Self-drive Ultimate New Zealand Adventure package
Auckland to Queenstown - 21 days

Days 1 to 3: Sailing the Bay of Islands
Nature Cruise Paihia - Bay of Islands – The Ultimate Three Day Sailing Adventure

Drive to the Bay of Islands and join us aboard the Manawanui for a 3 day and 2 night exploration of the Bay of Islands Maritime Park.This is a down-to-earth nature cruise off the beaten track with an emphasis on the marine environment and the outdoors.

The Manawanui is a 72 foot (22m), 1981 John Pugh cutter-rigged ketch. She is an ocean going cruiser designed for comfort and safety with plenty of room above and below deck.

This sailing adventure is designed to let you experience the diversity of the Bay of Islands. The cruise is divided equally between sailing and discovery with a few hours of passage making followed by an exploration of our destination and a good meal. At night we anchor in secluded bays away from the main tourist routes.

We do not have a standard route or itinerary as these are entirely weather dependent. Our journey will take you to lush, uninhabited islands and rugged, coastal headlands where you will have ample time to go kayaking, snorkelling, walking and fishing.

While all activities are guided you always have the option to explore by yourself or to just sit back and relax. This flexibility allows us to make each trip unique. We enjoy what we do and are happy to share our knowledge of the Bay of Islands and its wildlife, history and culture with you.

Day 4 - Diving the Poor Knights Marine Reserve
(NB: If you don’t have diving certification this can be done as a “Try Dive” – Diving with a private instructor)

The Poor Knights are undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of New Zealand diving. A marine reserve since 1981 this subtropical reef system presents a stunning diversity of reef fish, pelagics, sponges, anemonies, nudibranchs and sea weeds - so good that Jacques Cousteau rated the Poor Knights as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. And more recently it was voted the best sub tropical diving in the World by Diver magazine (UK).

The islands are bathed by a warm subtropical current and fish include tropical species such as spotted black groper, mosaic moray and Lord Howe coral fish, which are rarely found elsewhere in New Zealand waters. Reef fish at the Poor Knights include pink and blue maomao, and two-spot demoiselle, kingfish, koheru and trevally are common.

The warm currents here originate in the Coral Sea, so the water temperature is higher and visibility greater than that of nearby coastal waters. Born from volcanic activity, tropical and sub-tropical life abounds in this unique underwater environment. Caves, tunnels and archways are all home to great schools of friendly colourful fish - great photography!

Day 5 - Driving South down the Wild West Coast to Waitomo
The spectacular rugged West coast on the Tasman sea is a wonderful contrast to the Pacific splendour of the East coast you have just experienced. The whole region boasts wild surf beaches, lakes, ancient native Kauri forest and wildlife like the Gannet colony at Muriwai beach. Then once again the geographical change surprises as you meander in the geothermal region of the Central North Island. Don’t be to surprised to see steam billowing from the side of the road as you make your way to the small rural township of Waitomo.

Day 6 - Cavin in the Waitomo Caves
The Lost World Caving and Abseiling Epic Journey – Waitomo (8 Hours)

This is dramatic! In the company of very experienced guide’s you Abseil (the worlds longest commercial caving abseil), 100meters (330 ft) for some fifteen odd minutes, to get you into the Lost World – and that is just the beginning!

Once down, you embark on a journey back to the surface through the most incredible cave system. Heading upstream you follow a challenging underground river by whatever means - climbing ropes, swimming, wading, passing through vaults the size of cathedrals, up waterfalls and stalactites, squeezing through tight gaps and jumping into black pools, whalebones, fossils and Glow-worms are all regular sights. As a friend commented to me as we made our way through a section with a 55 meter (180 ft) high ceiling - “This feels like a movie set, but even Hollywood doesn’t have sets this big!” You will emerge hours later, exhausted, but knowing that you have seen one of New Zealand’s most amazing sights.

Be warned, this is not a simple cave tour. This is a full on caving experience. You need to be fit and you are going to get very wet. You'll be in the safe muddy hands some of New Zealand’s most experienced caving guides. If you enjoy adventure, exploration and the sense of achievement from having completed something amazing, then The Lost World 'Epic' will certainly make your light shine brightly

Day 7 - Walk the Tongariro Crossing
Fancy a Walk on the Moon? The Tongariro Crossing - New Zealand’s Best One-Day Walk

Well here’s a much cheaper option (and you won’t have to wear a goldfish bowl on your head while you’re there): Tongariro National Park. The 12-mile Tongariro Crossing is considered the best hike in New Zealand.

