Special Interest Tours - Adventure Tours
18 Day New Zealand Flashpacker Adventure: North & South
price from
NZ$ 6559
per person (twin share)
New Zealand - Both Islands 
Adventure Tour 
18 days 
Auckland 
Christchurch 18 Day New Zealand Adventure Tour | Hostel & Hotel Accommodation | 17 Breakfasts, 3 Group Dinners | Bay of Islands, Milford Sound & Franz Josef | For 18 to 39 year olds
This 18 day New Zealand tour covers more ground than any of our other budget itineraries. It stands out among premium flashpacker tours by adding a Far North prelude to the classic two-island route. A maximum of 18 guests ride together in a Mercedes Sprinter. The first four days head north from Auckland to Omapere. Along the way is the Waipoua Forest, home to the giant kauri tree Tāne Mahuta. From there it continues to the Bay of Islands. This includes a Waitangi Treaty Grounds visit and hāngī dinner, before looping back through Matakana wine country. These opening days are shared with travelers of all ages. Only the rest of the trip is limited to ages 18 to 39.
From Auckland, the route continues through Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo, and Raglan. Hobbiton and Wai-O-Tapu both feature along the way. A domestic flight then connects to Christchurch. The South Island leg runs through Tekapo, then three nights in Queenstown with a full-day Milford Sound cruise. From there it’s on to Franz Josef, finishing back in Christchurch via Hokitika and Arthur’s Pass.
These 18 day New Zealand flashpacker tours suit travelers who want the extra time to properly cover the Far North. It’s a good fit on top of the standard highlights too. A passionate local guide-driver handles all logistics. Don’t need the Far North leg? Our 14-Day North & South Island Fly-In Small Group Adventure covers the same Coromandel-to-Franz Josef route in four fewer days. Browse our full range of Budget Small Group Tours to compare other backpacker-style options.
- Departures run periodically from Auckland, year-round
- Private rooms available on request for an additional cost
Tour Photo Gallery
Tour Information, Departure Dates & Price
Transportation
- Comfortable private vehicle
Tour Departures
- Daily
Airport Transfers
- Included
Pricing
-
From NZD 6,559
Meals
- 17x Breakfast
- 3x Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotels
- Hostels
Cities/Regions Visited
-
Auckland – Omapere – Paihia – Auckland – Coromandel – Rotorua – Taupo – Waitomo – Raglan – Christchurch – Tekapo – Queenstown – Milford Sound – Franz Josef – Christchurch
Group Size
- maximum 18 travelers
Tour Code
- WK09232026
Pre & Post Accommodation
- Available
18 Day New Zealand Flashpacker Adventure: North & South Days
Head north, stopping at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe to learn about New Zealand’s giant kauri trees. After lunch in Dargaville, visit the crystal-clear Kai Iwi Lakes, then the Waipoua Forest, home to Tāne Mahuta, the country’s largest living kauri tree. Finish the day beachfront in Omapere with a fish and chips dinner as the sun sets over the Tasman Sea.
Accommodation: The Sands Hotel (or similar)
Cross the Far North toward the east coast, stopping at a winery for a wine tasting before arriving in Paihia in the Bay of Islands, with the rest of the day free.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel (or similar)
A free day to cruise the Bay of Islands, go dolphin spotting, kayak to secluded beaches, or visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds at your own pace. In the evening, join an included hāngī dinner and cultural experience at Waitangi.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel (or similar)
Head south with a stop in Matakana Village for lunch, boutique shopping, and wine tasting at The Vintry, before returning to Auckland in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Lylo Auckland (or similar)
After a few scenic stops on the drive to the Coromandel Peninsula, arrive in the coastal town of Hahei. Explore Cathedral Cove, spend the afternoon kayaking or swimming, then catch the sunset from the natural hot pools at Hot Water Beach.
Accommodation: Top10 Holiday Park (or similar)
Head to Rotorua, stopping at the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to see a spectacular showcase of geothermal color and activity.
