On The Road:

New Zealand

February 10th-21st 2026

Driving from North New Zealand to South New Zealand offers a stunning showcase of the country's diverse landscapes. Starting from the vibrant urban energy of Auckland, the journey winds through the home of the Maori tribes and infamous glow worm caves. Venture into nature and expand your understanding of what makes the North Island unique, but don’t take too long!As you traverse the rolling hills and ancient forests of the Northland and enter the majestic scenery of the South Island via ferry, the breathtaking sight of the Southern Alps greets you. Wineries, whale watching, and blood pumping adrenaline activities on the island that never stops await in the days ahead. This drive, with its blend of serene beaches, rugged mountains, and charming towns, captures the essence of New Zealand's natural beauty and rich culture.

Are you ready to join Nomad Navigation on the ultimate road trip?

What You Will Do

  • Day 1: Welcome to New Zealand!

    Welcome to Auckland and the first day of On the Road: New Zealand! Check into your city center hotel and enjoy the views. Explore a little bit, and then meet everyone on a food tour that will introduce our tastebuds to how the Kiwi’s do things.

    Meals Included: Dinner

  • Day 2: Tapas & Mud Baths

    Start off the morning with breakfast at the hotel or grabbing a cup of coffee at one of the many coffee shops around. Then let’s hit the road!

    We’ll head to Hamilton for lunch at a critically acclaimed restaurant where lunch will be served with views of the river through floor to ceiling windows. Afterwards we’ll head to Rotorua and enjoy Hell’s Gate, the steaming mud baths that naturally occur on the island. Learn about the Maori culture while also detoxifying your skin.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 3: Rotorua

    Zorbing was invented in New Zealand and we’re heading to the first place to ever try it! Roll down hills and around curves at fast speeds in this wild ride. Afterwards enjoy the spas at the park while you wind down. For dinner, you’ll be embarking on a culinary journey with the Maori as they provide an authentic dining experience and allow you to see your first glimpse of the glowworms in the forest.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 4: Black Water Rafting

    Back on the road to head south! On the way to our stop for the night you’ll experience something else only New Zealand can claim. Black water rafting in a glow worm cave. Take a ride into a pitch black cave and watch as the world around you transforms into millions of twinkling glow worms. You’ll have lunch at the cafe and then head down to our lodgings for the night. You’ll have the night to relax before our first hike of the trip takes off the next day.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Day 5: Tongariro Crossing

    One of the world’s best day hikes starts today! An early start will have everyone meeting our guides as we traverse over volcanic regions to get stunning views of Mt Tongariro, the Emerald Lakes, and Red Crater. Lunch is provided during the day. Afterwards we’ll celebrate in the village…or just hit our heads to the pillows and take a well deserved sleep.

    Meals Included: Lunch

  • Day 6: Wellington

    Today we wake up and head for Wellington. Take the day to explore this city and find adventure or take the day to relax and unwind. Your trip hosts are available to help with suggestions for the day, but it’s your day to seize! (Check out below for suggestions if Lord of the Rings tours are your style) Tomorrow the group will head to the South Island! Let the adrenaline start pumping!

  • Day 7: South Island & Cellar Doors

    Today the North Island will be in the rear-view mirror as you board the ferry to the South Island. Enjoy the views as you cross the Cook Straight and see both islands from the water. After we will be met by our guides and head to lunch before seeking out Marlborough’s claim to fame…wine! Knocking on what are known as the cellar doors will let you in on the wines that New Zealand is known for, and you can even pick up a few bottles to take or ship home yourself. Heading down to Kaikoura for the night, you’ll have free time to enjoy or explore as you wish. (Check out the sunset on the coast though, it’s not to be missed!)

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 8: Whale Watching

    After breakfast we’ll head onto the water to try our best to meet some of the locals! Sperm whales, orcas, and dolphins call these waters home and are normally around to be spotted. Try your best to beat the whale spotters on board! Lunch is provided on the boat today. After we head to Christchurch for the night. Explore & enjoy the night with your new friends and fellow road trippers!

