New Zealand: Stunning geology, volcanoes and glaciers

2024 - 8 or 15 days

Register now at tours@newscientist.com and we will contact you soon with full tour details.

Discover the amazing and diverse landscapes of New Zealand, that over millions of years have been shaped by forces deep within the earth and carved from above. Study significant geological, volcanic and glacial features exposed on an impressive scale. 

You can choose North Island including Rangitoto Island volcano, Waitomo caves, the major geothermal areas and the Tongariro National Park. Or South Island visiting Milford Sound, the unique Punakaiki geology, Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, fjords and the Southern Alps. Or combine both into one amazing tour.

Enjoy the otherworldly scenery and welcoming hospitality of this unique country by luxury coach, boat and train. Meeting local experts along the way, and with briefings and walking seminars from science author and journalist John Pickrell throughout the tour.

We have built-in lots of flexibility with time at leisure and optional experiences, so you decide the pace. Plus, you will also visit the vibrant cities of Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch.

In partnership with Intrepid Travel

NORTH ISLAND: VOLCANOLOGY, GEOTHERMAL, ASTRONOMY

DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO AUCKLAND AND VISIT THE STARDOME

On arrival into Auckland, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Grand Millennium Hotel in the heart of this cosmopolitan city, where you will stay for the next two nights. Auckland (also known as Tāmaki Makaurau) is spread over volcanic hills and is based around two harbours.

After meeting your fellow guests for dinner, you will enjoy a briefing from the tour leader then introductory talk from accompanying expert author and journalist John Pickrell. John’s role will be to explain the various features and phenomena you are visiting and help you understand how they fit into the broader scientific picture of deep time processes. As such John will be giving talks, on-coach briefings and walking seminars throughout the tour.

After the talks, you will travel to the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium, for an evening with an astronomer exploring the southern hemisphere skies at this research and education facility. Marvel at star clusters, gas cloud nebulae and star patterns that can only be seen from this latitude.

DAY 2: RANGITOTO ISLAND VOLCANO AND THE AUCKLAND MUSEUM

After breakfast, you will take the scenic ferry to the volcanic Rangitoto Island. Once there, a gentle climb will take you through several lava fields and native forests to the top of this 600-year-old symmetrical shield volcano cone. Luckily, it’s dormant and there are lava caves and tunnels to explore on your way up (remember to bring a small torch). The return ferry journey gives you a magnificent view of the North Shore of Auckland.

In the afternoon you will visit the Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum which house exhibits on evolution and the natural world from both a western and Māori perspective, along with history, Māori treasures and New Zealand’s involvement in several conflicts.

DAY 3: WAITOMO CAVES

Today, you drive to Waitomo and visit its extensive glow-worm studded underground cave system by boat. Glide silently through this ancient world, 30 million years in the making, as you experience its serene ambience. Local Māori guides will bring the history of the caves to life for you whilst explaining its natural phenomena. The highlight is the vast Ruakuri cave which features waterfalls, limestone stalactites and stalagmites, fossilized seashells (as it was once a seabed) plus the opportunity to get up close with the glow-worms.

In the late afternoon, after arriving in Rotorua, you will check into the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua for two nights. A lakeside town known for its geothermal activity and Māori culture.

DAY 4: GEOTHERMAL WONDERS OF WAIMANGU AND WAIOTAPU

In the morning, you will visit the Waimangu volcanic valley. Site of a major 1886 eruption that led to the world’s youngest geothermal valley. Here you will explore craters, hot water springs, beautiful geothermal features, unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured microbiology and a wide array of birds.  Finishing with a tranquil cruise around Lake Rotomahana to view the stunning pink and white terraces.

You will then travel a short distance to the surreal beauty of Waiotapu. A large sinter apron and highly active geothermal area covering 18 square miles with colourful hot springs and boiling sulphuric mud.

In the evening, you can relax or enjoy an optional evening visit to a Maori cultural performance held at a traditional marae meeting place. Here you will learn about the origins of the Māori, their journey to New Zealand and how these proud people have upheld the traditions of their ancestors. Experience Maori rituals, enjoy a concert and then the Hangi, an earth oven meal (optional extra approximately NZ$120).

