G Adventures - Best of New Zealand: Mountain biking and black sand beaches

Arrive to your hotel by 3pm today to jump straight into the action.

Join your CEO and group of travelmates for an exclusive introduction to the All Blacks. Dive straight into this immersive experience to learn all about the famed All Blacks and the significance to Kiwis country wide. Afterward opt to grab dinner with your new friends.

Exclusive Inclusions:

 Your Welcome Moment Meet Your CEO and Group | Your First Night Out Moment - Connect With New Friends

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

PLEASE NOTE: This tour departs Auckland early on Day 2. If you are interested in booking extras or exploring the city and other nearby attractions it is highly recommended you book additional pre-trip accommodation nights.

Accommodation: Jucy Snooze Auckland - 1 night (or something similar)

Begin your journey along backroads to Bridal Veil Falls where the group will head out on a short walk through north island native bush to this stunning waterfall. Continue onwards to the surf town of Raglan. After, get on the water for some sea kayaking and a boat trip; exploring remote parts of the harbour before, enjoy some fish & chips. With full stomachs and a relaxed atmosphere the group will head to our accommodation right in the middle of the surf and arts town of Raglan for the night.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Lava Lounge - 2 nights (or something similar)

Another day another chance to explore! Today the group will begin journeying to Rotorua with a stop along the way in Waitomo. Here you can choose to go caving in the famous Waitomo caves, where you will see glow worms light up the cave’s ceiling just like stars in the night sky (sounds like a pretty unforgettable experience to us.) Next stop is Rotorua, notable for its geothermal activity (think hot springs galore) and culture.

Meals: Breakfast 

Spend a free day in fascinating Rotorua. Opt to explore a geothermal park, walking past bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools, or go on a white-water rafting excursion. In the evening, you'll visit a thermal valley for an engaging cultural experience by night at the Te Puia Village.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation Four Canoes Travellers Lodge - 1 night (or similar)

Take advantage of your free morning in Rotorua the adrenaline capital of the North Island, and opt to go whitewater rafting, check out a geothermal park with technicolour pools, or hit up a nearby spa. Rotorua is an adventure playground with a great range of activities to enjoy. It is filled with bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and natural hot springs and showcases New Zealand's fascinating Maori culture.

In the afternoon the adventure continues and you will be driven to Taupo. The town sits at the edge of Australasia's largest lake and offers breathtaking views.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Base Taupo (or similar) - 1 Night

Rest your legs this morning as we drive south through the rolling hill country to the capital city of Wellington. The rest of the afternoon is yours, so take your time as you stroll along the fabulous waterfront and through the busy streets of this buzzing wee city. Absorb some of New Zealand’s history in the national museum - Te Papa, explore the waterfront or simply get lost admiring the heritage houses along one of the many improbably steep streets. Nowhere is very far in Wellington. You are spoilt for choice for places to dine this evening, so take your pick.

Suggested outings in and around Wellington.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Nomads Wellington (or similar) 1 Night

Travel by InterIsland Ferry to the South Island, travel to Marahau at the start of the Park and then transfer by water taxi into Abel Tasman National Park.

Abel Tasman National Park

Golden beaches border the translucent turquoise sea, and sandy estuaries fringed by natural forests. The walking tracks here, both in land and costal, are world famous for their outstanding beauty. Walking and Kayaking and then just kicking back on one of the many unspoilt beaches you will discover along the way is what its all about.

Plus you have the added bonus of face-to-face encounters with marine wildlife and birds. The Abel Tasman National Park is home to the ever-entertaining seal colony and who knows you may be lucky enough to spot visiting dolphins and Orcas playing in the Abel Tasman National Park waters.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Aqua Packers Farm (or similar)

Hike and explore Abel Tasman's golden beaches and waterways. Walk along the Coastline Track from Anchorage to Marahau to one of the world's most scenic golden sand beaches. French names left by Dumont d’Urville and his crew add character to this part of the Abel Tasman Track. After Yellow Point it turns inland, winding in and out of several little gullies before emerging in open country overlooking Torrent Bay and the coast and islands to the north. On the far side of the estuary the track passes through open country to Tinline Bay.
 
The track rounds Guilbert Point to Apple Tree Bay then passes through beech forest with large kanuka trees. After Yellow Point it turns inland, winding in and out of several little gullies before emerging in open country overlooking Torrent Bay and the coast and islands to the north.
 
Time: 4 hours   Distance: 12.4 km (7.5 mi)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Old MacDonalds Farm (or similar)

Today we head south down the coast of black-sand beaches. The West Coast is wild and untamed, sparsely populated but the views are impressive.

Seal Colony - Cape Foulwind
Stop by a viewing platform over a New Zealand fur seal colony at Cape Foulwind. Female seals will live in the same colony for the duration of their lives, whereas male seals move around more. The males visit the Cape Foulwind colony between late November and mid-January for mating season. All seasons offer plenty of activity to check out, from mating to the raising of baby pups and feeding out at sea.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation YHA Tripinn Hostel - Westport (or similar)

In the morning we will start to make your way towards Franz Josef the heart of glacier country.

