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21-DAY / 20-NIGHT GROUP TOUR
NEW ZEALAND HIGHLIGHTS
3 WEEK GROUP TOUR | AUCKLAND TO QUEENSTOWN
Prices start from
$4,578
SAVE 10%
$5,087
Displayed price includes a 1.75% booking fee.
Tour price$4,499
Online booking fee (1.75%)$79
You pay$4,578
Tour charges are in AUD. Secure your date with a deposit today. See our booking policy for full terms.
Check Dates & BookCHECK DATES Get Tour NotesTour Notes Request More InfoMore Info

21 DAY / 20-NIGHT GROUP TOUR

NEW ZEALAND HIGHLIGHTS

3-WEEK GROUP TOUR | AUCKLAND TO QUEENSTOWN

4.9 Rating - 275 Traveller Reviews
Prices start from
$4,578
SAVE 10%
$5,087
Displayed price includes a 1.75% booking fee.
Tour price$4,499
Online booking fee (1.75%)$79
You pay$4,578
Tour charges are in AUD. Secure your date with a deposit today. See our booking policy for full terms.
Check Dates & BookCHECK DATES Get Tour NotesTour Notes Request More InfoMore Info
TRIP OVERVIEW

Experience the very best of New Zealand with our ULTIMATE Highlights tour. This fast-paced adventure takes you from Auckland to Queenstown, with stops at iconic locations like Hobbiton, Rotorua, Wellington, Mount Cook, and and Queenstown. Sail through the 8th wonder of the world, visit the Lord of The Rings movie set, experience a geothermal wonderland, explore Maori village and much more! This guided group tour includes ALL your travel, accommodation, a fun and experienced ULTIMATE guide and loads of exciting activities.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Experience the very best of New Zealand on an epic 21-day guided adventure from Auckland to Queenstown
  • Visit the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films
  • Cruise through the breathtaking Milford Sound – the 8th Wonder of the World
  • Immerse yourself in Māori culture with a Te Pā Tū Village experience, traditional feast, and Māori Sunset Cruise
  • Relax at the Hell’s Gate Geothermal Spa and discover Rotorua’s incredible geothermal landscapes
  • Visit Aoraki / Mount Cook, spend time in beautiful Lake Tekapo, and enjoy world-famous stargazing
  • Tick whale watching off your bucket list with an unforgettable Kaikōura Whale Watching Cruise
  • Travel across both islands with all transport, including the Interislander Ferry, plus optional adrenaline activities along the way
New-Zealand-Highlights-Group-Tour-Map
  • 20 nights accommodation – Flashpacker hostels in 4-10 bed mixed dorms
  • Hobbiton – Visit the iconic Hobbiton movie set and experience the iconic Lord of the Rings franchise
  • Ferry Transport – Ferry ticket between North and South Island included
  • Fully Guided – Fully trained ULTIMATE Group Leader will be with you every step of the way!
  • Hot Water Beach Experience – Cathedral Cove and unique geothermal hot springs
  • Te Pā Tū Village Experience – Learn about Maori history and culture while enjoying a traditional feast and accommodation for the night
  • Milford Sound Tour – Day trip to the undisputed 8th natural wonder of the world
  • Mount Cook Day Trip – Visit NZ’s tallest Mountain and stargaze in Lake Tekapo
  • Whale Watching Cruise – Tick whale watching off your bucket list in Kaikoura
  • Geothermal Spa Experience – Free entry to the Hell’s Gate Spa
  • Māori Sunset Cruise – Discover traditional Māori Carvings on a sunset Catamaran cruise
  • Optional Extras – Opportunities to book optional adrenaline activities

THE TOUR ITINERARY

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DAY 1 WELCOME TO NEW ZEALAND

New-Zealand-Highlights-Tour-Auckland

Today our New Zealand Highlights Tour kicks off in Auckland with a City Orientation tour followed by a Welcome Meal. We will visit all the local sights and hotspots of New Zealand’s largest and busiest city. Today you’ll also meet all your new travel buddies and learn about what the next 3 weeks has in store!

DAYS 2 & 3 AUCKLAND & HOT WATER BEACH

New-Zealand-Highlights-Tour-Hot-Water-Beach

Head to the Coromandel Peninsula on a guided day trip. Known for its pristine beaches and volcanic springs, here you’ll visit Cathedral Cove Beach which is one New Zealand’s most iconic photo spots, Cathedral Cove is renowned for its picture-perfect archway. That evening you’ll arrive at Hot Water Beach, a natural geothermal hotspot where you can create your very own spa! Dig yourself a hole in the sand, the hole will fill with hot water and relax, watching the sunset.

