• 18 to 35-year-olds looking for a social, structured and adventure-packed way to travel New Zealand

• Solo travellers – especially first-timers – who want to explore with a ready-made group and no stress about planning

• Gap year students, university leavers or career breakers wanting a flexible mix of culture, nature and thrill-seeking

• Those interested in backpacking with guidance – perfect if you want independence but still appreciate support and a group leader

• Anyone wanting to experience the best of New Zealand’s North and South Islands in one unforgettable trip – from Hobbiton and Rotorua to Tekapo, Mount Cook and Milford Sound

It’s ideal if you want to see a lot, make friends and enjoy the journey completely stress-free – without worrying about transport, hostels or missing the must-see highlights.

The most popular time to join this tour is November to March, when New Zealand enjoys long, sunny days and warm temperatures. It’s the perfect season for hiking, kayaking, and soaking up the country’s spectacular outdoor scenery – from beaches and geothermal pools to alpine lakes and fjords.

That said, April to October can also be a brilliant time to travel, especially for those who prefer fewer crowds and crisp, clear conditions in the South Island. You’ll find cooler evenings, snow-capped peaks, and great value on flights – ideal for photography, stargazing, and adventure activities in places like Queenstown and Tekapo.

You should budget around NZD 100 per day (roughly £48–£50) to cover food, drinks and optional activities. Most of your transport and accommodation is already included, and several group meals and key experiences (like Hobbiton, Te Pā Tū Māori Village, and the Milford Sound cruise) are covered too – so your daily costs will be moderate.

For the full 3-week trip, that adds up to around NZD 2,000–2,300 (£950–£1,100).
If you plan to add extra activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping or rafting, it’s worth setting aside a little more.

Optional activities can be pre-booked before you travel or arranged directly with your group leader on tour.

Visitor Visa / NZeTA:
If you’re joining the 21-day New Zealand Highlights Tour purely as a tourist, you’ll usually need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). This applies to travellers from visa waiver countries, including the UK, Canada, and most of Europe.

• The NZeTA allows you to visit for up to 3 months (6 months for UK citizens).

• It’s quick and easy to apply online, and approval normally takes 1–3 working days.

• There’s a small application fee and an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) to pay at the same time.

This option is perfect if you’re travelling for leisure and not planning to work.

Working Holiday Visa (WHV):
If you’d like to stay on in New Zealand after the tour and take part in a paid work programme, such as our Working Holiday in Auckland, you’ll need a Working Holiday Visa. This allows you to live, travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months (or 23 months for UK citizens).

To be eligible, you’ll need to:

• Hold a valid passport from an eligible country (including the UK, Ireland, Canada, France and others)

• Be aged 18–30 (or 18–35 for UK and a few select nationalities)

• Have sufficient funds (around NZD 4,200) to support your stay

• Meet standard health and character requirements

• Apply for your visa before arriving in New Zealand

You can apply online via the official Immigration New Zealand website, and approval typically takes 1–3 weeks depending on nationality.

Absolutely – yes! Friends and small groups are very welcome on this tour. Whether you’re travelling with one friend or a few, we can arrange for you to be placed in the same travel group, stay in the same accommodation, and experience every part of the adventure together.

Just let us know when booking, and we’ll make sure you’re kept together wherever possible throughout your New Zealand journey.

Group sizes are typically between 8 and 24 people, with most travellers joining solo or in pairs. It’s the perfect balance – small enough to get to know everyone, but big enough to stay social and fun. The same group travels together from Auckland to Queenstown, guided by a dedicated and experienced group leader throughout the tour.

We recommend booking at least 4–6 weeks in advance to secure your place – especially if you’re planning to travel during New Zealand’s busy summer season (November to March). Group sizes are capped at 24, and popular stops such as Rotorua, Queenstown and Lake Tekapo often book out early.

If you’re travelling with a friend or want to guarantee your preferred Wednesday start date, booking 2–3 months ahead is ideal. This also gives you plenty of time to arrange flights, insurance and your NZeTA visa before departure.

You should visit your doctor or travel nurse to find out what vaccinations you will need. Typically you will need your routine travel vaccinations to be in date and it is essential that your tetanus is up to date. Australia does not require any additional vaccinations to Europe.

