NZ Explorer
Tour Guide
Discover essential preparation tips and travel information for your NZ Explorer Tour
New Zealand's #1 Rated Tours
Your Essential Guide
Planning a New Zealand small group tour on our NZ Explorer route? Check out our guide to explore all of the important trip details and help you plan an epic 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
AUCKLAND DEPARTURES
Check-in Location
If your tour departs from Auckland, your check-in location will be at the Wild Kiwi bus, at Lylo Auckland at 9.00 am. Please meet your guide outside in the hostel entrance 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 prior to 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.
Keep in mind the south island part of your tour runs in both directions, meaning your first stop might be Tekapo. If you have any pre-planned activities or arrangements, please let us know.
Drop-off Location
After a final breakfast, we start our travel back to Christchurch where you will arrive mid-afternoon. We will drop you back to Lylo Christchurch, which is a short 10-minute walk from the airport. If catching a flight from Christchurch, please make sure your flight is after 5 pm on your final day or 7 pm for an international flight.
CHRISTCHURCH DEPARTURES
Check-in Location
If your tour departs from Christchurch then your check-in location will be at the Wild Kiwi bus, at Lylo Christchurch 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 prior to 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.
Keep in mind the south island part of your tour runs in both directions, meaning your first stop might be Tekapo. If you have any pre-planned activities or arrangements, please let us know.
Drop-off Location
Your tour will return to Auckland on Friday at around 4 pm. Your guide will be able to drop you off at the Auckland Airport or Queens Wharf in central Auckland. If you are carrying on your New Zealand adventure we recommend domestic flights after 6 pm or international flights from 8 pm onwards.
Getting There
AUCKLAND DEPARTURES
Auckland International Airport (AKL)
If you are travelling from overseas, your most convenient airport for the Auckland tour departures will be Auckland International Airport. Please allow plenty of time to clear customs and immigration on arrival. Upon arrival, you will need to make your way to the pick-up location.
If you are travelling domestically, you will arrive at the Domestic Terminal.
From Auckland Airport
Sky Drive: Regular Skydrive buses connect the airport to the city with various stops in the city. You can buy your tickets from the bus stop when you arrive or in advance online. Tickets cost $17 one way or $30 return (online price). Buses depart outside both domestic and international terminals.
Taxis
Travel time from the airport to the city centre is approximately 20 minutes. Prices vary by taxi company; you are advised to ask before beginning your journey. The standard fare is usually around $38-$75.
Cheap Cabs: 09 621 0505
Green Cabs: 0800 4647336
Super Shuttle: 0800 748 885
Alternatively, Auckland does have Uber and Ola.
CHRISTCHURCH DEPARTURES
Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
If you are travelling from overseas, your most convenient airport for the Christchurch tour departures will be Christchurch International Airport. Please allow plenty of time to clear customs and immigration on arrival.
If you are travelling domestically, you will arrive at the Domestic Terminal.
From Christchurch City
Bus: Regular Metro Bus services connect Christchurch city to the airport; the number 29 bus departs from Central Station. You can buy your tickets from the driver; they cost $8 one way or $14 return.
Both terminals are a short 10-minute walk from Lylo Christchurch.
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: 0800808544
Blue Star Taxi’s: 033799799
Airport Taxi: 0272300782
Alternatively, Christchurch does have Uber and Ola.
Itinerary
Tongariro Crossing
Mitai Maori Village in Rotorua
Milford Sound
Hobbiton™ Movie Set
Franz Josef Glacier
The Coromandel
Stargazing at Mt John Observatory
Jetboating in Queenstown
NZ Explorer
Departs Auckland & Christchurch
All Year Round - Guaranteed Departures
Maximum Group Size - 18 people
14 Days
Experience the best of the North and South Islands on this epic 14-day road trip. Uncover magic on the Hobbiton film set, hike through a glacier at Franz Josef, and see glowworms in their full glory at Waitomo.
Travel Tips
Where To Stay
AUCKLAND
There are some really awesome places to stay in Auckland if you are planning a couple of days exploring before or after your trip. We recommend Lylo Auckland.
Lylo Auckland
Address: 54 Cook Street, Auckland CBD, 1010.
Phone: 09 379 6633
Mention ‘Wild Kiwi’ to be grouped in the same room with other Wild Kiwi guests (subject to availability)
CHRISTCHURCH
There are some really awesome places to stay in Christchurch if you are planning a couple of days exploring before or after your trip. We recommend Hotel Give (Formerly YMCA Christchurch), or if you arrive the night before and want to stay close to your pick-up location – Lylo Christchurch.
Lylo Christchurch
Address: 5 Peter Leeming Rd, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 8053
Phone: 0800 427 736
Mention ‘Wild Kiwi’ to be grouped in the same room with other Wild Kiwi guests (subject to availability)
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.
