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Peregrine Travel Centre

New Zealand Amplified (Northbound)

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New Zealand Amplified (Northbound)

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Description

Get ready for an adventure of epic proportions – the best of New Zealand is waiting! Spend 19 days discovering the South Island and the North Island with the guidance of a passionate local leader. See the innovative ways Christchurch has rebuilt post-earthquake, get to know the adventure capital of the world in Queenstown and experience the natural beauty of Franz Josef Glacier. Cross the Cook Strait and hang out in trendy Wellington, hop between beaches along the Coromandel Peninsula, learn about local culture at a Maori village and check out the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. From spectacular scenery to fascinating culture, New Zealand will leave you in awe.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating “twin-share” when you manage your booking on our website.

Trip Name
New Zealand Amplified (Northbound)
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
19
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Wander around Arrowtown – a heritage town and living historic settlement that’s perfect for exploring on foot. This town, surrounded by sometimes-snowy peaks, dates back to gold mining times and is now a popular spot with cute cafes, small shops and scenic landscapes.
  • Stand in awe of the epic Franz Josef glacier and visit a local gallery to learn about the significance of pounamu (greenstone) to Maori culture while carving your own pendant.
  • Explore Hobbiton on a guided tour, finishing with a drink at The Green Dragon – this iconic must-see location is where scenes from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed and is like stepping right into Middle Earth!
  • Calling all adventure seekers! Queenstown is overflowing with adrenaline-pumping activities, so dive straight in or sit back with a glass of world-class local wine.
  • Head to a Maori village where the profits from your visit are fed back into the community, learn the haka and Maori weaving before tucking into a traditional hangi dinner.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Christchurch
Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins in Christchurch – the largest city in the South Island. After being rocked by an earthquake in 2011, much of Christchurch’s downtown has been destroyed, but there are now tonnes of examples of the cool and creative ways the locals rebuilt what was lost across the city. One of the best examples of this is the Christchurch Cathedral – rebuilt out of cardboard, this is now one of the city’s most interesting architectural features. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to get to know your leader and group. After, why not head out for dinner at one of the city’s excellent restaurants.
Day 2 - Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
This morning, head out with your local leader to get to know Christchurch. After exploring some of the sites, it’s time to get on the road and drive to Lake Tekapo – this spot is a designated Dark Sky Reserve and the lake is a truly stunning sight, with its bright blue waters and surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for newlyweds snapping pictures in front of the Church of the Good Shepherd, which boasts one of the world’s most gorgeous backdrops! Night fall reveals a whole new side of Tekapo – this is one of the top spots in the country for stargazing, so if the weather’s right, maybe set your gaze up to the glittering stars above.
Day 3 - Queenstown
Rise and shine! If you’d like to really embrace the morning, maybe take a hike to the summit of Mt John for views of the Southern Alps. If you skip the walk, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of incredible views to be seen today. You’ll drive past the tussock lands of the Mackenzie Basin and the snow-dusted peaks of the Southern Alps today, as you travel down to Queenstown, making plenty of photo-worthy stops along the way. Swing by the Kawarau Gorge, where you’ll have the chance to take the plunge with a bungy jump if you’re feeling brave! Arrive in the adventure capital of the world and your home for the next two nights. Whether you’re into high-adrenaline experiences or sitting back with a glass of wine, Queenstown is sure to tick all your boxes.
Day 4 - Queenstown
The day is yours to experience all Queenstown has to offer. If you want to get your heart racing, look no further! Paragliding, jet boating, mountain biking, canyon swinging and bungy jumping could all be on the cards for you today – just speak to your leader. For scenery lovers, a day trip to Milford Sound is a must. Sail past outstanding mountains and plunging waterfalls as you cruise down the fiord - these views cannot be missed! For Lord of the Rings fans, maybe take a 4WD adventure through landscapes where some of the film’s scenes were shot. If you’re a wine lover, this is one of the top wine-producing regions in the world and there’s no shortage of fantastic wineries where you can sample some for yourself.
