Haka Plus Ultimate New Zealand Tour

On this tour you will discover New Zealand’s unmissable highlights in just over three weeks: geothermal wonders, other-worldly glaciers, sublime beaches, lush forests, lofty mountains, secluded swimming spots, UNESCO World Heritage Areas, flora, fauna, heritage and culture. 

This New Zealand tour includes special activities such as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, boat cruise on Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve, a fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, a traditional Māori meal, tour of Zealandia Nature Reserve in Wellington and a full-day sailing trip to Poor Knights Islands. You can also choose to select some tour add-ons such as hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, kayaking to a natural hot pool, climbing a glacier, visiting an off-shore eco-sanctuary, or flying over snow-capped mountains! 

You’ll have the chance to swim, kayak, hike a glacier, skydive, see kiwis, relax in hot pools, roll down a hill in a giant ball, eat and drink like a local, and more! This is your trip, and it’s designed to be flexible. The choice is yours – pick the activities that appeal to you. At the end of the day, you can relax in comfortable 3–4 star accommodation to ensure you have a great night’s sleep ready for the following day’s activities. 

On this tour you’ll encounter an array of landscapes: lush, green rolling hills; beautiful golden sand beaches, tumbling waterfalls, geothermal valleys filled with bubbling mud and sulphuric lakes, magnificent mountains, icy glaciers, jurassic rainforests, cosy laid-back surf towns and vibrant cities. Prepare your camera and get ready to make some magical memories! 

WHAT’S INCLUDED ON THIS TOUR

• 23 nights in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, motels, lodges and rainforest retreats.  

• Feast on hearty breakfasts provided for you each morning.  

• Enjoy 5 dinners, including a traditional Māori hāngī cooked in an underground oven. 

• Discover the stunning Whangarei Falls – a 26m cascading waterfall 

• Enjoy a full-day sailing trip to Poor Knights Islands and spot marine wildlife 

• Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the birthplace of New Zealand 

• Walk a stunning coastal track to Cathedral Cove (as seen in the Chronicles of Narnia movies). 

• A fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set. 

• Ride one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world, over the Cook Strait. 

• Take in the stunning Southern Alps and the vast Canterbury Plains aboard the TranzAlpine, New Zealand’s finest inland rail journey. 

• Watch a Māori cultural performance and check out a geothermal valley of bubbling mud pools including the famous Pōhutu Geyser in Rotorua. 

• See endangered kiwi birds up close and personal. 

• Soak up a sunset boat cruise in the West Coast surf town of Raglan – the fish and chips are on us! 

• Brave the Redwoods Treewalk, crossing 23 raised suspension bridges. 

• Hike through the forested gorge of Ruakuri (45 minutes) – bring your camera for this one. 

• Taste some of the world’s best sauvignon blanc at a Marlborough wine tasting. 

• Discover rare animal species tour of Zealandia Nature Reserve in Wellington. 

• Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve. 

• Carve your own pounamu (jade) pendant in Franz Josef.  

• Plus, many more surprise stops along the way! 

ALL HAKA PLUS TOURS INCLUDE

• Passionate and knowledgeable local Kiwi guide
• Comfortable and air-conditioned bus transport
• Orientation tour of each and every location
• Small groups of maximum 16 people
• Experiences to teach you about our unique Māori culture

DAY 1: AUCKLAND

Welcome to Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland! Settle into your accommodation and start exploring our wonderful city. We recommend checking out the Auckland Sky Tower, this is the tallest building in New Zealand. Or how about checking out the Auckland War Memorial Museum, located in the middle of the beautiful Auckland Domain. Be ready for the 6pm pre-tour meeting at your accommodation where you will get to know your Tour Manager and be introduced to your new roadtrip friends. Afterwards, head out for a welcome dinner with your group. 

