Necklace
- Franz Josef - Glacier Lake Kayaking - NZD165
Travel up the wild and wet West Coast, where the country’s highest annual rainfall means the landscapes are unbelievably green, standing in striking contrast to the blues of the ocean. If time allows, you may visit a kiwi centre, where kiwi birds can be observed in a nocturnal house. Drive on through Arthur’s Pass on your way back to Christchurch and enjoy the mountain scenery (making a couple of stops along the way for photos). Arrive to Christchurch in the evening and maybe head out for dinner and drinks with your group.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Today is a free day to explore Christchurch at your own pace. Maybe chill out in the Botanic Gardens or go and see the Christchurch Cathedral – made entirely out of cardboard after the earthquake in 2011, this is a great example of the ingenuity of the locals. Tonight, you’ll have another welcome meeting at a 6 pm to meet the new travellers joining you for the next leg of your adventure. After, why not head out to dinner at a local restaurant and get to know each other better.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today.
Today, leave the city behind and make tracks for Kaikoura – a seaside town known for its rugged mountain scenery and abundance of marine life. When you arrive, maybe get to know the town’s most famous creatures. While here you may like to take the chance to explore the coastline on a guided kayaking tour – if you do, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins swimming alongside the boat! – dusky dolphins, hectors dolphins and common dolphins are all regularly seen around these parts. Kaikoura is one of the best spots in the world for whale watching, with humpbacks, orcas and sperm whales often sighted on whale watching cruises. Stop by a seal colony to watch endearing fur seals go about their business.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Kaikoura - Visit to a Seal Colony
- Kaikoura - Wildlife Kayaking - NZD140
- Kaikoura - Whale Watching - NZD175
- Kaikoura - Dolphin Encounter - NZD120
- Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter - NZD175
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Take the morning to soak in the scenery of Kaikoura before heading north to Picton. Take a stroll around this harbour town and perhaps pick up a bite to eat before boarding the ferry to Wellington. Crossing the Cook Strait is one of the world’s most scenic ferry rides – watch as the vast landscapes of the Marlborough Sounds unfold along a beautiful coastline, making way for sweeping vineyards and open skies. Arrive in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, known for its amazing food and craft beer scene. Tonight, be sure to ask your leader for tips on where to pick up a great brew.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Marlborough - Cook Strait Ferry Crossing
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
Wellington is as cool and creative as it is windy (and it’s thought to be the windiest city in the world!). Your leader will show you around the capital this morning. Depending on the interests of the group, this may include the parliament buildings, cable car and Mt Victoria. Then it’s time to leave the city behind and drive on to Taupo, sitting on the shores of Lake Taupo – New Zealand’s largest lake. This drive is a perfect introduction to the wild and varied landscapes of the North Island – pass by the arid scenes of the Rangipo Desert and the soaring volcanic peaks of Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. Arrive in Taupo in the evening. With calm waters fringed by mountains, this is one of the prettiest spots in the country.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
- Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
The day is yours to enjoy all Taupo has to offer. Chill out lakeside to soak in the inspiring views or get active and take on one of the awesome hiking trails in the area. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the Tongariro Crossing in the nearby Tongariro National Park is considered one of the best one-day walks in the world (but it’s not for the faint hearted!). Carved into the cliff faces surrounding Lake Taupo you’ll find 14-metre-tall Maori artwork that can only be accessed by boat. Want to relax and unwind? A visit to the natural hot pools at Otumuheke Stream is a must! However you decide to spend the day, it’s sure to be one to remember.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Taupo - Skydive - from - NZD529
- Taupo - Water Touch Bungy - NZD235
- Taupo - Tongariro Crossing Return Shuttle to/from Trail Head (Nov-Apr only) - NZD130
- Taupō - Lake Taupō Sailing Adventure - NZD69
Today's hike on the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing is optional, and you can book a transfer to and from the trail head at an additional cost. The transfer service is available from November to April, and the cost does not include a guide. Please note that this is a demanding 19.4 km alpine and volcanic hike with significant risks. It requires a high level of fitness, preparation, and personal responsibility. Expect steep, uneven terrain, loose volcanic scree, and high elevation — all of which can lead to fatigue, dehydration, or health issues. Alpine weather changes rapidly and may cause hypothermia or heat-related illness. Volcanic activity, while unlikely, is a natural hazard in this area. You must be fully self-sufficient, carrying all required gear, food, and water. After the Red Crater summit, there are no safe exits until the end of the track. All participants should be fully prepared and are encouraged to disclose any medical conditions. Your Tour Leader will assess readiness and has final say on participation for safety reasons.
Travel today to the Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara – most proceeds from the activities you take part in here are fed back into the local community. You’ll be greeted by a member of the Maori community who will show you around the Ngati Manawa Tribal Lands while sharing the history and culture of this tribe. Meet with other members of the village and learn a famous haka war dance, then weave a plate for tonight’s dinner out of flax plants. Dinner tonight is one for the books – tuck into a traditional hangi meal, cooked underground to create a delicious, earthy flavour.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax
- Murupara - Hangi Dinner
- Murupara - Village Tour with Local Maori
- Murupara - Learn the Haka
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Your journey continues as you drive north towards Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and the pervasive sulphur smell it lends the town. Fluorescent lakes, bubbling mud pools, active volcanoes and dramatic geysers punctuate the landscape here, making it feel like you’re on another planet. Stop off at a thermal park to get your first look at Rotorua’s otherworldly landscapes, then continue into the town where your leader will show you around the Government Gardens and pleasant lakefront. End the day with a visit to the Te Puia Maori Village, where you’ll get firsthand insight into Maori culture. You’ll also have the chance to see Pohutu, New Zealand’s largest geyser, in action – this is a sight that will blow you away! A visit to the kiwi conservation centre will allow you to observe this endearing nocturnal bird as it behaves at night.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village
- Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.
