Self Drive NZ Adventure with Young Adults Itinerary

The sub-tropical region of the Bay of Islands is a stunning Maritime Park with 144 islands, secluded bays, and an abundance of marine life including marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other species. Being somewhat sheltered, the area is ideal for yachting, fishing, kayaking and diving. Rolling countryside, tidal estuaries, mangroves, sparkling and long silvery beaches abound. It is an area of considerable historical significance, and is the place where Maori and European signed the Treaty of Waitangi that joined them as one nation. Long considered the cradle of Polynesian and European settlement in New Zealand, the area is rich in history and natural beauty. 

After arriving at Kerikeri Airport we will transfer you to your hotel and the rest of the day is free to explore.

Accommodation Paihia - 1 Night

This is a sailing paradise and unsurprisingly a favourite cruising ground for many a keen Kiwi sailor. So enjoy the Bay of Islands the way the locals do, on a boat with a small group of like-minded people, spend carefree days in an incredible setting doing the things you enjoy, take in the natural beauty at a leisurely pace.

This is an all-inclusive sailing expedition gives you three magical days of kayaking, snorkeling, fishing and exploring. Enjoy the diversity of the Bay of Islands first-hand and learn about the area’s fascinating history. It’s the perfect start to your New Zealand holiday. 

No other trip will let you explore this unique area in quite the same way.

Sample Itinerary Day 1: Depart Paihia wharf at 8am. Spend the morning at sea, catching fish and spotting wildlife. Lunch stop at Roberton Island followed by a walk to a lookout and swimming/snorkelling. Afternoon sail to Oke Bay for our overnight stop. Evening kayak/ beach combing and bbq dinner.

Accommodation: 2 Nights Aboard The Sailing Ship Manawanui

Sample Itinerary Day 2: 8am breakfast followed by a sail to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Hike to Cape Brett lighthouse followed by fishing and a sail to Deepwater Cove. Snorkelling in the marine reserve in Deep Water Cove. Sail to Waewaetorea Island. Sunset dinner on deck. 

NB: This is a sample itinerary. The routes and activities are entirely weather dependent. Basically, the cruise is best described as island-hopping, with a few hours of passage making followed by an exploration of our destination and a good meal.

Sample Itinerary Day 3:  8am breakfast followed by a walk to the top of Waewaetorea for a panoramic view of the Bay of Islands. A few hours spent relaxing on the beach,kayaking, snorkelling. Sail to the Black Rocks to harvest green-lipped mussels for lunch. Fresh seafood lunch followed by a sail in the afternoon seabreeze back to Paihia. Arrive Paihia around 3.30/4pm. Then its a very short 1 hour drive to Tutukaka.

Approximate Distance: 89 kms | 55 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour

Accommodation: Tutukaka - 2 nights

The ruggedly beautiful West Coast is where the mighty surf of the Tasman Sea tumbles and crashes onto vast black sandy beaches. The untamed natural beauty you’ll find here nourishes the soul; isolated and wild, you’ll feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Famous for surfing, music, artisans, cafés and bohemian lifestyle’s, the Raglan community is set on the beautiful west coast. This is a relaxing isolated place where you can spend time at one of the many beaches swimming, surfing, kayaking and body-boarding.  Raglan is home to one of the best left-hand breaks in the world and is the perfect place to sit on the beach, eat fresh fish & watch the sun go down.

Approximate Distance: 381 kms | 237 miles  Total Driving Time: 5 hours 20 mins

Accommodation Raglan - 2 nights

Whether you want to learn surf or you have already master the sport, Raglan is definitely the place for you to come and enjoy surfing. Learn all techniques thanks to an innovative system of dry land surf board model that allow you to experience surfboard dynamics prior to entering the water. Whether in a group or individual lessons, the emphasis is put on fun and safety for a pleasurable and safe ocean experience. In just a few lessons, you can be taken from riding the whitewater to gliding along open faced ground swells!

If you're not a surfing fan then Ocean Beach is a fine place for a swim or a body boarding session. Lifeguards patrol the western end of the beach during the summer months - it's safest to swim between the flags.

Après-beach...And after beach time, the area offers plenty of possibilities, like a zipper line “Flying Fox”, hiking trails on Mt Karioi, mountain biking or glowworm caves or sip a great espresso. This lively surf town has an interesting creative culture and a wonderful choice of cafés and arts and craft boutiques.

We consider this to be Waitomo’s best caving adventure and it’s dramatic! You start with a 100 meter abseil (330ft) into the depths of the ‘Lost World’ – this is considered the world’s longest commercial caving abseil (rappel) and it takes some fifteen minutes to get you down – and that is just the beginning! In the company of a very experienced guide, you start your journey.

