DAY 1 Arrive Auckland
Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and self-drive to your accommodation.
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, located between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here. Overnight: Auckland
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Te Wao Nui at Auckland Zoo
Auckland Sky Tower
Orbit Restaurant Sky Tower
Auckland Harbour Sailing
DAY 2 Auckland
Experience the best of Auckland sightseeing on a small group shared tour enjoying the highlights of Auckland City in the morning combined with an afternoon visiting Auckland’s wild, west coast with black sand beaches and lush rainforest. Overnight: Auckland
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
• Best of Both Worlds Tour
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
• Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise
DAY 3 Auckland - Waitomo - Hobbiton - Rotorua
Journey through the rolling green hills of Waitomo and enjoy a tour through an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Continue to Matamata for a charming tour of unique, character Hobbit homes, gardens and the watering hole just as you see in the movies. Finishing off a visually fulfilling day, continue on to Rotorua, a bubbling and steaming destination like nowhere else. Overnight: Rotorua
Auckland-Waitomo: 195km (approx 2hrs, 30mins)
Waitomo-Matamata: 102km (approx 1hr, 20mins)
Matamata-Rotorua: 67km (approx 55mins)
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Secret Spot Hot Tubs
DAY 4 Rotorua
Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends. Today you'll visit one of the local geothermal attractions before a sensory evening display in the forest. Overnight: Rotorua
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
Waimangu Geothermal Valley
Redwoods Nightlights
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Gondola Ride + 3 Luge
National Kiwi Hatchery Tour
DAY 5 Rotorua – Napier
There’s a bit of everything on today’s drive past Great Lake Taupo to Napier. Your scenic journey includes volcanic geography, fresh forest plantations, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas. Overnight: Napier
DAY 6 Napier
Following an earthquake in 1931, a rebuild saw Napier completely redesigned in the style of the times. Buildings were constructed in the Art Deco style with Maori motifs to give the city a unique New Zealand character. Today, the delightful seaside city of Napier has the extra-ordinary feeling of a time capsule with its seamless line of some of the world's finest 1930's architecture. Relive the glamour and style of the jazz era on a luxurious vintage car tour this morning. The rest of the day is free to explore or chose to add an optional wine tour. Overnight: Napier
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
• Vintage Car Tour
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
• Twilight Wine Odyssey
DAY 7 Napier – wellington
Enjoy the ever-changing scenery on the journey south to New Zealand’s capital city. Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot. Overnight: Wellington
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
• Zealandia by Night Tour
DAY 8 Wellington
Make your own way around the city to experience a charming cable car ride to enjoy stunning views of the city and harbour. We recommend adding a guided tour at Te Papa for a greater insight into New Zealand's rich history and culture. Overnight: Wellington
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
• Wellington Cable Car Return Trip
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
• Introducing Te Papa Tour
• Lord of the Rings Half Day Tour
DAY 9 Wellington – Picton – Kaikoura
New Zealand's North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean fresh air. Transfer to Wellington Ferry Terminal where your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton. Take the short walk to the bus deport for your transfer to Kaikoura. Overnight: Kaikoura
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
• North to South Island Ferry Crossing
DAY 10 Kaikoura – Christchurch
The seaside settlement of Kaikoura is set midway and overlooked by majestic mountains. The unique marine geography at this location provides the perfect environment for Sperm Whales and other marine life.
This morning’s tour heads to the tip of the Kaikoura peninsula for some amazing sea views, interesting rock formations and the odd seal basking in the sunshine. This afternoon you’ll be transferred to Christchurch. Set between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps, this is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. Overnight: Christchurch
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
• Kaikoura Sightseeing Tour - 3 Hours
DAY 11 Christchurch -Mt Cook – Queenstown
Travel through the wide Canterbury plains farmland and impressive alpine passes to the famous blue lakes of Lake Tekapo, stopping at the very popular Church of the Good Shepherd. Hug the shores of pretty Lake Pukaki, up to the rugged landscape of ice and rock that surrounds New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook. Enjoy some free time here before continuing through more expansive and dramatic scenery on the journey to Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown.
DAY 12 Queenstown
Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.
Today is a free day to add some of the endless optional activities Queenstown has to offer. Overnight: Queenstown
DAY 13 Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown
Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Today's stunning tour takes you past mirror lakes and waterfalls into Milford Sound, carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. On arrival, board your vessel for a cruise of the fiord surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs that plunge into the sea. Feel the refreshing spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces before returning to shore. After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your coach return to downtown Queenstown. Lunch is included. Duration: approx.12 hours. Overnight: Queenstown
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
• Milford Sound Coach & Cruise ex Queenstown
DAY 14 Queenstown – Dunedin
Depart Queenstown through wineries and orchards on your private transfer to Dunedin. Follow the footsteps of early Maori and European settlements based on gold and whaling. Set amidst a magical landscape edged by the sea, Dunedin and its surround are a vibrant mix of heritage and wildlife. Overnight: Dunedin
DAY 15 Dunedin – The catlins – Dunedin
Today’s private tour visits The Catlins, an unspoilt corner of the world - a place where time has stood still. The remarkable Catlins is rugged and remote with hidden waterfalls, ancient forests and home to some of the world’s rarest marine animals. Overnight: Dunedin
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
• Catlins Experience Private Tour
DAY 16 Dunedin – Christchurch
The attractive harbour town of Oamaru displays some captivating limestone architecture on the journey north. Wide, braided river crossings then become a feature on the rest of the trip with the Southern Alps providing a majestic scenic backdrop on your return to Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
• Christchurch Tram Dinner
DAY 17 Depart Christchurch
Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer to Christchurch Airport.