Oceania · 12 days
On a scale of 1 (slowest pace) to 5 (fastest pace), we've rated the following factors: number of 1-night hotels; driving miles per day; fullness of schedule; mid-tour airline flights; high elevation setting; and average amount of walking per day.
This number represents an average walk difficulty rating for the tour using a scale of 1 (easiest) to 5 (hardest).
New Zealand has been on our wish list for years, and in early 2026 we finally made it happen. Scott led our first group through both islands, and the response was overwhelming — travelers called it one of the best WAI experiences they'd had.
Now we're bringing it back for 2027.
This 12-day walking adventure begins in Auckland and works its way south to Queenstown, covering both the North and South Islands. Along the way, you'll walk through landscapes that change dramatically from one day to the next: the coastal vineyards of Waiheke Island, the steaming geothermal valleys around Rotorua, the glacier-carved passes of the Southern Alps, and the deep, mirror-still waters of Doubtful Sound.
Most New Zealand tours cycle their groups through Milford Sound for a few hours. You'll spend the night aboard the Fjordland Navigator on the more remote, less-trafficked Doubtful Sound — drifting past 600-meter cliffs, hearing waterfalls in the dark, and waking to morning birdsong miles from the nearest road.
Many walking tours stay on the South Island for simplicity. You'll see the cultural heart of the North Island — Maori Rotorua, the sheep country of Waikato, the volcanic terraces at Waimangu — and the dramatic landscapes of the South. The flight from Rotorua to Christchurch is booked through us as a required component of the tour ($347, listed separately so you can see exactly what you're paying for). We handle the booking; you just show up.
Eleven breakfasts and five dinners come with the tour — including a traditional hangi feast with the Maori at Te Pa Tu and a farewell dinner together in Queenstown. Lunches and remaining dinners are on your own, leaving room to wander into a Greymouth fish-and-chip shop or a Queenstown wine bar. Tipping for local guides, drivers, and hotel staff is built into the price — no envelope-counting at the end of each day.
For 2027 we've upgraded properties in four destinations: Novotel Rotorua right on the lakefront and steps from town, Coleraine Motel in the heart of Greymouth, Scenic Hotel at Franz Josef Glacier, and the Wanaka Hotel for an evening on your own in town.
Our Adventure Pace System rates each tour and each walk separately — so you know exactly what you're signing up for. Walks run 3–12 km a day with optional shorter routes when you want a lighter day. Two WAI guides plus a local New Zealand specialist mean you get the attention of a small-group tour without the compromises.
Walking Adventures has been running tours since 1989, and New Zealand has been part of the lineup for years. The contacts we've built — at the Maori cultural centers, at the family-run hotels, with the local guides — are why this tour runs the way it does.
Arrive two days early to recover from international travel before the main tour begins.
This pre-tour can be added during registration for New Zealand.
Leave Auckland heading south into the Waikato region. Your first stop is Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari — a 3,400-hectare wildlife sanctuary surrounded by 47 kilometers of predator-proof fencing. Inside, native birds that were nearly lost to introduced predators are thriving again. Walk through the ancient forest and listen for the calls of tieke (saddleback), kaka, and if you're lucky, the rare takahe.
After lunch, walk the Te Waihou Walkway to the Blue Spring — one of New Zealand's natural wonders. Water that fell as rain decades ago emerges here at a constant 52°F, so clear you can see every detail of the riverbed from the boardwalk above. Seventy percent of New Zealand's bottled water comes from this single spring.
Tonight is a highlight: the Te Pa Tu Maori cultural experience, beginning with a traditional powhiri (welcome ceremony), followed by songs, stories, and a hangi feast — food slow-cooked underground using heated stones, a method unchanged for centuries. Settle into the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside, an upgraded property right on the lakefront.
On June 10, 1886, New Zealand's largest volcanic eruption in the past 700 years created the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley. This morning's walk explores the world's youngest hydrothermal system — including Frying Pan Lake (121°F), Iodine Pool (208°F), Inferno Crater (176°F), and a rare ecosystem reestablished naturally since the 1886 eruption.
