Epic NZ Tour

AUD $4,999.00

Discover our 3 week, comprehensive NZ tour, taking in the best of the North and South Island and everything in between.

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Description

Be awed by spectacular glaciers, mountainous ranges, and dazzling blue water. Soak up the beauty of our stunning landscapes, experience Maori culture, and simply let Queenstown take your breath away.

ALL HAKA ADVENTURE TOURS INCLUDE:

  • ORIENTATION TOURS – we give you the low-down on every location
  • COMFORTABLE TRANSPORT – with plenty of room to spread out
  • CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST EVERY DAY – heaps of options for everyone (you too, vegans!)
  • HIGH-END HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION – dorm share, upgrades available
  • EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDE – friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about NZ
  • SMALL GROUPS – MAXIMUM 16 – because you’re more than just a number!

Tour Inclusions

  • Discover NZ’s most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas
  • Journey through 7 National Parks
  • Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the birthplace of New Zealand
  • Feast on a fish and chips dinner with spectacular Bay of Islands views
  • Check out the wacky and wonderful Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa
  • Marvel at Hokianga Harbour’s giant sand dunes
  • Explore the the Northland East Coast’s stunning beaches and coastal walks
  • Walk up Maungawhau/Mt Eden for stunning 360 degree views of all of Auckland
  • Stunning walk to the spectacular arched cavern of Coromandel’s Cathedral Cove
  • Experience a Maori cultural performance in Rotorua
  • Learn a haka and poi performance with a local iwi (tribe)
  • Visit Te Puia – a local cultural centre
  • to learn more about traditional Maori culture and discover Rotorua’s geothermal wonders
  • Traditional Maori hangi meal cooked in an underground oven
  • Follow your nose to Rotorua’s bubbling mud pools
  • Discover what makes Huka Falls the most visited natural attraction in NZ
  • Check out the views from Matairangi/Mount Victoria, Wellington
  • Fall in love with Wellington’s cafe and craft beer culture
  • Iconic ferry ride between the North and South Islands across the Cook Strait
  • Get up close to Kaikoura’s cutest residents at a local seal colony
  • Explore downtown Christchurch and see its inspiring regeneration since the 2011 quake
  • Visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, nestled by the shores of Lake Tekapo
  • Unparalleled stargazing opportunities in Tekapo’s Dark Sky Reserve
  • Visit the charming, historic gold rush village of Arrowtown
  • Carve your own pounamu (greenstone/jade) pendant in Franz Josef
  • Discover the beauty and history of pounamu in Hokitika, the greenstone capital of the country
  • Visit the famous Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki
  • Two nights and a full day to play in the coastal paradise of Abel Tasman National Park
  • Learn to paddle a waka (Maori war canoe) along the Abel Tasman coastline
  • Visit the Centre of New Zealand in Nelson
  • Plus many surprise stops along the way

DAY 1 – AUCKLAND TO PAIHIA

Kia ora! Nau mai, haere mai ki Aotearoa! Hello and welcome to New Zealand –The Land of the Long White Cloud! After our 8am welcome breakfast, we’ll kick off our tour with a leisurely scenic drive to the subtropical “Winterless North”. The Northland region is home to some seriously ancient and impressive kauri forests. We’ll stroll through the largest of these – the Waipoua Forest – to meet Tane Mahuta, the hugest of them all. We’ll also visit Hokianga Harbour, unique for its 150 metre high sand dunes. We reach the town of Paihia, the jewel of the Bay of Islands, in the early evening. As the sun sets, we’ll treat you all to a fish and chips feast overlooking the water. It doesn’t get more Kiwi than that!

DAY 2 – PAIHIA

With more than 140 sub-tropical islands dotted around the coastline, how will you spend your day in the Bay? Cruise through a natural rock archway, explore the ocean floor on a scuba mission, sail in search of the local dolphins (or even swim with them!), or snorkel your way around beautiful islands. Check out our awesome add-ons for ideas or hit up your guide for inspiration. For an epic day out, take a road trip to Cape Reinga – the northernmost tip of New Zealand – to see where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide.

