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New Zealand: North and South Islands

14 days from Auckland to Queenstown in a small-group van: Rotorua, Tongariro, the Cook Strait ferry, Abel Tasman, the West Coast glaciers, Wanaka and Milford Sound.

14 days · Auckland to Queenstown · up to 10 guests

The facts

At a glance

Length
14 days, 13 nights
Start and end
Auckland to Queenstown
Group size
6 to 10 guests
Where you sleep
HotelsA real bed every night, no tents
Activity level

Moderate

You are happy with walks of 1 to 4 hours on most days, on formed tracks that can be steep, wet or uneven, and up to about 4 hours in the van between stops. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing (19.4 km over 6 to 8 hours, with a steep climb) is a choice for fit walkers, with an easy walk offered the same day.

Meals included
13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 8 dinners
Room of your own
+ CAD 2,180 (estimated price)
Season
November to April

Highlights

Why this trip

  • Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu, then a hāngī feast, haka and glow-worms at Mitai Māori Village
  • Your choice of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or an easy waterfall walk below Mt Ruapehu
  • The Interislander ferry across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds, with our van on board
  • A water taxi up the Abel Tasman coast and a walk back past golden beaches
  • Pancake Rocks, Franz Josef Glacier and Lake Matheson at dawn on the West Coast
  • Over the Haast Pass to Wanaka, then Milford Sound by coach and cruise from Queenstown

What makes this trip different

  • Free time is part of the plan

    Free time and choices are marked on the days they fall.

  • Solo without the penalty

    A room of your own is + CAD 2,180 (estimated price).

Day by day

Itinerary

NORTH ISLANDSOUTH ISLANDTasman SeaPacific Ocean12345678Auckland AirportDay 1RotoruaDays 1 to 2Huka Falls and TaupōDay 3Ohakune and TongariroDays 3 to 4WellingtonDay 5PictonDay 6Kaiteriteri and Abel TasmanDays 6 to 7PunakaikiDay 8HokitikaDay 9Franz Josef GlacierDay 9Haast PassDay 10WanakaDay 10QueenstownDays 11 to 13Milford SoundDay 12

Tap any stop on the map to open that day

Arrive in Auckland, drive to Rotorua

Auckland Airport to Rotorua, about 2.5 hours

  • Dinner
  • Stay: Distinction Rotorua or similar
  • Drive about 2.5 h

Afternoon

Your leader meets you at Auckland Airport (AKL) mid-morning, loads your bags into our 12-seat van and heads south through the green dairy country of the Waikato, about two and a half hours with a stop for lunch on the way. Rotorua sits on a volcanic plateau, and you notice it before you see it: steam drifts from vents in parks and gardens, and the air carries a faint smell of sulphur. Te Arawa, the iwi of this district, have welcomed visitors to its hot springs since the 19th century. This afternoon we stretch our legs on an easy walk in the Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, under tall Californian coast redwoods planted more than a century ago.

Evening

Then check in for two nights and meet the rest of the group properly over a welcome dinner.

Included

  • Pick-up at Auckland Airport (AKL)
  • Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest walk
  • Welcome dinner

Activity: Lunch on your own at a stop on the way.

  1. Aucklandstart
  2. Rotorua2 nights
  3. Ohakune2 nights
  4. Wellington1 night
  5. Kaiteriteri2 nights
  6. Punakaiki1 night
  7. Franz Josef1 night
  8. Wanaka1 night
  9. Queenstown3 nights
  • Overnight stop
  • Day trip
  • By boat or train
Print itinerary

Wildlife and weather: The season runs from November to April, New Zealand's late spring, summer and early autumn; December to March is the warmest and busiest. Expect four seasons in a day in the mountains and frequent rain on the West Coast, which keeps its rainforest green. New Zealand fur seals are likely along the Abel Tasman coast and on the West Coast, glow-worms are certain at Mitai, and dolphins sometimes swim alongside boats in the Marlborough Sounds and Milford Sound.

Want this plan in your inbox?

Get the day-by-day itinerary by email, or ask us anything about this trip. A trip planner replies the same or next business day.

Before you book

Right for you?

Good for you if you want

  • A first trip to New Zealand that covers both islands without long days in the van
  • Walkers who want a big hike on offer with an easy choice beside it
  • Travellers who like a small group and one leader from start to finish

Not for you if you want

  • Travellers who want to stay in one place for a week
  • Anyone looking for a party or backpacker-style trip
  • Step-free access at every stop: many walks are on uneven tracks

Book flights after we confirm your seat.

13 nights

Where you'll stay

Named stays, or similar where we are still confirming.

  • 2 nights · Days 1 and 2

    Distinction Rotoruaor similar

    Rotorua · Hotel

  • 2 nights · Days 3 and 4

    Powderhorn Chateauor similar

    Ohakune · Hotel

  • 1 night · Day 5

    Rydges Wellingtonor similar

    Wellington · Hotel

  • 2 nights · Days 6 and 7

    Kaiteriteri

    Your hotels are named in your trip confirmation.

