Home > New Zealand > New Zealand Tours

16 Day Wilderness Adventure

This 16 day itinerary offers a slightly "off the beaten track" look at New Zealand. Although you may be away from the main stream, we don't compromise on those creature comforts, giving you the opportunity to explore a natural luxury that is the New Zealand's wilderness. While some may be seen as a little eccentric, this will give the opportunity to meet local people or 'kiwi's' as they are known and experience their down to earth hospitality. Staying in a variety of accommodations, including a bush camp, eco-lodges, and even remote beach cottage, we give you a 'real' experience of this land.

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Auckland

• Welcome to Auckland! On arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation
• Stay at Oaks Auckland (formerly Nesuto Stadium) - Premium Motel/Apartment - 2 nights

Day 2 - Auckland’s West Coast Wilderness

• Bush and Beach - Wilderness Experience Nature Tour

Day 3 - Waitomo Caves

• Drive to Waitomo (approximately 190 km, 2 hours 30 mins)
• This morning collect your rental vehicle and make your way to Waitomo - Cave Country
• Waitomo Glow Worm Caves - Triple Cave Combo - Glowworm, Ruakuri and Aranui Caves
• Stay at Rural Tours. Country Lifestyle Experiences - Unique Stay - 1 night

Day 4 - Tongariro

• This morning travel approximately 2 hours to Tongariro
• Stay at Tongariro Crossing Lodge - 3 Star Hotel - 2 nights

Tongariro National Park

Established in 1887, Tongariro was the first national park in New Zealand and the fourth in the world. It is also a dual World Heritage area, a status which recognises the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features. It is a place of extremes and surprises, a place to explore and remember . From herb fields to forests, from tranquil lakes to desert-like plateau and active volcanoes - Tongariro has them all. In the summer you will find available all kinds of that allow you to get out and enjoy the Tongariro National Park- hiking, biking and kayaking and in the winter National Park has fantastic skiing on the Whakapapa and Turoa Ski fields on Mt Ruapehu.

Day 5 - Tongariro

• Adrift Tongariro - Half Day Tongariro Alpine Guided Group Walk

Day 6 - Wellington

• Drive to Wellington (approximately 345 km, 4 hours 30 mins)
• Travel to Wellington - The Arts Capital
• Stay at Copthorne Hotel Oriental Bay Wellington - 4 Star Hotel - 1 night

Day 7 - Abel Tasman National Park

• Return your rental vehicle at Wellington Airport and fly to Nelson
• Drive to Abel Tasman (approximately 60 km, 1 hour 15 mins)
• On arrival into Nelson collect your rental vehicle and travel to Abel Tasman National Park - A National Treasure
• Stay at Awaroa Lodge - 4 Star Hotel - 2 nights

Day 8 - Abel Tasman National Park

• Enjoy your free day at leisure in Abel Tasman National Park

Day 9 - Travel via Punakaiki (Poo-na-kai-key) Pancake Rocks and Blowholes

• Drive to Punakaiki (approximately 285 km, 4 hours 30 mins)
• Make your way to Punakaiki - Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
• After you have explored Punakaiki continue onto Greymouth - The West Coast's Largest City
• Stay at The Ashley Hotel Greymouth - 3 Star Hotel - 1 night

Day 10 - Christchurch

• TranzAlpine Train - Greymouth to Christchurch
• Return your vehicle at the railway station and board the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch - transfer on arrival
• Stay at Distinction Christchurch Hotel - 4 Star Hotel - 1 night

Day 11 - Oamaru

• Drive to Oamaru (approximately 250 km, 3 hours 15 mins)
• Collect your rental vehicle from the city and drive to Oamaru - Whitestone City
• Stay at Pen-y-bryn Lodge - Boutique Lodge - 1 night
• Enjoy the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony - Premium Evening Tour

Oamaru Little Blue Penguin Colony

Oamaru is home to the little (often known as fairy or blue) penguin . This is the smallest species of penguin in the world. The little blue penguin is nocturnal as far as its land activities are concerned and can only be viewed after dark . The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony provides you with the perfect opportunity to watch blue penguins as they return from a busy day at sea. You will see them arrive on the beach, climb the steep rocks and make their way inland to their burrows.

Day 12 & 13 - Dunedin

• Drive to Dunedin (approximately 115 km, 2 hours)
• Drive to Dunedin - The Edinburgh of the South
• Royal Albatross Centre - Albatross Classic Tour
• Stay at Distinction Dunedin Hotel - 4 Star Hotel - 2 nights
• Monarch Wildlife Cruises - Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise

Day 14 - Stewart Island

• Drive to Bluff (approximately 230 km, 3 hours 15 mins)
• Travel to Bluff - Gateway to Stewart Island
• One Way Ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island (Oban)
• Take the ferry over to Stewart Island - New Zealand's Best-Kept Secret
• Stay at Stewart Island Lodge - Boutique Lodge - 2 nights

Stewart Island: New Zealand's Best-Kept Secret

It is almost a cliche to call it one of New Zealand 's best-kept secrets, but given that so few people are aware of its unspoiled tranquillity, it probably deserves this label more than any other place in the country. Roughly tr iangula r in shape, it is 65km (40 miles) long and 40km (25 miles) Only 1% of the island is inhabited -- the rest is given over to natural native bush, exquisite white -sand beaches, bird sanctuaries, and rugged mountains. All this makes it a naturalist's and tramper's paradise and the perfect place for a remote yet accessible holiday. You need to be here only a few hours before the rest of the wor ld melts away and you find yourself adopting the unhurried, laid-back approach of the locals. The wildlife and rare plant life is some of New Zealand's best, where you will see seals, penguins and dolphins all from the roads. Kiwi spotting is very popular here as they are common over much of the island. The forest is a haven for bird-life, as there are fewer predators than on the mainland . Kaka, parakeets, tui, and bellbird give a wonderful dawn chorus in spring . New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi is found all round the Island.

Day 15 - Ulva Island

• Ulvas Guided Walks - Ulva Island Half Day Guided Walk and Eco Tour - Birding and Botany
• Ulvas Guided Walks - Evening Kiwi Spotting on Stewart Island

Day 16 - Departure

• Take the ferry back to Bluff and travel to Invercargill to meet your onward flight
• One Way Ferry from Stewart Island (Oban) to Bluff

Download Detailed Itinerary

COST: $5,815 per person at today’s exchange rates
** Rate for 2026 high season

For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
@
1 800 886-7321
(415) 444-5100
or
Request Info