Rise and shine, girls! Early start and trust me, every second is worth it. We catch the Intercity coach from SkyCity and drive through Waikato’s lush green farmland before descending underground into the magical glowworm caves of Waitomo. Honestly, pinch yourself, it’s unreal.

Then it’s straight on to Hobbiton, and yes, I will absolutely be emotional about this. A full guided tour through the film set, all the behind-the-scenes secrets, drinks at the Green Dragon Inn. 🍺 Then. we head into the heart of Māori culture, Rotorua.

Day 4 starts with a slower morning before the afternoon opens up for you to explore however you like. White water rafting, a visit to Mt Tarawera, or a soak in the natural hot pools (my personal recommendation 🙋‍♀️). Then at 4pm, our Te Puia experience begins, a guided tour through this incredible geothermal valley where our guide shares cultural insights, personal stories, and a window into Māori heritage that will genuinely stay with you long after we leave. One of those moments I know will give everyone goosebumps.

We now have a brilliant few days in this part of the North Island, and no two of them look the same!

Day 5 is a full free day in Rotorua. The Blue and Green Lakes are stunning, the redwood forest is honestly otherworldly, and a soak in a natural hot spring is basically mandatory. Do whatever feels right. 💚

On Day 6 we make our way to Lake Taupō, the largest freshwater lake in all of Australasia, sitting right in the heart of New Zealand’s volcanic plateau. In the afternoon we’re sailing across it by boat to see the famous Māori rock carvings carved into the cliffs. Bring some drinks, find your spot on deck, and just soak it all in with your favourite people 🌅. Oh, and before I forget, you HAVE to visit the Taupō McDonald’s where you can eat inside a vintage aeroplane. My kind of fast food ✈️.

Day 7 is open and entirely yours. Huka Falls, Spa Thermal Park, more time around the lake, or, skydiving from 15,000ft for the thrill-seekers among us 🪂. And for the hikers, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is genuinely one of the greatest day hikes on the planet. Two volcanoes, dramatic lunar landscapes, and the actual Mordor from Lord of the Rings. If you’re going to do one big hike in your life, make it this one.

Pack your bags and fuel up, Day 8 is a big travel day, but the scenery makes every kilometre worth it. We loop around Lake Taupō and cut through the rugged Desert Road, with its sweeping plains, tussock fields, and snow-capped mountains. One of the most dramatic drives I’ve ever seen. We arrive in Wellington in the evening and head out to discover the city’s famous nightlife. Wellington never disappoints 🌙.

Day 9 is all about the capital! Te Pap, New Zealand’s national museum, which is one of the best museums I’ve come across, and a brilliant way to spend a few hours learning about the country’s rich history. Then it’s out to explore: the iconic Beehive building, buzzing markets, great shops. The city is so walkable and full of character.

Lord of the Rings fans: Weta Workshop is non-negotiable. The props, the studios, the actual magic that brought Middle-earth to life, all right there 🧙‍♀️. Tonight, one last North Island dinner before we make the big crossing. End of a chapter… and the beginning of an even better one.

Wellington day! Te Papa, New Zealand’s incredible national museum, is genuinely one of the best museums I’ve come across. A great few hours learning about the country’s rich history before we head out to explore. Pop past the iconic Beehive (Parliament building), browse the markets, and check out the shops. The city is so walkable and full of character.

Lord of the Rings fans: Weta Workshop is a non-negotiable. The props, the studios, the actual magic that brought Middle-earth to life, all of it is there. Prepare to lose your mind a little 🧙‍♀️.

Tonight, one last North Island dinner before we make the crossing. Feels like the end of a chapter… and the beginning of an even better one.

Ka kite, North Island! Day 10 we board the ferry across the Cook Strait. Grab a prime spot because the journey through Marlborough Sounds is stunning. Watch for dolphins riding the waves as we sail through 🐬. We arrive in Picton and continue by bus to Nelson, sunshine capital of New Zealand, gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, incredible fresh seafood, and golden beaches. I already love it here.