This untouched volcanic terrain offers a fascinating look at a very alien environment, complete with twisted lava formations, volcanic steam vents’ vast craters, active volcanoes, boiling lakes, barren desert, lush forest, crystal-clear mountain streams, steaming geysers and emerald green lakes. Phew! The scenery is so otherworldly that Lord of the Rings was filmed there. Experience a diversity of landscapes unlikely to be found together anywhere else in the world:

Tongariro was New Zealand's first national park and is a World Heritage site in the Lake Taupo region. It was created in 1887 when the three magnificent volcanoes – Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe – were offered to the people of New Zealand by the Tuwharetoa tribes. It now covers a total area of 78, 651 ha.

Day 8 - Drive to Wellington and ferry to Picton
Today is a relaxing day and a change to recharge your batteries. After a few hours drive through to Wellington, catch the ferry across to the South Island and make your way to Nelson.

Day 9 - Walk the Abel Tasman National Park
Seals, Bush 'n' Beach – A Day walk through Abel Tasman National Park

Offering the best of everything, this day walk starts with a cruise to Onetahuti via the Seal Colony. Then you walk the most picturesque section of the track to Torrent Bay before cruising back.

The Abel Tasman Coastal Track links a myriad of crescent-shaped coves of glittering golden sand, lapped by the crystal-clear waters of Tasman Bay. It could well be a tropical island setting but for the enigmatic presence of Southern Ocean fur seals lazing under rugged granite headlands. You will experience the park’s intimate estuaries, golden sand beaches and forested headlands.

Day 10 - Dive the Riwaka Caverns
Famouse at the Riwaka Caverns is diving at a huge chamber with stalactites and stalagmites with exellent under water view.

The Riwaka Caverns are a very interesting yet relatively easy freshwater cave dive (especially for divers experienced at night diving). After a short bush walk that takes us to the top of a basin we enter the cave through a 3 metre sump. Following safety lines laid for the fairly short swims, we surface inside two different caverns completely sealed from natural light.

The highlight of the dive is the massive chamber at the end of the second sump. Here scuba equipment is removed and stalactite and stalagmite formations can be admired and explored. The sheer size of this chamber is totally unexpected - a magnificent waterfall of pink limestone cascades 10 metres or so down one side.

Day 11 Mountain Biking in Hanmer Springs
Mountain Biking Hanmer Forest - Hanmer Springs Alpine Thermal Resort

Hanmer Springs is a beautiful alpine village blessed with a unique style of its own. A picturesque river snakes through a broad alluvial valley nestled amongst the snow-capped Southern. Located in an active thermal region, Hanmer Springs is famous for its Natural hot springs. Whether you want to relax - walk through quite forest or soak in natural hot pools, mountain bike, horse trek, raft or kayak or even golf or ski there is something here for everyone.

Day 12 – Drive to the West Coast
Punakaiki (Poo-na-kai-key) Pancake Rocks and blowholes

The heaving swells of the Tasman Sea have carved the coastline of the West Coast for millions of years. Nowhere is the effect on the landscape more spectacular and profound than at Punakaiki. These rocks really are remarkable pieces of natural sculpture, a series of stratified limestone stacks which, over many thousands of years, have been eroded to give the effect of giant piles of neatly stacked pancakes. Another prominent feature are the blowholes that, at high tide or in heavy weather, regularly throw up columns of dazzling spray high out of the blowholes - Best seen after wonderful westerly storms when the sun is reasserting itself in the face of fantastic cloud formations on the horizon.

Day 13 and 14 Heli Hike on the Fox Glacier
The Chancellor Dome Overnight Heli-Trek – Fox Glacier

The Chancellor Dome Heli-Trek involves a mountain ascent staying at the historic Chancellor Hut thus allowing you to explore the glacier on the second day.

This tour include’s helicopter flights. Ice climbing and trekking and is suitable for people who are of a reasonable level of fitness & agility. No prior experience is necessary.

A helicopter flight over magnificent rainforest and ice pinnacles, takes you from the township into the steep valley of the Fox Glacier. Your helipad is at 1,270 metres (4,000 feet) on Chancellor Shelf just above historic Chancellor Hut. In season, this area is rich in flowering alpine plants and at any time of the year the alpine vegetation is impressive. Chamois, the mountain antelope, can frequently be seen.

From the hut, the route ascends through snowgrass basins to a spot known as "Point A" where a glorious view of Mt Tasman appears. Here a gully gives access to a broad ridge and the beautiful snow shelf below the summit of Chancellor Dome. A highlight is the final roped ascent to the summit at 2,004 metres (6,526 feet). This delightful climb, over alpine gardens, rock and snowfields takes you to the point that affords the best view of the Southern Alps highest peaks and the magnificent snowfields that feed the Fox Glacier. To the west, you see the surf of the Tasman Sea breaking on Gillespies Beach.
As an introduction to mountaineering this trip cannot be surpassed.

