• Topdeck group in New Zealand

Get Social: New Zealand

Up to 15% off selected departures on this trip

Trip Overview

TRIP VIBE = fast-paced fun with tons of socialising, bucket-list sights and good times all round. Home of Lord of the Rings, Crowded House and the World’s Sexiest Accent – there’s no doubt this little country has a BIG reputation for being jam-packed with pure awesomeness. Don’t waste time choosing between North and South, adventure or chill, culture or landscapes – bungy out of boring and dive headfirst into the best 17 days of your life. We’re waiting.

Worth noting…
On this trip, you’ll get two in one – your Trip Leader is also your Driver. All optionals are weather-dependent. 

Tales From Topdeckers

Trip itinerary

  1. Auckland (North Island, New Zealand) – Waitomo – Rotorua

    1

    You’ve got your home life, and home friends... and home routine. But this is your chance to leave it all behind. Ready? Meet us in Auckland and say kia ora to your fellow Topdeckers. First stop on our Kiwi adventure: Waitomo Caves. A glowworm-studded labyrinth of underground caves and rivers – this place is like something out of a sci-fi movie. Spend your free time exploring Ruakuri Cave on foot. Cruise through the magical grotto. Or dare your new travel fam to strap in for a unique blackwater rafting experience (disclaimer: you’re gonna get wet). Later, you’re heading to Rotorua where you’ll get your bearings on a walk around town with your Trip Leader. Then, it's food o’clock. Tuck in to some delish dishes and make that stomach smile.

    • Included Today
      • Orientation tour of Rotorua with Trip Leader
    • Optional extras
      • Waitomo Caves (boat cruise): from $75
      • Ruakuri Cave: from $70
      • Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $170
  2. Rotorua – Kohutapu

    2
  3. Rotorua – Huka Falls – Taupo

    3
  4. Taupo

    4
  5. Taupo – Wellington

    5
  6. Wellington

    6
  7. Wellington – Abel Tasman (South Island)

    7
  8. Abel Tasman

    8
  9. Abel Tasman – Kaikoura

    9
  10. Kaikoura – Christchurch

    10
  11. Christchurch – Hokitika – Franz Josef Glacier Region

    11
  12. Franz Josef Glacier Region

    12
  13. Franz Josef Glacier Region – Wanaka – Queenstown

    13
  14. Queenstown

    14
  15. Queenstown

    15
  16. Queenstown – Lake Tekapo

    16
  17. Lake Tekapo – Christchurch

    17

What's included

Included experiences

  • - Orientation tour of Rotorua with Trip Leader
  • - Orientation tour, marae visit, workshops and hangi dinner at Kohutapu Lodge
  • - Visit Huka Falls
  • - Orientation tour of Taupo with Trip Leader
  • - Orientation walk of Wellington with Trip Leader
  • - Cook Strait ferry crossing
  • - Orientation walk of Christchurch with Trip Leader
  • - Visit Lake Matheson
  • - Stay in the scenic Franz Josef Glacier region
  • - Visit Wanaka
  • - Orientation tour of Queenstown with Trip Leader
  • - Visit Church of the Good Shepherd

Accommodation

- 3 nights in lodges, 13 nights in hostels

Transport

- Air-conditioned coach

Optional activities

- FYI: these are optional activities available locally. Things might change – prices are here to give you a rough idea.

- Waitomo Caves (boat cruise): from $75

- Ruakuri Cave: from $70

- Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $170

- Visit the Hobbiton movie set: from $150

- Zipling canopy tour: from $179

- Whitewater rafting in Rotorua: from $139

- Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a local guide (October to April): from $395

- Visit to Wai-O-Tapu hot springs: prices available locally

- Sailing on Lake Taupo: from $375

- Weta workshop: from $49

- Visit to Te Papa Museum (free)

- Wellington cable car: from $6

- Guided kayaking and seal-spotting tour in Abel Tasman National Park: from $220

- Full-day canyoning in Abel Tasman National Park: from $295

- Skydiving in Abel Tasman National Park: from $329

- Whale watching in Kaikoura: prices available locally

- Heli-hike excursion in Franz Josef Glacier region: from $749

- Scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier: from $325

- Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary kayaking experience: prices available locally

- Scene Milford Sound cruise (including lunch): from $245

- Jet boating in Queenstown: from $159

- Canyon swinging in Queenstown: from $259

- Bungy jumping in Queenstown: from $265

- Skydiving in Queenstown: from $335

- Funyaking in Queenstown: from $429

- Wilderness Jet adventure in Queenstown: from $299

- Whitewater rafting down the Shotover River: from $219

- Visit Tekapo Springs hot pools: from $37

- Dark Sky stargazing in Lake Tekapo: from $50 

Views & Reviews

Latest Reviews

Average rating based on 11 reviews
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  • Anonymous March 2024

    I’ve done several Topdeck tours and this one would have to be my favourite. You get to see and do so much yet it is not the slightest bit rushed and you get plenty of down time if you want it. Plus we had the best tour guide EVER. Guy is so knowledgeable and I loved his commentary. Very approachable, full of tips and tricks and great fun! He made everything that extra bit special.

  • Zoe December 2023

    Great tour to experience the best New Zealand has to offer, I’ll definitely be going back again at some point. Lucky enough to get a great tour guide in Guy, he was very knowledgeable and passionate about his country. He gave great recommendations about things to do, places to eat, where to go out for a night out and most importantly kept us all safe. The views/landscapes were amazing, better in person than in pictures moment. It was great to meet new people and see a new country.

    Only one of my extras was cancelled due to weather, which unfortunately couldn’t be helped and was understandable.

  • Anonymous November 2023

    It would be great if you had the option to upgrade to a private room, especially seeing as most of the places you stay do have them.

    Also rathe than ending in Christchurch it’d be nice to have more time there in the first visit stop, then end the trip in Queenstown.

Read all 11 reviews

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