Pancake Rocks Trek
​Walk along a loop trail with informative signs detailing how the 'Pancake Rocks' were formed millions of years ago. When the trail reaches the coast, there are many lookouts for photo stops and beautiful views of the coast, the rocks and the blowholes found along the area.

After viewing the unique pancake rocks we continue to Franz Josef arriving at a unique wilderness lodge set in the rainforest for the night. In Franz Josef you will have free time to relax or try optional activities like a glacial hike, quad biking, and a helicopter hike.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Rainforest Retreat 2 nights (or Similar)

Spend the day exploring the stunning region around Franz Josef. Opt for various hiking adventures in the area, the most popular being a glacier trek. If relaxing is more your style, there are shorter day hikes and bush walks or local hot pools to take a dip. You are in the heart of Westland National Park, considered to be the most diverse and beautiful area in New Zealand.

Excursions available in and around the Franz Josef area:

Meals: Breakfast 

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and ringed by towering mountains, Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s ultimate holiday destinations. It may be the adventure capital of the world, but it’s also home to excellent food and wine scene as well as great shopping, hiking and endless opportunities to relax. It’s just as easy to go fishing, golfing, gold panning or wine tasting as it is to Bungy jump or skydive. Famed for its international winter skiing profile and outdoor beauty, Queenstown is a brilliant destination to visit year-round. One thing is certain here: you won’t run out of things to do.  

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Jucy Snooze (or similar) - 3 nights

Explore everything Queenstown has to offer and do it your way on a day of leisure. You can get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling Wilderness Jet Boat Ride  or if you prefer something more relaxing like a wine tour in the stunning vineyards of the Gibbston Valley, you won’t be disappointed. 

Recommended Queenstown excursions:

Meals: Breakfasts 

Today we drive deep into Fiordland and enjoy a Milford Sound Cruise.

Deep within Fiordland National Park lies Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most stunning natural attraction. With its magical combination of mountain peaks, ink-dark waters and superb dramatic forest-clad cliffs, it must be seen to be believed. In the evening, opt to cruise across Lake Te Anau and visit a cave that is home to thousands of glowworms.

Cruise Milford Sound
Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound from the deck of a boat. Recharge your camera and be ready to shoot stunning photos of waterfalls, mountains stretching up to the sky and down to the sea and then search for dolphins and seals. This place is any artist's dream!​

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park 1 night (or similar)

Lace up your hiking boots and spend the free morning exploring Te Anau. Head out on a trek of your choice. Hikes range from short walks to more challenging full-day treks. The serene deep waters of Lake Te Anau make up the largest lake in the South Island and second largest in NZ, and are bordered on its western shore by lush virgin forest.

In the afternoon our journey continues to Wedderburn. Located close to the summit and at the halfway point of the Rail Trail, Wedderburn is the perfect stop to explore and experience the uniqueness of Central Otago.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Wedderburn Cottages 2 nights (or similar)

This morning we head into Central Otago to spend the afternoon cycling from best starting points of the Historic Central Otago Rail Trail 42 km (26 mi). Pass through scenery unspoiled by traffic and not visible from any roads. 

Highlights include seeing The Rock and Pillar Range, this is Otago's most distinctive upland features; its summit ridge dominated by impressive schist tors or rocky pillars. The Taieri River, the Kakanui Mountains, the trail provides beautiful scenery and a peaceful scenic atmosphere

Meals: Breakfast

New Zealand’s second-largest city  Christchurch' has bounced back after a series of major earthquakes, and has shown its resiliency with a number of new and exciting developments popping up everywhere. Don’t miss the Re Start shopping area, made out of shipping containers, as well as the many funky Pop Up bars dotted throughout the city. All public services and spaces are running as normal, and Christchurch continues to be a vibrant city to live, work and play. ​

Some suggested excursions if you have time.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Jailhouse Accommodation 1 night (or similar)

The road to kaikoura has impressive coastal views, roaring surf, rocky bays dotted with fur seals sunbathing on rocks. The township of Kaikoura is a great place for lunch, take the opportunity to join an excursion to get up close and personal with dolphins, seals, whales and other sea creatures.

Suggested Wildlife Encounters in Kaikoura

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Dusky Lodge 1 night (or similar)

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle. Stop to experience a close encounter with the many southern fur seals lying about on rocks just off the highway. Catch the ferry back to Wellington where you have the afternoon to explore and relax.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Nomads Wellington (or similar)

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We know you will enjoy the 'The Best of New Zealand Adventure Tour' and our promise to you is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Included Highlights

• Learn about the Maori culture
• Get an adrenaline rush in Queenstown
• Milford Sound
• Discover Abel Tasman National Park by foot

Inclusions

• Conservation farm visit (Raglan)
• Sea kayaking excursions (Raglan)
• Surf lesson (Raglan)
• Maori cultural experience
• Te Papa Museum (Wellington)
• Visit to a seal colony
• Walks in Franz Josef and Abel Tasman National Parks
• Mountain biking excursion (Central Otago)
• Orientation walks in Wellington and Christchurch
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Is this tour for me?

Service Level: Basic Simple and clean hotels and hostels. 
Physical Rating: 3 - Average - Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting.
Trip Type: Small Group: Small group experience; Max 20, avg 16.
Age requirement: 18-39.