Aotearoa – New Zealand Travel Itineraries
Thoughtfully designed journeys for travellers who value pace, place and flexibility
Some journeys are about covering distance, ours are about how it feels to travel through a place.
Our itineraries are designed for travellers who enjoy slowing down, following good roads and discovering local favourites. Choose a route that suits your time and travel style, then explore it at your own pace.
🧭 How Our Itineraries Work
Our journeys are designed in three carefully crafted formats, each reflecting the depth and pacing of the experience.
7 Day Journeys – Shorter scenic adventures with clear guidance, flexible routing and strong local insight.
14 Day Journeys – More immersive routes that allow time to slow down, explore deeper and connect destinations more meaningfully.
21 Day Elite Journeys – Our most comprehensive guides, offering deeper planning support, seasonal insight and a carefully balanced travel rhythm across the full journey.
Many journeys can be expanded with optional destination add-ons, smaller town guides created to help you explore places in more depth if you choose to stay longer.
You’ll find a full breakdown of what’s included within each journey on the individual itinerary pages.
North Island 7 Day Journeys
Northland Explorer: 7 Day Scenic Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Auckland • Kaukapakapa • Wellsford • Waipoua Kauri Forest • Rāwene • Dargaville • Ōpōnoni • Ahipara • Northland • Cape Rēinga • Mangōnui • Kerikeri • Waitangi • Paihia • Russell • Whangārei • Waipū • Mangawhai • Matakana
Exploring
Te Ika-a-Māui
The North Island
Volcanic landscapes, geothermal valleys and sweeping coastlines shape the North Island experience.
Our 7 and 14 day itineraries are thoughtfully designed, real-world guides you can follow as mapped or extend to suit your pace and timeframe.
Eastern Volcanic Explorer: 7 Day Scenic Loop
Place Names Along the Journey
Auckland • Paeroa • Waihi • Katikati • Tauranga • Mount Maunganui • Ōkere Falls • Rotorua • Taupō • Tūrangi • Tongariro National Park • Waimarino •Taumarunui • Te Kūiti • Waitomo Caves • Pirongia • Whatawhata • Auckland
Volcanic & Surf Coast: 7 Day Scenic Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Auckland • Raglan • Hamilton • Waitomo Caves • Mokau • New Plymouth • Mount Taranaki • Whanganui • Ohakune • Tongariro National Park • Taupō • Rotorua • Tīrau • Te Waihou Blue Springs • Matamata • Kaiaua • Clevedon • Auckland
East Coast Explorer: 7 Day Scenic Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Auckland • Clevedon • Thames • Coromandel • Waihi • Tauranga • Mount Maunganui • Whakatāne • Ōhope • Ōpōtiki • Te Araroa • Tokomaru Bay • Gisborne • Napier • Taupō • Rotorua • Te Waihou Blue Springs • Tīrau • Matamata • Hamilton
Lower North Island Explorer: 7 Day Scenic Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Wellington • Petone • Featherston • Martinborough • Greytown • Carterton • Masterton • Eketāhuna • Mangatainoka • Dannevirke • Hastings • Napier • Taupō • Rotorua • Te Waihou Blue Springs • Tīrau • Matamata – Hobbiton • Auckland
North Island 14 Day Journeys
North Island Explorer: 14 Day Scenic Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Auckland • Clevedon • Thames • Coromandel • Whitianga • Whangamatā • Waihi • Tauranga • Rotorua • Taupō • Waitomo Caves • Taumarunui • Waimarino • Tongariro National Park • Ōhakune • Waiouru • Taihape • Napier • Hastings • Masterton • Greytown • Martinborough • Featherson • Wellington
Ultimate North Island Explorer: 14 Day Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Auckland • Dargaville • Ōpōnoni • Cape Rēinga • Kerikeri • Waitangi • Paihia • Kaiaua • Thames • Coromandel • Whitianga • Matamata – Hobbiton • Tīrau • Te Waihou Blue Springs • Rotorua • Taupō • Tongariro National Park • Ōhakune • Waiouru • Taihape • Napier • Hastings • Wairarapa • Wellington
East Coast Wine & Food Explorer: 14 Day Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Auckland • Clevedon • Kaiaua • Thames • Coromandel • Whitianga • Whangamatā • Waihi • Tauranga • Rotorua • Ōpōtiki • Gisborne • Māhia • Wairoa • Napier • Hastings • Dannevirke • Mangatainoka • Eketāhuna • Masterton • Carterton • Greytown • Martinborough • Featherston • Wellington
🌾 Why Travel With Tohu Travellers
We don’t believe in rushing travel or overfilling days.
However, we also understand that some journeys naturally involve moving on more often — especially when you want to experience a region in depth.
Technology, AI and social media can be incredible tools when used well. Yet with so much fast content and advertising online, we’ve found ourselves leaning more toward travellers and storytellers who have truly experienced the places they share.
Our itineraries are shaped by lived experience, local knowledge and a belief that the best moments often come from slowing down — pulling over, staying longer or changing plans altogether.
Each journey is designed to support you, not control you.
