New Zealand: An Epic Journey

Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, with more boats per capita than anywhere else in the world. Touching down at the airport, a Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to transfer to your first hotel where you’ll meet your Pack Leader and group. After your welcome meeting, you’ll head out for dinner at a top-class local restaurant and raise a toast with your fellow Flashpackers to an exciting fortnight to come.

It’s your first full day and, after breakfast, you’ll get stuck in with your first adventure: zip lining and a wine tour of Waiheke Island. Just a 40-minute ferry ride across the emerald water, the island is a favourite escape for city dwellers with its beautiful vineyards, olive groves and beaches. You’ll start with thrilling zip line above a forest canopy, before heading off for a scenic drive along the northern route, taking in the views of the spectacular Hauraki Gulf, stopping at a local vineyard for a tasting and lunch Then, you’ll head towards the white sand of Onetangi – famed for its beach races – and onto your next winery. There’s one more tasting in store before returning to multicultural Auckland to spend a free afternoon checking out the city’s galleries, museums and shops – and of course, the famous Skytower. 

Prepare for an action-packed day as you travel to Rotorua, with plenty of stops and activities along the way. First up are the Waitomo Caves, where you’ll take a boat ride deep into the limestone formations to a cavern lit by thousands of tiny luminescent glow worms – a mesmerising sight. Then, you’ll continue your journey through rolling hills and verdant forests to the geothermal valley of Te Puia. A wonderland of geysers, fumaroles and bubbling mud pools, you’ll explore the fascinating landscapes and learn about their importance to indigenous Maori culture. You’ll have the option to soak up the healing minerals with a mud bath at the Hells’ Gate spa before continuing your journey to the lakeside town of Rotorua.

After checking out of your hotel, you’ll visit Wai-O-Tapu to explore the extraordinary orange-rimmed Champagne Pool and witness the impressive eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser, shooting boiling water up to 20 metres high. Back on the road, the breathtaking vistas continue as you journey south to Taupo and New Zealand’s largest lake – formed in the collapsed caldera of a 300,000-year-old volcano. Stop to stretch your legs at the Huka Falls, where a gush of turquoise water thunders dramatically through a narrow gorge, before this afternoon’s adventure: a kayak tour to witness some ancient Maori rock carvings. For tonight’s dinner, you’ll enjoy a traditional dinner at the home of New Zealand locals, immersing yourselves in authentic culture and flavour.

Be sure to fuel up at breakfast because today you’ll be tackling the famous Tongariro Crossing – consistently rated one of the best one-day wilderness hikes in the world. Together with your guide, you’ll set off across the awe-inspiring landscape of alpine desert punctuated by smouldering volcanoes (an ideal film setting for Mordor in Lord of the Rings). The impressive 12-mile track skirts the base of the mountains with incredible views of craters and brightly coloured lakes of the vast Central Plateau. Taking around six to eight hours to complete, you’ll feel tired but gratified by the time you reach the end, where your Flash Pack driver will be waiting to transport you to your next hotel in the laidback town of ‘Palmy’ (Palmerston North).

Continuing south to Wellington, the country’s compact capital, you’ll have time to explore New Zealand’s Parliament Buildings and the affluent suburb of Oriental Bay. Located right at the very tip of North Island, Wellington is the jumping off point for the three-hour ferry to South Island. Soak up the scenery as you navigate the Cook Strait, finishing with a leisurely sail through the intricate waterways of the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. From here, it’s a short hop to Blenheim, hub of the Marlborough wine region, with a warm, dry climate perfect for viticulture. Why not celebrate your arrival with a chilled glass of Sauvignon?

You’ve tried wine in the north, now it’s time to check out the south – but this time you’ll be hopping from vineyard to vineyard in the world-famous Marlborough region. Along the way, you’ll learn about the enigmatic history of the area and its world-famous wines, visiting three boutique wineries for tastings. Discover how the rare conditions in the Wairau Valley produce award-winning Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Noirs and Aromatics, and the challenges winemakers must overcome to produce consistent aromas and textures. You’ll be treated to a delicious lunch at a vineyard restaurant where you can sample regional specialties, from local cheese platters to king salmon, before returning to Blenheim.

