New Zealand Adventure

Welcome to New Zealand. It's been a long journey, so drop your bags at the hostel and take a breather. Auckland is all skyline, nearby islands and volcanoes. In the afternoon you'll meet the rest of the group and explore the local area, maybe finishing at a bar with views over the city.

Up early, Kiwi style, for Waitomo and its underground caves, lit by thousands of glittering glowworms. After a picnic lunch on the road, we arrive at Hobbiton, the 14-acre family farm turned famous film set, for an afternoon exploring the Shire. Then it's on to Rotorua and our hostel, with a climbing wall for anyone keen.

A slower morning, then we walk the Redwood Memorial Grove Track, a forest dedicated to fallen soldiers and a calm place to reflect. After lunch it's Kuirau Park's steaming crater lake, with a foot bath if you fancy. After some free time, we spend the evening at Mitai Māori Village, watching a haka and sharing a traditional hangi feast.

This morning is free in Rotorua: more geothermal sites, or a trip to the local supermarket (seriously underrated). Then we take the bus to Taupo, on the shores of Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest freshwater lake. We arrive mid-afternoon and we're one minute from the water, so swimwear on for an afternoon by the lake.

This morning we're chasing waterfalls at Huka Falls, 100 metres wide and seriously loud. Then we head to the Spa Thermal Park for a walk along the steamy Otumuheke Stream and a swim in its warm water, soaking in the views. To finish, we paddle out for a sunset kayak on Lake Taupo. A dreamy day.

Today is a travel day as we take the bus from Taupo back to Auckland. It's a long one, so grab the Tim Tams and download some shows, or play Would You Rather and learn everyone's secrets. We arrive late afternoon with a free evening, then an early night before tomorrow's flight to Christchurch.

Switching islands. We fly to Christchurch, arriving early afternoon, and check into our hostel: a converted old prison, and it's genuinely cool. Once we're in our cells (rooms), we head out on a walking tour and wander the Botanical Gardens. Tonight we hit the city's best bars and find out what the nightlife's all about.

This morning we take the bus to Tekapo, home to a 27km lake and some of the clearest night skies on Earth. We arrive early afternoon to explore the township or the nature nearby. This evening we walk up to the stone Church of the Good Shepherd on the lake shore to watch the sunset, then stay for the stars.

If you love a walk with a view, today's your day. We spend a few hours on the Hooker Valley Track, a mostly flat trail through some of New Zealand's most jaw-dropping scenery, with glaciers and mountains all around. Then we travel by minivan for a couple of hours to our cosy accommodation in Wanaka.

Wake up slowly: this morning is yours. We're a two-minute walk from Lake Wanaka beach, so a morning swim against that mountain backdrop is calling. Then we hop on bikes to explore as much of the lake as we can, stopping at the famous Wanaka Tree, growing out of the water and seen locally as a symbol of hope.

A free morning to catch up on sleep or squeeze in more of Wanaka. We meet at midday for the bus to Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. We arrive in the early evening, right by Searle Lane, the social heart of town. Drop your bags, freshen up and head out for a cracking night.

Our last full day, and we saved the best until last. We're up early for Milford Sound, the fiord often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, and a day cruise past sheer cliffs, alpine peaks and misty waterfalls. Tonight, back in Queenstown, we celebrate the adventure and the friendships made over the last 12 days.

Checkout day, and thirteen incredible days come to an end. Heading home or off to explore more of Oceania? Your Local Legend is here to help with onward travel and inspiration for your next steps. It's not goodbye, it's see you later. Now you just need a caption for that photo dump.