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 9: Mt. Cook Hiking

    Mt Cook is one of the most breathtaking areas on the island. After a relaxing morning that will be your next destination! Once we arrive, we’ll join local guides on a few day hikes around the park. Tonight will offer some of the best views of the Dark Sky Reserve that this area is known for. Star Gazing? Oh yes.

  • Day 10: Helihiking a what?!

    The morning is spent heading to the airport where the day will take on a twist to what normal hiking looks like. Board a helicopter and take off for Tasman Glacier where you’ll land and take a hike on top! Upon returning you’ll get lunch, depending on time maybe get one last hike squeezed in before heading to Queenstown.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 11: Adrenaline City: QT!

    Wake up and prepare yourself. Today is the day. Jetboating at high speeds, zip lining across the rivers of Queenstown, eating the infamous Fergburger, and if you dare…bungy jumping where it was created! If you prefer not to bungy, you’ll have the afternoon to create your own adventure. Spend the day getting as close to heart stopping as you dare. Tonight is the final night with the group. Your hosts will join you for dinner in QT as a final farewell, or is it a “See ya on the next one?”

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Happy Hour

  • Day 12: Departure Day

    Enjoy your final breakfast in Queenstown and let us know when it’s that time. Goodbyes are always hard but don’t have to be forever. Spend the flight home picking out your next Nomad adventure!

    Meals Included: Breakfast

This trip begins in Auckland & finishes in Queenstown New Zealand. Please keep that in mind when booking flights.

What you’ll get

  • ✺Accommodations

    Hotels with views. Lodging with rustic vibes. Modern city townhomes. You’ll see it all on this trip and they are all included.

    * Shared accommodations are standard on this trip. If you would like a solo room, please contact Nomad Navigation to see if it can be accommodated

  • ✺Meals

    Most breakfasts are included in the trip. 6 lunches have been provided, and 2 dinners. The rest of the meals are for you to choose.

  • ✺Transportation

    You won’t be walking from Auckland to Queenstown, and definitely won't be expected to swim across the Cook Straights. Airport shuttles, Bus transportation, ferry ride, and all matter of transport to and from itinerary activities are taken care of.

  • ✺Cultural Experiences

    Learning about the original inhabitants of New Zealand are included from the Glow Worm caves to the Maori forest experience.

  • ✺ Activities

    They are planned. They are paid for. They are ready to be done! If you have a New Zealand bucket list, it’ll be checked off by the end of this trip.

  • ✺Tours, Treks, & More

    Guides for the Tongariro Crossing, Helihike across Tasman Glacier, and Mount Cook Area hikes are included.

  • ✺Fuel for the Road

    The buses won’t run off good vibes and sunshine. You won’t be splitting gas at the pump, it’s already taken care of for you.

  • ✺Trip Hosts

    You’ll have 2 hosts available to you 24/7 during the trip. They’ll serve as a resource for the area, your guiding light on when to show up and when to get going, and people to hang out with. Anything you need, they are there for you!

  • ✺Add-On

    Do you dare to take on bungy jumping in its original home? Jump into adventure with this wild add-on!

  • ✺Transaction Fees

    Transaction fees for your deposit and final payments are included!

  • ✺Unique Swag

    All trips feature a unique piece of “swag” for the trip.

Tongariro Crossing

  • This hike is slated to take 7-8 hours and covers 12 miles.

  • 3 volcanos: Tongariro, Ruapehu, and Ngauruhoe (aka Mt Doom!)

    Emerald Lakes, Blue Lake are a stunning site as their exposure to volcanic minerals gives me otherworldly colorations

    Landscapes you’ll encounter include Glacial Valleys, Alpine Vegetation, and Volcanic terrain.

The Hiking

Tasman Glacier HeliHike

  • The hike portion will take 2 hours once you land on the glacier.