After free time for lunch, we visit the entertaining Agrodome Sheep Show back in Rotorua to learn about sheep — the traditional mainstay of the New Zealand economy that still outnumbers New Zealand's human inhabitants by a large margin. The evening is free to explore Rotorua and its lovely lakefront, and rest before tomorrow's flight to the South Island.
For early risers, your guides will lead an optional bonus walk through the Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest before we depart for the airport — a quiet morning under towering Californian redwoods planted here over a century ago. Then fly from Rotorua to Christchurch on the South Island — a short flight, included in your tour, that delivers you straight into the Canterbury region. The afternoon walk explores a city that has reinvented itself since the devastating 2011 earthquake. Walk along the Avon River through the Botanic Gardens, past the striking Cardboard Cathedral, through the innovative Christchurch Transitional Architecture projects, and past the Earthquake Memorial — a touching tribute to those who were lost. Dinner tonight at the Bealey Quarter, your Christchurch hotel.
Today is primarily a day of travel through strikingly dissimilar landscapes of the South Island. After a drive across the picturesque patchwork of the Canterbury Plains, we stop at Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area to stretch our legs on a stroll through grand limestone rock battlements that led early European travelers to name the area Castle Hill.
Next we cross the pristine Southern Alps by motorcoach and continue down their lush western slopes to our home for the next two nights at the Coleraine Motel in Greymouth. The West Coast region of New Zealand's South Island is isolated and sparsely populated. With a population of about 14,000 souls, Greymouth is the largest city on the West Coast, and accounts for roughly 40% of its inhabitants.
A day of contrasts on the wild West Coast. Start at Punakaiki, where the Pancake Rocks — layers of limestone stacked like giant flapjacks — have been carved by the Tasman Sea over 30 million years. When the tide is right, seawater surges through blowholes with dramatic force.
Part two of the day introduces another New Zealand icon — the glowworm. A bus ride takes us to the Nile River Canyon to board the Nile River Rainforest Train, an open-air ride through subtropical forest with commentary on the area's mining and milling history. From there, two cave-based optional add-ons are available. Option 1 is an on-foot guided walk into the Nile River cave system to see fragile calcite formations and galaxies of glowworms — moderate-to-strenuous with uneven footing and low light. Option 2 is the Underworld Rafting Adventure with wetsuits, inner tubes, and a slow-moving underground river. A beach alternative is available for travelers staying with the train.
Following the cave experiences, in the late afternoon we make one last stop at the Pororari River Track for a shorter, gentler walk. We stroll through subtropical rainforest where nikau palms, rata, and rimu trees form a canopy above the limestone gorge, some 600 years old, with a forest floor of ferns, mosses, and birdsong.
First stop today is the tiny coastal hamlet of Hokitika to watch jade craftsmen work their wonders. Further south, two walks in glacier country provide contrasting glimpses into the natural wonders of the West Coast.
Franz Josef Glacier itself is a river of ice that finishes its journey in a surprising setting — a subtropical forest. Our route changes according to the flow of the glacier, but we expect to walk the valley floor through glacial moraine to get as close as possible to the terminal face. Our second trail is a lovely nature walk encircling the placid, tea-colored waters of Lake Matheson — a dramatically effective mirror for the profiles of Mounts Tasman and Cook. In good weather, you'll recognize these images from postcards and New Zealand travel promos — it's truly spectacular. Settle in for the night at the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier — a comfortable property with a great location at the edge of town.
Cross the Haast Pass this morning — an ancient Maori trade route for pounamu (greenstone), now a scenic highway through river valleys and beech forest. Stop at Monro Beach on the way, a short walk through coastal forest to a wild beach where Fjordland crested penguins sometimes nest.
Next, enjoy a forested stroll to the Blue Pools, where skipping stones are plentiful and the azure waters invite you to sit and stare for a while. After crossing the pass, the landscape changes dramatically. The lush West Coast rainforest gives way to the dry, golden tussock of Central Otago — a transformation driven by the rain shadow of the Southern Alps. Finish your day by settling into the Wanaka Hotel for the evening, in the heart of one of New Zealand's most beloved lakeside towns.