DAY 4 HOBBITON

New-Zealand-Highlights-Tour-Hobbiton

Depart Auckland to The Shire for your guided Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. This the award-winning attraction was made famous by the popular Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Here you’ll see all the Hobbiton highlights including charming Hobbit holes, hear all the behind-the-scenes secrets and enjoy a complimentary drink at the iconic Green Dragon Inn. You will also have a lunch included! At the end of the day you’ll carry on your journey southbound to Rotorua.

DAYS 5 ROTORUA | Te Pā Tū Maori Village

Rotorua is the heart of both New Zealand’s Māori culture and it’s geothermal activity. Visit a traditional Māori Village with a 3-course banquet dinner. Te Pā Tū presents culture and cuisine, while proudly sharing Māori history and traditions. You will dive right into the Maori culture and learn all about it’s rich history in this unique and authentic experience.

DAYS 6 ROTORUA | Hell’s Gate Geothermal Spa

Today you will also be given a day ticket to the famous Hell’s Gate Geothermal Mud Spa, for a full Geothermal experience! This includes a guided bush walk around the geothermal wonderland followed by a 2 hour mud spa experience in the natural hot springs. Hell’s Gate is nicknamed as the place where the centre of the Earth meets the sky! Your free time in Rotorua is where you can decide to tap into your adrenaline and book White Water Rafting, sailing down in the world’s tallest commercial waterfall! (extra cost)

DAYS 7 & 8 TAUPO

Your next stop is Taupo, home to Australasia’s largest river! Lake Taupo is roughly the size of Singapore and not only that, it leads to Huka Falls, New Zealand’s most powerful waterfall. You will get to experience the river first hand with an afternoon private catamaran charter. Onboard you’ll get to swim in the river, watch the sunset and sail past the famous Māori Rock Carvings.

DAY 9 & 10 WELLINGTON

New-Zealand-Highlights-Tour-Wellington

After a busy few days, you’ll get to unwind in the nation’s vibrant capital, Wellington. You can enjoy the vibrant art and nightlife scene of Wellington with a free evening and group dinner. On your free day you can ride the famous cable cart or visit the historic Te Papa Museum if you wish!

DAYS 11-12 KAIKŌURA

New-Zealand-Highlights-Tour-Kaikoura

Now is the time to make the journey to the south island. You will then board the Interislander Ferry across the Cook Strait with your group and head to relaxed and beautiful seaside town of Kaikōura, which is New Zealand’s home of marine wildlife and the undisputed BEST fish ‘n’ chips in New Zealand! On your free day, you will experience a proper bucket list activity – an included Whale Watching cruise! Take a 2 hour trip around the bay enjoying all the marine wildlife – enjoy seeing heaps of Whales, sometimes we even see some dolphins and Orcas too!

DAYs 13 CHRISTCHURCH

New-Zealand-Highlights-Tour-Christchurch

Spend a night enjoying the chilled and cultural vibes of Christchurch, visit the Botanical Gardens. Christchurch is nicknamed ‘Garden City’ because of how many different gardens and botanics it has to offer! It’s also know for a diverse music scene and has large variety of vibrant music venues.

DAYs 14-15 LAKE TEKAPO

Enjoy a 2-night lakefront style retreat in Tekapo. Known as THE #1 spot in the southern hemisphere to Stargaze, fingers crossed the weather plays it part and you and your group will have a night you’ll never forget! During the day you can visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd or take a dip in the Tekapo Hot Springs. You’ll have a front row seat to the ice-blue Tekapo waters with your lakefront hostel’s large panoramic windows.New Zealand South Island Group Tour Lake Tekapo Church

DAY 16 MT COOK VISIT & QUEENSTOWN ARRIVAL

Mt Cook Queenstown

Today you’ll leave Tekapo behind to make your way south to Queenstown. On the way you’ll make a stop venturing the foothills of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook. This fully guided half-day trip will have you enjoy the scenery of the Southern Alps and take a group tour around the base. You can decide to upgrade to an Alpine Scenic Flight if you wish. Then carry on your journey to New Zealand’s Adventure Capital – Queenstown!