  • Flying into the “trail head” gives you a bird’s eye view of where you’ll be spending time. Exploring a glacier up close and personal surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the South Island.

  • These hikes will vary based on weather conditions and the views available for the day. We will either take an alternate Hooker Valley trek or Red Tarns!

  • Hooker Valley Track leads to Hooker Lake and offers unparallelled views of the mountains and surrounding Mt Cook areas.

    The Red Tarns Track is a bit tougher and offers a higher viewpoint of the area. While not technical, it does require some work but the rewards can be mirrored images of the mountains in the bodies of water found around the tarns. This hike is especially beautiful as the colors of sunset change the sky before your eyes.

Mt Cook Day Hiking

Visit Lord of the Rings sites on tours during free days on the trip. Details below!

*As February is the high season in New Zealand, we recommend making reservations for these ASAP. Contact us if you’d like recommendations as to which tour group to go with if you’d like!

  • Take a day trip from Auckland to Hobbiton, the real movie set that shrinks you down and shows you what life looks like as a hobbit. This tour will pick you up, take you on a in-depth tour of everything there is to see and make sure you get the real experience with a beverage at the “Green Dragon Inn”

    • lunch is not included on this tour, but there are places to purchase food

  • Full tour out of Wellington will feature SEVEN key filming locations, a visit to Mount Victoria’s look out point, and drive-bys of the premier location for the films and lunch before heading back to Wellington.

  • Take half the day to explore the Lord of the Rings world! You’ll get a behind the scenes tour of Weka workshop, explore 5 movie filming locations, and experience a scenic drive that features theaters and studios where the magic happens. Enjoy afternoon or morning tea on the trip, which is provided.

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • February 10-February 21st, 2026! We ask that you arrive in Auckland no later than 3pm to get settled and be able to be on time for the food tour.

  • Air fare to and from New Zealand. Tips for guides. Meals not mentioned as being included.

  • Deposits are due by the absolute latest date of 90 days before the start of the trip, which is when the final payment is required. More importantly once this trip is full we will not be able to add anyone else.

    Final payment for this trip is die 11/11/25.

  • $1,000 will solidify your spot on the trip! Please note deposits are non-refundable unless the trip is filled and someone takes your spot.

  • No. We believe strongly in anything that is included in your pay package should be universally enjoyed by everyone. For this reason we do not pay for alcohol unless it is part of an activity. This trip does include one day that offers a winery experience, but we will do everything in our power to make sure any non-drinkers can have just as unique of an experience as anyone who does.

  • Dietary restrictions can be accommodated for the most part. Please make sure to reach out with any that you have to make sure we have enough time to make any adjustments for you!

  • You can! Just let us know what you want to do, and we can make arrangements. Please note that final payments are due in full by the deadline, so any payment plans will have to fit before that date.

  • We are taking 10 people on this trip! You’ll have 2 trip hosts with you as well. Making the total group number 12.

  • Everything listed for $4,952.27

    Final payment is due 11/9/25.

  • The first 30 days of the trip launching, we are giving an early bird discount that takes $100 off of the trip. You’ll see this reflected on your final invoice for the trip.

  • Absolutely! This trip is designed to be a great time whether you’ve traveled before or are in possession of a never before stamped passport. Trip hosts will always be with you and available so you are never navigating alone if you aren’t comfortable.

  • It’s a doozy! Bunjee jumping originated in Queenstown and is one of the most exciting activities you can take on. We also realize that it may not be something everyone is willing to do. For that reason, bungee jumping is a listed add-on for the trip.

  • February is in the middle of summer for New Zealand. Days in the cities will be warm and pleasant, but you should still pack for cold weather you’ll experience in the mountains on hiking. A detailed packing list will be provided for you so you don’t leave anything at home!

  • Since this is a road trip, space is limited in the vehicles. Each traveler is allowed a large suitcase and a backpack (which you’ll want for the hikes!) to bring.