New Zealand Encompassed: Harbours & Houseboats
24 days from Auckland to Wellington
From $ 3297
Duration24 days
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It dosen’t look so big on the map, but New Zealand is positively massive once you’re there in person. This comprehensive 24-day trip — our longest in this part of the world — delivers the most immersive NZ experience possible. Get close to the land by exploring glaciers, national parks, a sustainable farm, and meet the water up-close on expert-led kayak excursions and during surf lessons. Best of all, you’ll get to explore the magnificent Bay of Islands, home to some of the world’s top fishing. 24 days? You’ll wish it was longer.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 24 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Starts in: Auckland
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Wellington
    Ages: 18+
New Zealand Encompassed - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Auckland
Arrive in Auckland at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island.
Arrive at any time. Jump right into your adventure by adding the 'Auckland Sailing: America's Cup Experience' extra to your tour. Work with a crew to sail around Auckland's Waitemata Harbour on a competitive yacht, and take in the stunning views. PLEASE NOTE: If booking this extra, a pre-night in Auckland is highly recommended as this activity may start early in the morning on Day 1.

This tour departs Auckland early on Day 2. If you are interested in exploring the city and its nearby attractions, like a local winery, it is recommended you book additional pre-trip accommodation nights.
Day 2: Auckland/Bay of Islands
Depart early and travel to a local reserve with giant kauri trees. Native to New Zealand, these trees are some of the largest in the world. Learn about their importance to European settlement in New Zealand. Head to the Goat Island Marine Reserve for an included activity of snorkelling to see abundant sea life (seasonal).

Continue on to the Bay of Islands and board a houseboat – your home for the night. While on board, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins that may be frolicking nearby!
Travel north via backroads, stopping to see giant kauri trees, and go for an included snorkel at Goat Island Marine Reserve (seasonal). Board a large houseboat for an overnight trip through the beautiful Bay of Islands. Please note: during the winter months (late April - early November) Goat Island snorkelling will be cancelled due to an earlier departure time for the houseboat. As a result, there will be more time for activities on board the houseboat. Breakfast box Beefsteak and salad buffet

End place: Oneroa Bay

Meals: B, D
Day 3: Bay of Islands/Paihia

Start place: Oneroa Bay

Enjoy a morning of activities from our boat base. Then travel back to the mainland for a walk around the small town of Paihia. An optional visit to the Treaty House in the nearby town of Waitangi is highly recommended.
Enjoy free time in the morning on the boat. Choose to do a number of included water activities like kayaking, snorkelling, fishing or visiting nearby islands. Disembark and explore Paihia before enjoying dinner with the group. Basic muesli, corn flakes, and the captains' favourite porridge Picnic lunch (piece of fruit, sandwich, brownie, and snack bar)
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Paihia/Auckland
Take advantage of optional morning activities such as skydiving, fishing or visiting the historic town of Russell. Travel back to Auckland.
Enjoy a free morning to relax, or opt to go skydiving or check out the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Meals: B
Day 5: Auckland/Raglan
Travel backroads to a remote conservation farm where they are using natural means to boost the stocks of traditionally farmed marine life. Farmers have created a balanced ecosystem to attract native birds and animals back to the area.

After, kayak to a remote part of the harbour for a boat cruise and lunch, before heading to our lodge a few minutes drive from the famous surf and arts town of Raglan for the night.
Visit an eel farm which focuses on developing sustainable aquaculture to learn about their methods before sea kayaking to a harbour for a picnic lunch. Breakfast box Hamburger and salad (veg option available)
Meals: B, L
Day 6: Raglan
Head down to the beach for an included surf lesson. The afternoon is open for optional activities such as yoga, stand up paddle boarding or exploring the many trails in the area.
Enjoy an included surf lesson in one of the world's most famous surf areas, then opt to go hiking or rent a stand up paddle board. Breakfast box BBQ meat with salads
Meals: B, D
Day 7: Raglan/Rotorua
Stop en route at Waitomo. Enjoy free time to visit the Waitomo Caves, famous for their glow-worms and adventure activities, or explore this scenic area by foot.

Continue to Rotorua for an engaging cultural experience on the grounds of a historic Maori village.
Opt to go caving in world famous Waitomo before heading to Rotorua, notable for its geothermal activity and culture. Visit a local village to gain insight into Maori culture. Breakfast box
Meals: B
Day 8: Rotorua/Taupo
Take advantage of free time in the adrenaline capital of the North Island, and opt to go whitewater rafting, check out a geothermal park with technicolour pools, or hit up a nearby spa. Continue on to spend the night near the shores of Lake Taupo.
Meals: B
Day 9: Taupo/Wellington
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.
Take in the ever-changing scenery on the drive down to the nation's capital at the southern end of the North Island. Opt to take the cable car to the hills overlooking the city, visit the national museum, Te Papa, or stroll along Oriental Parade. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.
Meals: B
Day 10: Wellington/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. Board a water taxi to transfer to the middle of the National Park for the night. The night will be spent on a floating boat hostel.
Take a ferry over to the South Island and transfer to Abel Tasman National Park. During the winter season (May - Oct), and when there is inclement weather in the summer, we will stay in cabins in a true rural setting on the edge of the park instead of the floating boat hostel.