For any more information, please see the Fit for Travel website or the UK government’s travel advice page for Australia.

Auckland (start of the tour):

• Auckland City Hospital – major public hospital with 24/7 emergency department, located close to the city centre

Wellington (mid-tour):

• Wellington Regional Hospital – large public hospital offering full emergency and trauma services

Christchurch (en route to the South Island):

• Christchurch Hospital – the South Island’s largest hospital, with a 24-hour emergency department

Queenstown (end of the tour):

• Lakes District Hospital – local facility with a 24/7 emergency department and urgent-care services

If you need medical assistance at any point during the tour, your group leader is there to help and will direct you to the nearest available facility.

New Zealand is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in the world for travellers, and this tour is designed with your safety as a top priority. You’ll be travelling as part of a group and supported by an experienced tour leader throughout the journey. All accommodation, transport and activities are pre-arranged and carefully vetted for quality and safety.

As with any trip, it’s important to use common sense – keep an eye on your belongings, follow local advice, and take care around water, geothermal areas and hiking trails. You’ll receive a full safety briefing at the start of the tour, and 24/7 support is available from your local team and the Oyster office in the UK if you ever need assistance.

Skydiving – Queenstown or Taupō
NZD $450–$550 / approx. £220–£270
Tandem skydive from up to 15,000 ft over lakes, mountains or the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Bungee Jump – Queenstown (AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy)
NZD $330 / approx. £160
Take the plunge from 134 metres – the highest bungee in the Southern Hemisphere.

White Water Rafting – Rotorua or Queenstown
NZD $180 / approx. £85
Half or full-day guided rafting experience on world-class rapids, safety gear included.

Scenic Flight – Mount Cook or Milford Sound
NZD $450 / approx. £220
Breathtaking aerial views over glaciers, mountains and fjords on a small-plane flight.

Hot Air Balloon – Canterbury or Queenstown
NZD $400 / approx. £195
Drift peacefully over lakes and farmland at sunrise with stunning panoramic views.

Wi-Fi is available at nearly all hostels and lodges along the tour, particularly in larger towns and cities such as Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. Speeds are generally good for messaging, browsing and social media.

In more remote areas – like Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook or Milford Sound – Wi-Fi can be limited and mobile signal may drop out at times. These are great opportunities to unplug and soak up the scenery.

Overall, you’ll have regular access to Wi-Fi throughout the trip, though it won’t be 24/7 everywhere.

You’ll be in New Zealand Standard Time (NZST), which is GMT +12 hours.

During Daylight Saving Time (from late September to early April), New Zealand moves to New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT), which is GMT +13 hours.

The entire country follows the same time zone, so there’s no difference between the North and South Islands.

New Zealand uses the Type I plug, the same as Australia. Power runs on 230 volts at 50 Hz, and the sockets are not compatible with UK or European plugs.

You’ll need a New Zealand/Australia adapter with two flat angled pins and a grounding pin (optional). Universal travel adapters that include Type I will also work perfectly.

Because it’s the ultimate way to experience New Zealand from top to bottom – all the highlights, zero stress. You’ll travel with a fun, friendly group, with your accommodation, transport and key activities all sorted, visiting world-famous spots like Hobbiton, Rotorua, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook and Milford Sound.

It’s perfect if you’re after a mix of adventure, culture, nature and connection – all while making new friends from around the world. Whether you’re on a gap year, career break or short escape, this trip lets you see the very best of New Zealand with maximum experience and minimum hassle.

This New Zealand Highlights tour offers the perfect mix of structure and freedom. You’ll have a dedicated group leader with you for the full 3 weeks, managing logistics, guiding activities and providing support throughout the journey. They’re there to make sure everything runs smoothly and that you get the most from each destination.

While you’ll enjoy daily interaction and guidance from your leader, there’s also plenty of free time in every stop to explore independently, relax, or join optional adventures. You’ll be encouraged to make your own choices and travel at your own pace within the itinerary.

During free time or optional activities, you’ll need to act responsibly and follow local safety advice — but help is always close by. Emergency support is available 24/7 for the entire duration of your trip.