Group of people hiking up Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand

New Zealand
Highlights
Tour Guide

Discover useful pre-departure information, important trip details, and a route guide for your New Zealand Highlights Premium Tour.

Your Essential Guide

Planning a New Zealand premium small group tour on our New Zealand Highlights route? Explore our guide to discover important travel details and help you plan an unforgettable New Zealand adventure.


Please note, this tour departs from both Auckland and Christchurch. See below for details specific to these different departure cities.

Check-In / Return

Google maps image
The waterfront in Auckland city
City Works Depot
AUCKLAND DEPARTURES
Check-in Location

If your tour departs from Auckland then your check-in location will be at the Wild Kiwi bus, at the the City Works Depot at 9.00 am. Please meet your guide outside in the parking area and arrive at least 10 mins before this time to allow for a timely departure.


We will email you 3 days before your tour departure with your guide's contact information. Please be aware that phone contact with your guide is only possible from the Saturday when your tour commences. Prior to this, your guide will be busy focusing on their current tour group.

IMPORTANT: If you have any questions before the day your tour departs, please contact the office customer service team:


EMAIL: hello@wildkiwi.com 

PHONE: +64 9 973 5676


They will be more than happy to help with any queries you have.


DROP-OFF LOCATION

After a final breakfast, we start our travel back to Christchurch where you will arrive mid-afternoon. Your guide can drop you back to the Christchurch CBD or Christchurch Airport. If catching a flight from Christchurch Airport on the final day of your tour, please ensure any domestic flight departs after 5 pm and any international flight departs after 7 pm.

Google maps image
Two women walking past some shops in Christchurch
Wyndham Garden Christchurch City Hotel
CHRISTCHURCH DEPARTURES
Check-in Location

If your tour departs from Christchurch then your check-in location will be at the Wild Kiwi bus, at the Wyndham Garden Christchurch City Hotel at 9.00 am. Please meet your guide outside in the parking area and arrive at least 10 mins before this time to allow for a timely departure.


We will email you 3 days before your tour departure with your guide's contact information. Please be aware that phone contact with your guide is only possible from the Saturday when your tour commences. Prior to this, your guide will be busy focusing on their current tour group.

IMPORTANT: If you have any questions before the day your tour departs, please contact the office customer service team:


EMAIL: hello@wildkiwi.com 

PHONE: +64 9 973 5676


They will be more than happy to help with any queries you have.


DROP-OFF LOCATION

After a final breakfast, we start our travel back to Auckland where you will arrive mid-afternoon. Your guide can drop you back to the Auckland CBD or Auckland Airport. If catching a flight from Auckland Airport on the final day of your tour, please ensure any domestic flight departs after 5 pm and any international flight departs after 7 pm.

Getting There

The waterfront at Auckland City
AUCKLAND DEPARTURES
Auckland International Airport (AKL)

If you are travelling from overseas then you will arrive at Auckland International Airport into the International Terminal. Please allow plenty of time to clear customs and immigration on arrival.

If you are travelling domestically, you will arrive at the Domestic Terminal.


Airport Transfer

Travel Time from the airport to the city centre is approximately 30 minutes. Uber and Ola are available, just download the app and follow the instructions.

Taxis

Prices vary by taxi company, and you are advised to ask before beginning your journey. The standard fare is usually around $45-$75.


Corporate Cabs (Pre-book): 0800808544

Cheap Cabs: 09 6210505

Green Cabs: 0800 464 7336

Super Shuttle: 0800 748 885

This is an affordable door-to-door shuttle service. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the Airport if availability allows.

Hot air balloon over the Canterbury Plains in New Zealand
CHRISTCHURCH DEPARTURES
Christchurch International Airport (CHC)

If you are travelling from overseas then you will arrive at Christchurch International Airport into the International Terminal. Please allow plenty of time to clear customs and immigration on arrival.

If you are travelling domestically, you will arrive into the Domestic Terminal.


Airport Transfer

Travel Time from the airport to the city centre is approximately 15 - 20 minutes. Uber and Ola are available, just download the app and follow the instructions.

Taxis

Travel time from the city centre to the airport is approximately 15-20 minutes. Prices vary by taxi company and you are advised to ask before beginning your journey. The standard fare is usually around $45-$65. Your taxi is charged $5.50 to collect or deliver you to Christchurch Airport.


Corporate Cabs (Pre-book): 0800808544

Blue Star Taxi’s: 033799799

Airport Taxi: 0272300782

Super Shuttle: 0800 748 885

This is an affordable door-to-door shuttle service. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the Airport if availability allows.

Itinerary

New Zealand Highlights

  • Location Pin Icon
    Departs Auckland or Christchurch
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    All Year Round - Guaranteed Departures
  • Group icon
    Maximum Group Size - 14 people
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    7 Days

Set off on an unforgettable 14-day journey showcasing New Zealand’s spectacular North and South Islands. From stunning beaches to breathtaking mountain vistas, experience the very best of New Zealand's incredible natural scenery and rich culture.

New Zealand Highlights route map

Travel Tips

Our Sustainability Commitment

Tiaki Promise chart

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Tiaki means to care for people and places. The Tiaki promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand for now and for future generations and by joining the Wild Kiwi family you are a part of what Tiaki means.


From the outset, our mission has been to nurture both our communities and the environment, aligning with and advocating for The Tiaki Promise.

We are committed to continuous improvements in environmental, economic & social sustainability and want to make sure we all travel more responsibly.


While on your Wild Kiwi adventure, we ask that you make a commitment to New Zealand by following the Tiaki promise. To act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.


Where To Stay

Sudima Auckland City Hotel Room
AUCKLAND

There are some outstanding places to stay in Auckland if you are planning a couple of days exploring before or after your tour.


We recommend the Sudima Auckland City Hotel in the CBD as an affordable option. Other options include the QT Auckland, Rydges Auckland or Ramada Suites By Wyndham.

Sudima Auckland City Hotel

Address: 63 Nelson Street, Auckland Central, 1010

Phone: 09 399 2360


Wyndham Gardens Christchurch Hotel
CHRISTCHURCH

There are some outstanding places to stay in Christchurch if you are planning a couple of days exploring before or after your tour.


We recommend the Wyndham Garden Christchurch Hotel in the CBD or the Sudima Hotel at Christchurch Airport.

Tour Activities

As you travel around New Zealand there will be heaps to see and do. You will also have the choice of a variety of optional activities. Don’t feel limited to these options, just chat with your Guide and they will be happy to make recommendations and get you booked into any activity you are interested in!

All activities are optional. What's wonderful about this is that it puts you in the driver's seat to craft your own adventure. You get to choose which activities you'd like to include in your tour, or perhaps opt for some free time to explore the area at your own pace, like embarking on a scenic hike.

As part of making the tour zero-stress, your guide will handle the bookings of all of your activities for you whilst on the road, so all you have to do is decide what to tick off your bucket list first.


We hold allocations on the most popular activities to ensure that you don’t miss out on anything whilst on tour or to pre-book your activities.

Get in touch

If you have any further questions about your tour, please email hello@wildkiwi.com or book in a call with one of our team. If you or anyone you are travelling with has any particular health needs or allergies let us know.

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