New Zealand Uncovered (Southbound)

20 Days | Journey through the legendary landscapes of the North and South Islands

4.3 out of 5 based on 4 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
EUR €4,973
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Welcome to New Zealand, where snow-dusted peaks rub shoulders with glacial lakes, and off-the-grid surf towns give way to cosmopolitan cities. This in-depth 20-day adventure takes you to all the places where you can see the country at its best, from the North Island to the South Island. Join a local leader in Auckland and travel through the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, chill out on the beaches of Coromandel and Raglan, explore the otherworldly landscapes of Tongariro National Park and get to know Wellington’s creative side. Hop over to the South Island where the high-adrenaline activities of Queenstown, fabulous wineries of Marlborough and awe-inspiring scenery of Franz Josef await.

Trip overview

Map of New Zealand Uncovered (Southbound) including New Zealand
Start
Auckland, New Zealand
Finish
Christchurch, New Zealand
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
New Zealand
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
Style
Comfort
Ages
Min 18
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
PHKYC
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.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Discover the diversity of Rotorua, from the geothermal activity to the rich Maori culture – visit a Maori village for a hangi dinner and watch a traditional haka performance.
  • Admire the landscapes of Tongariro National Park – home to emerald green lakes and soaring volcanic peaks. If you’re up for the challenge, tackle the famous Tongariro Crossing.
  • Get to know New Zealand’s creative and cosmopolitan capital, Wellington. Your local leader will show you the best of the city, including the Weta Workshop of Lord of the Rings fame.
  • Live it up in the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. Whether you fancy bungy jumping, jet boating, 4WD-ing through Lord of the Rings scenery or wine tasting, there’s something here for everyone.
  • Take one of the world’s most scenic train journeys and cross the spectacular Southern Alps on the famous TranzAlpine from the West Coast to Christchurch.

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.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 May 2025 to 31 August 2026.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 September 2023 - 30 April 2025

Map of New Zealand Uncovered (Southbound) including New Zealand

Inclusions

Meals

18 breakfasts, 4 dinners

Transport

Private Vehicle, Train, Ferry

Accommodation

Hotel/Motel (19 nights)

Activities
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach
  • Raglan - Fish & Chips Dinner
  • Raglan - Sunset Boat Cruise
  • Waitomo - Ruakuri Bush Walk
  • Rotorua - Redwood Forest Canopy Walk
  • Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
  • Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
  • Rotorua - Hangi Dinner & Haka Dance
  • Taupo - Huka Falls
  • Wellington - Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Lake Tekapo - Mt John Lookout
  • Wanaka - Mou Waho Island Cruise & Guided Nature Walk
  • Franz Josef - Greenstone Pendant Carving
  • Greymouth - Tranz Alpine Train Journey
  • Hokitika - Mountain Jade Greenstone Factory
Add on activities
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove Kayaking - NZD175
  • Raglan - Kayaking Tour - NZD89
  • Waitomo - Glowworm Cave Tour - NZD75
  • Rotorua - Skyline Gondola Rotorua - NZD40
  • Rotorua - Forest Ziplining - from - NZD179
  • Rotorua - Whitewater Rafting - NZD129
  • Rotorua - ZORB - from - NZD40
  • Taupo - Skydiving - NZD279
  • Tongariro National Park - Tongariro Crossing (Unguided, Transport to/from Trail Head only) - from - NZD399
  • Wellington - Kapiti Island Eco Experience - NZD499
  • Wellington - Te Papa Museum Tour - NZD20
  • Wellington - Weta Workshop Cave Tour - NZD55
  • Queenstown - Walter Peak Lake Cruise with Gourmet Dinner - NZD189
  • Queenstown - Kawarau Bridge Bungy - NZD265
  • Queenstown - Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour - NZD270
  • Queenstown - Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise - NZD499
  • Queenstown - Skyline Gondola - NZD52
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Day Trip - NZD674
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Fly Day Trip - NZD789
  • Queenstown - Milford Sound Coach-Cruise-Coach Day Trip - NZD274
  • Queenstown - Time Tripper - NZD15
  • Queenstown - Shotover River Jet Boat Ride - NZD135
  • Wanaka - Waterfall Climbing - from - NZD199
  • Wanaka - Skydiving - from - NZD379
  • Franz Josef - Glacier Lake Kayaking - NZD165
  • Franz Josef - Skydiving - from - NZD399
  • Franz Josef - Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk - Free
  • Franz Josef - Glacier Heli Hike - NZD795
  • Franz Josef - Heli Experience with Snow Landing - NZD325

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. 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.

Essential Trip Information

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 based on 4 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Janine · Traveled March 2024
This trip was amazing. Such a beautiful country with plenty to see and do. Highlights for me were Milford Sound and the Franz Josef helicopter. Great group and an excellent guide who went the extra mile for us providing options to do during our free time if wanted. Highly recommend doing this trip North to South as the islands are vastly different to each other and finishing with the South was a perfect ending.
Review submitted 31 Mar 2024

Ingrid · Traveled February 2024
New Zealand is a fabulous place and we had a fantastic Guide. The intrepid logistical support and organisation however needs improving.
Review submitted 27 Feb 2024

Brenda · Traveled December 2023
Spend time before the trip and book your 'Add on activities' as some get booked up fast. Also recommend for Milford Sound the best option is Coach - Cruise - Fly day trip.
Review submitted 13 Jan 2024

Richard · Traveled June 2023
A fantastic trip around New Zealand. I enjoyed every moment.
Review submitted 09 Jul 2023
New Zealand Uncovered (Southbound)
From
EUR €4,973