The ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ – it’s a classic Kiwi understatement if there ever was one. And while most travellers are drawn here for those epic experiences out in nature – the open spaces, the dusted peaks, the lakes that pop with blue and make a mockery of Instagram filters – that stuff is just the tip of the glacier. From the feather-clad harbingers of Maoritanga to the happening backstreets of Wellington and Dunedin, this country jumps with vitality in more ways than the merely geological. Come for the bubbling geysers, stay for the friendliest folk in the southern hemisphere.
Explore the rugged reaches of the South Island on this six-day trip with Intrepid from...
Explore lakes, mountains and rivers on this three-day Wanaka retreat, taking in...
Cycle New Zealand's South Island, from Queenstown to Middlemarch’s Otago plains. Follow...
See more of New Zealand’s South Island on this eight-day hiking, cycling and paddling...
Hike and cycle some of New Zealand’s best forests and alps on a seven-day Intrepid tour...
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
Explore the rugged West Coast on this 7-day trip on the South Island with Intrepid....
Spend seven days with Intrepid on a family-focused South Island adventure in New...
Take five days to discover New Zealand’s natural North Island with Intrepid. From Lake...
Beginning and ending in Queenstown, experience Central Otago’s vineyards and gold rush...
Escape Auckland on a four-day Great Barrier Island Escape with Intrepid. Head fishing,...
Get out of town and uncover the tastes and traditions of sweeping Hawke’s Bay on this...
This all-encompassing New Zealand tour takes you to the very best of both the North and...
Explore the North Island on this 12-day tour, leaving from Christchurch and hitting...
Take an active small-group tour through the North and South Islands of New Zealand on...
Explore the North and South Island of New Zealand, visiting Franz Josef Glacier, the...
Get active on a nine-day adventure through New Zealand’s best, from Auckland to Lake...
Take an epic scenic adventure through the South Island of New Zealand, from Franz...
Explore the North Island on this 12-day a southbound tour, leaving from Auckland and...
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A go-to guide to New Zealand's most epic one-day hike.
It's not just Queenstown that gets the heart rate going.
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It's one of the North Island's most unique and dazzling experiences.
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It's a tough choice. From Maori encounters to next-level mountain scenery, New...
Looking for adventure in 2018? Look no further.
By the time we ended our two weeks in New Zealand's North Island, our Intrepid...
The towns on this list are lesser-known destinations. Although some of them serve...
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Some of the most picturesque glaciers on planet Earth may be available for a...
Who needs sun and sand? We've got the perfect alternative.
Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.
When travelling with us in New Zealand you may find yourself staying in a:
One of the most relaxing ways to experience New Zealand’s natural world is aboard an overnight boat. Spot wildlife and admire the scenery during the day, and drift off to sleep at night.
New Zealand Adventure Southbound
Australia: No - not required
Belgium: No - not required
Canada: No - not required
Germany: No - not required
Ireland: No - not required
Netherlands: No - not required
New Zealand: No - not required
South Africa: No - not required
Switzerland: No - not required
United Kingdom: No - not required
USA: No - not required
For the most up to date information on visa requirements, we recommend you contact the New Zealand embassy in your country or visit http://www.immigration.govt.nz
Tipping isn’t mandatory in New Zealand, however rounding up the bill or leaving spare change is common practice. Restaurant staff, taxi drivers and other service workers welcome tips for good service.
Internet access is widely available in most parts of New Zealand, with internet cafes and Wi-Fi hot spots commonly found in urban areas.
Mobile phone coverage is excellent in most parts of New Zealand, especially in large cities and urban areas. Remote, rural and mountainous places may have limited to no coverage, so be aware of this before venturing away from the city. Ensure global roaming is activated before leaving your home country if you want to use your mobile.
You'll find western-style flushable toilet in most parts of New Zealand.
Cup of coffee = 3–4 NZD
Jug of beer = 15–18 NZD
Lunch at a cafe = 10–20 NZD
Dinner at a restaurant = 30–40 NZD
Drinking water from taps in New Zealand is considered safe, unless otherwise marked. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water.
Credit cards are widely accepted by shops, restaurants and cafes in New Zealand. Smaller establishments may only accept cash or require a minimum purchase for credit card use, so be sure to carry enough cash for smaller purchases.
ATMs are commonly found in large cities and regional towns in New Zealand. ATM access will be very limited in remote areas so be aware of this before heading out of the city.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Please note these dates are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in New Zealand go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/new-zealand/public-holidays
New Zealand legalised same-sex marriage in 2013, and is by and large welcoming of gay and gender-fluid communities. While the big cities such as Auckland and Wellington are accommodating towards LGBTQI travellers, caution should be used in rural areas where conservative views are more prevalent (as in any developed country). For more detailed and up-to-date information, visit Equaldex or Smartraveller before you travel.
Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.
In New Zealand, we stay in locally run accommodation including guesthouses, smaller-scale hotels and homestays in an effort to support the local economies. We also visit locally-run restaurants and markets where travellers will have opportunities to support local businesses and purchase handicrafts created by local artisans.
We have a variety of similar destinations, trips and routes that you could consider! Tie another trip into your holiday, or, see how we can help you get from A to B. We have tours departing from a range of locations within New Zealand. The options below may be of interest: