Arrival Day Auckland

Auckland - Kia Ora (hello) and welcome to your New Zealand adventure. Your journey begins in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), the largest city in New Zealand, home to over 2 million residents and approximately 50 volcanoes.

Arrive at your convenience today and take the opportunity to explore the city. Stroll down to the viaduct for lunch, wander over to Britomart for a coffee, or head to Commercial Bay for some shopping. Hotel check-in is available from 3pm, and this evening, meet your group and Stray guide at reception at 6pm for a welcome dinner (at your own expense) to get acquainted with your fellow travelers.

Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves

Waitomo Glowworm Caves - This morning, we travel south to Waitomo, renowned for its limestone caves illuminated by thousands of glowworms. Choose to glide down a cave stream in a boat while admiring the hundreds of sparkling glowworms above, or put on a wetsuit and harness for some abseiling and rock climbing through the famous caves. Either choice offers a magical start to your adventure!

We then continue to Rotorua, the North Island’s geothermal hotspot and a fantastic place to experience Maori culture. We’ll arrive in the early evening and head straight to our hotel, which features a spa, swimming pool, and unlimited Wi-Fi (a rarity in New Zealand)!

Rotorua

Rotorua - Today is all about the Roto (Māori for ‘Lake’). After breakfast, travel past the vibrant Blue and Green Lakes to Lake Tarawera, with the mighty Mt Tarawera on the horizon. Take an aqua taxi to Te Rata Bay and its Hot Water Beach (note: not the one near Hahei), where a hot thermal spring warms the lake.

Enthusiastic hikers can enjoy a quick soak before tackling the 15km (4.5-5hrs) Tarawera Trail for stunning views over Lakes Rotomahana and Tarawera. Prefer relaxation? Linger in the steamy waters and warm sands in geothermal bliss before returning to Rotorua after lunch.

In the afternoon, return to the city for options: white water rafting on the Kaituna River, ziplining on an eco-tour, or unwinding at a geothermal spa. For free geothermal sights, visit Kuirau Park’s boiling mud pools and steaming lakes.

Rotorua to Lake Aniwhenua

Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours - After Rotorua, recharge with an authentic Māori experience. After lunch, travel to Lake Aniwhenua and Kohutapu Lodge, owned by a local Māori family dedicated to their heritage and community.

We’ll be welcomed to the tribal lands, watch ground-cooked hangi preparation, enjoy afternoon tea with fresh fried bread while chatting with the team, and practice weaving and haka skills. In the evening, feast on the traditional hangi – likely the best meal in NZ!

Exclusive experience includes:

• Welcome to tribal lands & guided tour to sacred Māori rock carvings
• Introduction to Murupara area, its people, history & challenges
• Afternoon tea
• Mau Rakau (Māori stick games)
• Weaving lesson
• Haka lesson
• 1-night lakeside accommodation at Kohutapu Lodge
• Full traditional hangi buffet dinner & dessert
• Storytelling around the fire pit
• Continental breakfast

Lake Aniwhenua to Blue Duck Station

Blue Duck Station

Blue Duck Station to Tongariro National Park

Tongariro Alpine Crossing - This morning, head early to Tongariro National Park for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, widely regarded as the world’s best one-day walk. This unforgettable 19 km trek crosses volcanic peaks, vast craters, and striking turquoise alpine lakes, scenery you’ll remember forever.

The Crossing is open year-round; snow or ice (typically May-Oct, but possible anytime) requires a qualified alpine guide and specialised equipment (extra cost may apply), making the views even more spectacular. All plans are weather dependent for safety; if unsuitable, enjoy other great walks in the park.

After an epic day, return to your accommodation and relax in the outdoor spa with mountain views, the perfect way to unwind.

Tongariro National Park to Wellington

Wellington - After breakfast, we’ll head down to Wellington - New Zealand’s capital city! We humbly recommend a visit to the Te Papa National Museum first (at your own expense), and then you’re free to grab a craft beer at a brewery, hike to the top of Mt Victoria for panoramic views, take a stroll along the waterfront, or simply enjoy the best cup of coffee you’ll have in New Zealand (oh yes, they are very proud of their coffee scene in Wellington!).

