The team took part in a training session at the Wanaka Showgrounds yesterday afternoon, shortly after arriving at the resort, where it will be based for a week-long camp.
Highlanders manager Lester Rutledge said there were three objectives the team will focus on during its stay.
"Rugby is our priority and we will be involved in three hour-long sessions every morning while we are here."
Developing the team's "family spirit" is also an objective for the team, and the players' partners and children will join them for the duration of the camp in Wanaka.
Wanaka man Ian Brown - from the Upper Clutha Rugby Club - has organised several outings for the Highlanders, and has hunting trips, barbecues, and social touch games with community teams lined up for the players.
Rutledge said the "hard work" for the players would start every day at 6.30am with their first training session.
The team will return to its accommodation a Edgewater for breakfast, before it has a second training session at the showgrounds from about 8.30am.
"We're going to be stepping up our contact sessions and working more on our game-related content and structures," he said.
The players have recently returned from a two-week break.
"We're impressed with the condition of the players, so now we are looking to introduce more physical contact and work on our plays," Rutledge said.
The increase in intensity was evident from the start yesterday, as loose forward Alando Soakai sought treatment for a cut, sustained in a clash of heads during one contact session.
The trip to Wanaka is a first for many of the team's players, Rutledge said.
"A lot of them haven't been here before and it's fair to say there were a few `gee whiz' moments coming from them on arrival," he said.