From Wanaka, we drive through sheep-dotted pastures en route to Manapouri. The likely highlight of our New Zealand odyssey begins with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri, followed by a coach ride over Wilmot Pass through dense rainforest, arriving at Deep Cove on Doubtful Sound. Here, we board the Fjordland Navigator to cruise the untouched and unforgettable Doubtful Sound.
Three times longer and with a surface area ten times greater than its more famous cousin to the north, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound delivers more of the only-in-New Zealand scenic sensory overload. The schedule is flexible, but the plan is to cruise the length of the Sound to the Tasman Sea with opportunities for wildlife viewing, waterfall watching, and kayaking or small-boat excursions — preludes to a delicious dinner and a peaceful evening bobbing placidly beneath the southern stars.
Wake to the sound of birdsong echoing off the fjord walls. After breakfast on board, the Fjordland Navigator cruises back through the sound — watch for bottlenose dolphins and fur seals on the rocky shoreline. Disembark and retrace the route across Wilmot Pass and Lake Manapouri before driving to Queenstown.
Arrive in Queenstown in the afternoon and check into the Sudima Queenstown Five Mile. The evening is free — explore Queenstown's waterfront, or enjoy the optional Skyline Gondola & Dinner for panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables, followed by dinner at the mountaintop restaurant. If the Skyline restaurant is not yet operational at the time of your tour, we'll arrange dinner at Blue Kanu (a renowned Queenstown restaurant featuring Pacific fusion cuisine) instead, and still take you up the gondola afterwards — same price.
Your final full day begins with a visit to Arrowtown — a well-preserved gold-rush settlement from the 1860s. Your guide will lead the walk through the historic Chinese miners' quarter, where a small community eked out a living from claims the European miners had abandoned. The restored cottages and interpretive signs tell a story of resilience and hardship that most visitors to Queenstown never hear.
After Arrowtown, we head back into Queenstown where there's time for an unhurried stroll through the Queenstown Gardens on the peninsula that juts into Lake Wakatipu — towering Douglas firs, a rose garden, and lake views from every angle. The afternoon is then free for an optional activity: choose either the famous Shotover Jet or the Million Dollar Cruise on Lake Wakatipu (these are alternative afternoon experiences — pick the one that appeals most), or explore Queenstown's waterfront and town at your own pace.
This evening, gather at the Sudima Queenstown Five Mile for the farewell dinner — a chance to share stories from the trail and raise a glass to twelve days of walking through one of the most beautiful countries on earth.
We say farewell today as we make the return flight back across the Pacific after a fascinating couple of weeks in the Kiwi Wonderland of New Zealand. You are free to arrange your taxi to the airport at whatever time is convenient for you. If you have a later flight, consider further exploration of Queenstown before you fly the friendly skies! Safe travels home, and thanks for choosing to travel with Walking Adventures!
Download the full brochure with day-by-day details, pricing, and what's included.
Make your adventure even richer with these optional additions. Pre-nights and activities can be added at any time — before booking, during registration, or later via your trip advisor.
Available to add during registration or by emailing fun@walkingadventures.com.
Start by browsing our tour calendar and finding the adventure that fits your interests, dates, and walking level. There are two ways to secure your spot.
Pre-register first ($200 per person): express interest before full details are released. Your $200 pre-registration deposit is fully refundable until you accept your Priority Booking Invitation. Pre-registered travelers receive a Priority Booking Invitation with one week to register before remaining space opens to the general public.
When you convert your pre-registration to a full booking, the $200 applies toward the $500 booking deposit and becomes non-refundable (an additional $300 brings the total deposit to $500). If you register directly without pre-registering, the full $500 booking deposit is also non-refundable from the moment it's paid.
Because of our New Zealand operator's payment schedule, the rest of the balance is split into two milestones for this tour: $1,500 is due at 6 months before departure (around July 9, 2026), and the remaining balance is due at 100 days before departure (around October 1, 2026). Payments can be made online. Final payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
You'll receive reminders before each milestone. About 2-3 weeks before departure, you'll receive a final email packet with hotel names, contact information, a list of fellow travelers, and a detailed daily schedule. All registrations are subject to our General Terms & Conditions. Questions? Call us at 360.260.9393 or email fun@walkingadventures.com.