Goodbye Blenheim, hello Kaikoura, a pretty peninsula town set against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains. This part of the coast is renowned for its abundant marine wildlife including sperm whales, fur seals and penguins. Arriving just after lunch, you’ll take to the water in search of dusky dolphins – and you won’t just be watching them from a boat, but swimming alongside them in the ocean. Equipped with a wetsuit, mask, snorkel and flippers, your skipper will locate a pod and you’ll slip into the sea, allowing the dolphins’ natural curiosity to draw them close. Duskies are one of the most social dolphin species and pods can exceed 100. If you’re lucky, they might even try to engage you with their acrobatic tricks.

With more sheep than people, no visit to New Zealand would be complete without visiting a hill station and today you’ll have the chance to meet some iconic wooly Merinos. Travelling into the picturesque Hurunui Hills, covered in lush green pastures, you’ll visit a rural farm to get a glimpse into daily life and learn about living off the land. From here, settle in for your long ride south to Punakaiki, stopping for lunch along the way. The drive takes you through an ever-changing kaleidoscope of landscapes, from tussocked alpine hills to dense beech forest and wipe open valleys, eventually arriving at a friendly seaside village. Settle in to your beachfront hotel, before heading out to explore. 

Another awesome day awaits as you journey into glacier country. Travelling from Punakaiki to the small but lively town of Franz Josef, you’ll break up this three-hour journey with a stop and treetop walk at the mesmeric Hokitika Gorge. Take in the views of the gorge’s vibrant turquoise water, blindingly white limestone cliffs and surrounding rainforest from your treetop vantage point. Wander amongst rainforest giants along 20-meter-high walkways before looping back to your transport for your picturesque onward journey. Arriving in Franz Josef late afternoon, enjoy a relaxed evening at your boutique mountain base. 

This morning, you’ll get a glimpse of the famed Franz Josef Glacier from a viewpoint just outside town. For a closer look, you’ll have the option to book a scenic helicopter flight over the frozen river itself: an ever-changing icy world of blue-tinged caves, deep crevasses and toothy pinnacles. Later, you’ll be moving on to the sophisticated alpine town of Wanaka, enjoying plenty of scenic stops along the way. Set on a gorgeous lake framed by snowy peaks, the area’s outstanding natural beauty makes it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. When it comes to dining out, you’ll be spoilt for choice with cool cafes, artisan restaurants and craft breweries around every corner.

Start your day with a wilderness adventure that takes you well off the beaten track. Hop into your 4×4 and find yourself climbing steeply through truly remote high country to the exclusive Branches Station. Here you’ll be treated to a stunning panorama of clear blue water and jagged peaks of the Southern Alps before a gourmet picnic with a view. Returning to Wanaka, you’ll travel on to your final destination, Queenstown: New Zealand’s adrenaline rush capital and activity base extraordinaire. From bungee jumping and skydiving to jet-boating and whitewater rafting, it’s the ultimate outdoor playground. 

With its deep indigo water bounded by sheer rainforest-clad cliffs, misty waterfalls and glacier-carved peaks, Milford Sound is the jewel of Fiordland National Park. You’ll be skipping the slow, winding access road with a flight to the photogenic fiord. On landing, you’ll transfer to the marina for a lunchtime nature cruise, keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins, fur seals and crested penguins – as well as colonies of rare black native coral. Keep your camera to hand as you pass Mitre Peak: a 1692-metre mountain rising sheer out of the water – particularly dramatic against the dark, stormy skies of this notoriously rainy region. Then, it’s back on your small plane for the short hop back to Queenstown to celebrate the end of another brilliant day.

It’s your final day and we’ve left it (almost) free for you to spend however you choose. Perhaps you’ll enjoy a lazy lie-in followed by a lakeside walk, or maybe you’re thirsty for more adventure – and there are plenty of outfits to choose from. Your Pack Leader will be on hand to make suggestions and help you arrange activities. Later, you’ll gather with your group for a farewell dinner set to be a real feast with a chance to reflect on all the amazing experiences you’ve had and the good friends you’ve made.

All too soon, your journey has come to an end. It’s been the two-week trip of a lifetime with memories you’ll never forget. After breakfast, it’s time to make your own way to the airport for your onward flight. The best way to fend off those departure blues? Start planning your next adventure. How about East Coast Australia, the Philippines or Vietnam for starters? Our Trip Experts are ready and waiting for your call.