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Top New Zealand Trips & Tours in December 2025

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Discover New Zealand in December 2025 on one of these 13 tours hand-selected by the travel experts at Adventure Life. Explore the best of Queenstown, Auckland, Milford Sound, Kaikoura, and Wellington during December 2025 as you enjoy wildlife viewing, small ship cruises, cruises, hiking, and helicopter tours. Prices for trips in December 2025 range from $2,316 to $81,390 for a vacation of 5 to 18 days. Choose any of the below 13 itineraries in December 2025 and customize it when you contact one of Adventure Life's expert New Zealand trip planners.
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Queenstown South Island New Zealand
from$11,761
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Active New Zealand Adventure

New Zealand Self-drive Tour - 18 Day Itinerary
  • Hike through Auckland's west coast
  • Take a cruise on Lake Taupo.
  • Hike in Tongariro National Park
  • Cross the stunning Banks Peninsula
  • Take part in a stargazing tour
  • Enjoy outdoor activities in Wanaka
  • Enjoy Dart River jet boat tour
  • Sail overnight in Doubtful Sound
Starts / Ends:
Auckland / Queenstown
Activities:
Fishing, Helicopter Tours, Hiking, Kayaking, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Moderate
Discover the great outdoors on this 18-day self-drive active New Zealand adventure. Conquer the rugged beaches and rainforests west of Auckland. Explore the volcanic terrain of Tongariro National Park in Taupo. Travel through the Mackenzie High Country, home to turquoise lakes and starry skies, …
Tour Details
0
Wellington Cable Car
from$6,725
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Best of New Zealand: North to South

New Zealand Self-drive Tour - 18 Day Itinerary
  • Hike through Auckland's west coast
  • Enjoy the glowworm cave at Waitomo
  • Visit Te Puia Geothermal
  • See skillful Māori crafts
  • Learn Māori customs and traditions
  • Tour Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Take part in a stargazing tour
  • Enjoy a Dart River jet boat tour
Starts / Ends:
Auckland / Queenstown
Activities:
Archaeological Site Visits, Helicopter Tours, Hiking, Village Visits, Whale Watching, Whitewater Rafting, Wildlife Viewing, Wine Tasting
Activity Level:
Easy Active
Explore New Zealand’s diverse landscapes on an 18-day North-to-South self-drive tour. Explore pristine beaches, rich Maori history, and Rotorua’s geothermal wonders. Visit the glowworm-lit Waitomo Caves and discover the natural beauty of Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage …
Tour Details
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Mount Aspiring - Lake Wanaka
from$5,236
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Complete South Island Explorer

New Zealand Self-drive Tour - 14 Day Itinerary
  • Discover Christchurch's history
  • Enjoy Hanmer Springs hot pools
  • See marine mammals in Kaikoura
  • Visit Abel Tasman National Park
  • Hike the Franz Josef Glacier
  • Enjoy Dart River jet boat tour
  • Explore Queenstown and Milford Soun
  • See glacier in Mt Cook National Par
Starts / Ends:
Christchurch / Christchurch
Activities:
Helicopter Tours, Hiking, Village Visits, Whale Watching, Whitewater Rafting, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Easy Active
Set out on an unforgettable 14-day adventure through New Zealand's South Island, where every stop reveals a new wonder. Start in Christchurch, the vibrant gateway to the South Island, before relaxing in the thermal pools of Hanmer Springs. Experience the wildlife in Kaikoura, followed by the …
Tour Details
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Te Puia Geothermal
from$2,315
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New Zealand North Island Highlights

New Zealand Self-drive Tour - 7 Day Itinerary
  • Enjoy the glowworm cave at Waitomo
  • Visit Te Puia Geothermal
  • See skillful Māori crafts
  • Learn Māori customs and traditions
  • See native birds in wildlife
Starts / Ends:
Auckland / Wellington
Activities:
Archaeological Site Visits, Hiking, Urban Exploration, Village Visits, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Moderate
Discover the North Island of New Zealand on this 7-day self-drive tour. Explore iconic trails, cultural landmarks, and geothermal wonders in Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, and Wellington. Discover Auckland’s vibrant culture, visit the famous glowworm caves in Waitomo, …
Tour Details
0
from$3,750
Up to 20%
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Unseen Fiordland and Stewart Island: Exploring New Zealand's Remote Backyard

6 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Explore Stewart Island
  • See different bird species
  • Discover Ulva Island.
  • Tour the stunning fiords
Starts / Ends:
Queenstown / Invercargill
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
The Heritage Adventurer is a one-of-a-kind adventure to a remote part of New Zealand's wilderness. Visit Fiordland's lonely ice-carved mountains, beautiful forests, and flowing fiords. In isolation, away from the crowds, cruise the quiet seas of Fiordland and Stewart Island in search of …
Cruise Details
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Amazing aerial view of Fiordland National Park on scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown, NZ
from$81,390
2-for-1
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Pure New Zealand: North & South Islands

