Days:
17
Starts:
Auckland
Finishes:
QUEENSTOWN
Meals:
10B 2L 2D
From:
$2649USD
NZ INTRO 17 DAY
Highlights
From the volcanic landscapes of the North Island to the snow-capped mountains of the South, New Zealand is a magical land of wilderness and wonder. Planning on spending a gap year or working holiday in New Zealand? Our 17 day NZ Intro group tour and work & travel package is for you. As well as sorting all your life essentials and helping you find work in NZ, over 17 days we’ll show you the best of both islands, along with some off-the-beaten-path adventures. Explore the city of Auckland, wander the real Hobbiton film set, experience traditional Maori culture, experience star-gazing and discover underground caves, then fly south to cruise misty fjords, go on incredible hikes, jet boat through breathtaking landscapes, and so much more. Oh, and did we mention you’ll be doing all this with an awesome group leader and a new crew of friends? There’s no better way to kick off your adventure in New Zealand!
What's Included
WORK IN NZ
NZ Intro is our comprehensive work and travel package and the ultimate way to get started, including exclusive access to our own ‘NZ Jobs’ Program.
Check it out here
17 DAYS OF EPIC ACTIVITIES
Immerse yourself in Maori culture, sail into the sunset across lake Taupo, explore real life Hobbiton & more.
See the full list
AIRPORT TRANSFER & ACCOM
Your included airport transfer will take you to our hostel where you'll start 16 nights in the heart of NZ's most vibrant cities.
AWESOME GROUP LEADER
You'll get an awesome group leader to provide 24/7 support during & after your trip, alongside knowledgeable local guides.
14 MEALS
10 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners
10 TREES PLANTED
We’ll plant 10 trees on your behalf when you make a booking.
Itinerary
AUCKLAND
Kia ora! Touching down in New Zealand’s largest city, We'll meet you at our centrally located hostel to settle in. This evening you’ll meet up with the rest of your travel crew and get excited for all the adventures to come in Aotearoa.
AUCKLAND
Today we'll get oriented with the beautiful city of Auckland and help get your NZ bank account and SIM card. We'll then catch a ferry and travel to the beautiful Waiheke Island. Don't forget to listen out for the local Kiwi accent to see if it lives up to its title as the 'Worlds Sexiest.'
ROTORUA
Wave goodbye to the city as we set off to explore the North Island. First up we’re stopping at Waitomo, home of the world-famous glowworm caves. We’ll take a guided tour and explore this labyrinth of underground rivers and watch the resident glowworms do their thing. This afternoon we tick off another highlight as we head to Hobbiton to wander the real-life lush pastures of the Shire as featured in The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. After exploring the set and learning all about movie magic, we’ll enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn before departing for Rotorua.
ROTORUA
Waking up to the whiff of sulphur, today you’ll definitely know you’re in Rotorua! We’ll head to the naturally heated waters of Kerosene Creek where you'll get to take a dip, as well as one of New Zealand's most magnificent geothermal wonderlands - Te Puia, featuring dramatic geysers & bubbling mud.
ROTORUA
The morning you'll have some free time to maybe try some zorbing or the skyline luge. This evening we will go to the Mitai Maori village for an authentic introduction to Maori culture! It doesn't get more authentic than this!
TAUPO
Have your cameras ready as we travel to Taupo, a lakefront town in the heart of the North Island. This afternoon we’ll treat you to something special - a sunset sailing trip across the lake. Swoon over spectacular, no-filter-needed scenery as the sky changes colour and the stars set in above the volcanic landscape. NZ, you’ve stolen our hearts.
TAUPO
This morning we’re off on a scenic walk to check out Huka Falls, a goose-bump inducing torrent of crystal water thundering down the Waikato River that you will hear before you see. After witnessing the raw power of Mother Nature, you'll then have some free time when you can do a skydive or a bungee jump!
AUCKLAND
Today we'll head back to where it all started in Auckland! Spend the afternoon relaxing, checking out the sights, and getting ready for the trip down south tomorrow.
QUEENSTOWN
Catch a short flight to Queenstown and we'll meet you at the airport and take you to our hostel in the city. We'll head out for dinner tonight and get excited for our new adventure in the South Island!
QUEENSTOWN
Today we get oriented with beautiful Queenstown, the high-octane adventure capital of NZ (and dare we say, the world!), getting our first splash of adrenaline with a jet-boat ride. Feel the thrill as the highly skilled driver keeps things pumping with 360 degree spins and speeds in excess of 80km/h. Tonight it's time to see what this backpacker hub is all about after dark! Don't forget to listen out for the local Kiwi accent to see if It lives up to its title as the 'Worlds Sexiest'.
