Lifestyle & nature itinerary · by Michael Nees
16-day New Zealand hiking trip itinerary
With the 16 days New Zealand Hiking Trip vacation package, you'll discover the best local walks and stay in boutique accommodation.
Highlights
- Guided nature and lifestyle tour on the Coromandels.
- Limestone caving tour in Waitomo exploring the Ruakuri glowworm caves.
- Scenic flight of the thermal area around Rotorua/ North Island.
- Guided nature walk into the Yellow-Eyed Penguin colony near Dunedin.
- Guided day hike on the famous Milford Track in the Fiordland National Park.
- A beautiful scenic cruise in Milford Sound with all transfers included.
- Nature walk with a boat transfer and local guide on remote island in Lake Wanaka.
- Jet-boating the Matukituki Valley into the Mt. Aspiring National Park.
Day by day
- Day 1
Auckland
Meet your private driver at the Auckland Airport arrival gate for transfer to your hotel. Explore the America's Cup village. Visit the Sky Tower and get fabulous views of the city and harbour. Take a boat trip to beautiful Waiheke Island or go across to Devonport. Visit the shops and cafes of Parnell Village. If you're arriving early, try to stay awake as long as possible to beat jet lag.
Stay: QT Auckland (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraThe Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraExplore America's Cup S (opens in a new tab)
- Day 2
Whangamata
Collect your rental car and drive to the eastern coast on the Coromandel Peninsula (2.5 hours). The Coromandel has beautiful golden beaches plus great swimming and bush walks. Visit the famous hot water beach at Hahei and have a relaxing soak in a natural thermal spring - remember to go at low tide! See the marine wildlife at the Hahei Marine Reserve. Adventure options include scenic boat trips, sea kayaking, scuba diving and surfing.
Stay: Brenton Lodge (opens in a new tab)
- Good to knowThe Coromandel
- Day 3
Whangamata
Join a small group guided nature tour. Explore the local rainforest and beaches - this is a great introduction to New Zealand's natural wonders! Alternatively you can take a guided kayaking tour from Hahei Beach or a scenic boat tour along the stunning Coromandel coastline.
Stay: Brenton Lodge (opens in a new tab)
- HighlightKiwi Dundee Adventures 1 Day Coromandel Circuit
- Optional extraCathedral Cove Kayak Tours (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraHahei Explorer
- Day 4
Rotorua
Travel to the famous Waitomo caves (3 hours) to view the beauty of stalactites. Go on the 'Ruakuri Cave' tour, which takes you on a 2-hour walk through a dry cave. Go 'Black Water Rafting' or do the 'Black Labyrinth' tour and float through the caves on a rubber tube. Alternatively, abseil through the darkness! (takes about 3 hours). Afterwards, drive to Rotorua through the rolling farm country of the Central North Island (2.5 hours).
Stay: On The Point Lake Rotorua (opens in a new tab)
- HighlightRuakuri Ca (opens in a new tab)
- Day 5
Rotorua
The North Island of New Zealand is a tectonic centre of bubbling mud pools, natural hot springs and volcanoes. In the morning, take a helicopter flight over Rotorua. In this remote place, you'll get a firsthand experience of mother nature's immerse powers. Spend the afternoon being pampered in a luxurious spa. In the evening, take a spiritual journey into Maori culture to enjoy village and performances.
Stay: On The Point Lake Rotorua (opens in a new tab)
- HighlightRotorua Canopy Tours (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraVolcanic
- Day 6
Otago Peninsula
Take a domestic flight to Dunedin and collect another rental car at the airport. Dunedin City is surrounded by dramatic hills and a natural harbour. It was originally settled by whalers, gold miners and migrants from Scotland and China. Dunedin is one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere.
Stay: Camp Estate (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraLarnach Castle (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraOlveston Historic Home (opens in a new tab)
- RecommendedOtago Museum (opens in a new tab)
- Good to knowDunedin
- RecommendedTunnel Beach
- Day 7
Otago Peninsula
Spend the morning, exploring more of Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula. In the afternoon join a wildlife tour to see the Royal Albatross and Yellow-Eyed Penguins. This tour is one of the prime nature attractions in New Zealand. As you will not be returning to your accommodation until that evening, we recommend that you have a substantial lunch.