DAY 2: AUCKLAND TO TUTUKAKA 

Our journey unfolds as we embark on a scenic drive towards Tutukaka. Our first stop brings us to the mesmerising Whangarei Falls, a 26m high cascading waterfall. Continuing our drive, we make our way to the enchanting Matapouri Beach. Nestled along the coastline, this pristine beach offers a serene escape. It's a perfect spot to relax, unwind, and appreciate the tranquil surroundings. In the evening, we arrive at the picturesque Tutukaka, a coastal gem known for its breathtaking views and was rated as one of the top coastal destinations on the planet by National Geographic Traveller.  

DAY 3: TUTUKAKA TO PAIHIA 

Following a hearty breakfast, we set sail on a full-day cruise to the Poor Knights Islands that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary. As a total Marine Reserve, the Islands boast 11-million-year-old volcanic origins, featuring spectacular drop-offs, walls, caves, arches, and tunnels both above and below water. Prepare for a day filled with sightseeing, kayaking, cave explorations, snorkelling, swimming, sea mammal-spotting, and a delightful immersion in the fascinating history and facts of the islands. The highlight of the day is the visit to the world's largest sea cave, Rikoriko Cave, accessible by boat. Your day finishes with a scenic drive to Paihia, where you will spend the next day. 

DAY 4: PAIHIA 

With more than 140 sub-tropical islands dotted around the coastline, how will you spend your day in the Bay? Hitting the water is the best way to enjoy the coves and beaches of this corner of paradise, and the options are endless. Cruise through a natural rock archway, explore the ocean floor on a scuba mission, or sail in search of the local dolphins. Check out our optional activities for ideas or hit up your guide for inspiration. 

DAY 5: PAIHIA TO AUCKLAND 

Today, discover the Bay of Islands’ important role in New Zealand’s history with a trip to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. We love bringing you here, it’s a truly unforgettable insight into Māori culture. After lunch we say goodbye to the Bay. We head back to Auckland via Northland’s east coast, which boasts stunning beaches and coastal walks. Make sure to look out your window while reminiscing over your incredible Bay of Islands holiday. After an epic day, we reach the bright lights of the City of Sails in the early evening. 

DAY 6: AUCKLAND TO COROMANDEL

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to board our comfortable air-conditioned vehicle and leave the big city behind. The Coromandel Peninsula is a paradise of beautiful beaches and misty rainforests. The drive here is truly spectacular – the road twists and turns dramatically round the coastline and the ocean gets clearer and more pristine before your eyes. The Coromandel is home to the famous Hot Water Beach – thousands visit each year to dig their own personal hot tub. If the tide times allow, we’ll grab our buckets and spades and get busy. We arrive in the Coromandel with plenty of time for your guide to show you around.

DAY 7: COROMANDEL TO RAGLAN

Today’s road trip to the arty mecca of Raglan will give you a first glimpse of the North Island’s rolling tree-lined hills and valleys. Your Haka guide has some great sights to show you en route, including the 55-metre high Bridal Veil Falls. If you have always wanted to try surfing, or if you’re dying to get back on your board, Raglan is the perfect destination both for beginners and experienced surfers. Not keen on surfing? There’s plenty to enjoy in this laid-back township. With an awesome blend of cafes, bars, surf shops and galleries, the streets here ooze character and creativity. For dinner tonight, tuck into New Zealand’s unofficial dish – fish and chips. And what better way to enjoy a tasty meal than on a sunset boat cruise of Raglan Harbour?

DAY 8: RAGLAN TO ROTORUA

Our first stop of the day is the Waitomo Caves famous for its glow worms. There are fantastic and informative walking tours of the caves where you can learn more about the history, geology and Māori mythology of this unique area of New Zealand. The highlight of today is visiting one of NZ’s most iconic experiences - Hobbiton Movie Set. On a fully guided tour of the 12- acre Middle-earth set you will see Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and even enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn! This afternoon we’ll make our way to Rotorua, famous for its geothermal activity and Māori culture. We start our time in Rotorua with The Redwoods Treewalk.