Day 11 is Abel Tasman, and this one has been on my list for a long time. Golden beaches, dramatic granite cliffs, and water so clear you can’t quite believe it’s real. Our included sea shuttle means you can hike, kayak, or find a beach to call your own for the day, entirely up to you. Prefer a slower pace? A wine tour through Marlborough’s famous Sauvignon Blanc country is absolutely a valid alternative. No wrong answers today! 🥂

Day 12 we head south with a pit stop in Marlborough wine country for a leisurely lunch (wine tasting absolutely encouraged !! ). The coastal drive is one of those routes that makes you pull out your camera every five minutes, with mountains meeting the sea and fur seals basking on the rocks along the way 🦭. We arrive in Christchurch just in time for a group dinner together.

Day 13 is a free day to breathe and explore. The cathedral ruins from the 2010–11 earthquakes are a powerful and moving sight. New Regent Street is colourful and vibrant, Sumner Beach is gorgeous, and if you want to venture further out, Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula makes for a beautiful day trip. This city has so much heart, take your time with it.

Oh, these two days. I’ve been looking forward to them since I started planning this trip.

We arrive at glacial Lake Tekapo on Day 14, that famous impossible shade of blue, and settle in for two nights to make the absolute most of this place. Tonight we stargaze under one of the clearest night skies in the entire world. Milky Way, nebulae, constellations. All of it stretched out above us. Visiting the observatory for an even closer look is a must, and I’m not going to pretend I won’t cry a little 🌠.

Day 15 is a full, unhurried day to soak it all in. Walk along the lake, visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd at the water’s edge, or simply sit by the shore and let the stillness do its thing. We’ve also included a shuttle to Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest peak in Australasia, for anyone who wants to push a little further. And for something truly out of this world: a heli-hike over Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook, and the Tasman Glacier 🚁. Tonight, one more chance to look up at those stars.

Welcome to the adventure capital of the world, and honestly one of my favourite places on earth. Day 16 we arrive, explore the buzzing town centre: markets, shops, incredible restaurants, and of course, Fergburger 🍔. If you haven’t heard of it yet, you are about to have a life-changing experience. Tonight: Queenstown nightlife, which is truly in a league of its own.

Day 17 is a full-day journey to Milford Sound. Every kilometre of the drive there is worth it, I promise. A 1.5-hour nature cruise past towering waterfalls, fur seals on the rocks, and dolphins swimming alongside the boat if we’re lucky. One of those places that makes you go completely quiet, and I mean that as the highest compliment 🌊.

Day 18 is completely yours. A slow morning by the lake, or full send on the adventures, both are entirely valid. Bungee jumping, canyon swing, paragliding, skydiving 🪂, skiing, wakeboarding. Queenstown does it all. And if you just want to wander and eat good food, I respect that deeply.

Day 19 starts with an adrenaline rush, jet boating through the legendary Skippers Canyon on the Shotover River, complete with the famously wild drive up Skippers Road to get there. The kind of morning that wakes you up immediately 🚤. Afternoons are yours to fill with your Local Bud’s help, or head up Queenstown Hill at sunset for views that’ll make the whole group stop talking mid-sentence. Then round two of Queenstown nightlife 🌃.

A little road trip to Wanaka, one of New Zealand’s most beautiful mountain towns, passing through iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations along the way. Glacial blue lake, towering peaks, and the most laid-back energy imaginable.

Options for the day: hike Roys Peak for jaw-dropping views, visit the famous Wanaka Tree 📸 (you’ll understand why it’s the most photographed tree in NZ the moment you see it), take a bike ride, or just wander and soak it in. A perfect, slower day before we head back to Queenstown on Day 21 for a well-earned reset. Take a lakeside stroll, visit the local shops, or have another Fergburger (zero judgment), and then the whole crew back together for another night in Queenstown. One of the last big ones, make it count! 🥂

The last stretch, and I want us to savour every single moment of it.