South Island 7 Day Journeys
West Coast Explorer: 7 Day Scenic Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Picton • Blenheim • Havelock • Nelson • Abel Tasman National Park • Tākaka • Punakaiki • Greymouth • Hokitika • Fox Glacier • Haast Pass • Blue Pools • Wānaka • Cardrona • Arrowtown • Queenstown
Exploring
Te Waipounamu
The South Island
Alpine passes, wild coastline and glacier-fed lakes define the South Island journey.
Our 7 and 14 day itineraries are practical, experience-based guides that offer structure while allowing you to slow down, stay longer or adapt the route as needed.
Southern Starlight Explorer: 7 Day Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Christchurch • Akaroa • Rakaia River • Ashburton • Timaru • Lake Tekapo • Lake Pukaki • Aoraki Mount Cook • Wānaka • Arrowtown • Queenstown • Piopiotahi – Milford Sound
Scenic South Island Explorer: 7 Day Loop
Place Names Along the Journey
Christchurch • Hanmer Springs • Lewis Pass • Punakaiki • Greymouth • Hokitika • Haast Pass • Wānaka • Blue Pools • Cardrona • Queenstown • Lake Pukaki • Aoraki Mount Cook • Lake Tekapo • Christchurch
South Island East Explorer: 7 Day Scenic Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Picton • Blenheim • Kaikōura • Hanmer Springs • Christchurch • Akaroa • Lake Tekapo • Lake Pukaki • Arrowtown • Cardrona • Wānaka • Queenstown • Piopiotahi – Milford Sound
Top of the South Explorer: 7 Day Scenic Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Christchurch • Hanmer Springs • Kaikōura • Blenheim • Havelock • Marlborough Sounds • Nelson • Abel Tasman National Park • Tākaka • Māpua • Motueka • Punakaiki • Greymouth • Arthur’s Pass • Akaroa
South Island 14 Day Journeys
Southern South Island Explorer: 14 Day Scenic Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Christchurch • Hanmer Springs • Lewis Pass • Punakaiki • Haast • Wānaka • Queenstown • Milford Sound • Invercargill • Bluff • The Catlins • Dunedin • Oamaru • Lake Pukaki • Aoraki Mount Cook • Lake Tekapo • Akaroa
South Island inc Stewart Island Explorer: 14 Day Journey
Place Names Along the Journey
Christchurch • Akaroa • Timaru • Oamaru • Dunedin • Gore • Invercargill • Bluff • Stewart Island • Te Anau • Milford Sound • Queenstown • Wānaka • Lake Pukaki • Lake Tekapo • Arthur’s Pass • Greymouth • Punakaiki • Abel Tasman • Havelock • Blenheim • Kaikōura • Hanmer Springs • Christchurch
South Island Explorer: 14 Day Scenic Loop
Place Names Along the Journey
Christchurch • Kaikōura • Blenheim • Marlborough Sounds • Abel Tasman National Park • West Coast • Haast • Wānaka • Queenstown • Piopiotahi – Milford Sound • Invercargill • Bluff • The Catlins • Dunedin • Oamaru • Lake Pukaki • Aoraki Mount Cook • Lake Tekapo • Christchurch
🧳 Ready to Choose a Journey?
Choose a route that fits your timeframe, then explore what’s included inside each journey.
The Ultimate Aotearoa-New Zealand Journey
North & South Island 21 Days - COMING SOON
Great Walks Explorer: Aotearoa – New Zealand
Following Aotearoa’s great walking landscapes — a scenic journey connecting iconic tracks with local experiences, cultural stops and unforgettable destinations along the way.
Including Cape Brett Track • Tongariro Alpine Crossing • Abel Tasman Coast Track • Paparoa Track • Routeburn Track • Kepler Track • Aoraki Mount Cook trails • Lake Tekapo walks
Ultimate Wine Trails Explorer: Auckland to Otago
More than a wine itinerary, this journey follows Aotearoa’s wine regions through scenic drives, local flavours and the landscapes that connect each stop along the way.
Including Northland • West Auckland • Waiheke Island • Bay of Plenty • Napier • Hastings • Martinborough District • Marlborough • Blenhiem • Waipara • Central Otago
Ultimate Aotearoa Explorer: Auckland to Southland
A complete journey through Aotearoa, weaving together coastlines, alpine landscapes and cultural stops into one unforgettable continuous north to south adventure.
Including Northland. Auckland. Tongariro National Park. Hawke’s Bay. Wellington. Abel Tasman. West Coast. Aoraki Mount Cook. Queenstown and Fiordland.
Film Locations in Aotearoa- New Zealand - COMING SOON
Lord of the Rings North Island Journey: 7 Day Film Location Guide
Place Names Along the Journey
Auckland • Matamata – Hobbiton • Piopio – Trollshaw Forest • Tongariro National Park – Mount Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe) • Mordor landscapes • Mangatepopo Valley • Rangipō Desert backdrops . Wellington – Rivendell & Wētā Workshop
Lord of the Rings South Island Journey: 7 Day Film Location Guide
Place Names Along the Journey
Christchurch • Mount Sunday – Edoras (Rohan) • Twizel – Pelennor Fields • Aoraki Mount Cook region – Middle-earth backdrops • Lake Pukaki – Alpine film landscapes • Kawarau River – Anduin River scenes • Lake Alta – Dimrill Dale • Glenorchy & Paradise – Isengard and Lothlórien • Queenstown