New Zealand’s stunning landscapes may be vast, but you don’t need weeks to experience its best. This tour makes it easy to see the highlights in just a short time.
Explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, hike the breathtaking Tongariro Crossing, and paddle through crystal-clear waters in Abel Tasman National Park. From lush forests to snow-capped peaks, New Zealand’s natural beauty has never been more within reach.
Days
- 11 days, 10 nights
Group size
- Max 24
Start / finish
- Auckland / Christchurch
- Christchurch, day 11 after breakfast
Return
- Christchurch, day 11 after breakfast
Accommodation
- 10 nights — two at Distinction Rotorua, one at Kohutapu Lodge on Lake Aniwhenua, two at the Blue Duck Station lodge, one at Powderhorn Chateau in Ohakune, one at Naumi Hotel Wellington, two at The Barn in Marahau for Abel Tasman, and one at Bealey Quarter in Christchurch. Twin share rooms with ensuite facilities.
Transport
- An air-conditioned mini bus with your driver-guide, the Cook Strait ferry across to Picton, and the TranzAlpine train from Greymouth down to Christchurch on the last full day.
Meals
- Breakfast every morning from day 2, one lunch at Blue Duck Station, and three dinners — a full traditional hāngī with dessert at Lake Aniwhenua, and two at the station lodge. Elsewhere you self-cater or eat locally.
Route
Included experiences
- TranzAlpine — the scenic train over the Southern Alps from Greymouth to Christchurch
- Lake Aniwhenua — a night on tribal lands with rock carvings, Mau Rākau, weaving, haka and a hāngī
- Abel Tasman National Park — a free day, walking straight in from the door, 12km to Anchorage
- Te Puia — the Geyser by Night experience in Rotorua
- Blue Duck Station — a 4WD eco-safari to the Top of the World for Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe
- Blue Duck Station — the Kaiwhakauka waterfall hike and glow worms after dark
- Old Coach Road — a four hour electric bike ride past historic viaducts and limestone cliffs
- Cook Strait — the ferry crossing, with the Marlborough Sounds from the viewing deck
- Punakaiki — the Pancake Rocks and blowholes on the wild West Coast
- Kerosene Creek — a soak in a naturally hot river
- Taupō — Australasia's largest lake and the frothing Huka Falls
- Whakarewarewa Forest — a walk among century-old Californian redwoods
- Optional from Ohakune — the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, at extra cost
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
4.8
Based on 13 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
AI summary of 13 reviews
Travellers consistently praise the tour for its excellent value, well-planned itinerary, and the variety of activities offered at each stop, from glow-worm caves to skydiving and cultural experiences. The quality of guides and the friendly, diverse group dynamics stand out most frequently, with travellers noting that guides create a fun and welcoming atmosphere whilst sharing knowledge about New Zealand's history and Maori culture. The main caveat is that the tour is less flexible than it may initially appear, with limited freedom to extend stays at particular locations due to fixed bus schedules, and one traveller noted that pre-trip communication and activity scheduling could be improved.
How we collect and publish reviews
Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour.
Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.
Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.
“Stray adventures!”
Had a tremendous adventure around the south island of the land of the long white cloud with Stray adventure! Leon our guide balanced professionalism with fun, friendship and warmth for all the group. Coming in as a solo traveler, this was rad. Such a beautiful country, a relaxed, fun company and great people. Awesome!
“Stray New Zealand Kereru tour”
Good value with Stray, though pre-trip communication and the Seymour app's activity scheduling could improve. As a first-time international group traveller, I found the trip well planned and well coordinated across travel, activities and accommodation, and would book with Stray again.
“An Unforgettable Adventure”
An unforgettable 11-day Kereru tour from Auckland to Christchurch with my best friend, from glow-worm caves to skydiving and a wonderful group. Guide Nicole made the trip, from fun facts to karaoke at Blue Duck Station and wine tasting by the beach. A truly incredible journey.
The 12-day Kereru tour was such a fun trip, taking us to places I'd never have found alone, including the Maori experience at Kohutapu Lodge. Guide Nicole made sure everyone had a great time, and the group had a good mix of ages and solo travellers.
“An excellent tour.”
An excellent tour. Great group made of a good mix of nationalities and ages. Everyone got on well, good balance between having a good time at night and getting out for interesting activities during the day. The tour was amazing value for money and removed all the stress that would have been generated had I tried to organize everything myself.
“Explore the beauties New Zealand ”
I was lucky enough to get a fairly good discount on my Maximus Pass. But this Pass would even without the discount be my favourite choice to travel New Zealand on a tight schedule. You will see a lot of New Zealand and learn something from the history as well. I really did like that Stray offered activities in every stop where they drove to. It's good, that the guides know a lot over their homecountry too and they are more than willing to share the knowledge with you. They don't want to go out and get wasted every night, they rather want to have a good time with each other and explore the beauties New Zealand has to offer. All in all I was pretty satisfied with the Trip, wich took me around 38 days.
“Excellent”
A good way to travel to see most of the country. The bad thing is that it's not as flexible as it sounds to be so you have to plan your hop offs and really can't do it spontanous. Other from that a really good way to meet awesome people and see the incredible country. And also offered a lot of fun activities. Extra cred to Rhino who really tried to get the group together, always had loads of energy and made the bus laugh a lot the times I had him as a driver. Happy days
“Short North Pass (North Island)”
Awesome experience. We have awesome group exploring the North Island. Rolex is the best driver / guide definitely I will comeback in NZ.
“Southern Gems Pass (South Island)”
I enjoyed it so much! Both drivers were fantastic (Pacman & Moose) and it was great to meet so many nice people along the way. The places we went to were amazing as well. I only wished there were more busses driving so it'd be easier to stay somewhere just a day longer or so.
“Southern Gems Pass (South Island)”
“Amazing places!”
From the moment you step on that orange bus you already know so much more about New Zealand’s History and Maori Culture. You go to amazing places, meet beautiful local people and there organisations, do amazing activities, you can chose to be social and hang around with the group but if you feel like having some time alone that is not a problem either :)
A great experience on the Kereru tour around New Zealand -- our guide was fantastic and the activities and people were brilliant. The accommodation varied nicely, including some off-the-beaten-path stops without five-star hotels, which added to the adventure.
“Batten (North Island)”
All the arrangements were good. the trip went smooth.