- Day 8
Te Anau
Travel through the Southland region to the Fiordland area. Take the 'Southern Scenic Route' between Invercargill, Riverton and Tuatapere to Te Anau. If you don't mind extra driving time, we recommend a detour through the Catlins - you'll see Nugget Point Lighthouse and the Cathedral Caves. Please note, that if you're visiting the caves, do remember to check the tides beforehand.
Stay: High Leys Lodge (opens in a new tab)
- Good to knowCatlins
- Good to knowInvercargill
- Good to knowRiverton
- Day 9
Te Anau
Milford Sound is a spectacular area and perfect for hikers. Do the Milford Guided Walk in the morning and the Milford Scenic fjord cruise in the afternoon. Shorter walks can be arranged with a local operator. Choose a series of short walks with your nature guide or a 2.5 hour walk on the Routeburn Track to Key Summit. Return back to Te Anau around 5.30pm.
- Day 10
Wanaka
Leave the lush rainforest and drive to the tussock grasslands of Central Otago. As it is only a 2 hours drive from Te Anau to Queenstown, visit Queenstown or head to a nearby winery for lunch. Continue in the afternoon to the village of Wanaka. Stay in the surrounding countryside for a couple of nights.
Stay: WÄnaka Haven (opens in a new tab)
- Good to knowQueenstown (opens in a new tab)
- RecommendedArrowtown
- RecommendedCromwell Heritage Precinct (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraGibbston Valley Wines
- Optional extraMt Difficulty Wines
- Day 11
Wanaka
Wanaka is an extremely scenic spot. Smaller than Queenstown, it has a far more relaxed vibe. This morning, take a cruise on Lake Wanaka and head out to a beautiful remote island for a guided walk. In the afternoon, travel up the Matukituki Valley with a local jet-boating operator. Learn more about the regions history, natural wonders and activities.
- Day 12
Fox Glacier
Travel through Haast Pass to Fox Glacier (4 hours). There are plenty of stops along the way, so check out the many waterfalls, scenic walks and remote beaches. In the afternoon, take an inspirational helicopter flight with a snow landing on the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. Alternatively, join a heli-hiking tour - this involves two short heli flights and a 2 hour guided walk on the ice.
Stay: Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel
- Optional extraFlying Fox Helihike (opens in a new tab)
- HighlightThe Helicopter (opens in a new tab)
- Day 13
Hokitika
There are hardly any towns on the 600 kms of coastal road between Karamea and Jackson Bay, so take plenty of refreshments. On this road trip you'll see the absolute unbridled beauty of native forests, beaches and lagoons. An early morning walk around Lake Matheson is a great start to the day. Explore the goldfield walkway at Ross and stop by the shores of Lake Ianthe. Consider a visit to the White Heron colony near Whataroa.
- Day 14
Bronte
Today you'll be travel along 'The Great Coast Road', one of the Top 10 Coastal Drives in the world. Drive along the ancient limestone cliffs of Paparoa National Park, home to the world's smallest penguins. Stop at Charleston and go underground rafting. See the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. Visit the seal colony at Cape Foulwind. Stop at Westport for refreshments. Continue via the Buller Gorge to the Abel Tasman region.
Stay: Te Koi the Lodge at Bronte
- Good to knowPa
- Day 15
Bronte
When it comes to lush greenery and sea views, the Abel Tasman Coast Track is unsurpassed! This great New Zealand walk passes through golden beaches and coastal forests. Take a day trip with Abel Tasman Charters, a very personalised trip. Or you can use a water taxi to do the coastal walk. Another option is a guided sea kayaking tour for a half or full day.
Stay: Te Koi the Lodge at Bronte
- HighlightAbel Tasman Charters Taranui (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraR&R Kayaks (opens in a new tab)
- Optional extraAbel Tasman Golden Future (opens in a new tab)
- Day 16
Auckland
Drop off your rental car at Nelson airport and take a domestic flight to Auckland. Connect to your international flight or continue with your travels to other parts of the North Island.
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