17 Day New Zealand Intro

Kia ora! Landing in Auckland, we’ll meet you at the airport and take you to our hostel to settle in and refresh. Tonight you’ll meet up with the rest of your travel crew and get excited for all the adventures yet to come in New Zealand.

Today we’ll get oriented with the stunning harbour city of Auckland, and help get your work and local essentials set up. This evening we’ll have the chance to see what this city is all about after dark! (B)

Leaving Auckland, we’re off to discover the best of the beautiful North Island. Our first stop is Waitomo, home to the world-famous glowworm caves. We’ll explore this surreal, subterranean landscape by boat, watching in awe as glow worms light up the darkness in front of our eyes. Next we’re heading to Hobbiton, the real-life movie set featured in The Lord Of The Rings and Hobbit trilogies. After strolling through the enchanting village on a guided tour, we’ll enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn before departing for Rotorua.  (B)

Waking to the scent of sulphur, you’ll definitely know we’re in Rotorua today! First on the agenda is Kerosene Creek, a naturally heated hot spring where we can laze away the morning. Next we’re off to explore the geothermal area of Wai-O-Tapu, then the afternoon is free for you to try zorbing, race your friends on the skyline luge, or perhaps do something with a bit more of an adrenaline rush.

This morning we’re off to see more of New Zealand’s incredible volcanic landscapes – checking out hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and natural ‘foot spas’. This evening is a special opportunity for us to journey back to a time of powerful warriors and ancient traditions as we help prepare a feast and witness inspiring performances at an authentic Maori village. (D)

Get your cameras out as we head to Taupo, a lakefront town right in the heart of the North. Tonight we’ve got something special lined up – a sunset sail across the lake. The majestic scenery will wow us, and the sunset will add a touch of magic. NZ, you’re breathtakingly beautiful. (D)

This morning we’ll check out the epic Huka Falls, a spine-tingling torrent of icy water thundering down from the Waikato River. After witnessing this feat of nature, we’ll slow things back down again, soaking our bodies and souls in mineral-rich natural hot pools. (B)

Today we’ll head back to where it all started in Auckland! Spend the afternoon relaxing, checking out the sights, and getting ready for the trip down south tomorrow. (B)

Catch a short flight to Queenstown and we’ll meet you at the airport and take you to our hostel in the city. We’ll head out for dinner tonight and get excited for our new adventure in the South Island! (B, D)

Today we’ll get all your local essentials set up before showing you around Queenstown, a backpacker hub that’s known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. The good news is that our first jolt of adrenaline isn’t far off, as this afternoon we’ll be zipping through Skippers Canyon on a jet boat going over 80 km/h. Tonight we’ll top off our first day of exploring by seeing what Queenstown has to offer after dark! (B)

Leaving Queenstown, today we’re heading to the majestic Milford Sound. We’ll hop on a boat to cruise around the fjord, feeling tiny amongst sheer cliff faces, ancient forests, and plunging waterfalls. We might even spot some fur seals lazing about! This evening we’ll get cosy in Te Anau, a charming town in the heart of Fiordland. (B, L)

Driving through awe-inspiring landscapes that will have our jaws on the floor, we’ll stop at some notable Lord of the Rings filming locations nestled in the mountains. After soaking up the Tolkien-esque vistas and taking thousands of photos we’ll arrive in Wanaka, a dreamy resort town on sapphire lakeside shores.

Waking to the views of snow-capped peaks, today we’ll enjoy all that Wanaka has to offer. First up: a visit to the insta-famous ‘Wanaka Tree’, followed by a hike up Mt Iron that will reward our efforts with incredible views of Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, and Mt Aspiring National Park. This is the great outdoors at its finest. (B)

Waving goodbye to Wanaka, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the southern alps towards Tekapo. Known for its milky turquoise hue, Lake Tekapo is an alpine oasis – so have your phone charged and camera ready! This afternoon we’ll strap on our comfy shoes and stretch our limbs hiking the iconic Hooker Valley track. One of the most well-known walks in the South Island, this walk winds us through the valley to grant unforgettable views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. (B)

Today we’ll have ample time to explore Lake Tekapo and its surrounds. Opt for another hike, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, or find a classic Kiwi meat pie to munch on. This evening we’ll have the exclusive chance to learn about the convergence of Maori mythology and modern science whilst relaxing our bodies at Tekapo Springs. Within an official dark sky reserve, this is one of the world’s best places for star-gazing, and watching the skies whilst soaking in 37.5 degree naturally-heated pools is the best way to do it, we think.

After travelling back to buzzing Queenstown, securing you a paid job in New Zealand is number one on the agenda for today. Our team will help make sure you’ve got everything sorted for living and working in NZ, and get you signed up to our NZ Jobs program. Tonight we’ll get together for our farewell dinner! (D)

This morning your unforgettable 17 day adventure comes to an end. Check out and journey home, stay in Queenstown, or continue the next leg of your travels with the new friends you’ve made! Whatever your plans, we’ll be there to help every step of the way. (B)