Wellington to Marahau (Abel Tasman)

Abel Tasman National Park - We’ll catch an early Bluebridge Ferry across the Cook Strait to the South Island today. If the weather’s good, head out to the viewing deck for incredible views of the Marlborough Sounds! When we arrive in Picton, the top of the South Island, we’ll set off through the picturesque Marlborough region and up to Marahau, situated right on the edge of the spectacular Abel Tasman National Park. We’ll spend our evening in this beautiful location relaxing around the campfire and looking at the stars.

Marahau (Abel Tasman) FREE DAY

Marahau - Today is a free day in Abel Tasman National Park. From our accommodation, we can hike straight into the park (no water taxi required) and walk the Abel Tasman Coastal track up to Anchorage Bay.

The park is full of lush bush, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore the golden sand beaches and swim in the brilliant blue waters throughout your journey. The walk is approximately 4 hours each way, but you can get a water taxi back if you’d like extra time to soak it all in.

Marahau (Abel Tasman) to Hokitika

Marahau - Today we’re heading down New Zealand’s wild West Coast! A super scenic drive, this area is known for its untamed beaches and masses of lush rainforest. Named one of the top drives in the world by Lonely Planet, this road offers views for days! We’ll stop at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes to explore this unique part of the coastline, and then we’ll head into Hokitika, famous for its arts scene and greenstone (pounamu).

Our accommodation tonight is located on the shores of the Tasman Sea. Treat yourself to some dinner in their Ocean View restaurant or go for a walk and explore Hokitika. We highly recommend a visit to sunset point where you can explore the Tambo ‘shipwreck’, see amazing views of Hokitika beach with Aoraki Mt Cook in the distance, and watch the sun setting over the horizon. Once it’s dark, go for a walk to the glowworm dell and see the glittering lights above you before heading back to your accommodation for a peaceful night of rest.

Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef - It’s a short drive today towards the charming little village of Franz Josef. The landscape will change from coastline to dramatic, lush rainforest, so just another day of incredible NZ scenery (have your phone charged for pics).

We’ll get to Franz Josef around lunchtime, giving you plenty of time to experience Franz Josef Glacier, an iconic highlight of the West Coast and New Zealand in general. Get a shuttle to the beginning of the track and then hike through native bush and across glacial streams to the terminal face of the glacier for spectacular photos or just relax in the township and enjoy the views. If you’d like to see the glacier up close (before that pesky climate change melts it for good), you can go for an incredible heli-hike and actually stand on the glacier!

Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown

Queenstown - We’ll start our day with a relaxed walk around Lake Matheson, known for its stunning views of Aoraki/Mt Cook which reflects back onto the lake on still days! Next, we’ll visit charming Wanaka, famous for its stunning lake and breathtaking mountain scenery. We’ll enjoy a late lunch and take time to soak in the views and perhaps even snap a picture of THAT Wanaka tree.

Afterwards, we’ll make our way to Queenstown - the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’! Queenstown is the spiritual home of bungy jumping and offers unlimited adventure and entertainment. When we arrive, we’ll head straight to our accommodation, which offers a swimming pool, fitness centre, and sauna, so you have plenty of opportunities to relax after all that excitement!

Queenstown FREE DAY

Queenstown - Today is a free day in Queenstown. Yaaaasssss Queen(stown)! After breakfast, go and explore the beautiful mountain scenery with one of the many free hikes or join an activity of your choice! This evening, we recommend trying the famous Fergburger, checking out the nightlife, or enjoying a hot chocolate on the lakefront and listening to the live artists scattered across the shore.

Queenstown to Te Anau

Queenstown - After all that adventure, it’s time to depart Queenstown towards Te Anau, the gateway to the stunning Fiordland National Park. On arrival in Te Anau, we’ll make our way to the Fiordland Cinema to watch the breathtaking short film Ata Whenua - Shadowland. We’ll see incredible footage over the National Park and its wondrous landscapes and unique wildlife before we see it for ourselves on our cruise along the Milford Sound tomorrow!

In the afternoon, we’ll take a water taxi to Brod Bay where we’ll be able to walk a part of the Kepler track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, across the Coal Creek Bridge and along the shores of Lake Te Anau back to our accommodation (summer only). We’ll spend the night at our hotel in the serene lakeside town.