TE ANAU
This morning we make tracks to New Zealand’s most majestic attraction - Milford Sound. Jumping on a fjord cruise, we’ll experience the spellbinding combination of towering peaks, forested cliffs, resident seals, and plummeting waterfalls up close and personal. Pick your jaw up off the floor, this is nature at her finest. Tonight we’ll cosy up in Te Anau, a picturesque town in the heart of Fiordland.
WANAKA
Sojourning through Tolkien-esque landscapes, we’ll explore some iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations nestled in New Zealand’s striking mountain ranges. After soaking up Middle Earth’s awe-inspiring vistas and filling our camera rolls we’ll continue on to Wanaka, a quaint resort town on a lake dwarfed by snow-capped peaks.
WANAKA
Today we check out all Wanaka has to offer, including going kayaking on the beautiful Lake Wanaka and spending some time on Ruby Island. Just us, Mother N, and a whole lot of mountain goodness.
LAKE TEKAPO
Saying goodbye to Wanaka, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the southern alps towards Tekapo. Famed for its milky turquoise lake, Lake Tekapo is alpine in the purest sense - boasting sky scraping peaks, enormous glaciers and purple lupins - so have your camera at the ready! On the way we'll stretch our legs on the iconic Hooker Valley Hike, this track will wind us through the valley to give us awe-inspiring views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, aka the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Officially accredited as one of the world’s best places for star-gazing, we’ll get a close up look at the amazing night sky through a telescope.
LAKE TEKAPO
Today we will hike up Mount John where we'll get 360-degree views of the Southern Alps. After the walk we'll soak our tired muscles in some hot pools, nourishing both body and soul! New Zealand truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
QUEENSTOWN
After travelling back to buzzing Queenstown, we’ll help sort out your onward travel for your trip in New Zealand. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Eager to book a skydive, bunny jump, or ski pass? We've got you covered. Tonight we’ll get the gang together one more time, dressing sharp for our farewell dinner and night out on the town. Sweet as, bro.
QUEENSTOWN
This morning your unforgettable 17 day adventure comes to an end. Check out and journey home, stay in Queenstown, or continue the next leg of your travels with the new friends you've made! Whatever your plans, we'll be there to help every step of the way.
#SmallChange
Making a positive difference to the amazing destinations we travel is at the core of what we do. Small Change is our own socially conscious initiative aimed at making the world that little bit better place to explore!
Check out the #SmallChange you'll be part of while doing this tour. Click here
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Lots of people on our trips are travelling solo. But by doing our trip you’ll instantly be part of a group, so it’s a great way to meet others and make friends!
You can start chatting to people in your group and other travellers before you leave. Just go to our Facebook page and join the New Zealand group.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. Click here to organise a quote and policy for yourself.
Just let us know who you’re travelling with after you’ve booked and your relationship to them, and we’ll organise appropriate room shares for you. Our booking system takes one booking at a time, so if you’re booking for multiple people just complete a separate booking for each person. It’s super quick and easy!
No worries. Unless you tell us otherwise we’ll automatically book you into our accommodation from the day you arrive, and you can pre-pay for this before you leave. If you’re staying at our accommodation we will provide an airport transfer even if you arrive early.
The country’s rugged beauty and varied landscapes means it’s always a good time to go backpacking in New Zealand! The summer months (December to March) bring long, sunny days perfect for spending outdoors, the winter months (June to September) bring snow to the South Island and parts of the North, and the shoulder seasons bring milder weather and fewer visitors.
If you’re on a WHV then we’ll open up a local bank account for you with Wise. You will be able to be paid like a local in NZ as well as pay for things and withdraw cash at ATM’s. You can also use it with Google or Apple Pay. If you transfer your money from home into New Zealand dollars you can avoid paying foreign exchange fees when you use the card.
All accommodations we stay at have free Wi-Fi available.
We always recommend travelling with a backpack and packing light! 10-20kgs of stuff should be plenty!
Your destination or airline may have COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements to enter. It is your responsibility to adhere to these requirements to ensure your arrival is not impacted and you can join your tour without issue.
Download our trip notes and our INTRO Travel app on the App Store or the Google Play Store for more info and FAQ's, or just contact us.
We are here to help throughout your whole experience and ensure you have the trip of a lifetime!
17 DAYS
FROM
$2649
USD
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from
$400
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