26 Days & 25 Nights

4.8

The Best of New Zealand

Experience the adventure of a lifetime on this 26-day New Zealand odyssey
Walk on the Abel Tasman, Queen Charlotte, Routeburn & Kaikoura Tracks
Glaciers, geysers, jagged mountains, rolling pastureland and steep fiords
New Zealand gastronomy and local wines, such as Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc
Milford Sound Cruise, native forests, raging rivers, sweeping golden beaches

Explore the best of New Zealand on this drive and hike itinerary that links the highlights of “Aotearoa” or the “land of the long white cloud”. This is an adventure of a lifetime as you experience world-class walking with landscapes of mountains, geysers, fiords, forests and beaches. New Zealand has it all and you will also be blown away by its excellent cuisine, local wines and Maori culture. When the Maori arrived here about 700 years ago there were only birds that had evolved to fill the role of mammals and were often flightless, as they had no predators. Therefore the birdlife here is plentiful, as well as sightings of sea-life such as dolphins, seals and penguins.

From £4,499.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Auckland and overnight Day 2 Ferry to Rangitoto Island. Loop Walk to Summit 8 miles / 13 km Day 3: Rental car pick up. Drive to Coromandel. Day 4: Walk the Harray Track and explore the Coromandel Peninsula 4 miles / 6 km Day 5: Drive to Hahei. Walk to Cathedral Cove, Drive to Mt Manganui. Walk to summit 4 miles / 7 km Day 6: Waimangu Volcanic Valley Walk. Orakei Korako Geyserland and Thermal Park. Drive to Taupo 4 miles / 6 km Day 7: Free day in Lake Taupo or Huka Falls and Aratiatia Rapids Walk - Choice of walks 12 miles / 20 km Day 8: Drive to Tongariro National Park. Taranaki Falls and Tama Lakes Walking Tracks - Choice of walks 12 miles / 20 km Day 9: Drive to Wellington and explore this capital city Day 10 Free morning in Wellington. Afternoon ferry to Picton Day 11 Queen Charlotte Track, Water Taxi to Ship Cove. Walk to Endeavour Inlet 8 miles / 13 km Day 12 Drive to Marahau. Abel Tasman Track. Boat to Anchorage Bay, walk to Marahau 8 miles / 13 km Day 13 Drive to Kaikoura, free time Day 14 Walk the Kaikoura Coast Track, Buntings Gulley to Ngaroma. Drive to Hamner Springs 7.5 miles / 12 km Day 15 Free day in Hanmer Springs for spa treatments, etc. or Conical Hill Walk. 1 miles / 2 km Day 16 Drive to Arthur’s Pass. Bealey Valley Track 2 miles / 4 km Day 17 Walk the Avalanche Peak and Scott Tracks 4 miles / 7 km Day 18 Drive to Lake Tekapo. Explore. Day 19: Explore Lake Tekapo and walk the Mount John Summit Circuit Track or explore Mount Cook 5 miles / 8 km Day 20 Drive to Wanaka (Otago Region). Free time Day 21: Roy’s Peak Track 10 miles / 16 km Day 22: Drive to Te Anau via Arrowtown Day 23: Milford Sound Cruise. Routeburn Track, Key Summit 4 miles / 7 km Day 24: Drive to Queenstown. Walk up Queenstown Hill 3 miles / 5 km Day 25 Free day to explore Queenstown Day 26: Transfer to the airport. Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 15kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 15kg is equivalent to 4.5 cheeseburgers. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This drive and hike tour concentrates on the highlights of both the North and South Islands, with their diverse and natural landscapes and first rate walking, or “tramping” as kiwis like to call it. Since you have a car you will be able to cover a lot of ground in 26 days (although you will only have the car from Day 3 to 24), however the pace is not too hectic and rest days are added into the itinerary when needed. The walks vary from place to place but are always optional so you can pick and choose which ones you would like to take.

Trip Type:

Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

Activity:

Drive and Hike | Exploration of picturesque and remarkable destinations by car combined with walks that highlight the best of a country or region.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Wine

Winter Sun

Coastal Walking

National Parks

Alpine Walking

Grade & Terrain

There are many varying types of walks on this itinerary, from easy, flat and short walks, to longer more challenging hilly walks on rough terrain. However they are all optional and therefore you can choose which walks you would like to do. All the walks are available in the Macs Smartphone App, so you can easily find your way using this GPS technology.

The walks are mostly on dirt tracks, which are mostly Department of Conservation walks all very well-maintained. New Zealand is a walkers paradise and well-renowned for its walking tracks, therefore it is all very well organised and signposted. There maybe walking on tarmac from time to time.

There are walking tracks that are seasonal, but you should be able to do them all as this tour is available in the spring, autumn/fall and summer. However, some walks are weather-dependent and since the weather can change rapidly in New Zealand is it always best to check the forecast, especially walking in high elevations. Also, if there is a Department of Conservation or tourist office nearby, we recommend checking the weather and the condition of the trail before embarking on a walk, particularly the longer walks in high terrain. Some walks are also in avalanche territory, so again, its best to check at a DOC office or on the DOC website for any warnings (see information pack for more details).