DAY 3 – PAIHIA TO AUCKLAND

Today, discover the Bay of Islands’ important role in New Zealand’s history with a trip to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. After lunch we say goodbye to the Bay. We make time for a very special rest stop in Kawakawa to check out the grass-roofed, mosaic-covered, cobblestoned Hundertwasser Toilets. There’s even a living tree in there. There are some beautiful waterfalls around the area, if you know where to look – and we certainly do! So we’ll stop off at one of them, depending on the weather and what your Haka Guide’s favourite spot is. We head back to Auckland via Northland’s east coast, which boasts stunning beaches and coastal walks.

DAY 4 – AUCKLAND TO COROMANDEL

Before we leave town we will walk up one of the most famous volcanoes– Maungawhau, also known as Mount Eden – for 360 degree views of both city and sea. The Coromandel Peninsula is a paradise of beautiful beaches and misty rainforests. The Coromandel is home to the famous Hot Water Beach – thousands visit each year to dig their own personal hot tub. If the tide times allow, we’ll definitely grab our buckets and spades and get busy! We arrive in Whitianga with plenty of time for your guide to show you around.

DAY 5 – COROMANDEL TO WAITOMO

This morning we’ll walk out together along the cliffs and down to Cathedral Cove (which you might recognize from the Chronicles of Narnia). With perfect beaches and massive rock arches and columns, it’s one of the most popular spots in the Coromandel. Alternatively, take an optional guided Cathedral Cove kayak trip and check out this stunning coastline from a different angle.Later today we say goodbye to the east coast and hello to the west as we head for the tiny town of Waitomo.

DAY 6 – WAITOMO TO ROTORUA

Have you been caving in a place with twinkling glow worms on the ceiling? Now’s your chance! Daredevils can abseil 100 metres into the caverns on an epic 4-hour caving adventure. Or float along on an underground river on an optional Cave Tubing trip as the glow worms light your way. There are also excellent guided walking tours of the caves available if heights or wet feet aren’t your thing.

Later this afternoon we head to Rotorua (or Rotovegas as it is locally known). Lord of the Rings fans, channel your inner hobbit with an optional visit to picturesque Hobbiton – have a ginger beer at the Green Dragon pub for us!

DAY 7 – ROTORUA TO MURUPARA

While the majority of the North Island is volcanic in some way, Rotorua is exceptional for its geothermal activity. With neon blue and red lakes, steaming rivers, active volcanoes and geysers galore, there are more unique natural wonders to be found in Rotorua than many other places in the world.

Later this afternoon we head to Kohutapu Lodge in Murupara – a living Māori village – where you will be taken on a tribal tour by a village elder. Here you’ll also have a chance to learn the world-famous haka dance, and weave your own dinner plate using flax (a type of plant). Tonight’s dinner is a traditional hāngi meal. Cooked in an underground earth oven you can expect tender meat and delicious vegetables infused with a smoky, earthy fragrance – it will fill your puku (belly) right up! The best part about spending the evening at Kohutapu Lodge. The majority of proceeds from this activity go back to the local community.

Please note: Private accommodation upgrades are not available for this night of the tour due to the limited availability of accommodation in the area. In special circumstances other arrangements may be possible – please contact [email protected] for more information.

DAY 8 – MURUPARA TO TAUPŌ

This morning you will visit Te Puia – a well-known Maori culture centre. At Te Puia you can explore Whakarewarewa geothermal valley, visit New Zealand’s native kiwi birds, and learn about Maori history & culture. . From mesmerising mud pools to the thundering rapids of the Huka Falls and Aratiatia Dam, your trusty Haka Guide will make sure you don’t miss a thing. Taupō is a beautiful lakeside town with a stunning mountain backdrop. This place is all about the thrills and spills, and there are plenty of options in store this afternoon. Get your hair wet with a water touch bungy jump, take an unforgettable skydive or a sunset lake cruise for amazing lake and mountain views.

DAY 9 – TAUPŌ

A full day in Taupō… are you in the mood for peaceful lakeside tranquillity or unlimited adrenalin and adventure? For many, the ultimate adventure on offer here is the hiking (or tramping, as we Kiwis know it). The Tongariro Crossing is among the top 10 full-day walks in the world. This 19.4-kilometre mountain trek boasts emerald green lakes, venting steam, lava flows and craters. If you’d prefer to relax, jump on a boat for a sailing trip to view Māori rock carvings. Or head to Spa Park and soak until your fingers are wrinkly.

