New Zealand Family Adventure - 15 days, New Zealand

Day 1 - Upon arrival at Auckland International Airport, you will be met by your private driver and vehicle and transferred to your accommodation.

Day 2 - Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb. Your unforgettable adventure takes you under, around, up and over the historic Auckland Harbour Bridge. Last of its kind to be built in the world, custom engineered walkways provide a safe and enjoyable experience as you walk over water showcasing the incredible sights, sounds and activity of Auckland. Enjoy the most magnificent views of Auckland from the summit! The best thing is having a guide teach you all about the amazing city, its history and culture all while you unlock some secrets and have a laugh at the fun facts. Even see a Bungy up close. 

Day 3 - Drive to Rotorua, Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. Your destination today is Rotorua via Hobbiton. Experience Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, the bucolic setting for The Shire that featured in the Peter Jackson directed films, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Your tour starts with a drive through the picturesque 1,250-acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Your guide will escort you through the twelve-acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton Movie set was created. The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-Earth.

Day 4 - At leisure in Rotorua. Rotorua is world-famous for steaming hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and geysers. Here there is a palpable sense of Maori culture both past and present. Nearby, overlooking Lake Rotorua is the Polynesian Spa offering a range of hot mineral bathing experiences and spa therapies. Hells Gate is another worthy experience with a bushland walk and nutrient-rich mud bath experience. If you felt like more of a walk today, drive to the outskirts of town to The Redwoods Forest and take a stroll on one of the many marked trails, or enjoy the Blue and Green Lake bush walk. For one of the best scenic nature trails around, we suggest joining the water taxi across the lake to the Tarawera Falls walk including a visit to a natural hot water pool.

Alternatively, spend more time on the lake, enjoy a day with John Hamill as a local fishing guide, and experience some great lake or river fishing to be had in this region. Boating on Lake Tarawera you can include a visit to Hot Water Beach. Thrill-seekers can take in some white water action rafting or kayaking the Grade 5 Kaituna River. For a tale to impress family back home, we suggest Mt Tarawera and Orakei Korako dual landing by helicopter with Volcanic Air. You may wish to experience Canopy Tours as an outstanding zip line experience, flying through the 1,000-year-old native forest canopy, and swing bridges. It’s an outstanding forest and bird restoration story. Take the Zorb downhill experience strapped inside a transparent globe.

Day 5 - This evening you will be collected from your accommodation to enjoy an evening of Maori culture through a concert and a traditionally cooked meal. This is an authentic and intimate Maori experience where you get to meet and hear stories of past bravery, love, heartbreak and adventure. In addition to the cultural concert, where you’ll be captivated by songs, dances and games complete with the spine-tingling “Haka” Maori war dance, you’ll see warriors in traditional dress paddle a waka and glowworms in their natural habitat. Learn about the traditional hangi, the art of Ta Moko, Maori customs, Musical instruments, Poi dance, Carving and Flora and fauna and their medicinal uses. Following your visit to Mitai, you are escorted through the bush to start your night lit extravaganza of the Rainbow Springs Nature Park. View wildlife and bush under an array of coloured lights. This is a truly magical blend of Maori Culture and Nature in a unique all-in-one nighttime package to be remembered forever. 

Day 6 - Driving between Rotorua and Taupo on the State Highway 5 you will pass the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, and a little further on the Mud Pools, Lady Knox Geyser and the Wai-o-tapu geothermal park, home to the champagne pool. On approaching Taupo you will pass through the Wairakei Park which features Craters of the Moon, Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Valley then Huka Falls. The Aratiatia Rapids are also accessible on an alternative route through to Taupo via Spa Road passing the Taupo Golf Club.

Maybe stop for lunch at Taupo before continuing around the lake via Turangi and the Central Plateau to Palmerston North in the Manawatu. From Turangi, your route can take you around the mountains of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe & Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park – the home of majestic volcanic mountain ranges, and tussock-covered lowlands and winter ski fields. Then either drive through Waiouru with its Army Museum or follow either the Mangawhero or Whanganui Rivers to Wanganui before heading along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington. 

Day 7 - Journey from central Wellington to the Weta Cave in a dedicated ‘There & Back Again’ shuttle. Your friendly driver will point out Wellington film landmarks along the way! Visit the famous Weta Cave shop, home to an incredible range of Weta-designed collectables and movie merchandise. While you're here snap photos with our life-sized sculptures and check out the mini-museum.

Take a seat in the Weta Cave to learn about the history of the Weta Group and hear from our co-founders, Richard Taylor and Peter Jackson. Then enjoy a 45-minute guided Weta Cave Workshop Tour. Get up close to the props, weapons, costumes and vehicles crafted for The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, District 9, The Chronicles of Narnia and more! 

Day 8 - Fly or ferry to Nelson. This morning return your rental vehicle to either Wellington Airport or Wellington Ferry Terminal prior to your onwards journey to the South Island. You can either fly to Nelson, a short 20-minute flight, or you can journey across the water by ferry, a longer 3-hour journey. Upon arrival in Nelson collect your next rental vehicle and drive to your accommodation.

Day 9 - Abel Tasman Day Cruise. Join your beautiful catamaran to explore along the Abel Tasman National Park’s coastline past Split Apple Rock, Kaiteriteri, Marahau, round golden sandy bays, Adele and Fisherman Islands and onto Tonga Island seal colony. Here you may see several shags drying their wings above the warm rocks after their early morning fishing expeditions. Your cruise itinerary is flexible so if there is something to see on your day trip, like dolphins riding the bow wave or New Zealand fur seals fishing, then you can go take a look. Similarly, if there's a particular bay you want to visit or a park feature you want to see, the skipper will try to accommodate your wishes. After you've said goodbye to the seals you find a sheltered bay for a light lunch. You can swim, sea kayak, snorkel or go ashore for a bush walk, or just relax on board while lunch is prepared for you. 

Day 10 - Explore Nelson at leisure.

Day 11 - This morning return your rental vehicle to Nelson Airport prior to your onwards flight. Fly from Nelson to Queenstown via Christchurch. Upon arrival collect your next rental vehicle and drive to your accommodation.

Day 12 - This morning drive out to Glenorchy for your Dart River Jetboat Safari & Funyak adventure. Enjoy a 45-minute ride along the Dart River amongst towering mountains and the refreshingly beautiful wilderness of the Mt Aspiring National Park. After your Jetboat safari inflate your Fun Yak! and paddle downstream on a glacier feed river amidst rocky peaks and dense rainforests. Enjoy a wilderness buffet lunch along the way before exploring the Rock Burn Chasm and ancient beech forests. Enjoy a swim or simply wander amongst the stunning scenery before continuing to paddle downstream in your funyak. You will then be transported by coach back to the Dart River Base in Glenorchy. 

Day 13 to Day 14 - At leisure. Queenstown is the South Island’s premier destination and it is easy to see why. With a cinematic background of mountains and lakes, this region has a unique and inspirational range of activities and experiences. As well as spectacular outdoor terrain, the region is famous for all manner of adventure activities such as bungy jumping, sky diving, white water rafting, jetboating, ziplining, biking and kayaking.