  • 1 night · Day 8

    Punakaiki Resortor similar

    Punakaiki · Hotel

    Above the beach

  • 1 night · Day 9

    Scenic Hotel Franz Josefor similar

    Franz Josef · Hotel

  • 1 night · Day 10

    Edgewateror similar

    Wanaka · Hotel

    On the lakefront

  • 3 nights · Days 11, 12, and 13

    Novotel Queenstown Lakesideor similar

    Queenstown · Hotel

    On the lakefront

One price

What's in the price

Included

Accommodation

  • 13 nights in 4-star hotels, twin share: Rotorua 2, Ohakune 2, Wellington 1, Kaiteriteri 2, Punakaiki 1, Franz Josef 1, Wanaka 1 and Queenstown 3

Transport

  • Pick-up at Auckland Airport (AKL) on day 1 and drop-off at Queenstown Airport (ZQN) on day 14
  • Our own 12-seat van from Auckland to Queenstown, driven by your leader
  • The Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton, with the van on board
  • Shuttle for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
  • Abel Tasman water taxi, two one-way legs
  • Coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound and back

Your guide

  • A See Sight Tours leader who drives and travels with the group from Auckland to Queenstown

Activities

  • Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
  • Mitai Māori Village evening with a hāngī dinner and glow-worm walk
  • Guided tour of Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington
  • Milford Sound nature cruise
  • Walks in the Redwoods, Tongariro National Park, Abel Tasman, the Franz Josef Glacier valley, at Lake Matheson and to the Blue Pools

Meals

  • 13 breakfasts
  • 2 lunches: at Tongariro and in Abel Tasman
  • 8 dinners: a welcome dinner in Rotorua, the hāngī at Mitai, and dinners in Ohakune, Kaiteriteri, Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Wanaka, with a farewell dinner in Queenstown

Not included

  • International flights to Auckland and home from Queenstown
  • The NZeTA and the NZ$100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy
  • Travel insurance
  • Lunches and dinners not listed
  • Drinks
  • Optional activities: the Franz Josef heli-hike, the Abel Tasman guided kayak, the Shotover Jet, the TSS Earnslaw, Gibbston wine tours and the Polynesian Spa
  • Tips

Extras

Room of your own
CAD 2,180 (estimated price)

When you can go

Dates and prices

Pick your start date when you request to book. We check that date and confirm it in your quote.

Prefer to travel without a group or guide? Ask us about arranging hotels, transport and city tours for you to travel independently.

Before you book

Booking terms

Nothing is charged now. Full terms and the cancellation schedule come with your quote, before you accept.

Business addresses

See Sight Tours Trips (USA): 3172 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108, United StatesSee Sight Tours Trips (Canada): 5305 50 Avenue, #1091, Red Deer, AB T4N 4B6, Canada+1-888-961-6584

Guest reviews

What guests say

Reviews from guests on our day tours.

Cornelius Amann
October 06, 2026
google

5/5

Parminder did a great job guiding us around, giving us tips & teaching us the history of the falls. A great experience!

Jane
October 06, 2026
gyg

5/5

Good views of the surrounding area of Halifax in a comfortable minivan

Susan
October 06, 2026
gyg

5/5

June was brilliant- made good contact beforehand and really attentive and knowledgeable. Made me feel like I was special- something only experience can do. Thank you June.

Tom L
October 05, 2026
tripadvisor

5/5

Our host was very knowledgeable, friendly and even provided some humor.

MandL83
October 05, 2026
tripadvisor

5/5

Peter was a very good guide, giving us insight into the various parts of the Park, including parking lot congestion details, trail and viewing location suggestions.

Darren O
October 05, 2026
tripadvisor

5/5

Excellent morning spent with my guide Nancy. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Thoroughly enjoyed my trip

4.7/5 from 38,601 guest reviews

Good to know

Questions

What does the trip include?

13 nights in 4-star hotels, our own 12-seat van with a See Sight Tours leader who drives, the Interislander ferry, the Tongariro shuttle, the Abel Tasman water taxi, the Milford Sound coach and cruise, Wai-O-Tapu, the Mitai evening with its hāngī, a guided tour of Te Papa, 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 8 dinners.

How do we get from the North Island to the South Island?

On the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton, about three and a half hours across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds. Our van and leader cross with us, so you keep the same vehicle and the same seat from Auckland to Queenstown.

How long are the drives?

Every drive is under 4 hours. The longest are about 3 hours 50 minutes from Kaiteriteri to Punakaiki and about 3.5 hours from Ohakune to Wellington and from Franz Josef to Wanaka, all broken by stops. Milford Sound, about 4 hours each way from Queenstown, goes by coach.

Do I have to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing?

No. It is a choice for fit walkers: 19.4 km over 6 to 8 hours with a steep climb, walked at your own pace with the shuttle included. The easy option the same day is the 2 hour Taranaki Falls walk and a relaxed afternoon. The crossing goes ahead only when the weather is safe.

What happens if the weather closes the road to Milford Sound?

Heavy rain or snow sometimes closes the Milford Road. Day 13 in Queenstown is kept free as a backup, so we move the Milford Sound day to the next day.

Which airports do I fly into and out of?

Fly into Auckland (AKL), where we meet you mid-morning on day 1, and home from Queenstown (ZQN), where we drop you on day 14. International flights are not included.

When is the best time to go?

November to April, New Zealand's late spring, summer and early autumn. December to March is the warmest and busiest, with higher ferry fares. November and April are quieter and cooler, and snow is possible on the high passes and the alpine crossing.

What do I need to enter New Zealand?

Canadians and citizens of many other visa-waiver countries need an NZeTA before they travel, NZ$17 in the official app or NZ$23 online, and pay the NZ$100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy at the same time. Neither is in the trip price. Check the current rules for your passport.

How big is the group?

The small-group trip runs with 6 to 10 guests and one See Sight Tours leader who drives our 12-seat van.

Can we travel privately or on our own?

Yes. Besides the small group, the trip comes as a private trip for your party only, on a date you choose. If you would rather travel on your own on your own dates, ask us from the dates section: we can book the same hotels, ferry, water taxi and Milford Sound cruise for you.

How much does it cost?

Prices are per person sharing a room, with taxes, and differ by style: small group or private. The small group starts from CAD 8,385 per person, and a room of your own is from CAD 2,180 more. Pick your start date when you request to book, and we confirm your trip within 24 hours. Nothing is charged until then.

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