Central Challenge 8 days

Suggested activities for Auckland

Explore: Auckland

New Zealand's self-proclaimed "City of Sails" is the country's largest metro area. Resting between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, this urban paradise has something for everyone. Surrounded by native bush, rainforests, and an abundance of beaches, Auckland is a playground for both the city savvy and those with an eye for adventure. Central museums and galleries can be explored on foot.

Nature: Boat Cruise to Rangitoto island

Rangitoto Island is the largest and youngest of the many volcanoes that make up the Auckland volcanic field. It erupted around 600 years ago but is extinct now and safe to explore. During your cruise to and from the island enjoy fantastic views of Rangitoto Island and Auckland's cityscape. On reaching the island you can walk to the summit (1 hour direct) for great views of the Hauraki Gulf and over Waitemata Harbour, looking back towards Auckland.

Suggested Activities

Nature: Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

Experience stunning scenery above and below ground on a sightseeing day tour from Rotorua to the fascinating Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Take a 45-minute guided tour through the world-famous Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, which were discovered in 1887 and are now one of New Zealand's most popular tourist attractions. See vaulted caverns, stalactites, and stalagmites and hear how these limestone formations were created over millions of years. Your tour ends with a boat ride through the Glow Worm Grotto, a subterranean cavern illuminated by the lights of thousands of tiny glow worms.

Suggested activity

Adventure: Waitomo Adventures Lost World Tour

Abseil 100m into a spectacular world of prehistoric forest, glow worms, rivers, flowstone formations, and massive caverns. Explore the depths before ascending a gigantic ladder through the craggy upper levels of the 'Spider Hole'. Nothing short of sensational, this underground adventure is four hours in length.

Adventure: Adventure: Tongariro Alpine Crossing Private Guided Full-Day Walk with Adventure Outdoors

New Zealand’s best one-day walk – this 19.4km alpine trail takes you up and over Mt Tongariro through an ever-changing volcanic landscape. See thermal activity, explosion crater pits, ancient lava flows. Most people take around 7 to 8 hours to complete the walk.

Suggested activities for Taupo

Explore: Taupo

The town of Taupo sits on New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo, and this beautiful and serene body of water is reason enough to visit. The lake is actually a volcanic caldera formed following a massive eruption in the year 186 AD, which is considered to be one of the largest and most violent eruptions known.

Adventure: Huka Falls Jet Boat Ride 

The Huka Jet is 30 minutes of pure fun and exhilaration, skimming close to cliffs, sliding past trees, feeling the adrenalin of full 360-degree spins. The excitement continues right up to the base of the foaming Huka Falls, where you get a spectacular water level view of New Zealand's most visited natural attraction. Nothing compares to watching 220,000 liters per second tumbling over the cliff face towards you. A host of activities can be undertaken here: bungy jumping, sky diving, fishing for trout in the lake and rivers, kayaking, sailing, horse riding, and walking and hiking to name but a few.

Nature: Private Guided Scenic Highlights Tour of Tongariro National Park with Adventure Outdoors

Experience the best of Tongariro National Park with this Scenic Highlight short walks and drive tour. It has a relaxed pace with stunning views.

Suggested Activities

History: Māori Rock Carvings Cruise

Journey to the Māori Rock Carvings in comfort and style with a stunning tour of Taupo’s bays. This unique 90-minute tour should be on your list of ‘top things to do in Taupo’.

Suggested Activities for Rotorua

Explore: Rotorua

Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools, and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the world’s most active volcanic regions. Geothermal landmarks aside, this city of sulphur has a rich indigenous history. Home to several prominent Māori tribes, a visit to one of the Māori Villages should be high on your agenda, as should an excursion to the Polynesian Spa for an invigorating soak in its natural mineral hot springs. Alternatively, head up the Rotorua Gondola for soaring lake views, and ride the luge at night for an extra thrill.

Culture: Te Puia Te Rā Daytime Experience including Haka and Steambox Lunch

Te Puia is one of the country's premier cultural experiences, with a spine-tingling ceremonial welcome, and stunning Kapa Haka cultural show featuring traditional ancestral storytelling, song and dance. Enjoy food that has been cooked using the geothermal energy used for centuries, quite literally giving you a taste of Māori culture. You choose what you want to be cooked for your lunch before heading off on a special guided tour of Te Puia.

Adventure: Volcanic Air Mount Tarawera & Orakei Korako Thermal Explorer by Helicopter

Combine the thrill of landing on Mount Tarawera with a flight that includes spectacular aerial views of Rotorua's stunning crater lakes, the renowned Tarawera Falls, and the vibrant Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu geothermal reserves.

Leaving Wai-O-Tapu, descend to follow the Waikato River to the hidden valley of Orakei Korako. Once landed, you will ferry across the river and begin your land-based tour. Experience hot springs, gushing geysers, and the natural beauty of this geothermal wonderland.

Suggested activity

World Famous: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

In the heart of New Zealand, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Hobbiton is located just outside Matamata - in the heart of the lush Waikato farming region. Here you can visit such iconic Hobbit locations as Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill, and the Party Tree with a guide sharing behind-the-scenes tales and insight into the making of the films.