New Zealand Multisport
22 days
from Auckland to Christchurch
From
$ 5149
Duration22 days
Travelling to New Zealand? Don't worry, you won't have to choose between the two islands. With all the activities available on each island, we'll keep things exciting but also give you some space to catch your breath — you're gonna need it. Across three weeks you can hike, kayak, and cycle across this diverse land. There's also time for boat cruises and local culture, just to be sure you don't miss out on anything.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 22 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: AucklandPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: ChristchurchAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland
Arrive at any time.
Jump right into your adventure by adding the 'Auckland Sailing: America's Cup Experience' extra to your tour. Work with a crew to sail around Auckland's Waitemata Harbour on a competitive yacht, and take in the stunning views. PLEASE NOTE: If booking this extra, a pre-night in Auckland is highly recommended as this activity may start early in the morning on Day 1.
If you are interested in visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set, we recommended that you book additional pre-trip accommodations and purchase a day trip from Auckland on (or prior to) Day 1 of this tour. OR, you can opt to wait until your tour begins, and book a ticket with your CEO (please note that there are limited tickets on the ground - which could result in you missing out if you wait to book with your CEO).
If you are interested in visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set, we recommended that you book additional pre-trip accommodations and purchase a day trip from Auckland on (or prior to) Day 1 of this tour. OR, you can opt to wait until your tour begins, and book a ticket with your CEO (please note that there are limited tickets on the ground - which could result in you missing out if you wait to book with your CEO).
Day 2: Auckland/Rotorua
In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment. After dinner, lounge by the bonfire and have some time to get to know the Maori hosts.
Enjoy a morning cycle through Karangahake Gorge, then travel to the Rotorua region to the Tamaki Maori Village. After a traditional greeting on the marae (meeting grounds), learn the arts of the haka and poi before a traditional hangi dinner.
Accommodation is in a Maori wharepuni (sleeping house). Groups will often stay together in one sleeping house (multi-share, mixed gender), staying in line with Maori traditions.
Enjoy a traditional Hangi dinner, cooked in an underground pit.
Meals: D
Day 3: Rotorua
This region of New Zealand is renowned for its geothermal qualities. Enjoy free time to experience the regions' geothermal wonders. Opt to mountain bike in the world famous Redwood Forest, go white water rafting, or indulge in the therapeutic hot springs.
Enjoy a free day in Rotorua, a town in a geothermal area with boiling mud and hotpools. Opt to go whitewater rafting, tackle an offroad mountain bike track, go hiking, or hit the spa.
Meals: B
Day 4: Rotorua/Tongariro National Park
Mt Tongariro's rocky, dramatic landscapes make this day-long trek truly one of New Zealand's "Great Walks", passing emerald lakes and beautiful alpine scenery. Start early and collect supplies before heading out. The transfer will drop the group off at the beginning of the self-guided trek and collect everyone at the other end. After the trek, travel to a ski lodge on the side of a mountain for the night and opt for a hot soak to ease those tired muscles.
Conquer the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand's top-rated 1-day trek and spend time hiking an active volcano.
Note: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing Trek is highly weather dependent and will take place only if conditions are safe to do so. Alternate activities for inclement weather will be arranged.
End place: Tongariro National Park
Meals: B, D
Day 5: Tongariro National Park/Whanganui National Park
Start place: Tongariro National Park
Travel to Blue Duck Station, a working farm and nature conservancy that serves as our gateway to Whanganui National Park.
Marvel at the Whanganui River - the third longest in New Zealand - as it flows out to the west coast of the North Island from Mt Tongariro. Learn about the region's natural history, conservation efforts for indigenous wildlife (including the endangered New Zealand blue duck) and Blue Duck Station's sustainable farming practices.
Marvel at the Whanganui River - the third longest in New Zealand - as it flows out to the west coast of the North Island from Mt Tongariro. Learn about the region's natural history, conservation efforts for indigenous wildlife (including the endangered New Zealand blue duck) and Blue Duck Station's sustainable farming practices.
Admire the scenery while heading to Whanganui National Park.
Note: While in Whanganui National Park, the order and length of activities on Days 5 & 6 may vary according to weather conditions.
Enjoy a dinner of locally sourced food.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Whanganui National Park
Start place: Whanganui National Park
During short walks or stops en route, learn about the region's history and local conservation efforts. If weather permits, head out for a visit to the abandoned Bridge to Nowhere. Return to Blue Duck Station for the night. Enjoy a delicious dinner.
Experience another of New Zealand's "Great Walks" (this time, from a canoe) on a day trip into the heart of Whanganui National Park. Explore the Whanganui River further by jet boat, visiting old Maori and European settlements.
Note: While in Whanganui National Park, the order and length of activities on Days 5 & 6 may vary according to weather conditions.
End place: Whanganui National Park
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Whanganui National Park/Raglan
Start place: Whanganui National Park
Travel north to the small town of Waitomo, located near an extensive underground cave system. Enjoy a free afternoon, and opt to tour the caves by boat, by foot or with a bit of adrenaline by rappelling into them. Continue on to Raglan for the night, and enjoy the sunset in this stunning coastal town.