DAY 5: THE WAIRAKEI GEOTHERMAL FIELD

This morning you will drive towards Tongariro National Park through the Wairakei geothermal field. It was the first geothermal field to be used for electrical generation and remains the largest in a country that derives over 18% of its electricity from geothermal (more than wind and solar combined). Here you will see stop at a lookout over the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station to observe its myriad of pipes surrounded by steam emanating from the ground.

This is followed by a visit to the Tokannau Thermal Pools. These mineral waters have been used for generations by the Ngati Kurauia people for their restorative powers, cooking and the treatment of flax for weaving. Remember to bring your swimming costume for a relaxing dip in their no-frills pools. Afterwards, you can take a short walk around the thermal area and see steaming hot mineral pools and sputtering mud pots.

In the evening you will check-in to the Park Hotel Ruapehu which has stunning views of the nearby volcanoes.

DAY 6: TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK AND VOLCANIC MOUNT RUAPEHU

After breakfast, you will explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Tongariro Park including Mount Ruapehu, the largest active volcano in New Zealand and the highest point on North Island with three peaks over 2,700 m high. You will enjoy a two-hour walk to the Taranaki Falls and enjoy fantastic views of Mount Ruapehu.

You will have an option to extend the walk by another 3 hours to the Tama Lakes, two volcanic explosion crater lakes between Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngaruahoe (approximately NZ$120).

In the evening, dinner will be served at the Park Hotel Ruapehu.

DAY 7: MARTINBOROUGH WINERY AND WELLINGTON

Heading south towards Wellington you will stop at a Martinborough winery for tasting and lunch. Packed with old-world charm, Martinborough features over 20 wineries, within a short walking distance of the quaint village square. Some of New Zealand’s best pinot noir comes from the town’s predominately family-owned vineyards, so it’s not surprising it is a key stop on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail.

Suitably relaxed, you will continue to Wellington, situated at the southern end of the North Island. Recently named "the coolest little capital in the world" by Lonely Planet and known as the culinary capital.

After checking in to the West Plaza Hotel, you will have time to explore the town before enjoying dinner together.

DAY 8: END OF 8 DAY TOUR OR CONTINUE ONTO SOUTH ISLAND

If you are finishing today, we will transfer you to Wellington Airport for your return journey. 

If you are continuing onto South Island with the tour, then you will take the 90-minute flight to Queensland with John to continue exploring.

SOUTH ISLAND: GEOLOGY, GLACIOLOGY, MARINE BIOLOGY

DAY 1 (DAY 8): HEAD TOWARDS THE FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK AND TE ANAU

After flying into Queenstown, you will take a 2-hour drive towards Fiordland National Park and Te Anau, an ideal base from which to explore Milford Sound tomorrow. Lake Te Anau is the islands largest lake and an ideal place to experience the friendliness of small-town New Zealand. 

You will check into the Distinction Luxmore Hotel, close to the beautiful lake. In the evening meet John and your tour leader who will brief you on the South Island leg of this tour followed by dinner together in Jimmy Cooks Kiwi Kitchen.

DAY 2 (DAY 9): MILFORD SOUND

After breakfast, you will take an extremely scenic 2-hour drive to Milford Sound. Climbing through the Southern Alps, you will enjoy the stunning views over Fiordland National Park, with its ancient rainforests, deep lakes, lively waterfalls and granite mountains.

Once at Milford Sound, you will take a cruise through the fjords carved by glaciers over millions of years and marvel at the wildlife including seals, dolphins and penguins. Situated on the west coast of the South Island, hours from the nearest town, Milford Sound is where plunging cliffs and raging waterfalls meet inky dark waters. This is New Zealand's wild side at its absolute best. Famously described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world'. It is also known as one of the wettest places in the world, so remember your waterproof coat.

In the late afternoon, you will set off for the drive back to Queenstown, where you will check into the Heartland Hotel for two nights.