Accommodation: Haka House (or similar)
A jam-packed day at New Zealand’s geothermal and cultural heartland. Try luging, zorbing, or white water rafting, or take in a cultural performance and hangi meal at Mitai Māori Village in the evening.
Accommodation: Haka House (or similar)
Continue to Taupo, stopping at Hobbiton along the way to experience the world-famous film set. See the thundering Huka Falls before a sunset beer beside Lake Taupo.
Accommodation: Finlay Jacks (or similar)
Explore Lake Taupo by jet boat, sailing, or skydive, or spend the day on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the best one-day walks in the world.
Accommodation: Finlay Jacks (or similar)
Head to Waitomo, known for its underground glowworm caves, with the option to crawl, abseil, or raft through the darkness. Finish the day with a beer on the beach in Raglan.
Accommodation: Raglan Backpackers (or similar)
Spend the morning exploring Raglan’s black sand beaches, with time for a surf lesson, before heading back to Auckland to catch a flight to Christchurch and begin the South Island leg.
Accommodation: Lylo Christchurch (or similar)
The South Island leg kicks off with a drive to the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. Explore the local bike trails, relax in the lakeside hot springs, and stargaze under the world’s largest Dark Sky Reserve.
Accommodation: Lakes Edge Tekapo Holiday Park (or similar)
Head to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. On arrival, settle into your accommodation for the next three nights.
Accommodation: Lylo Queenstown (or similar)
Cruise through UNESCO-listed Milford Sound, taking in towering waterfalls, ancient forests, and dramatic mountainscapes. Back in Queenstown, unwind with a beer or New Zealand’s famous Fergburger.
Accommodation: Lylo Queenstown (or similar)
A free day to fill with bungy jumps, canyon swings, horse riding, a scenic skydive, mountain biking, luging, or a jet boat ride up the canyon.
Accommodation: Lylo Queenstown (or similar)
Break up the drive with a stop in picturesque Wanaka, then travel over Haast Pass past ancient rainforests, glaciers, and waterfalls to Franz Josef, the gateway to glacier country.
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Explore the glacier’s stunning formations by hiking, helicopter, or both. For something at a lower altitude, try quad biking, kayaking, or relaxing in a hot tub.
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
After a stop in Hokitika, travel through Arthur’s Pass beneath the Southern Alps back to Christchurch, where the trip concludes in the mid-afternoon.
Inclusions & Highlights
- Mercedes Sprinter luxury bus with a passionate local guide-driver
- 3 nights at 3-star hotels, twin share, on the Far North leg
- 14 nights at Flash-Pack hostels (private rooms available on request)
- 17 x breakfast, 3 x group dinner
- One domestic flight between the North and South Islands
- 40-minute guided tour to Tāne Mahuta
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds combo pass and hāngī dinner
- Wine tasting at Marsden Wineries
- Hobbiton Movie Set stop
- Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland entry
- The world’s largest Dark Sky Reserve at Tekapo
- Transport to Milford Sound (cruise optional)
- Guide handles all optional activity bookings on the road, nothing to book in advance
Tour Departure Dates
- December 8, 2026 – Starting from $6,496 NZD per person
- January 19, 2027 – Starting from $6,708 NZD per person
- February 16, 2027 – Starting from $6,618 NZD per person
- March 2, 2027 – Starting from $6,398 NZD per person
- March 16, 2027 – Starting from $6,398 NZD per person
- November 23, 2027 – Starting from $6,480 NZD per person
- December 7, 2027 – Starting from $6,480 NZD per person
- December 21, 2027 – Starting from $6,770 NZD per person
- January 4, 2028 – Starting from $6,770 NZD per person
- January 18, 2028 – Starting from $6,480 NZD per person
- February 15, 2028 – Starting from $6,480 NZD per person
- February 29, 2028 – Starting from $6,480 NZD per person
- March 14, 2028 – Starting from $6,480 NZD per person
Accommodation
This tour opens with three nights at 3-star hotels on the Far North leg, open to travelers of all ages, before switching to hostel accommodation for the remaining 14 nights on the North and South Island loop. Private room upgrades can be added for an extra cost, subject to availability.
Included activities
Accommodation
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