End place: Abel Tasman National Park

Meals: B, D
Day 11: Abel Tasman National Park

Start place: Abel Tasman National Park

Hike and explore Abel Tasman's golden beaches and waterways.

End place: Abel Tasman National Park

Meals: B
Day 12: Abel Tasman National Park/Westport

Start place: Abel Tasman National Park

Head south down the coast of black-sand beaches. Visit a seal colony before travelling to Westport, the stop for the night. Create a meal together as a group and show off your cooking skills!
Meals: B, D
Day 13: Westport/Franz Josef

Start place: Westport

Continue following the coastal road towards Franz Josef arriving at a unique wilderness lodge set in the rainforest for the night.
Take in the pancake rock formations at Punakaiki before continuing on to Franz Josef. Enjoy free time for optional activities like hiking, horseback riding, and quad biking.

End place: Franz Josef

Meals: B, D
Day 14: Franz Josef

Start place: Franz Josef

Free day for optional activities. Options include various hikes, horseback riding and quad biking.

End place: Franz Josef

Meals: B
Day 15: Franz Josef/Queenstown

Start place: Franz Josef

Visit the adventure capital of the world—Queenstown.

End place: Queenstown

Meals: B
Day 16-17: Queenstown

Start place: Queenstown

Free time in Queenstown. Get the heart pumping with some adrenaline-filled options, such as jet boating, bungee jumping, mountain biking or skydiving. If you have pre-booked the Queenstown Jet Boating, your CEO will inform you when you will do the activity during your tour, as days are subject to change.

Please note - in the winter months (early/mid June to early/mid October) skiing and snowboarding in the Southern Alps is a highlight for any visitor. Most of the optional activities are also available, ask your CEO which ones are in season.

End place: Queenstown

Meals: B
Day 18: Queenstown/Te Anau

Start place: Queenstown

Visit Fiordland National Park and enjoy a boat cruise through breathtaking Milford Sound. In the evening, opt to cruise across Lake Te Anau and visit a cave that is home to thousands of glowworms.

End place: Te Anau

Meals: B, L
Day 19: Te Anau/Central Otago

Start place: Te Anau

Enjoy free time in the morning to discover the natural beauty of Te Anau. Later, transfer to Wedderburn in Central Otago.

End place: Wedderburn

Meals: B, D
Day 20: Central Otago

Start place: Wedderburn

Bike 35 km of the Otago Rail Trail, passing through one historic town to the next. Along the way sample some local food and drink.

End place: Wedderburn

Meals: B
Day 21: Wedderburn/Christchurch

Start place: Wedderburn

Overnight in the very unique converted jail house.
Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Christchurch. Central Otago/Christchurch

End place: Christchurch

Meals: B
Day 22: Christchurch/Kaikoura

Start place: Christchurch

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.
Opt to go whale watching, swim with seals or take a walk along the coast.

End place: Kaikoura

Meals: B
Day 23: Kaikoura/Wellington

Start place: Kaikoura

Travel to Picton to catch the ferry back to Wellington. Opt for a final night out with the group.

End place: Wellington

Meals: B
Day 24: Wellington

Start place: Wellington

We highly recommend post-accommodation to fully explore this vibrant city. Looking for a lift back to Auckland? Add on the "Auckland Express" and ride with your CEO back north. Ask your sales CEO or agent about this Extra.

What is the Auckland Express Extra? Depart Wellington at 6am and return to the Nomads Auckland hostel for around 5pm (8-9 hours driving time). If you have booked this transfer NOT on the last day of your tour, you must book post-accommodation through G Adventures. All services must be connected.
Depart at any time.

End place: Wellington

Meals: B
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Resourceful Ōtautahi Walking Tour, Christchurch Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Hands-On Moment: Surf Lessons, Raglan Your Big Night Out Moment: Wellington Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
  • Overnight houseboat excursion with onboard activities including snorkelling, fishing, and kayaking (Bay of Islands)
  • Conservation farm visit (Raglan)
  • Sea kayaking excursion (Raglan)
  • Maori cultural experience
  • Seal colony visit
  • Walks in Franz Josef and Abel Tasman National Parks
  • Fiordland NP visit
  • Milford Sound nature cruise
  • Mountain biking excursion (Central Otago)
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Private vehicle, Kayak, Boat, Ferry

  • Accommodation

    Hostels (13 nts), Houseboat (1 nt), Basic lodges (9 nts) Most nights are multi-share

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