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 - 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 3 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 4 Rotorua – Christchurch (Flight Not Included)
Depart on your domestic flight to Christchurch. (Airfare is NOT included). Flight Time Rotorua to Christchurch is approx. 2 hours
Christchurch is 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
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Antarctic Centre
Christchurch Tram Dinner
DAY 5 Christchurch – Greymouth
You will be transported to the Christchurch Railway Station for the Tranz Alpine train crossing the vast expanses of the Canterbury Plains, through the dramatic gorge of the Waimakariri River to Arthur’s Pass National Park. On arrival in Greymouth, you will be met and transferred to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes for a short self-guided walk to view the fascinating pancake-shaped rock formations before being delivered to your accommodation. Overnight: Greymouth
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Journey
Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes
DAY 6 Greymouth – Franz Josef
This morning, you’ll be transferred to Shantytown Heritage Park for a sense of what it was like to live in New Zealand during the gold rush before returning to Greymouth for your transfer to Glacier Country. The temperate climate at a low altitude makes Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world. Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia and here, the ice age is still underway. Overnight: Franz Josef
DAY 7 Franz Josef – Queenstown
Today you will be collected from your accommodation for your transfer through wilderness towns, waterfalls and river scenery on the journey to 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. Overnight: Queenstown
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Gondola Ride
DAY 8 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 on offer. Overnight: Queenstown
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Glenorchy & Paradise Explorer Tour
Arrowtown Wanaka Highlights Tour
DAY 9 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. Overnight: Queenstown
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
Milford Sound Cruise
DAY 10 Queenstown -Mt Cook / Tekapo – Christchurch
Today’s journey departs Queenstown through the stunning Kawarau Gorge and fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell. The journey follows beautiful Lake Dunstan and meanders through the dramatic Lindis Pass. Travel the vast plains of the Mackenzie district, alongside magnificent turquoise blue lakes, framed by Aoraki Mt Cook and the spectacular Southern Alps to Mt Cook Village where you have some free time. Leaving Mt Cook it’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed nearby. Make a stop close to the popular Church of the Good Shepherd sitting in solitude on the banks of Lake Tekapo before continuing through the amazing countryside to Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch
DAY 11 Dep from Christchurch
Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer to Christchurch Airport.