Day 5 - Queenstown to Wanaka
Take the morning to tick off anything you didn’t get to see or do yesterday, then leave Queenstown in the rear-view mirror and begin the super scenic drive across the Crown Range to Wanaka. Along the way, stop off in the little gold-rush town of Arrowtown, where the high street’s historic facades make it easy to imagine what life here once looked like. Take a walk around this gorgeous town, then continue to the huge Lake Wanaka – the star of the show. With the surrounding mountains, there’s no doubt this is one of the most attractive towns in New Zealand. Hit a hiking trail, explore on a bike or find a cosy cafe to admire the view.
Day 6 - Wanaka to Franz Josef Glacier
Soak up a free morning to explore Wanaka at your own pace. Maybe take a bike ride along the shores of Lake Wanaka or get on the water and cruise to Mou Waho Island, where you’ll find an island in a lake on an island in a lake! There are heaps of beautiful short walks in the area, and a visit to the famous #thatwanakatree is a must. Depart Wanaka in the afternoon and venture further north, stopping off at a lookout point over either Lake Wanaka or Lake Hawea, depending on conditions. Grab a window seat as you pass the impressive waterfalls of the Haast Pass and the spectacular coastline (your leader will make a few special stops along the way too!). Arrive to Franz Josef village – your base for the evening.
Day 7 - Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef is where glaciers and soaring peaks make a spectacular background to the slow-paced, daily life. This part of the country is known as Te Wahi Pounamu, meaning ‘the place of greenstone’, due to the region’s abundance of this culturally and spiritually significant stone. Visit a local gallery and carve your own pendant while learning about pounamu’s importance to Maori culture. This afternoon, if you’d like to get closer to the Franz Josef Glacier, speak to your leader about the options available. There’s the chance to kayak over a glacial lake. No matter how you choose to spend the day here, it’s sure to be a good one!
Day 8 - Hokitika to Greymouth to Christchurch
Travel up the wild and wet West Coast, where the country’s highest annual rainfall means the landscapes are unbelievably green, standing in striking contrast to the blues of the ocean. If time allows, you may visit a kiwi centre, where kiwi birds can be observed in a nocturnal house. Drive on through Arthur’s Pass on your way back to Christchurch and enjoy the mountain scenery (making a couple of stops along the way for photos). Arrive to Christchurch in the evening and maybe head out for dinner and drinks with your group.
Day 9 - Christchurch
Today is a free day to explore Christchurch at your own pace. Maybe chill out in the Botanic Gardens or go and see the Christchurch Cathedral – made entirely out of cardboard after the earthquake in 2011, this is a great example of the ingenuity of the locals. Tonight, you’ll have another welcome meeting at a 6 pm to meet the new travellers joining you for the next leg of your adventure. After, why not head out to dinner at a local restaurant and get to know each other better.
Day 10 - Christchurch to Kaikoura
Today, leave the city behind and make tracks for Kaikoura – a seaside town known for its rugged mountain scenery and abundance of marine life. When you arrive, maybe get to know the town’s most famous creatures. While here you may like to take the chance to explore the coastline on a guided kayaking tour – if you do, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins swimming alongside the boat! – dusky dolphins, hectors dolphins and common dolphins are all regularly seen around these parts. Kaikoura is one of the best spots in the world for whale watching, with humpbacks, orcas and sperm whales often sighted on whale watching cruises. Stop by a seal colony to watch endearing fur seals go about their business.
Day 11 - Kaikoura to Wellington
Take the morning to soak in the scenery of Kaikoura before heading north to Picton. Take a stroll around this harbour town and perhaps pick up a bite to eat before boarding the ferry to Wellington. Crossing the Cook Strait is one of the world’s most scenic ferry rides – watch as the vast landscapes of the Marlborough Sounds unfold along a beautiful coastline, making way for sweeping vineyards and open skies. Arrive in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, known for its amazing food and craft beer scene. Tonight, be sure to ask your leader for tips on where to pick up a great brew.
Day 12 - Wellington to Taupo
Wellington is as cool and creative as it is windy (and it’s thought to be the windiest city in the world!). Your leader will show you around the capital this morning. Depending on the interests of the group, this may include the parliament buildings, cable car and Mt Victoria. Then it’s time to leave the city behind and drive on to Taupo, sitting on the shores of Lake Taupo – New Zealand’s largest lake. This drive is a perfect introduction to the wild and varied landscapes of the North Island – pass by the arid scenes of the Rangipo Desert and the soaring volcanic peaks of Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. Arrive in Taupo in the evening. With calm waters fringed by mountains, this is one of the prettiest spots in the country.
