Australia & New Zealand: Surf Camps & Kiwi Highlights

Land in Auckland, find your way to the hostel, and drop your bags. There are no set plans until an evening meetup with the rest of the crew, so you've got the afternoon free to explore the city on your own terms. It's a good chance to shake off the jet lag before the real adventure begins.

The road trip kicks off with a drive down backroads toward the coast. The first stop is a short walk through native North Island bush to the base of Bridal Veil Falls before continuing on to the surf town of Raglan. The afternoon is spent on the water, sea kayaking around the harbour's quiet bays and unique coastline, paddling over to see the 'pancake rocks' on the northern side. You'll check into the hostel for the next two nights, located right in the middle of Raglan's artsy, laid-back scene.

Today is all about Raglan's world-famous surf break. You'll get a lesson on the black sand beach, starting on dry land before hitting the waves on a soft-top board. It's the best way to get a feel for the local rhythm. The rest of the afternoon is free. You can head back to the beach to practice what you learned, grab a drink with your hostel mates, or just wander through the town and check out the independent shops and galleries.

It's back on the road, heading for the geothermal hub of Rotorua. On the way, there's a stop in Waitomo, where the main draw is the network of underground caves lit by thousands of tiny glow worms—it's an optional side trip, but a classic North Island detour. Once in Rotorua, a town that smells faintly of sulphur, the evening is spent at Te Puia. A local Māori guide leads a tour through the thermal valley's landscape of geysers and bubbling mud, followed by a cultural experience and a taste of traditional pudding cooked in a natural hot spring.

The morning is yours to explore Rotorua's geothermal weirdness. You can check out the bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured hot springs on foot, or sign up for a white-water rafting trip if you're looking for more action. In the afternoon, the crew heads south toward Taupō. The route includes a stop at the powerful Huka Falls, where a massive volume of water funnels through a narrow chasm. The day ends with a group sail on Lake Taupō, New Zealand's largest lake, before settling into the hostel for the night.

It's a long-haul drive today, tracing the length of the North Island south to Wellington. Settle in for five or six hours of changing scenery. You'll get into the capital with enough time to drop your bags and head straight for the Te Papa National Museum, home to everything from Māori artifacts to modern art exhibits. For the rest of the afternoon, a cable car ride up to the Botanic Garden gives you a great view of the city, or you can just walk the waterfront along the Oriental Parade. The night usually ends with a group outing in the central business district.

Time to swap countries. Today is a travel day, flying from Wellington across the Tasman Sea to Sydney. After the four-hour flight and clearing customs, check into the hostel. The evening is free to get your bearings in Australia's biggest city. A good first move is a walk down to The Rocks, the historic area by the harbour.

The best way to see the harbour is from the water. Today you'll hop on the public ferry for the classic trip from Circular Quay to Manly Beach, one of Sydney's most iconic stretches of sand. Lined with pine trees, it's a popular spot for locals and travelers alike. Once you're there, the day is yours. You can sign up for a surf lesson, find a spot on the sand, or wander through the shops and cafés along the Corso. The ferry back to the city runs late.

You've got a full free day to tackle Sydney. The big-ticket items are all on the table: tour the Opera House, do the Harbour Bridge climb for the views, or hit the museums. If you'd rather just wander, the neighbourhoods of Surry Hills and Newtown have good food and a less touristy feel than the harbourfront. Or you could just head to another beach—Bondi is the famous one, but the coastal walk to Coogee is the real prize.

It's your last full day in the city, a good chance to tick off anything you missed. Maybe it's the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden for views of the harbour, or just finding a good pub in The Rocks for an afternoon beer. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day before the trip heads north tomorrow.

Time to leave the city behind. Today is a long travel day, heading north up the coast. You'll take the train from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, a scenic ride that cuts through coastal towns and national parks. From Coffs Harbour, it's a short 30-minute drive to a dedicated surf camp at Arrawarra, known to regulars as Spot X. This will be your base for the next few days, a place entirely focused on the surf lifestyle. Settle in and get ready to hit the waves tomorrow.

The day starts with a surf lesson right on the beach at Spot X. The instructors live here, and they'll get you up on a board and riding the small waves into shore. After the session, you'll go for a walk through the coastal bushland to find mobs of kangaroos in their natural habitat. The afternoon is free. You can hang out at the camp, head back to the beach for a swim, or explore the rockpools and coastline of the Solitary Islands Marine Park. The only real job is to have fun.

It's a classic coastal drive today from Arrawarra up to Byron Bay, passing through national parks and small towns. You'll arrive in the famously hippie surf town around lunchtime, with time to grab a bite before heading out for a walk. The path leads up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, which marks the easternmost point of the Australian mainland. From the top, you can scan the ocean for migrating whales or resident dolphin pods before heading back down to check into the hostel.

You have a full free day to soak up the Byron Bay atmosphere. The main beach gets crowded, but there are quieter stretches of sand a short walk away. The town is full of options: more surfing, sea kayaking trips to spot dolphins, or even skydiving for a serious adrenaline hit. Otherwise, just wander through the shops, find a good café, and see where the day takes you. It’s a town built for chilling out.

It's the last leg of the trip, a drive north from Byron Bay into Queensland and its capital, Brisbane. Along the way, there’s one final stop at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre, a conservation park where you can see rescued koalas up close in a eucalyptus forest setting. The trip officially wraps up upon arrival in Brisbane in the afternoon, leaving you free to head to the airport or extend your stay in the city.