Day 22 is another glorious free day. Take a scenic flight over the mountains, explore hiking trails, a trip out to charming Arrowtown, a vineyard visit, or the ski slopes if you’ve been saving them 🎿. This city just keeps giving.

Day 23 is our last full day and it’s all about making it count. Hit the slopes one more time, grab that coffee with a mountain backdrop, snap those final photos; the ones that are going to live on your camera roll forever. And then tonight: one last big night out, the whole crew together, as a proper farewell to the South Island. 🖤

Day 24 is our last morning together. I already know this breakfast is going to be emotional (in the best possible way). We’ll sit together, reminisce over every wild, beautiful, unforgettable moment, and say goodbye to the people who arrived as strangers and are leaving as genuine, lifelong friends.

Cancellation & Refund Policy: Refunds will be processed according to the following time frames:
Cancellations within 21 Days of the start date incur a 100 % fee.
22-30 Days of the start date incur a 80% fee

Cancellations outside of these periods incur a 50% fee.

Please note that changes to the itinerary may occur due to weather, operator changes & cancellations. A suitable and comparable replacement will take place on such occasions.

If a third party operator cancels on the Adventure Pack, we will organise a replacement activity. If a suitable replacement cannot be found, a fee will be refunded.

*Itinerary days may change from trip to trip due to availability or transport schedules.

This tour is a unique tour travelling with Noémie, leaving on the 16th September, 2026 only. If this start date works for you, sign up at the links above.

Travel Buddies will book all of the accommodation, bus sectors, and activities within your package for you. It is your responsibility to be at the correct pick-up or start location on time. If you fail to show up for your activity or miss the bus, you will not be refunded, and in the case of missing a bus sector, you will be responsible for your own travel arrangements and associated costs. Whilst you do not have an official guide for this trip, you will have someone dedicated to your group in the chat to help out along the way.

Three days before your departure, you’ll be added to a group chat on Whatsapp with all of your Travel Buddies, so you can meet up before your departure from Auckland. Each day within this chat we will keep you up to date with where you need to be, what you will be doing, and links to Google Maps to easily find your way around. Whilst you do not have a guide for this trip, you will have someone dedicated to your group in the chat to help out along the way. Don’t forget, it’s still up to you to be at the correct pick-up or start location on time.

We will send a confirmation email to you once you have officially booked your spot on Travel Buddies! An itinerary specific to your trip will be finalised and sent to you no less than 14 days prior to your trip, with bus times and activity times.

From the 1st of April 2024, travel insurance is compulsory when booking Travel Buddies. Your policy should cover you in case you get sick or injured (COVID-19 or otherwise), lose an item, or miss your tour. If you already have travel insurance, please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all of the adventure style travel you have booked with us. World Nomads travel insurance policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities. Get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.

We highly recommend arriving into Auckland the day before your tour start date, otherwise you risk the chance of missing the meet up. With this, you’ll have the chance to explore the city at your ow pace first before meeting up with your group. You will be added to your Whatsapp group chat the Friday before your departure date, so you can plan any pre-check-in meet ups with your group from there. You will also be given a time and place from your Auckland Local Buddy to meet for a welcome gathering in the afternoon/evening time.

Some sectors and experiences may require a minimum number of passengers to operate. In circumstances where minimum numbers are not reached an alternative option will be offered. You will be notified by email at least 48 hours in advance of such changes. In the unlikely event that the entire Travel buddies tour doesn’t meet minimum requirements, no stress – we can either find you an alternative date to travel, or create a personalised itinerary just for you.

If a tour cannot go ahead because of the weather or any other unforeseen circumstances, we’ll aim to reschedule or find an alternative activity for you. If one cannot be booked or found in time, you’ll receive a refundable amount of the discounted rate paid for that activity.