Budget Auckland, Abel Tasman & Christchurch - 14 days

14 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
BUDGET TOUR: This 14-day New Zealand tour starts in Auckland and journeys through the scenic Coromandel Peninsula, including Hahei and Cathedral Cove. Continue to Rotorua, known for its geothermal landscapes, before heading to the lakeside town of Taupo. Explore the underground wonders of Waitomo and the coastal town of Raglan, then fly to Christchurch to beg...
From$2,265
See departure dates

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Rotorua - Spend two nights in this land of geological and volcanic formations, with optional activities and the chance to visit Hobbiton
    • Lake Taupo - See the Huka Falls and enjoy scenic hiking around Lake Taupo, with plenty of possibilities for optional sailing
    • Waitomo - Explore the cavernous networks of caves and tunnels with optional excursions
    • Raglan - Relax on the beach or catch some waves at one of New Zealand's top surfing destinations
    • Punakaiki - Admire the famous Pancake Rocks and enjoy free time to explore or embark on optional excursions
    • Abel Tasman National Park - Take an included day trip to Golden Bay and enjoy a free day for skydiving, canyoning or kayaking
    • Kaikoura - Spot whales and dolphins at the shoreline or on a boat trip and enjoy scenic cliff walks along the coast

What's this trip about?

    BUDGET TOUR: This 14-day New Zealand tour starts in Auckland and journeys through the scenic Coromandel Peninsula, including Hahei and Cathedral Cove. Continue to Rotorua, known for its geothermal landscapes, before heading to the lakeside town of Taupo. Explore the underground wonders of Waitomo and the coastal town of Raglan, then fly to Christchurch to begin your South Island exploration. Cross the Southern Alps to the coastal village of Punakaiki, visit Abel Tasman National Park’s stunning beaches, and explore the renowned Marlborough Wine Region, plus so much more. Staying in dorm rooms & hostels, recommended for travellers aged 18-39.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 18 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityAuckland
End CityChristchurch

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions

  • Abel Tasman National Park
  • Auckland
  • Christchurch
  • Rotorua

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 18

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 18

Trip includes

    • 13 breakfast & 2 dinners
    • 13 nights dorm accommodation in well-equipped hostels (mixed-sex)
    • Escorted by an expert local driver/guide
    • Transportation in a luxury vehicle with Wi-Fi, leather seats, USB chargers, air-conditioning and a sound system perfect for road trip singalongs
    • Hot Water Beach (Tide Dependent)
    • Domestic flight Auckland - Christchurch
    • Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland entry in Rotorua
    • Huka Falls walking loop
    • Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowhole walk
    • Ohau Point and Cape Foulwind seal colonies
    • Abel Tasman National Park
    • Wine tasting in Marlborough
    • Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day : 1 Auckland

Auckland - Hahei. You will be collected from our designated pick up point in Auckland (detail in Trip Notes) at approximately 9:00. Our journey to the Coromandel Peninsula offers a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with your guide and fellow travelers. We’ll enj...

Day : 2 Hahei

Hahei - Rotorua. We bid farewell to the Coromandel Peninsula and make our way to Rotorua, with a stop at Hobbiton along the route so you can explore the renowned Lord of the Rings movie set (optional). In the evening, you’ll have the option to visit the enchanting Mit...

Day : 3 Rotorua

Today is completely free for you to enjoy a day full of activities in and around Rotorua. Take a zip line tour, relax with a Polynesian spa, head out on a kayaking adventure or hike the stunning Mount Tarawera volcanic crater. Your guide will be on hand to advise you on activities and to get everything booked in for you.

Day : 4 Rotorua

Rotorua - Taupo. After breakfast, we set off on the next leg of our journey, with our destination being Taupo, the adventure capital of the North Island. We’ll visit the impressive Huka Falls and explore trout-filled rivers before relaxing with a sunset beer by the st...

Day : 5 Taupo

You'll have the entire day to explore Lake Taupo and its surroundings, whether from the water's edge or from 15,000 feet above! The choice is yours. You can spend the day tackling the Tongariro Crossing, jetboating, sailing, exploring, or bungy jumping, Taupo offers e...

Day : 6 Taupo

Taupo - Waitomo - Raglan. We have an early start today and our journey leads to Waitomo, a town famous for its underground wonders. You can explore the depths as you crawl, abseil, raft, and navigate tight passages through the dark caverns, illuminated by the soft glo...

