New Zealand's North to South Island Adventure

11 days4.410 reviews
Explorer
From
ZAR  25,100

Travel from North to the South on the ultimate adventure through New Zealand’s best highlights

From heart-racing moments to awe-inspiring scenery, this road trip through New Zealand is one to remember for a lifetime. Join a local leader for an 11-day adventure taking in epic landscapes, wildlife and culture. Take it easy at Coromandel’s Hot Water Beach, check out simmering mud pools and geysers in Rotorua, learn the Haka and tuck into a traditional hangi at a Maori village and make the most of all Taupo has to offer. See Hobbiton of Lord of the Rings fame and feel like you’re stepping straight into a fantasy as you drive through landscapes used in the films. Then, travel to the South Island to continue your adventure, sailing on the ferry through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds. End it all in Christchurch, the perfect spot to extend your journey into the south!

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" on sections of booking confirmations and invoices.

Map of New Zealand's North To South Island Adventure including New Zealand
Trip code: PHRN
Start
Auckland, New Zealand
End
Christchurch, New Zealand
Destinations
New Zealand
Meals
9 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Transport
Private Vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (10 nights)
Days
11
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 18
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Explorer
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: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Basix
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
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

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.

Take the ferry from Wellington to Picton, sailing through the Marlborough Sounds – scenic sea-drowned valleys with lush peaks and bright blue waters. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some dolphins swimming next to the boat!

Dig your own natural hot tub on Hot Water Beach and check out the much-photographed Cathedral Cove – a little piece of paradise awaits on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Experience the geothermal delights of Rotorua, watch New Zealand’s largest geyser erupt and observe adorable kiwis in a nocturnal house at a conservation centre.

Chill out next to New Zealand’s largest lake in Taupo. Whether you fancy bungy-jumping, skydiving, kayaking or relaxing, Taupo has something for you.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 05 June 2025 to 31 August 2026.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 September 2023 - 04 June 2025

Itinerary

Map of New Zealand's North To South Island Adventure including New Zealand

Inclusions and activities

Meals

9 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Vehicle, Ferry

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (10 nights)

Included activities
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Hot Water Beach
  • Rotorua - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove
  • Murupara - Hangi Dinner
  • Rotorua - Pohutu Geyser
  • Rotorua - Visit Te Puia Maori Village
  • Murupara - Learn to Weave Flax
  • Murupara - Learn the Haka
  • Murupara - Village Tour with Maori Elder
  • Tongariro National Park - Scenic Drive
  • Wellington - Mount Victoria Lookout
  • Marlborough - Cook Strait Ferry Crossing
  • Kaikoura - Visit to a Seal Colony

Optional activities
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove Kayaking - NZD175
  • Rotorua - Forest Ziplining Canopy Tour - from - (3.5hrs) - NZD189
  • Rotorua - River Sledging - NZD135
  • Rotorua - ZORB - from - NZD45
  • Rotorua - Whitewater Rafting - NZD139
  • Rotorua - Redwoods Nightlights Tree Walk - NZD37
  • Rotorua - Guided Glowworm Kayak, Hot Pools & Dinner - NZD300
  • Taupo - Water Touch Bungy - NZD235
  • Taupo - Skydive - from - NZD529
  • Taupō - Lake Taupō Sailing Adventure - NZD69
  • Taupo - Tongariro Crossing Return Shuttle to/from Trail Head (Nov-Apr only) - NZD130
  • Wellington - Weta Workshop Cave Tour - NZD55
  • Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter - NZD175
  • Kaikoura - Wildlife Kayaking - NZD140
  • Kaikoura - Whale Watching - NZD175
  • Kaikoura - Dolphin Encounter - NZD120

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.

Dates and availability

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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 5 (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.

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

4.4 out of 5 based on 10 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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Alexander · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 21 Nov 2024

Ebony · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 04 Oct 2024

Ryan · Traveled July 2024
Review submitted 16 Jul 2024

Ashley · Traveled November 2023
Review submitted 22 Nov 2023

Ellie · Traveled October 2023
Review submitted 04 Nov 2023
New Zealand's North to South Island Adventure
From
ZAR  25,100