DAY 9: ROTORUA

Rotorua has it all: natural beauty, unique geothermal landscapes, and Māori culture. This area is world-renowned for its geothermal activity, with neon blue and red lakes, steaming rivers, violent geysers, and bubbling mud pools. For a truly epic brush with nature, fly high through the lush ancient forest canopy on a zipline tour. This evening we are welcomed to a Māori village for an unmissable cultural experience featuring combat demonstrations and – of course – the breathtaking haka. This experience extends beyond the performance – you’ll have the chance to see magnificent geothermal activity and get to spot kiwi birds.

DAY 10: ROTORUA TO TAUPŌ

Spend the morning exploring Rotorua’s many attractions such as the naturally-impressive Kuirau Park full of steaming, hissing and boiling geothermal pools. There are also some fantastic cafes and bakeries in the area. From Rotorua it’s a quick drive to Taupō; a beautiful lakeside town with a stunning mountain backdrop. We finish our day nestled in Taupō, where we’ll spend the next 2 nights, home the biggest crater lake in NZ and the best access to one of the best one-day walks in the world – the Tongariro Crossing.

DAY 11: TAUPŌ

Lake Taupō is one of NZ’s best spots for a holiday escape. And being New Zealand, there are plenty of adventure sports to be found there too! New Zealand’s most famous day hike is also in the area. The 19.4 km Tongariro Crossing is an alpine crossing around Tongariro, one of the country’s most famous and most beautiful volcanoes. If you’re looking for a thrill, we suggest skydiving over the lake or bungy jumping over New Zealand’s longest river. There are heaps of other activities on offer such as quad biking, cruising the lake to see Māori rock carvings, hiking along the shores, mountain biking and even the chance to soak in some of the local geothermal pools.

DAY 12: TAUPŌ TO WELLINGTON

Today we head to the coolest little capital city in the world, Wellington. Perched on the edge of a spectacular harbour, encircled by green, towering hills, Wellington is a stunning city. Vibrant, exciting and cultured, the nation’s capital combines the stimulation and sophistication of a big city with the quirkiness and personality of a much smaller town. After a quick afternoon orientation from your guide, head up Mount Victoria for some of the best views in town. This evening, the city lights are yours to enjoy. 

DAY 13: WELLINGTON

Soak up the atmosphere of vibrant Wellington. Your guide will introduce you to the city – including a drive around the bays through central Wellington to the Botanic Gardens and Parliament Buildings. You’ll also visit a nature reserve, Zealandia. Zealandia is a groundbreaking conservation project and the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary. In the afternoon, you can choose from more optional activities or discover the city on your own.

Day 14: WELLINGTON TO KAIKŌURA

This morning we say farewell to the North Island and take one of the world’s most scenic ferry journeys as we cross the Cook Strait. The South Island has a stunning welcome in store for us – gliding through the Marlborough Sounds as we approach Picton Harbour, you’ll feel like you’re in another world. One of the best ways to explore Marlborough, the region at the top of the South Island, is with your tastebuds. That’s why we jump straight on a wine tasting, to sample some of the best vineyards in the country. After lunch, our next destination is Kaikōura. The nutrient-rich waters of this area attract a wide variety of marine wildlife including whales and dolphins.

DAY 15: KAIKŌURA TO CHRISTCHURCH

The chance to encounter dolphins in the wild is a massive New Zealand highlight for many travellers, and Kaikōura is one of the best places to find them, with pods of up to 300 of these playful creatures hanging out here at any one time. If you want to get up close to the giants of the ocean, a whale watching tour here is the way to do it. Humpbacks, sperm whales and orca all stop by at various times of the year, so this is a great chance to meet some of them. After visiting the local seals on our way out of town, our road trip continues to our home for the night – Christchurch.

DAY 16: CHRISTCHURCH TO OHAU

This morning we’ll explore iconic downtown Christchurch and your guide will show you the cool and creative ways the city is being rebuilt after the life-changing 2011 earthquake here. Christchurch folk are an innovative and creative bunch – the Transitional Cathedral, created from cardboard, is totally inspirational. Mid-morning we head for Lake Tekapo. Ready your camera – the lake’s breathtaking turquoise colour and mountain backdrop is a photographer’s dream come true.