DAY 10 – TAUPŌ TO WELLINGTON

It’s a big drive from Taupō to Wellington, but there’s some unmissable scenery on offer. Lord of the Rings junkies, you’re in for a treat! Our journey takes us through Tongariro National Park via the Rangipo Desert. Some of your favourite Lord of the Rings battle scenes were filmed right here. The Desert Road boasts incredible views of three active volcanic peaks – Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Ruapehu. You may know Mount Ngauruhoe as Mount Doom, so be sure to snap a Mordor selfie! We pull into Wellington in the afternoon, with just enough time for film buffs make a trip to Weta Workshop.

DAY 11 – WELLINGTON TO KAIKŌURA

Packed with quirky cafes and beautiful street art, and famous for its wind, Wellington will blow you away in more ways than one! Your guide will introduce you to some of our favourite spots this morning. We take a trip up Mount Victoria for the best views in town. This afternoon we say farewell to the North Island with a scenic ferry journey across the Cook Strait. Our next destination, Kaikōura literally means “to eat crayfish”, and the area is teeming with them. The nutrient-rich waters of this area attract a wide variety of marine wildlife including the stars of the show – the whales and dolphins.

DAY 12 – KAIKŌURA TO CHRISTCHURCH

The chance to swim with dolphins in the wild is a massive New Zealand highlight for many travellers, and Kaikōura is one of the best places to find them, with pods of up to 300 of these playful creatures hanging out here at any one time. If you want to get up close to the giants of the ocean, a whale watching tour here is the way to do it. After visiting the local seals on our way out of town, our road trip continues to our home for the night – Christchurch, known as the “Garden City” for its peaceful parklands and lazy rivers.

DAY 13 – CHRISTCHURCH TO MACKENZIE COUNTRY

This morning we’ll explore iconic downtown Christchurch and your guide will show you the cool and creative ways the city is being rebuilt after the life-changing 2011 earthquake here. After lunch we leave the city behind and head for Lake Tekapo. The lake’s breathtaking
turquoise colour and mountain backdrop is a photographer’s dream come true. The tiny Church of the Good Shepherd stands right at the water’s edge, proving that small is definitely beautiful. Tekapo has been declared an International Dark Sky Reserve and the super clear skies make it the best place in New Zealand to see the stars and galaxies on a clear night.

Please note: Private accommodation upgrades are not available for this night of the tour due to the limited availability of accommodation in the area. In special circumstances other arrangements may be possible – please contact [email protected] for more information. **

DAY 14 – MACKENZIE COUNTRY TO QUEENSTOWN

This morning if you’re feeling energetic, hike up to the summit of Mt John. With awesome views of the Southern Alps, you’ll feel on top of the world. Speaking of views, today’s scenic drive to Queenstown is a show-stopper. This also happens to be the World Home of Bungy, give it a go or enjoy watching the jumpers scream their way through the gorge! Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, an avid hiker, wine taster or scenery lover, Queenstown has something for absolutely everyone. With two nights and plenty of daylight hours here, get ready – this town certainly knows how to live life to the max!

DAY 15 – QUEENSTOWN

With a full day in Queenstown, let’s work on that bucket list! There are heaps of options to choose from: paragliding over the lake, mountain bike parks and trails to die for, bungy jumping while your Haka friends cheer you on, horse riding through Lord of the Rings scenery, and swinging through a canyon are just a few of our favourites. Hikers: the Ben Lomond day walk (not for the faint- hearted) will be right up your alley. For scenery lovers, Milford Sound is a must-see. Whether you fly or drive, the scenery en route is as awesome as the destination. Tonight you have around 40 bars to choose from – your guide will fill you in on their favourites.

DAY 16 – QUEENSTOWN TO WANAKA

After the excitement of Queenstown, today is a chance to chill. Wanaka is Queenstown’s slightly quieter little sister, a mere one hour drive away. On the way we’ll stop in at charming Arrowtown, a historic gold rush village with heaps of old world character. Blessed with towering peaks and a glacial blue lake, you’ll soon see why Wanaka’s considered to be one of New Zealand’s most beautiful mountain towns. As always, it’s your trip and your choice: you do you.

