Cross from the wild west coast to the calm bays of the east. On the way, stop for a tasting at Marsden Estate, a family-run winery near Kerikeri. You’ll reach Paihia in the Bay of Islands by the afternoon, with the rest of the day free to walk the waterfront or grab a drink by the water. Our Northland day tours page has more ideas for your time here.

Included Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (or similar)

Today is yours to spend in the Bay of Islands, home to 144 islands and plenty of dolphins. Head out on a cruise to the Hole in the Rock, paddle a kayak to a hidden beach, or join a full-day trip to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach. Your pass to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds lets you explore the place where New Zealand’s founding document was signed in 1840. In the evening, the group gathers at Waitangi for a hāngī, a feast cooked slowly in an earth oven.

Included Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (or similar)

Travel south with a relaxed stop in Matakana, a village known for its farmers market, boutique shops and art galleries. Wine lovers can try a local tasting at The Vintry before the final drive into Auckland. This is where travelers joining the 4 Day Far North Escape finish, and where the 18 to 39 part of the journey begins.

Included Accommodation: Lylo Auckland (or similar)

Head east to the Coromandel Peninsula and its white-sand beaches. Walk down to Cathedral Cove, the huge natural rock arch that starred in the Narnia films, then swim or kayak in the clear green water. When the tide is right, you’ll visit Hot Water Beach at sunset and dig your own natural spa pool in the warm sand. Browse more Coromandel activities to plan your day.

Included Accommodation: Hahei Top 10 Holiday Park (or similar)

Drive inland to Rotorua, the geothermal heart of the North Island. At Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, walk past bubbling mud pools, steaming vents and the bright orange rim of the Champagne Pool. Rotorua is also the centre of Māori culture, and you’ll feel it the moment you arrive in town.

Included Accommodation: Haka House Rotorua (or similar)

Spend a full day in one of New Zealand’s adventure hot spots. Race down the hill on the luge, roll down a slope inside a giant zorb ball, or take on the Kaituna River, home to the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. In the evening, join a Māori cultural performance and hāngī at Mitai Māori Village. Our Rotorua day tours and activities page lists more options.

Included Accommodation: Haka House Rotorua (or similar)

Step into the Shire at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where you can walk through hobbit holes and have a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Fans can find more film locations in our Lord of the Rings tours. Continue to Taupō and walk the loop track at Huka Falls, where the Waikato River roars through a narrow gorge. End the day with a sunset drink overlooking Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake.

Included Accommodation: Finlay Jacks Backpackers (or similar)

On a New Zealand tour for young adults, Taupō is where many travelers tick off their biggest bucket list items. Jump from 15,000 feet on a tandem skydive over the lake, jet boat across the water, or set out on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This 19.4 km day hike takes you past volcanic craters and the bright Emerald Lakes, and it’s one of the highlights of any New Zealand hiking tour. See more things to do on our Lake Taupō activities and Ruapehu activities pages.

Included Accommodation: Finlay Jacks Backpackers (or similar)

Head underground at Waitomo, famous for caves lit by thousands of tiny glowworms. Choose a gentle boat ride under the glowing ceiling, or go all in with black water rafting, abseiling and squeezing through tight rock passages. Our Waitomo and Waikato activities page has the full range. Finish the day in Raglan, a laid-back surf town with a strong creative streak.

Included Accommodation: Raglan Backpackers (or similar)

Start the day on Raglan’s black sand beaches, where you can take a surf lesson on one of the world’s longest left-hand breaks. Afterwards, drive back to Auckland for your included domestic flight to Christchurch, the gateway to the South Island.

Included Accommodation: Lylo Christchurch (or similar)

Cross the Southern Alps via Lewis Pass, one of the South Island’s quieter mountain roads. The drive winds through beech forest, past alpine wetlands and along the Lewis River, with plenty of photo stops. By evening you’ll reach Punakaiki, a small village between rainforest and the Tasman Sea.

Included Accommodation: Punakaiki Beach Camp (or similar)

Walk the short track to Pancake Rocks, layered limestone stacks where the sea bursts up through blowholes at high tide. The rest of the day is free to kayak the Pororari River, explore limestone caves or relax on the beach. When the weather allows, the day ends around a beach bonfire. Find more to do in our West Coast activities guide.

Included Accommodation: Punakaiki Beach Camp (or similar)

Follow the coast north, stopping to see the fur seal colony at Cape Foulwind and the lighthouse above it. The route then turns inland past Nelson Lakes before reaching the golden beaches of Abel Tasman. On the right tide, you may get the chance to gather fresh green-lipped mussels along the way.
Overnight: Abel Tasman (Marahau)

Included Accommodation: The Adventure Inn (or similar)

Cross Tākaka Hill into Golden Bay, one of the most remote corners of the South Island. Explore the Ngārua Caves and walk to Te Waikoropupū Springs, which hold some of the clearest fresh water ever measured. Then trek over the dunes to Wharariki Beach at the very top of the South Island and look out towards Farewell Spit.

Included Accommodation: The Adventure Inn (or similar)

Spend a full day in Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand’s smallest national park and one of its most loved. Kayak past seal colonies and granite headlands, take a water taxi up the coast and walk back along the Abel Tasman Coast Track, or just lie on the golden sand. Keep an eye out for tūī and other native birds. Our Nelson and Abel Tasman activities page covers every option.

Included Accommodation: The Adventure Inn (or similar)

Head east into Marlborough, the region behind New Zealand’s famous Sauvignon Blanc. Stop at a vineyard for a tasting and photos among the vines, or see our New Zealand wine tours for longer trips. Then follow the coast south to Kaikōura, where snow-capped mountains drop straight into the sea and sperm whales feed year round offshore.

Included Accommodation: Dusky Lodge (or similar)

Use your final morning for one last adventure. Go whale watching, swim with dusky dolphins or spot seals along the rocky coast. Our Kaikōura day tours page lists every option. After lunch, drive to Christchurch for a quick look around its creative, rebuilt city centre before the tour finishes mid-afternoon at Lylo Christchurch. Book flights after 5:00pm for domestic travel or after 7:00pm for international travel, or stay on and explore more Christchurch and Canterbury activities.