DAY 3 (DAY 10): EXPLORE QUEENSLAND

Today is a free day in Queensland but we can arrange a number of different optional activities for you to explore this exhilarating town set next to Lake Wakatipu and the dramatic Southern Alps.

You can take a cruise on the steamboat TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Here you can take the steepest gondola in the southern hemisphere, to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy a fantastic view over the surrounding mountains (approximately NZ$108).

Or you can travel up the Skippers Canyon, rich in gold mining history with a trail that was carved out of sheer rock over 120 years ago. Then a jet boat tour, where you can see historic gold mining relics and locations use in filming Lord of the Rings (approximately NZ$178).

DAY 4 (DAY 11): HAAST RIVER AND LAKE MATHESON

After a morning driving north along the coasts of Lake Wānaka and Lake Hawea, you will reach the Haast River where you will travel from the ocean to the alps within a UNESCO World Heritage Area aboard a jet boat. The boats are designed to be able to operate in shallow water propelled by a jet of water rather than a propellor. The journey will take you up a remote backcountry river, where you can marvel at the stunning glacial landscape whilst local guides share with you the natural history of the area.

In the afternoon, you will journey on to Lake Matheson Motel and check-in for two nights. From here it’s an hour’s easy walk to the small glacial lake, famous as one of the most photographed in New Zealand due to the calm waters which carry a crystal-clear reflection of Mount Cook and Tasman. There is a café and if you wish to walk further around the lake, it should only take 90 minutes. 

DAY 5 (DAY 12): FOX AND FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

Of the 3,100 glaciers in New Zealand, most are in difficult to reach regions at high altitudes. Today, you will journey up the coast and visit two unique low altitude examples with experienced local guides.

Fox Glacier, named after a former prime minister, is 12km long, descending from the Southern Alps into the temperate rainforest just 300m above sea level. It’s low location and relative proximity to the sea make it highly unusual. It was first surveyed by geologists in 1865 and has drawn scientists to it ever since. As an optional extra, you can survey the grandeur of the glacier by helicopter (approximately NZ$274).

Just 25 minutes north is the Franz Josef Glacier, the fourth largest in the country. It’s over 10km long and descends from 3000m to just 240. As it has a steeper incline than Fox you will have a better chance of seeing more dramatic formations such as crevices, ice caves and blue ice.

On return to the hotel, you will enjoy a group dinner.

DAY 6 (DAY 13): PUNAKAIKI AND THE PANCAKE ROCKS

After breakfast, you will follow the coastline north again to visit Punakaiki set within the Paparoa National Park. Here you will find a luxuriant coastal forest, unusually formed limestone karst cliffs and canyons, mysterious caves and a stunning coastline. The highlight is the limestone Pancake Rocks where columns of seawater shoot skyward from rocks that resemble giant layers of pancakes. In many places, erosion deep inside the cliffs, from above and the sea, has created blowholes that hiss, heave and thump to the sound of the high tide forcing compressed air and water through them at great force. The base limestone was formed 25 to 35 million years ago and it has taken millions of years for these features to present themselves.

In the evening you will check into the Punakaiki Resort.

DAY 7 (DAY 14): SCENIC TRAIN TO CHRISTCHURCH

After breakfast, you will take one of the world’s great train journeys, travelling on the TranzAlpine train coast to coast across the majestic Canterbury Plains, to the backdrop of the Southern Alps. Enjoy all this in the comfort of our carriages featuring huge panoramic windows and GPS triggered at-seat audio commentary. 223 kms over 5 very relaxing hours.

Upon arrival at Christchurch Station, you will go on a walking tour, exploring the regeneration following 2010 earthquake. 

After the walk, you will check into the Heartland Hotel Cotswold for your final night and enjoy a farewell meal with John and your fellow guests.

DAY 8 (DAY 15): FAREWELL TO NEW ZEALAND

Sadly, your tour comes to an end today. At the relevant time you’ll be transferred to the airport to catch your flight.

Please note: With all tours as exciting as this, we can be at the mercy of prevailing conditions, particularly the weather. So a degree of flexibility and an open-minded attitude are helpful. Should we make any changes, we will ensure you have an equally engaging and insightful experience.