DAY 17 – WANAKA TO FRANZ JOSEF

After a relaxing morning in Wanaka, the journey to Franz is another stunner – many of our Haka Guides rate it as their favourite drive in New Zealand. As we hit the road, we’ll stop at one of our favourite lakeside lookout points at Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka. Your guide will have some epic surprise photo stops and short walks along the way. We roll into Franz Josef around late afternoon/early evening. This UNESCO World Heritage area is famous for its spectacular glacier, just 5 kilometres from town.

DAY 18 – FRANZ JOSEF

With Aoraki/Mount Cook (New Zealand’s highest mountain) twinkling behind the glaciers, Franz Josef is about as beautiful a setting as you can find in New Zealand. Te Wahi Pounamu (which means ‘the place of greenstone’ in Māori) is the name given to the this part of the West Coast because of the abundance of pounamu (greenstone/jade) to be found here. Included in your tour today is a special opportunity to carve your very own pounamu pendant at a local gallery. There are heaps of ways to enjoy Franz Josef Glacier; weather permitting, to get up onto the bluest ice you can take a scenic helicopter flight and hike onto the glaciers.

DAY 19 – FRANZ JOSEF TO PUNAKAIKI

Driving along the incredible coastal road and exploring the lush forests around Punakaik. We’ll visit one of the famous artisan greenstone factories in Hokitika as we make our way north, as well as passing through some old gold mining towns before arriving in Punakaiki. One of Punakaiki’s many natural wonders is the subtropical rainforest – and we are staying in the heart of it for the next two nights!

DAY 20 – PUNAKAIKI

Whether you decide to soak up the sun on the unspoilt beaches or stroll through the rainforest to a chorus of birdsong, you’ll shed your cares in this magical place. A short walk to see a giant stack of pancakes is a must-do today: Punakaiki’s limestone Pancake Rocks developed over 30 million years ago. On a clear night, head to the beach with your buddies and watch the stars come out to play.

DAY 21 – PUNAKAIKI TO ABEL TASMAN

Cruising up north from Punakaiki, the scenery gets better and better. Marahau, the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, boasts golden beaches, tranquil lagoons and crystal clear waters. Abel Tasman is the perfect contrast to the wildness of the rainforests and mountains. Why will you fall in love with Abel Tasman? Lush forests, sandy beaches, sheltered bays, and jaw-dropping views.

DAY 22 – ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

Abel Tasman… you beauty. Lush forests, golden sandy beaches, sheltered bays, and jaw-dropping views… not to mention the local seals, dolphins and bird life.. You might like to hike part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track – one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks – or paddle a kayak to Split Apple Rock. You could jump, slide, abseil, float and zipline your way through the park on an awesome canyoning adventure.

DAY 23 – ABEL TASMAN TO WELLINGTON

Today you’ll start things off by learning to paddle a traditional waka (a Māori war canoe). Our road trip continues along the northern edge of the South Island this afternoon. We’ll stop for tasting at a local winery, and there’s a chance to taste some famous New Zealand mussels in Havelock as we wind our way towards Picton to catch the evening ferry to Wellington.

DAY 24 – WELLINGTON (OR OPTIONAL TRANSFER TO AUCKLAND)

The tour has come to an end, it’s time to say goodbye to your new roadtrip mates and prepare to part ways. If your plan is to stay in Wellington there is still plenty to see and do. Perhaps a self-guided tour of Te Papa Museum, or visit the famous Weta Workshop where a lot of Lord of the Rings props were designed.

Alternatively, for those who just can’t get enough of their Haka Tour Manager, you’re welcome to hitch a ride back to Auckland in the Haka Tour Bus.

DAY 25 – AUCKLAND

Your tour ends after breakfast on Day 25. We’re sure you’ll have a whole lot of incredible memories to take home with you. We’ve shown you our New Zealand – we hope we will see you again.

Haere tū atu, hoki tū mai.

Planning

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Book an adventure tour, beach hop in the Thai islands or backpack around Australia, it’s really up to you! Whatever you decide to do, we’ll be able to help you book it.

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