Pre-registration ($200 per traveler): your pre-registration deposit is fully refundable any time before you accept a Priority Booking Invitation. Browse our 2027 Pre-Registration Terms for the full details.
Full registration (booking deposit): when you convert a pre-registration to a full booking, the $200 pre-registration deposit applies toward the $500 booking deposit and becomes non-refundable. If you register directly without pre-registering, the full $500 booking deposit is also non-refundable from the moment it's paid.
Balance payments: final payment is due before departure — your tour page lists the specific dates — and is non-refundable after the due date. We'll send you a reminder a week or two before each deadline so nothing sneaks up on you.
If WAI cancels the tour: If a tour doesn't reach the minimum number of participants needed to run, WAI may cancel the departure — and if that happens, you'll receive a full refund of everything you've paid. It's rare, but we want you to know where you stand. See our General Tour Conditions for complete cancellation and refund details.
Every WAI walk uses a two-part rating: a number (1–3) for incline and a letter(A–C) for terrain. Here’s what they look like:
Quick Reference
Each tour page also has a Tour Pace rating (1–5) and a Walk Challenge rating (1–5) that summarize the overall difficulty. Use these to compare tours at a glance — then check the day-by-day itinerary for the full picture.
You don't need to be an athlete. WAI tours range from gentle strolls through city streets to more adventurous walks on hills and trails — and most walking days offer a shorter or easier alternative so you can choose your level. If you enjoy walking regularly and can handle a couple of miles at a comfortable pace, you'll find tours that fit. More experienced walkers will find plenty to challenge them too. The best preparation is to walk regularly in the weeks before your trip, gradually building up distance. Every tour page shows walk-by-walk ratings so you can see exactly what's involved — and if you're unsure, give us a call. We love helping people find the right fit.
WAI groups are small by design — every group is kept intentionally small so you're never just a face in the crowd. Two WAI guides accompany every trip (plus local national guides on international tours), which means more personal attention, better access to local experiences, and the kind of camaraderie that turns fellow travelers into lasting friends. Check your tour page for specific group size details.
With help from local experts and walking guides, Classic Curated itineraries are crafted with extensive on-site planning by WAI tour planners. Our objective is to capture the essence of a destination by weaving together its culture, history, natural beauty, and culinary traditions into a walking-centric adventure. Think of it as a fully planned trip where each day is thoughtfully designed — not a self-guided hike, not a resort stay, but an immersive journey with a small group led by experienced WAI guides.
After you register, we'll send you an Adventure Advice email with everything you need to plan your trip — recommended flights, arrival airports, timing tips, and important steps to take before departure. One big thing: please don't buy your flights until you've seen this email. It'll save you headaches and help you find the best options. Closer to departure, you'll get a final packet with hotel details, a list of your fellow travelers, and a day-by-day schedule.
If a tour departure doesn't reach the minimum enrollment needed to run, WAI reserves the right to cancel it. If that happens, registered participants receive a 100% refund of all payments made to WAI. Most tours reach minimum enrollment well in advance, and cancellations are rare — but we want you to know we stand behind our commitment if it ever happens. In cases where supplier non-refundable deposits limit what WAI can recover, we'll do our best to apply unrecovered amounts as credit toward a future tour.
Our approach to wellness on tour encourages travelers to: focus on health before the tour so you start healthy; pace yourself while on tour, as travel is inherently stimulating and can mask energy drain; stay hydrated and rested, especially on long-haul travel days and at altitude; and speak up if you're not feeling well — our guides are trained to help and would rather know early. We travel in small groups where everyone looks out for each other, and our guides carry first aid supplies and know local medical resources at every stop. Read our full Wellness on Tour Policy for details.
We choose accommodations based on three things: convenience, comfort, and location. We are not a luxury tour operator, and we are not a budget one either. We are a comfort travel company.
That means properties where you can unpack and settle in, in locations that make sense for the next day’s walk. Sometimes that is a higher-end property because the place is simply too special to pass up. Other times, the most authentic way to experience a destination is in a more modest setting — and those stays often become the most memorable ones.
Every hotel is reviewed and approved by our guide team. After every tour, we survey our travelers to make sure our choices are landing right. If something misses the mark, it does not come back.