Budget Christchurch, Abel Tasman & Auckland - 14 days

14 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
BUDGET TOUR: This 14-day New Zealand tour starts in Christchurch, visiting the coastal village of Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, Kaikoura, the renowned Marlborough Wine Region, plus so much more. Flying north to Auckland, we then explore the North Island, journeying along the scenic Coromandel Peninsula, including Hahei and Cathedral Cove. Continue to ...
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Overview

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

Highlights

    • 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
    • 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

What's this trip about?

    BUDGET TOUR: This 14-day New Zealand tour starts in Christchurch, visiting the coastal village of Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, Kaikoura, the renowned Marlborough Wine Region, plus so much more. Flying north to Auckland, we then explore the North Island, journeying along 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, ending back in Auckland. 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 CityChristchurch
End CityRaglan

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
    • Domestic flight Christchurch - Auckland
    • Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowhole walk
    • Ohau Point and Cape Foulwind seal colonies
    • Abel Tasman National Park
    • Wine tasting in Marlborough
    • Hot Water Beach (Tide Dependent)
    • Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland entry in Rotorua
    • Huka Falls walking loop
    • 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 Christchurch

Christchurch - Punakaiki. You will be collected from our pick up point in Christchurch at approximately 9:00 (detail in the Trip Notes). This morning we set off from Christchurch to begin our South Island adventure. We'll cross one of three spectacular passes through ...

Day : 2 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 : 3 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 : 4 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 : 5 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 : 6 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 : 7 Christchurch

Kaikoura - Christchurch - Auckland. 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. We ...

Day : 8 Auckland

Auckland - Hahei. Our journey to the Coromandel Peninsula offers a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with your guide and fellow travellers. We’ll enjoy a picturesque drive, taking in the stunning scenery with many stops along the way until we arrive in Hahei. ...

Day : 9 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 : 10 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 : 11 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 : 12 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 : 13 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 : 14 Raglan

Raglan - Auckland. Raglan is the ultimate laid-back surf town in New Zealand, famous for its world-class left-hand break. You’ll get to explore the dramatic coastal scenery, stroll along the unique black sand beach, and maybe even catch a wave or two. At around 1pm, w...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,265
Price per day$162
Last Updated: 3/26/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
29 Mar 2025
11 Apr 2025
$3,575
12 Apr 2025
25 Apr 2025
$3,575
26 Apr 2025
09 May 2025
$3,575
01 Nov 2025
14 Nov 2025
$3,695
22 Nov 2025
05 Dec 2025
$3,695
13 Dec 2025
26 Dec 2025
$3,625
27 Dec 2025
09 Jan 2026
$3,625
10 Jan 2026
23 Jan 2026
$3,695
24 Jan 2026
06 Feb 2026
$3,695
07 Feb 2026
20 Feb 2026
$3,695

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.

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On The Go Tours Reviews & Ratings

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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
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Trip ID
onthegotours-BUNZAFC

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