Day : 7 Raglan

Raglan - Auckland - Christchurch. Rise early this morning if you are interested in a surf lesson at this renowned surf beach. Alternatively, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the rugged landscape, the distinctive black sand beach, and even catch a few waves indep...

Day : 8 Christchurch

Christchurch - Punakaiki. This morning we set off from Christchurch to begin our South Island adventure. We'll cross one of three spectacular passes through the Southern Alps, making our way towards the West Coast. Our journey via the Lewis Pass will lead us through p...

Day : 9 Punakaiki

Today is for exploring Punakaiki, a delightful coastal village which is the perfect beachside destination for adventure and discovery. It is famed for the Pancake Rocks, where columns of water are sent skyward from rock formations that resemble stacks of hotcakes. Sp...

Day : 10 Punakaiki

Punakaiki - Abel Tasman National Park. We travel along the untamed west coast, making stops for breathtaking lighthouse views and to observe resident seal colonies. Heading inland, we journey through the picturesque Nelson Lakes on our way to Abel Tasman National Park...

Day : 11 Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park - Golden Bay - Abel Tasman National Park. Today, we journey to Golden Bay, home to New Zealand's longest sandspit, along with breathtaking beaches and diverse wildlife. Prepare for an adventure as we explore the Ngarua Caves, followed by a wa...

Day : 12 Abel Tasman National Park

Today you have the flexibility to explore Abel Tasman in various ways: kayaking, sailing, hiking, canyoning, or even skydiving! For a more relaxing experience, you can take a leisurely stroll along the beach and find out why we believe this National Park boasts some o...

Day : 13 Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park - Marlborough - Kaikoura. As we leave Abel Tasman, we head to the renowned Marlborough Wine Region. Driving through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds, we'll make a stop at one of our favorite wineries. Here, you can enjoy a sip or two of its...

Day : 14 Christchurch

Kaikoura - Christchurch. Spend the morning completing the rest of your bucket list, whether it's spotting seals, searching for whales, or swimming with dolphins. Following a morning of adventure, we'll hit the road for our drive back to Christchurch, where we will arr...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $2,265
Price per day$162
Last Updated: 3/25/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
05 Apr 2025
18 Apr 2025
$3,575
19 Apr 2025
02 May 2025
$3,575
17 May 2025
30 May 2025
$3,575
14 Jun 2025
27 Jun 2025
$3,575
12 Jul 2025
25 Jul 2025
$3,575
09 Aug 2025
22 Aug 2025
$3,575
06 Sep 2025
19 Sep 2025
$3,575
04 Oct 2025
17 Oct 2025
$3,625
25 Oct 2025
07 Nov 2025
$3,625
15 Nov 2025
28 Nov 2025
$3,625

Departure dates are guaranteed with 1 traveller. 'Dorm' prices shown are based on mixed dormitory rooms. There is also a 'Twin' room upgrade and a 'Single' room upgrade for solo travellers. 'Twin/Double' room upgrades are based on two people travelling together and are subject to availability.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with On The Go Tours.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

On The Go Tours Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,478
Great
398
Average
25
Disappointing
11
Terrible
34
Write a Review

Other On The Go Tours Reviews

W

WYETH

Jan 2025

Written on

Over all fantastic

Over all fantastic Excellent service, great prices, sup...

P

PW

Jan 2025

Written on

Magical Morocco

The Magical Morocco tour is definitely one to remember (for all the right reasons), it's amazing how much can be packed into 13 days with some savvy planning. Our gu...

A

Alexa Ribeiro-Pretorius

Jan 2025

Written on

Jade has been such a help and is always…

Jade has been such a help and is always friendly - even when I had to change things several times. Thanks for your patience and your kindness, Jade. You are a st...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • International flights and visas
    • Airport transfers
    • Optional activities and experiences (book locally - approximate pricing is in the Trip Notes)
    • Tip for your tour guide / driver. We recommend you allow $4 - 7 USD per day per traveller. Tipping your tour guide is an entirely personal gesture.

Accommodation

Hostel & Dorm rooms
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
No official maximum age but these tours are aimed at the 18-30s market. Accommodation is in mixed-sex dorm rooms of up to 8 in hostels. This is a budget, backpacker-type product. Older pax should be steered towards Pure Discoveries product or Wild Kiwi's premium tours.
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
onthegotours-BUNZAT

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!