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Best of New Zealand: Mountain Biking & Black-Sand Beaches

21 Days
From CAD 4,599

Best Rate
Guarantee

Trip Type
Small Group

Activity Level
Average

Rating

(20 reviews)

Experience Overview

Now's the time to explore New Zealand on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. They say good travel happens on small islands. Regardless of whether or not that's an actual saying, the small islands of New Zealand pack plenty of exploratory punch. Go from kayaking in Raglan to hiking in Abel Tasman National Park to cruising remote fjords and taking in some Insta-worthy views. But if you’re short on travel dollars, fear not; this trip squeezes in the very best of both the North and South Islands into an affordable, action-packed 21-day itinerary where you'll move swiftly without feeling rushed.

Highlights

Learn about Maori culture
Get an adrenaline rush in Rotorua and Queenstown
Discover Abel Tasman National Park by foot
Cruise through the remote fjords of Milford Sound

Best of New Zealand: Mountain Biking & Black-Sand Beaches

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Trip Details

Product Code: 2670

Tour Type: Small Group

Accommodation: Basic

Transport: Private vehicle, kayak, boat, ferry

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: 18 - 35 Year Olds Only

Supplier Code: ONNS

Starts: Auckland, New Zealand

Finishes: Wellington, New Zealand

Duration: 21 days

Departures: Guaranteed

Physical rating: Average

Includes

Activities

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Hands-On Moment: Surf Lesson, Raglan Your Big Night Out Moment: Wellington Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef Your Discover Moment: Queenstown Your Big Night Out Moment: Wellington
Sea kayaking excursion
Maori cultural experience
Lake Taupo Sailboat trip
Visit to a seal colony
Walks in Franz Josef and Abel Tasman National Parks
Fiordland NP visit
Milford Sound nature cruise
Orientation walk in Christchurch
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

Hostels and basic lodges (20 nts multishare)

20 breakfasts, 5 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, kayak, boat, ferry

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 4599 (CAD 219 /day)

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland

Arrive at any time. There are no activities until an evening welcome meeting, so head out and enjoy the city.

Day 2: Auckland/Raglan

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, first up it is time to get on the water for some sea kayaking. The group will then head to our accommodation right in the middle of the surf and arts town of Raglan for the next two nights.
Travel to Raglan, a cool coastal town famous for its black sand beach and surf break. You'll kayak to a remote part of the harbour for a boat cruise and lunch, before heading to our accommodation, close to the action in Raglan this evening.

Day 3: Raglan

Spend the full day in Raglan, home to a world-famous surf break. There's no better way to live like the locals do, so grab a surf board and jump right in with an included lesson. You'll also have plenty of time to relax and soak up the laid-back coastal vibes while swapping stories with your travel buddies.
Head down to the beach for an included surf lesson. The afternoon is free to do what you choose.

Day 4: Raglan/Rotorua

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. Next up is Rotorua, notable for its geothermal activity. In the evening you'll visit a thermal valley for an engaging cultural experience by night at the Te Puia Village.

Day 5: Rotorua/Taupo

Spend a free morning in fascinating Rotorua. Opt to explore hot springs, walking past bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools, or go on a white-water rafting excursion. Depart Rotorua in the afternoon and travel to Taupo. Along the way stop for a visit to the mighty Huka Falls, these impressive falls are not to be missed on the North Island. Arrive in Taupo, and experience an afternoon together sailing New Zealand's largest lake.

Day 6: Taupo/Wellington

Hit the road to the nation's capital at the southern end of the North Island. Take in the ever-changing scenery, swap travel stories with your group, and simply reflect on your journey. The group will arrive early enough to visit the National Museum, Te Papa — home to displays of historical Maori artifacts and modern exhibits. Then the choice is yours, so take that cable car ride to the hills overlooking the city, or make that stroll along the Oriental Parade happen because you're here now and you might as well take advantage of everything around you. The group will finish the day off with an optional night out on the town together in the central business district.
Travel to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. Arrive early enough for a visit to the National Museum, Te Papa.

Take a short walk from our accommodation to see the sights of the central business district. Finish the day off with an optional night on the town.

Day 7: Wellington/Abel Tasman National Park

Don't forget those cameras before hopping on the morning ferry to cross the Cook Strait. Pro tip: make sure you stand outside and marvel at the views of the Marlborough Sounds at the tip of the South Island. Then drive past lush native forests, beautiful clear waters, blue skies, and golden sands as the group travels to Abel Tasman National Park.
Catch a morning ferry and cross the scenic Cook Strait. Make sure to stand outside and enjoy the views of the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island. Disembark and transfer to Abel Tasman National Park, well-known for its stunning white sand beaches.

Day 8: Abel Tasman National Park

Picture this: birdsong ringing from the treetops as you wander through the undergrowth stumbling upon occasional waterfalls nestled in the midst of the forest. You take a dip in one of the refreshing pools before finding your way to pristine coastline and turquoise bays where you can soak up the sun and relax in the sand.

This is the kind of day that awaits you in Abel Tasman NP, you are free to explore the golden beaches and winding waterways any way you'd like! So have fun, build a sand castle for us, and let the adventures continue!