DAY 17: OHAU TO QUEENSTOWN

From the golden tussocklands of Mackenzie country to the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, it’s like you’re driving into a postcard. We’ll pause for lots of photo stops en route to give your camera a workout, including a stop at the spectacular Kawarau Gorge. This also happens to be the world's home of bungy! Give it a go or enjoy watching the jumpers scream their way into the gorge. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, an avid hiker, wine taster or scenery lover, Queenstown has something for absolutely everyone. With 2 nights and plenty of daylight hours here, get ready – this town certainly knows how to live life to the max.

DAY 18: QUEENSTOWN

With a full day in Queenstown, let’s work on that bucket list! There are heaps of options to choose from: extreme jet boat rides, river kayaking, horseback riding through Lord of the Rings scenery, and the skyline gondola are just a few of our favourites. For scenery lovers, Milford Sound is a must-see. Whether you fly or drive, the scenery en route is as awesome as the destination. Once on the Sound, as you sail beneath thundering waterfalls and towering cliff faces, you’ll understand why we call it the “8th Wonder of the World”.

DAY 19: QUEENSTOWN TO WANAKA

With the morning in Queenstown, you have another chance to tick off your bucket list today. This afternoon we jump back onto the road and head off to Wanaka, a quick one hour drive away. En route we’ll stop in charming Arrowtown, a historic gold rush village with heaps of old-world character. This afternoon is your chance to relax in stunning Wanaka, known as Queenstown’s slightly quieter little sister. Blessed with towering peaks and a glacial blue lake, you’ll soon see why Wanaka’s considered to be one of New Zealand’s most beautiful mountain towns.

DAY 20: WANAKA

Today is your chance to explore one of the most beautiful towns in the southern lakes region with plenty of activities to tempt every lover of the outdoors. Included today – a visit to Mou Waho Island. Mou Waho Island is a predator-free reserve with a natural glacial-formed lake at its summit. On Mou Waho you can see the rare flightless Buff Weka and the Mountain Stone Weta. In Wanaka there are many walks, hikes and biking trails to choose from – check out the famous “Wanaka Tree” while making your way around the lake!

DAY 21: WANAKA TO FRANZ JOSEF

After a relaxing morning in Wanaka, the journey to Franz is another stunner – many of our Haka Guides rate it as their most favourite drive in New Zealand. As we hit the road, we’ll stop at one of our most popular lakeside lookout points at Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka. Your guide will keep an eye on the weather and pick the best option. From the cascading waterfalls of Haast Pass to classic Kiwi coastal views, you won’t want to nap on the bus in case you miss anything. Your guide will have some epic surprise photo stops and short walks along the way. We roll into Franz Josef around late afternoon/early evening.

DAY 22: FRANZ JOSEF

With Aoraki/Mount Cook (New Zealand’s highest mountain) twinkling behind the glaciers, Franz Josef is about as beautiful a setting as you can find in New Zealand. Included in your tour today is a special opportunity to carve your very own pounamu pendant at a local gallery. There are heaps of ways to enjoy Franz Josef Glacier; weather permitting, to get up onto the bluest ice you can take a scenic helicopter flight and hike onto the glaciers.

DAY 23: FRANZ JOSEF TO CHRISTCHURCH 

Before you know it, it’s your last full day! After breakfast we head further along the beautiful west coast. We stop at Hokitika and visit a greenstone factory, a great place to stock up on souvenirs for your friends and family back home. On the way back to Christchurch, you'll traverse the South Island on the stunning TranzAlpine train crossing. Travelling across the Southern Alps through Arthur’s Pass, this is considered as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys. You'll arrive in Christchurch around 6.30pm before transferring to your accommodation.

DAY 24: CHRISTCHURCH