Auckland - Queenstown - 13 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse II
  • Explore Tauranga’s coastal beauty
  • Discover Gisborne’s sunrise charm
  • Admire Napier’s Art Deco
  • Spot Kaikoura’s marine life
Starts / Ends:
Auckland / Queenstown
Activities:
Helicopter Tours, Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing, Wine Tasting
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 13-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II from Auckland to Queenstown. Experience the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand, from World Heritage natural wonders to award-winning wineries, exquisite cuisine, and picturesque towns—journey across the North and South Islands, …
Cruise Details
0
Amazing aerial view of Fiordland National Park on scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown, NZ
from$24,990
2-for-1
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Pure New Zealand: North & South Islands

Auckland - Queenstown - 13 Day Itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse II
  • Explore Wellington
  • Experience Gisborne
  • Discover Tauranga
  • Explore Auckland
Starts / Ends:
Auckland / Queenstown
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing, Wine Tasting
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 13-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. Discover New Zealand's World Heritage-listed natural wonders, award-winning wineries, exceptional cuisine, and charming towns. Travel from the North to the South Island, immersing yourself in the diverse beauty of the Land of the Long …
Cruise Details
0
New Zealand's remotest island.
from$9,500
Up to 20%
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Beyond Fiordland - New Zealand's Wildest Islands

12 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Explore Campbell Island
  • Visit Carnley Harbor
  • Zodiac cruise along Adams Island
  • Admire Stewart Island's beauty
Starts / Ends:
Invercargill / Invercargill
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Visit Fiordland's lonely ice-carved mountains, beautiful forests, and flowing fiords; this incredible place inspires your desire to travel responsibly. Travel alone, away from the crowds, through the tranquil waters of Fiordland and Stewart Island, on the search for marine life, elusive birds, …
Cruise Details
0
from$15,250
Up to 20%
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Birding Down Under: Subantarctic and Chatham Islands

17 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Visit the best islands for birding
  • See the Albatross Latitudes
  • Marvel at diverse seabird colonies
  • Learn about nature and history
Starts / Ends:
Queenstown / Queenstown
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie, and the Chatham Islands are only a few of the names. They are a delight to 'Birders.' Except for the Chathams, these islands are probably more isolated than they were when they were discovered in the late 1700s and early 1800s and …
Cruise Details
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Queen Charlotte Sound
from$2,595
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Unseen Queen Charlotte Sound

Picton roundtrip - 5 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Explorer
  • Learn the history of Tory Channel
  • Experience Queen Charlotte Walkway
  • Discover Motuara and Blumine Island
  • Trek to Arapawa Island's lookout
Starts / Ends:
Blenheim / Blenheim
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises
Activity Level:
Variable
Embark on a 5-day expedition through Queen Charlotte Sound and its islands, starting with a warm welcome aboard the Heritage Explorer in Blenheim. Sail along the scenic waterways, exploring Tory Channel's whaling history and Ship Cove's rich heritage. Trek through native bush to Ship Cove …
Cruise Details
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Marlborough Sounds
from$3,650
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Discover Marlborough Sounds: An In-Depth Exploration of the Marlborough Sounds

7 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Explorer
  • Explore Queen Charlotte Sound
  • Visit Tory Channel
  • Sail through d’Urville
  • Discover Pelorus Sound
Starts / Ends:
Blenheim / Blenheim
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Spend a week exploring the 1,500-kilometer-long Marlborough Sounds, which were carved out by submerged valleys 10,000 years ago. These destinations are renowned for their breathtaking natural beauty, which includes beautiful cobalt streams, classic vistas, thick indigenous forests, wildlife, and …
Cruise Details
0
Stewart Island
from$4,475
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Unseen Stewart Island: Pristine Wilderness and Wildlife Adventure

8 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Explorer
  • Discover Halfmoon Bay
  • Enjoy the historic views
  • Visit Norwegian whaling station
  • Explore Port Pegasus
Starts / Ends:
Invercargill / Invercargill
Activities:
Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Village Visits, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Experience Unseen Stewart Island/Rakiura and Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara on this 8-day adventure with Heritage Explorer, New Zealand's pioneering small ship expedition cruise ship. With only 25 kilometers of road, Stewart Island is best explored by sea, especially Ulva Island, where there are no …
Cruise Details
0
Explore the stunning Milford Sound
from$12,470
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Expedition to New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands

Dunedin - Dunedin - 15 Day Itinerary aboard Le Soleal
  • Explore the Snares Islands
  • Enjoy a guided walk on Ulva Island
  • View fur seals, sea lions, & seals
  • See Fiordland Crested penguins
Starts / Ends:
Dunedin / Dunedin
Activities:
Hiking, Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Variable
Le Soleal hosts this 15-day New Zealand Subantarctic Islands cruise expedition that immerses you in an incredible world of wildlife and introduces you to the pristine grandeur of New Zealand's Fiordlands and Subantarctic Islands. This journey begins in Dunedin, New Zealand's Edinburgh, a …
Cruise Details
0
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