DAYS 17-21 QUEENSTOWN

nzone skydive NZ

Spend 5 epic days in the backpacker and adrenaline capital of New Zealand – Queenstown! After you check into your ski lodge style hostel you can choose to join the party of Queenstown’s legendary nightlife with a local bar crawl if you wish! Then, repeat the fun for the next few days, adding some epic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences! Here you can take the leap with a 15,000 ft Skydive, ride on the QT Jetboat or brave the Canyon Swing. Queenstown is also home to the AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy – the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere, offering an exhilarating 7 seconds of freefall! If you’re after a more laid-back vibe, explore the cafes and boutique shops in this ski town.

DAY 19 MILFORD SOUND

Enjoy a day trip to the undisputed 8th wonder of the world! Experience an unforgettable boat cruise through the Milford Sound, taking in the landscapes, huge waterfalls and mountains.

WHERE WE STAY

The New Zealand Highlights Tour includes 20 nights accommodation in flashpacker dorm room accommodation. We partner with well reviewed properties in the areas we visit! You can be assured that after a adventurous day exploring, a comfortable bed is waiting.  Your accommodation features

  • Dorm Rooms
  • Upgrades to Private Single Rooms available at the booking process*
  • Breakfast included in select hostels
  • Free WIFI available
  • Accomodation is a mixture of hostles, lodges, cabins and unqiue retreats
new zealand highlights taupo dorm
new zealand highlights auckland pod
new zealand highlights kaikoura pool
new zealand highlights christchurch dorm
new zealand highlights auckland pod
new zealand highlights Christchurch Leisure Accommodation
new zealand highlights kaikoura spa
BOOK TOURNew Zealand Highlights
Pay Today: $300 AUD per person
Final payment due 45 days before your tour.

To make your booking, choose your departure date and any optional extras you'd like. Not sure about extras, or need extra accommodation before or after your tour? No worries, just let us know later by email.

How the price works: the tour price is shown in the booking panel, then a 1.75% online booking fee is added at checkout — that's the price you see on the tour page. You'll see both lines before you pay. No card surcharges, and nothing is added after that.

Once you've booked, we'll send your booking confirmation along with important information about your tour.

Travel Community Join Ultimate Travel

Travelling solo? Great! Most of the people you meet on tour will also be on a solo adventure! If you are curious as to who you could be travelling with, or want to make some friends before arriving, join our Travel Community and reach out to your potential new travel mates!

Booking with ULTIMATE is easy! We take payments securely via Mastercard or Visa Credit and Debit Card and we will charge you in Australian Currency (AUD). Your deposit is flexible and if you can no longer travel, you can save your deposit for a later trip or destination if you notify us 30 days before your scheduled tour date.

Making your booking is easy. Choose a date below, and if you have any questions about extras, deposits, or meeting other travellers, just get in touch — we're happy to help.

Good to Know | FAQs

The 21 Day New Zealand Highlights Group tour starts in Auckland and ends in Queenstown.

You’ll be travelling with a group of 18-35 year olds from all over the world, this is a fully guided tour.

You’ll be staying in mixed dorm rooms throughout your New Zealand Group tour in 4-6 bed accommodation.

Yes, they recommend searching and comparing flight prices using Skyscanner.com, and offer a recommended travel insurance provider.

The currency is the New Zealand Dollar. Most places accept card so cash isn’t essential. $1 NZD is roughly £0.45 GBP, €0.52 EUR or $0.92 AUD.

Mostly no, though some hostels and activities include meals. Recommend budgeting around $100 NZD per day for food, drink and activities.

Most nations don’t require an official visa, but some do. UK/European citizens need an NZETA (Visa Waiver Visitor Visa), costing around $50 NZD, granting 3-6 months access with no working rights.

Include any dietary requirements when booking. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available for included breakfasts and meals.

Yes, some activities can be pre-booked at time of booking, or booked on Day 1 through your ULTIMATE Group Leader.

The tour is fast paced and energetic with a key activity at every stop; the Group Leader lets you know when there’s free time.

The legal drinking age in NZ is 18. ID is required to be served; most places don’t accept international driving licenses so bring your passport.

Book together and the supplier will do their best to place you together, or book separately and let them know beforehand.

Anywhere between 10-24 backpackers.

Yes, comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, personal injury and medical expenses is mandatory.

Select your chosen departure date and enter your details for a booking confirmation, or pay a non-refundable $300 AUD deposit to secure a spot.

Member of the Ultimate travel teamNikki Hogg Ultimate TravelLewis Edge Ultimate Travel

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