Compare Highlights of New Zealand by Audley Travel vs New Zealand Overnight Wilderness Trip - 11 Days by Travel for All

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Auckland.

Day 2 : International outbound flight

On-board your international outbound flight to Auckland.

Day 3 : Auckland

Upon arrival in Auckland you will be welcomed by one of our representatives and transferred by private vehicle to your accommodation. We will also have arranged for a set of documents to await you, which will include a detailed driving atlas and local information guides. After you have settled into your hotel room, venture out into Auckland to begin exploring New Zealand's largest city under your own steam. Take a boat ride around the harbour, or visit the city's many shops and museums. This evening, we recommend making your way to the harbour area which has an abundance of bars and restaurants.

Day 4 : Rotorua

This morning enjoy a half day small group Auckland highlights tour, which is a fantastic introduction to both the city and New Zealand. You then collect your car and make the three hour drive south to Rotorua. We'll have organised your car to be ready at your closest depot at a convenient time for you. All insurances are included in your car hire package and a sat-nav is also available on request.The drive to Rotorua takes around four hours and it's a straightforward, scenic drive. Following the motorway south out of the city, you'll drive through flat pasture lands, then a forested plateau before arriving at Lake Rotorua.

Day 5 : Rotorua

You have the whole day at leisure to explore the thermal plateau region. Take a drive to Lake Taupo and en route, stop at Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Reserve to see Lady Knox Geyser and the bubbling mud basins known as the Devil's Ink Pots. This evening, you have tickets to a Maori cultural evening, where you'll experience traditional performances and a delicious 'Hangi' feast.

Day 6 : Tongariro National Park

Depart for Tongariro National Park where you will spend tonight. You may wish to try one of the many shorter walks available within the park and will notice how dramatically different the scenery here is compared to Rotorua.

Day 7 : Wellington

Depart today for Wellington. Stop en route for coffee and lunch at one of the small rural service towns you will pass through. Once in Wellington, you will have time at leisure to explore the capital city. An excellent recommendation is the national museum, Te Papa, where you will have the opportunity to learn a little more about New Zealand's history and Maori culture. You may also like to take a trip up to Zealandia, a fabulous native bird sanctuary on the hills above Wellington.

Day 8 : Blenheim

Make your own way to the ferry terminal this morning and board the InterIslander ferry across the Cook Strait to the South Island. The crossing takes around three hours. Upon arrival in Picton you collect your hire car from the ferry terminal and make the short 30 minute drive into the Blenheim and Marlborough winelands.Spend the afternoon exploring the Blenheim winelands. If you'd like to explore at leisure we recommend hiring a push bike and visiting the well-known Blenheim and Marlborough vineyards such as Cloudy Bay or Oyster Bay. Alternatively, we can arrange guided tours of the region and its vineyards.

Day 9 : Hanmer Springs

This morning take the beautiful inland drive to Hanmer Springs, this is a very scenic drive and there are plenty of photo opportunities along the way.Spend the rest of today at leisure in Hanmer Springs, you might like to take a relaxing dip in the natural hot pools and then go for a walk to take in the beautiful alpine scenery.

Day 10 : Christchurch

Today, drive to Christchurch where you will have time to explore the city this afternoon, check out the Re-Start container mall and perhaps visit the Antarctic centre.Try out one of the fabulous restaurants in the city tonight, the Tram restaurant is a great way to see the city whilst dining.

Day 11 : Franz Josef Glacier

Drop your car at the airport and take a taxi to the train station this morning where you board the TranzAlpine train. This three hour scenic journey takes you across the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass National Park to South Island's west coast.Upon arrival in Greymouth you collect your hire car from the train station and take a leisurely drive down to the Glaciers. We can highly recommend stopping en route at the small town of Hokitika for lunch. The drive to Franz Josef takes around three hours.

Day 12 : Franz Josef Glacier

Today you will enjoy a fabulous heli hike on the Franz Josef glacier. You will be flown up over the glacier before landing where you will put on your crampons and your guide will pick out a path with his pick axe, enabling him to show you the best ice formations on the glacier that day. Your helicopter will collect you and fly you back down to the township where you have access to the relaxing hot pools for the afternoon.

Day 13 : Queenstown

This morning, you will drive south to Queenstown. On the way, there are plenty of short walks to take in the Haast Pass and scenic spots to enjoy. Stop off for the afternoon in Wanaka, a beautiful lakeside town surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. Then take the road over the Cardrona range to Queenstown which offers you spectacular views of the Queenstown area.

Day 14 : Queenstown

You will join the Dart River Wilderness Safari today - a great half day excursion including an exhilarating jet boat ride followed by a short guided walk and scenic 4WD trip through the forest where you will learn about the local flora and fauna as well as local Maori and colonial history. The trip will take you to Glenorchy and you will have the opportunity to view some of the filming locations of Lord of The Rings during the tour!

Day 15 : International return flight

Today make your own way to the airport in time for your onward flight.

Day 16 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Day 1: Arrival in Christchurch

The first thing you’ll see once you’ve arrived in Christchurch is our smiley faces, ready to scoop you up and deliver you to your awesome accommodation. Settle in and enjoy Sumner, a seaside suburb of Christchurch. This place has beach, boardwalk, cafés, funky restaurants and bars. It’s the perfect spot to shake off your jet lag and prepare yourself for the next days of action.

The beautiful landscape of New Zealand glows in the morning light

Day 02: River Rafting

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

It’s an early start this morning as we need to meet the river crew 3 hours away. This is over the Lewis Pass, where Mauria River waits for us, nestled in the native beech and surrounding mountains. This class 2/ 3 river transports us and our equipment into the wilderness Freedom of river life, experience real wilderness.