There’s so much to see and do in Rotorua, so today is free to discover it all. Have a chat to your local leader for tips on how to get the most out of your day here. You may like to take a stroll through Kuirau Park, surrounded by bubbling and boiling mud pools. If you feel like getting your heart racing, the Kaituna River is one of the world’s top white water rafting destinations. Choose to head deep into one of New Zealand’s most ancient forests for an exhilarating eco canopy adventure, learning about the native wildlife and ecology as you zipline from tree to tree. Or take a guided kayak trip where you’ll enjoy a fun-filled evening of hot pools (which are only accessible by boat), BBQ dinner and paddling through magical glow worm caves.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Rotorua - River Sledging - NZD135
- Rotorua - Guided Glowworm Kayak, Hot Pools & Dinner - NZD300
- Rotorua - Forest Ziplining Canopy Tour - from - (3.5hrs) - NZD189
- Rotorua - Whitewater Rafting - NZD139
- Rotorua - ZORB - from - NZD45
- Rotorua - Mt Tarawera Hike - NZD209
Start the day with a visit to Hobbiton – the absolute must-do when in New Zealand. On a fully guided tour of the set where scenes from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were shot, you’ll see Hobbit Holes and the Mill, finishing up with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. This afternoon, head to the Coromandel Peninsula – a land of beaches and lush rainforests. Take a walk along the clifftops and down to Cathedral Cove, one of the region’s most beautiful and photogenic spots – the rock arches, columns and pristine beaches are a truly impressive sight. While here you may like to take the chance to explore the coastline on a guided kayaking tour – if you do, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins swimming alongside the boat!
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
- Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove Kayaking - NZD155
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Of all the Coromandel Peninsula’s marvellous beaches, one stands out above the rest. Hot Water Beach is made famous by the warm waters that run beneath its sand, meaning all you need to do to make your own hot tub is dig a hole. Visit at low tide and get digging – unwinding in a natural hot tub on the beach is an experience second to none. Complete the final stretch of your journey as you travel to Auckland – New Zealand’s biggest city is in a great spot, meaning you’re never far from the water. The dining and nightlife scene is up there with the best of them, so as it’s your last night together, you may like to head out for dinner with the group to celebrate.
- Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
Your adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time getting to know Auckland, just get in touch ahead of time to arrange extra accommodation.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
16 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Private Vehicle, Ferry
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (18 nights)
- Lake Tekapo - Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
- Christchurch - City Tour
- Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge
- Arrowtown - Village visit
- West Coast - Haast Pass
- West Coast - Lake Hawea Lookout
- Franz Josef - Carve your own Pounamu Necklace
- Kaikoura - Visit to a Seal Colony
- Marlborough - Cook Strait Ferry Crossing
- Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
- Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive
- Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax
- Murupara - Hangi Dinner
- Murupara - Village Tour with Local Maori
- Murupara - Learn the Haka
- Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village
- Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
- Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
- Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach
- Lake Tekapo - Tekapo Springs Hot Pool - NZD50
- Lake Tekapo - The Crater Experience - NZD129
- Lake Tekapo - The Summit Experience - NZD209
- Lake Tekapo - Hike up Mt John - Free
- Queenstown - Kawarau Bridge Bungy - NZD320
- Queenstown - Canyoning - NZD239
- Queenstown - Shotover River Jet Boat Ride - NZD169
- Queenstown - Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour - NZD285
- Queenstown - Canyon Swing - from - NZD295
- Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip - NZD274
- Queenstown - Nevis Bungy - NZD395
- Queenstown - Skyline Gondola - NZD64
- Queenstown - Dart River Funyaks - from - NZD495
- Queenstown - Time Tripper - NZD20
- Wanaka - Happy Hour on the Lake - NZD64
- Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk - NZD159
- Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise - NZD119
- Wanaka - Waterfall Climbing - from - NZD199
- Franz Josef - Glacier Lake Kayaking - NZD165
- Kaikoura - Wildlife Kayaking - NZD140
- Kaikoura - Whale Watching - NZD175
- Kaikoura - Dolphin Encounter - NZD120
- Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter - NZD175
- Taupo - Skydive - from - NZD529
- Taupo - Water Touch Bungy - NZD235
- Taupo - Tongariro Crossing Return Shuttle to/from Trail Head (Nov-Apr only) - NZD130
- Taupō - Lake Taupō Sailing Adventure - NZD69
- Rotorua - River Sledging - NZD135
- Rotorua - Guided Glowworm Kayak, Hot Pools & Dinner - NZD300
- Rotorua - Forest Ziplining Canopy Tour - from - (3.5hrs) - NZD189
- Rotorua - Whitewater Rafting - NZD139
- Rotorua - ZORB - from - NZD45
- Rotorua - Mt Tarawera Hike - NZD209
- Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove Kayaking - NZD155
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Is this trip right for you?
- This trip is run by Haka Tours, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.
- Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. Dorms generally consist of 4-8 beds (private rooms are available on request). You may be required to share with non-Intrepid travellers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.
- This trip is run by Haka Tours, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.
- Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. Dorms generally consist of 4-8 beds (private rooms are available on request). You may be required to share with non-Intrepid travellers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share hostels. Multishare typically includes 4-8 beds. You may be required to share with group members of a different gender, couples and non-Intrepid travellers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.
2. A single supplement (with shared bathroom facilities) is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. If you are a single traveller this will give you a single room, if you are travelling as a couple a double room will be allocated to you. The single supplement excludes Day 14 (Murupara) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. This trip is run by Haka Tours, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Haka customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Haka Tours to ensure that all our customers enjoy their time in New Zealand.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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