Once down, you embark on a journey back to the surface through one of the worlds most incredible cave systems. Climbing upstream you follow a challenging underground river by whatever means, so its: swimming, climbing ropes, wading, exploring vaults the size of cathedrals, up waterfalls and monolithic stalactites, squeezing through tight cracks and jumping into deep black pools!

This is a full on caving experience and you need to be fit and you are going to get very very wet, but fear not you’ll be in the safe muddy hands of some of New Zealand’s most experienced guides. (minimum age is 15 for the Lost World)

Not quite your cup of tea: We have a great selection of alternative caving adventure's from sedate glowworm viewing, black water rafting (floating on an inner tube through a cave) Just ask about our selection of beginner to moderate underground adventures.

Approximate Distance: 102 kms | 63 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 20 mins

Accommodation Waitomo - 1 night

The great thing about the Kaituna River is that it is not only one of the most popular whitewater runs in the country, with the distinction of being the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall, but it is also very scenic and takes you through the depths of a magnificent bush-lined gorge steeped in Maori history. The exhilarating seven metre drop of whitewater is the ultimate rafting experience in New Zealand! The Kaituna is classified as a grade five river because of its seven metre waterfall, however it is suitable for all people who are reasonably comfortable in water.

Too scary? We have various rafting options available from Grade 2 to 5  

Spend your afternoon soaking in Rotorua's Polynesian Spa. Very relaxing thermal hot pools with onsite massage therapies.

Approximate Distance: 137 kms | 85 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 50 mins​

Accommodation Rotorua - 1 night

Wai-O-tapu Thermal Wonderland

Just south of Rotorua lies Wai-O-tapu, a wonderland of stunning geothermal activity and a really exciting place to visit. Wai-O-Tapu means 'Sacred Water' and it is easy to see why as the hot pools range in colour from turquoise blue, rich green and gold to an almost olive/yellow, make the water a dazzling kaleidoscope of natural colour.

The steaming vents with New Zealand’s largest bubbling mud pool while being surrounded by huge volcanic craters make the experience very other worldly - but wait, there is more... the Highlight is the Lady Knox Geyser that spectacularly erupts daily at around 10.15am (ish)

Alternate excursions in and around Rotorua:

Fly to New Zealand's Adventure Capital - Queenstown

Accommodation Queenstown - 2 nights

It is well known Queenstown is New Zealand’s ‘four season’ resort town and arguably the adventure capital of the world. There are certainly enough crazy activities here to challenge the teens – Sure jump off a bridge, try skydiving or roar down a river in a jet boat, but Queenstown offers much more as you can just as easily go fishing, golfing, gold panning, wine tasting, or boating. One thing is certain your family won't run out of things to do.

Recommended Queenstown excursions:

When the last day-boat ties up in early evening and the visitor’s leave a silence descends... An overnight cruise amidst the spectacular Milford Sound is a "once in a lifetime" experience and certainly one the most beautiful places in New Zealand. It's no wonder it was described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world'.

Cruise the full length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea before anchoring for the night in the sheltered Harrison Cove. Then it’s of exploring with the nature guide in the ships tender crafts and kayaks spotting the resident seals, dolphins and penguins, before enjoying a delicious evening buffet meal in the spacious dining saloon, before retiring to your cabin.

Approximate Distance: 289 kms | 180 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 

Accommodation Milford Sound Cruise - 1 night

Dolphins such as Dusky, Bottlenose and Hectors are regularly seen swimming in Milford Sound, while lay about on the rocky shoreline enjoying the sun are the inquisitive New Zealand Fur Seals. Penguins are numerous throughout the fiords. Two species predominate, especially the rare yellow-eyebrowed Fiord-land crested penguin and the Little Blue Penguin.

Once back on land its time to return to Queenstown.

Approximate Distance: 289 kms | 180 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 

Accommodation Queenstown - 3 nights

The Shotover Jet is another adrenaline thrill you'll never forget. From the moment the accelerator hits the floor, your adrenaline hits the roof as you power through the Shotover River and deep into the Shotover River canyons! It's an amazing ride, as the Shotover Canyon walls tower over you, and your driver skilfully whips the boat past rocky outcrops, and skims around crags and boulders.

Celebrate the end of your tour with a Bungy jump from the Kawarau Bridge.

Take the leap of a lifetime off the100 year old Kawarau suspension bridge. Kawarau Bridge was the first full-time bungy jump site in the world and is the place where adventure tourism began in New Zealand. The bridge platform is 43 metres above the Kawarau River and the jumper has the option of a head and shoulders splashdown in the river if you feel like cooling off.

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

Sadly, your NZ family adventure is at an end. We know you will enjoy our New Zealand Family Adventure 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.

Ready to find out more? Talk to us here in New Zealand about the NZ Family Adventure - We Guarantee it will be the Holiday of a Lifetime!