When navigating the Mauria River where its waters spill from the mountains of the Lewis Pass; you will wind through a heavily forested and remote valley, making this trip a real gem. We spend the night camping beside the river, with a fire and great company. Also for the keen angler, Rainbow and Brown Trout fishing is legendary here giving you great challenge and fun, whatever your skill level.

Available to all abilities, making this possible is our Aqua harness. A fully releasable system to make you sit up on the raft (even without trunk control!). Leg floats, if you feel like floating through the pools, dry suits for those that do not have climate control (only hands and head are exposed). Tonight you camp in the wilderness, cooking on a fire. Experiencing why we call this pure New Zealand.

Wilderness Camping

Day 03: White Water Rafting

Meals: Brakefast

This morning, awaken to the sounds of native bird song and the flowing river. A great night’s sleep, on air and feathers (no pressure issues). After a hearty breakfast and when you’re ready, (accessible toilet facilities are carried with) its back on the river, going with the flow.

With the gear packed, it’s straight back into action as we tackle Maruia‘s white water once more. The rafts bob and weave their way around boulders and through waves, into the isolated valley where crystal clear pools nestle between rapids, giving us time to drift, swim, relax and take in the scenery. We can stop in many places along the river. We can even drift the craft in the middle to fish towards the sides, usually unheard of in the fishing community, on a river. As we ride the final rapids, the valley starts to open again and the river converges with the road to take us to our waiting transport. This afternoon we drive down the Buller Gorge to the wild West Coast, our accommodation waits next to the setting sun.

Picture of Buller Gorge on the Maruia River in New Zealand

Day 04: Scenic Flight

Enter into a relaxing morning waking to the sound of the sea. When we are ready the scenic road will take you to Hokitika greenstone and gold. Fingers crossed today is clear and calm as we drive the West Coast highway, with mountains on the left, ocean on the right and native forest galore. Soon after lunch, we arrive at Franz Josef Township where our next adventure awaits.

Here we meet the awesome crew that will fly us into glacier wonderland. This is the West Coast; helicopters are mandatory to access our piece of paradise. This scenic flight takes us onto the snowfields where Makingtrax ski-chair gets you up close and personal.

This evening we stay in Franz Josef.

Day 05: Lake Wanaka

A big day driving over the Gates of Haast to Wanaka. Although a big journey, the flora and fauna changes dramatically throughout, making this drive fly past. You’ll be there before you know it. Welcome to Lake Wanaka.

Day 06: Lake Wanaka

Enjoy the Lake Wanaka this morning, kayaking on the beautiful mountain lake or paragliding above. Today we head to Queenstown for more adventure, with its stunning mountainous backdrop. For the rest of the day, feel free to roam the streets of Queenstown, check the surrounding areas or relax by the lake. Your wish is our command.

This evening we stay in the beautiful area of Queenstown.

Bright blue skies with pearly white clouds seen across the distance of Lake Wanaka New Zealand

Day 07: Queenstown

You’re free to roam the streets of Queenstown, hit up more inclusive adventure. Another night spent in the spectacular Queenstown.

Colorful picture of the mountains near Queenstown New Zealand

Day 08: Milford Sounds

No trip to New Zealand is complete without visiting the infamous Milford Sounds. Enjoy an early flight out of Queenstown, this morning, as you fly into Milford Sound an area of extraordinary beauty. It offers a majestic fiord, dramatic and awe inspiring scenery and prolific flora and fauna.

Combine this with an optional Milford cruise on the fiord. Your pilot personally escorts you to the boat docks to board the ‘Pride’ to enjoy your Milford Sound Scenic Cruise. Spacious outdoor viewing decks allow you to take in all of the Fiordland scenic highlights, including waterfalls taller than Niagara Falls, and an array of indigenous flora and fauna. This is an optional experience, you can also enjoy a day of relaxation.

Soaring snow-capped mountain peaks reach for the deep blue sky in this picturesque scene of Milford Sounds in New Zealand

Day 09:Tekapo

Our northern journey starts today as we change our compass bearing and head to Tekapo. Aoraki, Kiwi Land’s highest mountain awaits your visit as we journey north. The backbone of the Southern Alps and the turquoise lakes pass you by, with a stop at Mt Cook salmon farm to select your dinner (if you’re a fish fan).

But the day is just beginning…the horses are waiting for you. No better place to enjoy a horse trek, Lake Tekapo. Our team will tailor this to your abilities; nothing’s an issue. A big day of adventure needs the perfect evening and the dark sky reserve star gazing or soaking in the hot pools is just that.

Spectacular fall foliage is reflected in the waters of Lake Tekapo in New Zealand

Day 10: Sky Diving

It’s our last day….so let’s finish on a high. 13,000 feet high to be precise… Skydiving! Makingtrax has a leg harness that makes this available to all abilities, The harness keeps your legs together in free fall and lifts your legs after your canopy is deployed, sliding in on your tandem master’s butt, not yours. Whilst you are still buzzing, it’s back to where we started, Sumner! You now can relax, absorb the last 10 days and get merry, as it’s your last night in this magical land.

Day 11: Departure

Wake up invigorated knowing your guide is going to collect you to take you to the airport, when required, leaving you time to find your new favourite café and reflect on your journey of self-discovery, what you have achieved and memories you have gained for a lifetime. Today your new journey begins as an adventurer…unstoppable!