End place: Raglan
Meals: B
Day 8: Raglan/Christchurch
Start place: Raglan
In the morning, transfer to Auckland and hop on a flight to the South Island. Opt to explore Christchurch, or meet new members of the group at an optional welcome meeting.
End place: Christchurch
Meals: B
Day 9: Christchurch/Kaikoura
Start place: Christchurch
Early start to drive the scenic coastal road up to Kaikoura.
A free afternoon can also be spent swimming or taking a scenic flight over the peninsula. Bird watchers will be pleased to know that big ocean birds such as albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters frequent the area.
Hikers can opt to go on several day hikes in the Seaward Kaikoura mountains.
A free afternoon can also be spent swimming or taking a scenic flight over the peninsula. Bird watchers will be pleased to know that big ocean birds such as albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters frequent the area.
Hikers can opt to go on several day hikes in the Seaward Kaikoura mountains.
Transfer to Kaikoura, with a free afternoon to explore the area or take in an optional activity.
End place: Kaikoura
Meals: B
Day 10: Kaikoura/Abel Tasman National Park
Start place: Kaikoura
Take in the scenery of the South Island while travelling to Abel Tasman National Park.
End place: Abel Tasman National Park
Meals: B, D
Day 11: Abel Tasman National Park/Marahau
Start place: Abel Tasman National Park
Start the day with a short hike before setting off from the beach to kayak along the Abel Tasman coastline towards Marahau.
Sea kayak in Abel Tasman out to the edge of the park.
End place: Marahau
Meals: B, L
Day 12: Marahau/Lake Brunner
Start place: Marahau
Enjoy the scenery of the mountainous coastal Westland region, and stop en route to see the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks.
End place: Lake Brunner
Meals: B
Day 13: Lake Brunner/Franz Josef
Start place: Lake Brunner
Continue south along the coast towards Franz Josef, stopping for an invigorating walk at the wildlife mecca of Okarito Lagoon. Spend 2 nights staying amongst verdant temperate rainforest.
Transfer to Franz Josef, stopping for a walk at the wildlife mecca of Okarito Lagoon en route. Enjoy free time for optional activities such as hiking and checking out the stunning Franz Josef Glacier.
End place: Franz Josef
Meals: B
Day 14: Franz Josef
Start place: Franz Josef
A free day for optional activities. Options include various hikes, horseback riding, quad biking as well as the unique and stunning Franz Josef Glacier.
End place: Franz Josef
Meals: B
Day 15: Franz Josef/Wanaka
Start place: Franz Josef
Transfer to Wanaka, where there are a variety of optional activities available. Opt to go mountain biking, skydiving, or check out the giant maze and optical illusions of Puzzling World.
End place: Wanaka
Meals: B
Day 16: Wanaka/Queenstown
Start place: Wanaka
Free day to maximize time for all the optional activities in the area. Opt for a jet boat outing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, sky diving, or a vineyard tour. The options in this adventure capital are endless. Two nights are at a centrally-located hostel, which means you can make the most of your time here.
Continue onto the “adventure capital of the world,” Queenstown.
End place: Queenstown
Meals: B
Day 17: Queenstown
Start place: Queenstown
Enjoy a full-day hiking excursion along the world renowned Routeburn Track, taking in the gorgeous mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and lakes surrounding the track.
End place: Queenstown
Meals: B, L
Day 18: Queenstown
Start place: Queenstown
Travel to the fiords of the South Island. Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound from the deck of a boat, then return to Queenstown for the night.
End place: Queenstown
Day 19: Queenstown/Twizel
Start place: Queenstown
Enjoy free time in Queenstown, before travelling on to the Mt Cook region.
End place: Twizel
Day 20: Twizel
Start place: Twizel
Prepare for an action packed day! Start on two-wheels on a mountain biking excursion around the Mt Cook region. In the afternoon, discover stunning landscapes on foot.
End place: Twizel
Meals: B
Day 21: Twizel/Christchurch
Start place: Twizel
Travel back to Christchurch. Learn more about how Christchurch has recovered from the 2011 earthquake on a G Adventures-supported walking tour. Opt for a final dinner with the group.
End place: Christchurch
Meals: B
Day 22: Christchurch
Start place: Christchurch
Depart at any time.
End place: Christchurch
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Resourceful Ōtautahi Walking Tour, Christchurch Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Maori Village Overnight Visit, Rotorua Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
- Cycle through Karangahake Gorge
- Traditional hangi dinner
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing hiking excursion (weather dependent)
- Jet boat and kayaking along Whanganui River
- Free time in Rotorua and Waitomo
- Abel Tasman National Park hike
- Sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park
- Punakaiki pancake rocks visit
- Seal colony stop
- Okarito Lagoon walk
- Full-day Routeburn Track hiking excursion
- Fiordland National Park visit
- Cruise through Milford Sound
- Mt Cook cycling excursion
- Hike the Mt Cook area
- Free time in Franz Josef and Queenstown
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicle, Jet boat, Kayak, Bicycle, Boat, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels/hostels (18 nts, some multi-share), Lodges (2 nts), Maori village (1 nt, multi-share)