Auckland

5-Day New Zealand North and South Island Highlights Tour

Auckland, New Zealand
5 Day New Zealand North and South Island Highlights Trip
Likely to Sell Out

From $1,133.61

Select Date and Travelers

up to 6 days in advance

  • 5 days
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Journey by coach, ferry and railway from the North Island to the South Island of New Zealand during this 5-day trip from Auckland to Christchurch, or vice versa. Ride a boat into the Waitomo Glowworm Caves; see the geothermal wonderland at Te Pua and the Agrodome Sheep Show in Rotorua; take the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait from Wellington; and hop on a Coastal Pacific train from Picton to Kaikoura, where you’ll watch giant sperm whales at play. Enjoy overnight accommodation in Rotorua, Wellington and Kaikoura.
  • Explore the best of New Zealand's natural beauty in five-days
  • Boat ride through the glow worm grotto at Waitomo Caves
  • Relax at Rotorua's geothermal parks
  • Cross Cook Straight by ferry between Wellington and Picton
  • Take in the spectacular coastal scenery on the train journey between Picton and Kaikoura (only from 01 October, to 30 April)
  • Spot giant sperm whales in Kaikoura

What's Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • 4 nights accommodation
  • Waitomo Glow Worm Caves tour
  • Rotorua Activities
  • Ferry between Wellington and Picton
  • TranzCoastal train journey between Picton and Kaikoura (only from 01 October to 30 April)
  • Kaikoura Whale Watch Tour
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities (Optional)

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

07:00 AM

Pickup details

We also pick up from Christchurch for those who wish to do a reverse tour (Christchurch to Auckland). Please provide the name of your Christchurch City Hotel when making a booking. For those staying in an AirBnb, private residency or outside of the the central city limits, then please advise so we can provide you with a central pick up location.

What To Expect

Day 1

Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua

1 Stop

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

5 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Accommodation: Millenium Hotel Rotorua or similar

Meals: Not included

Day 2

Rotorua

3 Stops

Te Puia

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Rainbow Springs Nature Park

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Agrodome

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Accommodation: Millenium Hotel Rotorua or similar

Meals: Not included

Day 3

Rotorua – Lake Taupo – Wellington

1 Stop

Lake Tekapo

8 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Rydges Hotel or Similar

Meals: Not included

Day 4

Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura

2 Stops

Wellington

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Picton

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: White Morph Hotel or similar

Meals: Not included

Day 5

Kaikoura - Christchurch

1 Stop

Whale Watch Kaikoura

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Not included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Each traveler is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase and 1 carry-on bag. Oversized or excessive luggage (e.g. surfboards, golf clubs or bikes) may have certain restrictions, please inquire with the operator prior to travel to confirm if your excess luggage is acceptable
  • This tour is independent touring, different coach and driver each day, all pickups and drop-offs will be at your accommodation.
  • Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
  • The coach service between Rotorua /Wellington is an Intercity Coach, this is a full size tour coach, (door to door service provided) however, no commentary
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
  • Any changes made less than 6 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

3.5
8 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-7 of 8 reviews
Well, to be honest this is basically...
Silvia T, Apr 2017
Well, to be honest this is basically two days tour. We got to have a real tour on the first and last day. All those three days we had to fill it up on our own. Not to mention that one day is completely waisted by taking the bus (BTW public bus!), with basically no stopping. Wouldn't recommend!!!
I don't know if I booked something...
NatalieR_I, Apr 2016
I don't know if I booked something wrong or misread but I did not expect to be completely by myself for the tour, I thought that I would be part of a tour group. Other than that the places and the sights and activities were great! I would love the same tour but with more people to meet!
Wish that the transit in Taupo Lake...
mai.shihah, Feb 2016
Wish that the transit in Taupo Lake was longer...10 minutes was like touch and go...and should not be listed as highlight of the tour...
The tour was ok, but why 5 days...
Uolevi K, Nov 2013
The tour was ok, but why 5 days' tour is only 4 days tour with one free day? Heidi and Uolevi
Great tour with a well timed...
Caroline D, Feb 2013
Great tour with a well timed itinerary and wonderful local staff. Would have been useful to know of the names of the local places of accommodation or at least what type of rooms we were booked into as we could have made better use of the kitchenettes if we had known. It would also be helpful to have it stated clearly and upfront, that this is a self-guided tour with the occasional input from local operators. It was not a draw back for us, but certainly not expected when booking a "tour".
The details of this trip read that...
Sheila D, Mar 2012
The details of this trip read that it was a tour. I signed up alone for my first trip to New Zealand. I expected a tour where the same people would be with me for the duration. This was very different. One day, I was transported to a public bus, which I rode for the day to Wellington. The hotel was in an area too far for any real sight seeing. You are left on your own quite a bit. That was OK in a couple of stops since there were things you could do and see on your own. I did enjoy NZ quite a bit and was able to see a bit of both islands. The tour ends in Christchurch. I was moved by what the people of Christchurch have been through. I think you should reconsider the end city of the tour. Access to the city, where most tourist attractions were, is closed. Based on the other Viator tours I've taken, this rated very low.
Make sure you travel light when you...
Filomena P, Oct 2010
Make sure you travel light when you take this tour. You will be at the bus station, waiting for your particular bus to get you to your tour. One of the hotel ( Mercure)we stayed as not nice and no elevator, so we have to carry our large heavy luggage naad there was no porter to help us.

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5-Day New Zealand North and South Island Highlights Tour
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