After lunch, we begin an overnight hike in Paparoa National Park. The limestone cliffs, caves, and rivers that make up the most of the remaining coastal native forest in New Zealand are ideal for hiking. We start at the Fox River’s mouth and follow a historic pack-horse route towards Dilemma Creek. Then we follow the river up to the Ballroom Overhang, where we spend the night. Your guide will show you river crossing techniques and you will be thankful for your proper hiking boots, which are essential in this terrain. The Ballroom is a large limestone overhang which shelters a serene campsite just above the Fox River.

It is amazing, but make sure you have enough for all eventualities. The weather can change rapidly so be prepared. Waitomo Caves. It’s time to explore Ruakuri Cave with The Legendary Black Water Rafting Company. It’s basically an underground since 1970s adventure that goes 60m deep. It involves climbing up waterfalls, floating through tunnels and jumping off platforms. Cecil is also a local cave elk. Sitting back and looking at the luminous glowworms on the cave roof, I have never seen anything like it!

From strenuous alpine hikes to strolls along the beach, choose the walks to suit you. After a hard day of hiking, you can relax in a quality hotel room. You don’t have to bring your own gear, as the tour company will provide quality hiking equipment for no additional cost. Queenstown is the best place in the South to begin your South trip!

• Tutukaka & Poor Knights Islands. I recommend boarding thePerfect Dayboat from Tutukaka (prebooking required) to reach the Poor Knights Islands.
• The ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ is a classic Kiwi understatement.
• These day trips and short tours from Auckland are a fun and exciting way to get around, or away from, the city for a while.
• Rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world, the famous Tranz Alpine train will take you deep into the heartland of the South Island…

Nearby are some of New Zealand’s most popular walking trails, such as the Routeburn or Greenstone/Caples. The ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ is a classic Kiwi understatement. Come for the epic trails and bubbling geysers, stay for the friendliest folk in the southern hemisphere.

Our experts are experts in New Zealand and can help you create custom itineraries. Queenstown is home to many of New Zealand’s most famous Great Walks. The dramatic Hollyford Track in the heart of Fiordland National Park is a wonderful guided walk option. Queenstown is just half an hour away from the stunning Milford Sound. This spectacular fiord can be explored by boat, and is surrounded by dense rainforest and steep cliffs.

You can choose from a whale-watching cruise in Kaikoura, a guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set or an afternoon wine tour through Napier. Or, you can gondola tickets on the Skyline Gondola Queenstown. There are many options, including New Zealand tours departing from Auckland and other day trips. It’s easy to use. Just check the reviews, price and availability then book online. The south island offers the most diverse landscapes and activities. Enjoy the 4 corners of South America with its many national parks, towering mountain ranges, golden bays, glowworm caverns and adrenalin-filled experiences.

No matter what your preference, we can help with any extra activities you might want to add to your New Zealand adventure. The North Island is, however, more volcanic and has three times as many people as the south. You will find bubbling lakes, mud pools, and geysers which erupt frequently. The North Island is great for a hike or zip-line through untouched virgin native forest, with large national parks and reserves preserving the nation’s heritage bushland and the iconic Kiwi bird. The home of the fabled All Blacks may be a very, very long way, but New Zealand tours offer diversity that few others countries come close to.

After enjoying a relaxing breakfast overlooking Lake Wanaka, we set off for today’s hike up the Rob Roy Glacier. We start off with a beautiful drive up the Matukituki Valley, driving through large sheep, cattle and deer farms along the way. Our hike starts from Raspberry Flat and crosses a suspension bridge across the Matukituki River before climbing through Beech forest alongside the raging boulder strewn stream of Rob Roy.

It’s slightly more southern than Australia but both islands can be very warm in the summer months. Clear skies can make the sun intense, so it is important to take care. Of course, any time you’re up a peak the temperature can drop dramatically so it’s important to pack for cold conditions too.

Definitely make sure some driving is included in your New Zealand travel itinerary! Discover national parks and long winding roads as you cruise around the islands. You should make sure you have a window seat to enjoy the stunning views that appear to belong on a desktop screensaver.