Day Trip to Milford Sound

Mt. Cook Village - This morning, we’ll depart Te Anau and head towards the iconic Milford Sound where we’ll board a boat and cruise across the Sound (fun fact: it’s not actually a sound, it’s a fjord!) to see towering Mitre Peak plus rainforests, waterfalls, and loads of amazing wildlife like Fur Seals, Penguins, and Dolphins.

In the evening, you have the option to see the glowworm caves in Te Anau, go for a stroll through the town or around the lake, or relax at our accommodation.

Te Anau to Aoraki Mount Cook

Mt. Cook Village - We’ll depart Te Anau early to drive over the Lindis Pass and through the Mackenzie Country, past the vivid blue waters of Lake Pukaki on the way to our amazing stop at the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook. We’ve made this drive sound great but honestly - we reckon it’s one of the most stunning days you’ll have in the whole of NZ.

We arrive in the early afternoon with time to do an optional experience like a boat tour on a glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped alps (sounds epic? It is). Alternatively, we can check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre or do one of the many great short walks in the park. We would be remiss if we didn’t recommend the Hooker Valley track (weather dependent) which in our opinion is in the top shorter walks in NZ. If it’s a clear night, head outside to experience one of the best stargazing spots in the country.

Aoraki Mount Cook to Christchurch

Christchurch - Leaving Mount Cook, we’ll make our way through a landscape made famous by the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films. We’ll stop to check out the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd (an iconic photo stop), and if you like, you can go and relax in the Tekapo hot pools, do some snow tubing or ice skating (winter only), or hike up to the Mt John Observatory for incredible views of the lake from above. After lunch, we’ll continue to our final overnight stop in Christchurch where we can head out for our final group dinner together (at your own expense) to celebrate an incredible journey around Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Depart Christchurch

Christchurch - This morning, we highly recommend exploring Christchurch. Wander the city streets and laneways to discover creative street art intended to bring cheer and colour to a city once buried in rubble, check out the incredible modern shopping district, go for a beer at one of the quirky local pubs, spend an hour punting down the Avon River, explore the stunning Botanic Gardens, or hop on the historic tourist tram and see it all! As today is our final day, our adventure is coming to an end, and we can’t believe it’s over! We’ll say goodbye (or see you soon) to our mates and go our separate ways for now. We hope everyone had a blast and remains Stray Mates forever!

• 19 Nights of Accommodation
• Day Trip to the Milford Sound
• Bluebridge Ferry between North and South Island
• 4WD Eco Safari in Blue Duck Station
• Cultural Experience at Lake Aniwhenua
• Access to ‘off the beaten track’ destinations and national parks
• Fun and knowledgeable Stray Guide
• Transport on modern, comfortable air-conditioned coaches
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• Optional Activities

Curious about a 19-day New Zealand tour from Auckland to Christchurch? Named after our native enigmatic owl (the Morepork, with its haunting “more-pork” call and stunning golden eyes).

Start in vibrant Auckland, the City of Sails, then lace up for epic hikes like the Tongariro Crossing and Lake Tarawera trails. Feel the magic of famous fjords, lush rainforests, and breathtaking alpine vistas. Savour a traditional hangi feast, earth-cooked for its smoky flavour.

Unwind in hidden thermal streams amid native bush, or dig your own spa at Hot Water Beach. Explore national parks’ secret waterfalls, glowworm caves, and wildlife. Unleash your adrenaline in Queenstown with bungy jumps, jet boats, and lively nightlife.

Cap it off with a starry night in Tekapo, sharing tales with local guides. All in 3-4 star hotels. Is this your ultimate Kiwi escape? Join our Ruru Select Tour, which stops top your bucket list?

• Insurance cover is not included in the price of a pass. We strongly recommend that you take insurance to cover you for cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage and public liability.
• Luggage is limited to one bag or suitcase per person (maximum weight of 15kgs), plus one day pack to carry onboard with your valuables. The carriage of any excess of oversized luggage is at Stray’s discretion and must be approved prior to travel.
• This pass is subject to the Operators standard terms and conditions

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.