Day 9: Abel Tasman National Park/Westport

It's off to Westport today! Breathe in the fresh air and soak in the beautiful views as the group heads south down the coast of black-sand beaches. Make a (very cool) pit stop to a seal colony in Cape Foulwind and watch these majestic animals in their habitat before continuing on to Westport for the evening. Once you arrive grab a beer, talk to some locals, and discover the true charm of this coal mining town.

Day 10: Westport/Franz Josef

Continue on a scenic drive south along the coast to Punakaiki; think pancake rocks and blowholes (man, those are two random things we never thought would be in the same sentence). As a special spot full of local secrets, Punakaiki is a great place to hop out of the bus, stretch those legs, and appreciate the strange beauty nature can create.
Continue following the coastal road towards Franz Josef arriving at a unique wilderness lodge set in the rainforest for the night.

Day 11: Franz Josef

Enjoy a free day in Franz Josef. Today is all yours to spend as you please! From hiking to kayaking and walking on a glacier, there's bound to be something you'll want to check off that bucket list.

If your goal is to make actual contact with the glacier then try a heli-hike or guided ice walk. Or you could let nature be your guide and lose yourself in the rainforests, lakes, and waterfalls that surround Franz Josef. If you'd rather stay in town, then grab a bite to eat before booking a spa treatment at the Glacier Hot Pools... the choice is yours!

Day 12: Franz Josef/Queenstown

Hit the road to the adventure capital of the world — Queenstown. Sit back, relax and gaze out the window as you drive away from Glacier Country and wind through lush forests back to the coast and into the mountains over Haast Pass. The photo opportunities will seem endless (make sure those cameras are charged.) Then gear up and get ready because the adrenaline is going to be pumping the next few days.

Day 13: Queenstown

Let's put it this way, if you're the sort of person that loves adventure mixed with adrenaline all while exploring one of the most scenic places in the country, then Queenstown is for you!

Gear up for a free day that is sure to leave you breathless. Opt to be a dare devil and get ready to have those hearts pumping with some adrenaline-filled options like jet boating, bungee jumping, or skydiving.

Day 14: Milford Sound Day Trip/Queenstown

Let your breathing return to normal today as the group heads out for a visit to Fiordland National Park. After arriving, soak up the chill vibes on a boat cruise through one of the most iconic places in New Zealand — Milford Sound. Marvel at the views of one of the wettest places on Earth before we make our way back to Queenstown for the night.

Day 15: Queenstown

Gear up for round two of free time in Queenstown that is sure to leave you breathless. Choose to be a dare devil and get ready to have those hearts pumping with some adrenaline-filled options like jet boating, bungee jumping, mountain biking or skydiving or simply take in the breathtaking scenery and vibrant atmosphere as you find restaurants to try and cafes to wind down and relax.

Day 16: Queenstown to Tekapo

Depart Queenstown and travel to Aoraki/Mt Cook National park. Once in the park enjoy free time for hiking and visiting the Sir Edmund Hillary Visitors Centre. Afterwards, travel to Lake Tekapo where we will be staying for the next two nights.

Day 17: Tekapo

Start the day with a relaxing 21km bike ride along the canals with stunning mountain views. Spend the rest of the day exploring Tekapo on your own. Opt to visit the hot springs, relax on the shores of Lake Tekapo, or hike to the Mt John Observatory and check out the incredible Dark Sky Reserve.

Day 18: Tekapo to Christchurch

Scoot on up to Christchurch to explore the South Island's largest city and one of the places in New Zealand with the strongest English influences. Enjoy free time to explore and see what the nightlife is all about with your travel tribe, and grab some shut eye in a converted jailhouse to finish the evening.

Day 19: Christchurch/Kaikoura

Mountains, marine life, and magic! Kaikoura is pretty darn special, so special in fact, that it may be the South Island's best kept secret. The best way to experience it is to get out there and witness what this rugged coastal town does best. Book a whale watching cruise, swim with seals, or just take a walk along the coast admiring the scenery. In the afternoon try bird watching, swim with dolphins or splurge on flight over the peninsula.
Spend the afternoon swimming with dolphins or taking a scenic flight over the peninsula.

Bird watchers will be pleased to know that big ocean birds such as albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters frequent the area.

Day 20: Kaikoura/Wellington

Reminisce and reflect on your time in New Zealand as you and the group travel to Picton to catch a ferry back to Wellington. Watch the majestic scenery of this country unfold before you and simply appreciate the moment (we know you're probably already making plans to return.) Once back in the city grab some grub with your travel crew and let the good times roll for one last night out together in New Zealand.

Day 21: Wellington

Depart at any time.

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Tour Operator

G Adventures

G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.

In Business Since 1990

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Reviews

Luisa N. - Traveled, November 2023

It was such an amazing experience we saw so much and learnt a lot along the way

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/29/2023

Sri Harsha B. - Traveled, November 2023

Bad itinerary

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/19/2023

Luisa N. - Traveled, December 2023

It was such an amazing experience we saw so much and learnt a lot along the way

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/29/2023

Sri Harsha B. - Traveled, December 2023

Bad itinerary

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/29/2023

Klara B. - Traveled, December 2023

The tour was very well organized and I had the feeling to make the most out of my limited time to travel NZ.