Day 15 - Canyoning the Wilkin
New Zealand’s Ultimate Canyoning expedition – The Wilkin – Out Back Wanaka Helicopter in Jet Boat Out

Ultimate satisfaction adventure in a sensational wilderness situation. Very few people go in these canyons. They are hidden and mysterious places of immense beauty. Within this 'magical mystery tour', you'll do some amazing things. It's a very special trip.

These trips are for people looking at the ultimate in hands-on adventure in wildly beautiful places. The Wilkin canyons are amazing water carved ravines that descend over 800 metres from the bushline, to the main river. They are north facing (sunny), overhung with native forest, and full of incredibly clear water and deep green pools. Their descent requires the use of many different techniques; big abseils down charging waterfalls follow closely on the heels of a series of adrenalising jumps. Plunge down perfectly formed water chutes, climb through a surreal rock and moss landscape, float and swim through crystal pools; it's pretty much one thing after another. The scenery is jaw dropping, the fun and action is non-stop. And to end the experience we - A thriller of a jet boat ride down the magnificent Wilkin River valley

Canyoning down the Wilkin River is the ultimate satisfaction adventure in a sensational wilderness situation. Very few people go in these canyons. They are hidden and mysterious places of immense beauty. Within this 'magical mystery tour', you'll do some amazing things. It's a very special trip.

Day 16 Awesome Foursome in Queenstown- Jetboat - Bungy - Helicopter – Raft

The ever popular adventure combo! Includes a high speed jetboat ride down the Shotover River, the ultimate 134 metre bungy jump from The Nevis Highwire (optional), a spectacular helicopter flight and White water rafting down the Shotover River. (option without bungy jump also available)

Day 17 & 18 Horse Riding in Rees Valley
An Overnight in Paradise - Rees Valley, pass Diamond Lake to Paradise
A breathtaking 2 day ride over the river flats across the Rees and Dart Rivers stopping for a picnic lunch. After lunch you'll ride along the Rees Valley, pass Diamond Lake to Paradise, the chosen location for Peter Jackson's recent epic "The Lord of the Rings" Accommodation is provided in cosy wooden cabins set in Paradise's tranquil beech forest. A hearty evening meal will be prepared, whilst you have the opportunity to explore Paradise or just relax taking in its beauty and serenity. After a full breakfast the next day you'll make your way back to the Glenorchy,via the Dart Valley stopping en-route for lunch. All-in-all an unforgettable experience.

Day 19 and 20 Kayaking in the Doubful Sound
Two Days– Kayaking The Sound of Silence
Practically untouched by man. The physical grandeur of towering peaks descending into moody waters, outstanding waterfalls from high-up ice-age valleys and fiords clad with ancient vegetation, create a powerful atmosphere of solitude and serenity.Three times longer than Milford Sound and with a surface area 10 times larger, this is an unspoiled wilderness of many moods.Browne Falls cascades 619m to the fiord near Hall Arm and Helena Falls is an attractive feature of Deep Cove.
Seals and dolphins are frequently seen, as well as the occasional penquin.

Day 1: A 6.00am start and as the sun rises an early morning journey from Te Anau to Manapouri. We travel by motorboat 30km across Lake Manapouri, a stunning lake. At West Arm we leave the boat and drive 24km from east to west over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove. Preparation and instruction time and then kayaking for about 5 hours each day. We aim to paddle down Deep Cove saying hi to any NZ fur seals on the way, and to Rolla Island, nesting place for Fiordland crested penguins. Into Hall Arm with lunch on a small beach, then to Mt Danae at the head of the Arm in the afternoon. We camp in a small clearing in the ancient podocarp forest, some evenings exploring the valley, listening for kiwi, morepork, weka. Time to experience the remoteness, the being alone in this raw wilderness.

Day 2: the stillness and silence of Hall Arm in the morning broken only by birdcall, lures us back to the kayaks -often the splashes and exhalations of Doubtful Sound’s resident bottlenose dolphins gives added impetus. Paddling out of Hall Arm we head down Malaspina Reach for lunch, if possible circling Elizabeth Island exploring Olphert Cove. Back to Deep Cove with a tail wind - test your kayaking skills or put the sails up for a cruisy trip home. Return to Te Anau by 7.00pm to civilisation (?).

Day 21 - White Water Sledging in Queenstown

If it's an extreme white-water adrenaline buzz you're after then white-water sledging is just what you're looking for. White water sledging, (also known as hydro speed or river boarding and river surfing). is a littlie bit like bodyboarding. But instead of having the wide open sea, you travel down rivers. The Sledges are river purpose designed and may be plastic or foam. Your chest rests on the Sledge and your arms are tucked neatly inside for a good grip and control. The attraction of Sledging is that YOU are in control. You are equipped with a 5mm padded wetsuit, booties, life jacket, helmet and fins for kicking and steering.

Enquire about departure dates and pricing here.

Not extreme enough? Enquire here and we put your personal adrenalin filled trip together!