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DAY 1: AUCKLAND TO AUCKLAND
Location: Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand! This evening is a great opportunity to see Auckland's nightlife and meet your fellow travellers.
Accommodation: Centrally located hostel in Auckland
DAY 2: AUCKLAND TO COROMANDEL
Location: Coromandel
We’ll kick things off with an iconic Kiwi road trip – leaving the big city and heading to a beachy paradise of oh-so-perfect scenery in the Coromandel.
Accommodation: Hostel in Coromandel
DAY 3: COROMANDEL TO ROTORUA
Location: Rotorua
The perfect beaches and massive rock arches of Cathedral Cove are calling us this morning – drink in the scenery before we head to Waitomo.
Accommodation: Hostel in Rotorua
DAY 4: ROTORUA TO ROTORUA
Location: Rotorua
Today is a free day to explore Rotorua's geothermal wonders or choose your own adventure and cross off some bucket-list activities!
Accommodation: Hostel in Rotorua
DAY 5: ROTORUA TO MURUPARA
Location: Murupara
Today you will discover why Rotorua is so unique to the world with its geothermal wonders and Māori culture, before our visit to a living Māori village.
Accommodation: Accommodation in Murupara
DAY 6: MURUPARA TO TAUPŌ
Location: Taupō
It’s only a short drive to our next destination, Taupō, and there’s plenty to discover along the way.
Accommodation: Accommodation in Taupō
DAY 7: TAUPŌ TO TAUPŌ
Location: Taupō
Challenge yourself or unwind in style – you've got a full day in Taupō. The famed Tongariro Crossing is today’s optional bucket-list item (weather permitting).
Accommodation: Accommodation in Taupō
DAY 8: TAUPŌ TO WELLINGTON
Location: Wellington
A drive-by tour of some Lord of the Rings filming locations is part of the long-ish drive today. Foodies and craft beer lovers will savour Wellington’s bars and eateries.
Accommodation: Centrally located hostel in Wellington
DAY 9: WELLINGTON TO KAIKŌURA
Location: Kaikōura
Venture around Wellington before taking a scenic ferry journey across the Cook Strait and get up close and personal with the South Island.
Accommodation: Accommodation in Kaikōura
DAY 10: KAIKŌURA TO CHRISTCHURCH
Location: Christchurch
The Kaikōura Ranges make for an epic backdrop for all the marine and wildlife activities you can enjoy here including whale watching and dolphin encounter tours.
Accommodation: Centrally located hostel in Christchurch
DAY 11: CHRISTCHURCH TO CHRISTCHURCH
Location: Christchurch
Enjoy a relaxing day in Christchurch, explore and take it at your own pace!
Accommodation: Centrally located hostel in Christchurch
DAY 12: CHRISTCHURCH TO MACKENZIE COUNTRY
Location: Mackenzie Country
See the innovative ways Christchurch is rebuilding after the 2011 earthquake, and then get your cameras ready for the turquoise waters and International Dark Sky Reserve of Lake Tekapo.
Accommodation: Accommodation in Mackenzie Country
DAY 13: MACKENZIE COUNTRY TO QUEENSTOWN
Location: Queenstown
From the golden tussocklands of Mackenzie Country to the home of bungy-jumping and on to the jaw-dropping beauty surrounding Queenstown: it’s like you’re driving into a postcard.
Accommodation: Centrally located hostel in Queenstown
DAY 14: QUEENSTOWN TO QUEENSTOWN
Location: Queenstown
This is New Zealand’s adventure playground and the perfect spot to check off bucket list items and challenge yourself! For scenery lovers, Milford Sound is a must-see option.
Accommodation: Centrally located hostel in Queenstown
DAY 15: QUEENSTOWN TO WANAKA
Location: Wanaka
On the way to wondrous Wanaka (cue more towering peaks and another glacial blue lake) we’ll stop in at Arrowtown, a charming historic gold rush village.
Accommodation: Hostel in Wanaka
DAY 16: WANAKA TO FRANZ JOSEF
Location: Franz Josef
Hot tip: don’t nap on the bus! Today’s road trip to the UNESCO World Heritage area famous for its glaciers is rated by many of our guides as their favourite.
Accommodation: Hostel in Franz Josef
DAY 17: FRANZ JOSEF TO FRANZ JOSEF
Location: Franz Josef
Franz Josef Glacier has been around for 18,000 years – it’d be rude not to explore it! Today your tour includes the chance to carve a greenstone pendant.
Accommodation: Hostel in Franz Josef
DAY 18: FRANZ JOSEF TO CHRISTCHURCH
Location: Christchurch
Complete your adventure with a scenic journey back to Christchurch. Reflect on the epic landscapes and memories made on this incredible journey.
Accommodation: Centrally located hostel in Christchurch
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