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

25 Nights in B&B’s, guest houses, lodges, and hotels
Private transfer from Auckland Airport to Auckland Hotel
Car Rental
23 Breakfasts
Return ferry to Rangitoto Island
Transfer from Auckland Accommodation to rental car pick up point
Entrance to Waimangu Thermal Valley
Entrance to Orakei Korako Geyserland and Thermal Park
Milford Sound Cruise
Water taxis from Picton to Ship Cove and Endeavour Inlet to Picton
Water taxi from Marahau to Anchorage Bay
One-way ferry Wellington to Picton
Transfer from Queenstown accommodation to the airport on the final day
Access to the Macs Smartphone App with GPS Tracks
24-7 Emergency telephone support

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Auckland
Travel from Queenstown
2 Breakfasts, all lunches and dinners
Fuel for car
Queen Charlotte Track private land walking fee ($12)
Drinks and snacks
Personal necessities
ETA & IVL requests (mandatory)
Taxi in Queenstown from Car Rental Drop off office to accommodation

Extras

Additional nights

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

Getting to Auckland

You can fly into Auckland Airport. This airport is served by many airlines, both international and domestic, including Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, American, Thai Airways. Virgin Australia, Etihad and Qatar Airlines.

Upon arrival at Auckland Airport a Corporate Cabs (or another provider if Corporate cabs are not available – this exact information will be in your Final Travel Document) driver will be waiting for you just outside the sliding doors that you will come though from customs. Your driver will be on the left with your name(s) on his board and will drop you off at your accommodation in the centre of Auckland.

* Please be aware that when booking flights from the UK to New Zealand you will arrive 2 days after you set off and on return you will arrive 1 day after you set off. So, for example, if you leave on a Tuesday you will arrive on a Thursday and on return if you leave on a Saturday you will arrive home on the Sunday. This is obviously because of the time it takes to get there but also because you are travelling back and forth across the International Date Line. Similar principles apply when travelling from other places in Europe and from the USA and Canada. Please make sure that when you book you take this into consideration so that you are arriving on the correct day that the tour begins.

Getting from the End

Getting from Queenstown

Some international airlines fly out of Queenstown Airport, including Qantas and Air New Zealand. However, you can also take a domestic flight to any of the larger airports such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and then fly internationally from any of these.

On your final day a transfer is included from your Queenstown accommodation to the airport.

Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Equipment

Our pre-departure information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take with you to New Zealand. This includes warm and cold weather gear, hiking boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.

Car Rental

Car rental is included in the cost of this tour, as it is a drive and hike itinerary. When you arrive in Auckland, a private transfer is included to take you to your hotel. Car pick up will occur on the morning of Day 3. You will take the car with you on the ferry from the North to the South Island. You will then use the car for the until you reach Queenstown when you drop the car off at the car rental office. You will then need to get a taxi from here to your accommodation in Queenstown. You will be able to park your car at all of the accommodations and the walks will mostly have car parks at the start where you can safely leave it. At times you will have to leave your car in a car park with luggage inside, however New Zealand has a very low crime rate and you should feel comfortable doing so. The car will be a Mitsubishi ASX or equivalent.

The car rental includes tax (GST), unlimited kilometres and insurance, but excludes the first NZ$2500.00 (deductible) of any accident damage to the vehicle.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How far in advance do I need to book? How fit do I need to be? Can I use my mobile phone with a SIM card and as a GPX in New Zealand ?

Using a mobile phone in New Zealand with a SIM card and as a GPS is straightforward. Here’s how it works:

SIM Cards & Mobile Networks in New Zealand

Local SIM Cards: If you have an unlocked phone (for the US please check with your provider), you can buy a prepaid SIM card from major providers like Spark, Vodafone (now One NZ), or 2degrees at airports (recommended to get it upon arrival), convenience stores, or phone shops.
eSIM Option: Some providers, like One NZ and Airalo, offer eSIMs for digital activation.
Coverage: Coverage is good in cities and towns but can be limited in rural areas or mountains.
Cost: Expect to pay NZD 20–50 for a SIM with data, calls, and texts.

Using Your Phone for GPS Navigation

Google Maps & Apple Maps: Work well but need mobile data or offline maps (recommended to load the route into Google Maps when having Wifi at you accommodation the evening before you go).
Offline Navigation: Before traveling to rural areas, download offline maps in Google Maps to avoid needing mobile data.
Apps like Waze or Maps.me: Good alternatives, especially for traffic updates.
Car GPS vs. Phone: Many rental cars offer GPS, but using your phone with a SIM is often cheaper and more convenient.

Considerations:

Network Coverage: Spark is noted for having extensive 4G/5G coverage across New Zealand, which is beneficial if you plan to travel to rural or remote areas.
eSIM Compatibility: Ensure your device supports eSIM functionality before opting for an eSIM plan. eSIMs offer the convenience of not needing to swap physical SIM cards and can be activated instantly.
Data Usage: Assess your data needs based on your usage patterns. For instance, if you plan to use GPS navigation extensively, stream media, or make video calls, consider a plan with a higher data allowance or unlimited data.

By selecting a plan that aligns with your travel duration and data requirements, you can stay connected throughout your journey in New Zealand.

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