
Join Schoolies Reimagined students from around Australia for an Epic Adventure in New Zealand. Do you want to get your adrenaline pumping across the ditch? Embark on an exciting adventure to explore New Zealand’s North Island. Your journey includes a visit to Waitomo where you will venture down caves to discover the world-famous glow worms. Spend time in Rotorua and zorb, hike, luge, and even have the option to bungee jump. Your week also includes the opportunity to raft down the mighty Kaituna River. Paddle down the largest commercially rafted waterfall in the world – guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping! In addition to all the adventure you can handle, embrace the local culture with a traditional Marae stay and hear stories of the local Maori ancestors. Give back as part of your experience and contribute to service projects to restore tribal heritage areas. A fantastic adventure you’ll never forget!!

Highlights
- Discover the Waitomo caves and the millions of glow worms that live inside.
- Tick Zorbing off your bucket list
- Bungee Jump
- Race down the luge tracks.
- Hike through some of the most amazing scenery in the world
- Send it down the Kaituna Tiver the largest commercially raftable waterfall in the world
- Embrace the local culture with a traditional Marae stay
- Give back and contribute to service projects to restore tribal heritage areas
Inclusions
- Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) each day in New Zealand
- Quad-share accommodation
- Schoolies Reimagined Program leaders
- Private transportation
- All activities listed in itinerary (except those labelled "optional")
- 24/7 support in New Zealand from Rustic Pathways
- Evacuation cover, medical advice and travel assistance from International SOS
- One Rustic Pathways t-shirt
- Pre-departure package with luggage tag, stickers, and country information
Exclusions
- Passport costs
- Airfares
- Visa costs (not required for Australian citizens to New Zealand)
- Immunizations (if required)
- Travel insurance (we can provide CoverMore insurance)
- Spending money for souvenirs, snacks, internet etc

Day by Day

Day 1: Welcome to New Zealand!
Arrive into Auckland Airport (AKL) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hostel you’ll stay in tonight and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Head to Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, and take an optional SkyJump or SkyWalk. Conclude your first day at Mount Eden and admire the Auckland skyline.
Overnight: Auckland Hostel

Days 2-3: Maori Culture and Service
From Auckland, head across to the Bay of Plenty to get to know some of the locals and explore this beautiful part of New Zealand. This area is well known for pristine, white sand beaches, ancient rainforests and friendly locals. We have a great network of friends in this region who are excited to share their local area with you. You’ll be welcomed into a local Maori tribe, stay at their Marae and spend time for the next two days learning about their culture, history and traditions. You’ll have the chance to join in some local service work, as well as explore the beaches and hiking trails.
Overnight: Maori Marae

Day 4: Zorb, Agrojet, and Swoop!
Next, you’re off to Rotorua, in the heart of the North Island. Today is full of adventure!! Flip head-over-heels on a Zorb ride! Enjoy racing down the luge adventure track, then take your pick from the range of awesome options at Agroventures: jet around a watercourse on the Agrojet, take an adrenaline-pumping free fall, or race your friend in the Sweeb capsule as you bike along the metal race track. At night, stroll through the beautiful Redwood forest and take in the spectacular lighting display as you walk the elevated skywalk.
Overnight: Rotorua Hostel

Day 5: Whitewater Rafting
After breakfast this morning, take on the mighty Kaituna River, including, at 22 feet, the highest commercially raft-able waterfall in the world. Raft through class 3 and class 4 rapids while enjoying the canyons and rainforest above the river. This afternoon, you’ll travel southwest towards Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand, with Mt. Doom in the background.
Overnight: Taupo Hostel

Day 6: Explore Hidden Valley Cave and Thermal Parks
Discover a volcanic world of gushing geysers, hot springs, bubbling mud pools and some of the largest and most amazing silica terraces in the world. Wander through the Hidden Valley and visit the thermal Ruatapu Cave which extends more than 36 meters down into volcanic tuff to the Waiwhakaata (Pool of Mirrors) hot pool at the bottom. Marvel at the boiling hot springs and vibrant colours all around you as you take a native bush walk through this untouched geothermal paradise.
Overnight: Taupo Hostel

Day 7: Bungee Jumping or Skydiving
Today is flexible to allow everyone to take advantage of the many activities offered around Taupo. Create an unforgettable highlight to your time in New Zealand by participating in an optional bungee jump or skydive. Explore the city of Taupo or enjoy a hike with your group around the lake. Take a relaxing dip in the natural hot springs that run down along the river before driving to Waitomo in the afternoon.
Overnight: Waitomo Hostel

Day 8: Explore Waitomo Caves and Blackwater Rafting
Travel through Waikato Country to see beautiful rolling farms and hundreds (or thousands) of sheep! Venture underground for an exhilarating caving experience that blends climbing, tramping and floating through a unique underground river system. Lower yourself into a sinkhole to see the awesome limestone and experience the adrenaline rush as you clamber and slide through squeezes, jump into the black water-filled abyss, and scramble up waterfalls.
You’ll return to Auckland this afternoon. At the end of your program, there will be time given to reflect on your experiences and the highlights and memories you’ll take home with you. During or after this closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.
Overnight: Auckland Hostel

Day 9: Goodbye, New Zealand!
Head into the city for some final souvenir shopping. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbye and reflect on your adventure.
Flight Details: Rustic Pathways can book your flights upon request
Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.
Fast Facts
About Country
- New Zealand is the first country to see the sunrise
- First country to give women the vote in 1893
- There are 9 sheep to 1 person living in New Zealand
- New Zealand has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the world.
- The kiwi fruit is not native from New Zealand.
- Of all the population in the country, only 5% is human.
- There are no snakes in New Zealand. None.
- New Zealand has won more Olympic gold medals per capita, than any other country.
Local Language
- Kia ora - Hello
- Morena - Good morning
- Kei te pēhea koe? - How’s it going?
- Kei te pai - Good
- Tino pai - Really good
- Ka kite anō - See you later
- Haere rā - Goodbye
- Tēnā koe – Thank you
- As well as being used as a greeting, kia ora is also a general expression of appreciation.
Good to Know
- Because they are our neighbours there isn’t much you need to know before heading to New Zealand.
- Just like in Melbourne Pack For All Weather And Dress In Layers
- They have the same power as Australia
- They Speak English and Māori
- New Zealand have their own currency the NZ dollar
- The people are just as friends as in Australia
FAQ
Please consult with a travel doctor or your family physician for immunisation and other medical recommendations, based on the area(s) where you will be travelling and on your own medical history. In addition to consulting with a medical professional, please visit the following websites for country specific information around immunisations and traveller’s health. Please let us know if you have specific questions.
www.traveldoctor.com.au – The Travel Doctor
www.smartraveller.gov.au – Australian Government Travel Advice
www.cdc.gov – Centre of Disease Control (US)
International SOS is one of the world’s leading providers of medical evacuation and travel services. All travellers travelling with Schoolies Reimagined will have access to International SOS benefits through Rustic Pathways’ membership.
As a member, you will have access to International SOS’s extensive travel information database to help you make informed decisions prior to travel. Additionally, all travellers who travel outside their country of residence will have access to medical evacuation support during their program.