Day 13 - Taupo
The day is yours to enjoy all Taupo has to offer. Chill out lakeside to soak in the inspiring views or get active and take on one of the awesome hiking trails in the area. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the Tongariro Crossing in the nearby Tongariro National Park is considered one of the best one-day walks in the world (but it’s not for the faint hearted!). Carved into the cliff faces surrounding Lake Taupo you’ll find 14-metre-tall Maori artwork that can only be accessed by boat. Want to relax and unwind? A visit to the natural hot pools at Otumuheke Stream is a must! However you decide to spend the day, it’s sure to be one to remember.
Day 14 - Taupo to Murupara
Travel today to the Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara – most proceeds from the activities you take part in here are fed back into the local community. You’ll be greeted by a member of the Maori community who will show you around the Ngati Manawa Tribal Lands while sharing the history and culture of this tribe. Meet with other members of the village and learn a famous haka war dance, then weave a plate for tonight’s dinner out of flax plants. Dinner tonight is one for the books – tuck into a traditional hangi meal, cooked underground to create a delicious, earthy flavour.
Day 15 - Rotorua
Your journey continues as you drive north towards Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity and the pervasive sulphur smell it lends the town. Fluorescent lakes, bubbling mud pools, active volcanoes and dramatic geysers punctuate the landscape here, making it feel like you’re on another planet. Stop off at a thermal park to get your first look at Rotorua’s otherworldly landscapes, then continue into the town where your leader will show you around the Government Gardens and pleasant lakefront. End the day with a visit to the Te Puia Maori Village, where you’ll get firsthand insight into Maori culture. You’ll also have the chance to see Pohutu, New Zealand’s largest geyser, in action – this is a sight that will blow you away! A visit to the kiwi conservation centre will allow you to observe this endearing nocturnal bird as it behaves at night.
Day 16 - Rotorua
There’s so much to see and do in Rotorua, so today is free to discover it all. Have a chat to your local leader for tips on how to get the most out of your day here. You may like to take a stroll through Kuirau Park, surrounded by bubbling and boiling mud pools. If you feel like getting your heart racing, the Kaituna River is one of the world’s top white water rafting destinations. Choose to head deep into one of New Zealand’s most ancient forests for an exhilarating eco canopy adventure, learning about the native wildlife and ecology as you zipline from tree to tree. Or take a guided kayak trip where you’ll enjoy a fun-filled evening of hot pools (which are only accessible by boat), BBQ dinner and paddling through magical glow worm caves.
Day 17 - Coromandel Peninsula
Start the day with a visit to Hobbiton – the absolute must-do when in New Zealand. On a fully guided tour of the set where scenes from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were shot, you’ll see Hobbit Holes and the Mill, finishing up with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. This afternoon, head to the Coromandel Peninsula – a land of beaches and lush rainforests. Take a walk along the clifftops and down to Cathedral Cove, one of the region’s most beautiful and photogenic spots – the rock arches, columns and pristine beaches are a truly impressive sight. While here you may like to take the chance to explore the coastline on a guided kayaking tour – if you do, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins swimming alongside the boat!
Day 18 - Coromandel Peninsula to Auckland
Of all the Coromandel Peninsula’s marvellous beaches, one stands out above the rest. Hot Water Beach is made famous by the warm waters that run beneath its sand, meaning all you need to do to make your own hot tub is dig a hole. Visit at low tide and get digging – unwinding in a natural hot tub on the beach is an experience second to none. Complete the final stretch of your journey as you travel to Auckland – New Zealand’s biggest city is in a great spot, meaning you’re never far from the water. The dining and nightlife scene is up there with the best of them, so as it’s your last night together, you may like to head out for dinner with the group to celebrate.
Day 19 - Auckland
Your adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time getting to know Auckland, just get in touch ahead of time to arrange extra accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
01-04-202619-04-2026AUD $ 3,633-
22-05-202609-06-2026AUD $ 5,190-

Accommodation

Multi-share hostel with shared facilities (18 nights)

Transport

Private Vehicle, Ferry

Map

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