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 – glacier region
Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast. New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys. Overnight: Glacier Region Christchurch - Glacier Region: 240-380km (approx 3.5-5hrs)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Westcoast Treetop Walkway
DAY 6 Glacier region
A temperate climate at a low altitude make Fox and Franz Josef 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.
Today is a free day to add your preferred activity. Make a visit to Punakaki's Pancake Rocks or, for an absolute bucket list experience, take to the air on a scenic flight with a glacier landing and a thrilling hike across the icy wonderland. Overnight: Glacier Region
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
DAY 7 Glacier Region – Queenstown
Travel through wilderness towns, waterfalls and river scenery on today’s scenic journey to Queenstown. We recommend stopping for a break, and to stretch the legs, at Makarora’s Blue Pools. Overnight: Queenstown
Glacier Region - Queenstown: 350km (approx 4hrs, 35mins)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Gondola & Buffet Dinner
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
DAY 9 Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Today's stunning journey takes you past mirror lakes, spectacular waterfalls and water-sculpted rocks. Venture into Milford Sound, a New Zealand treasure carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your return to Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown
Queenstown - Milford: 287km (approx 3hrs, 50mins) each way
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
Milford Sound Cruise
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
DAY 10 queens town – Tekapo / Mt Cook
Today’s journey takes you to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes. Hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki to a rugged land of ice and rock, home to Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Overnight: Tekapo or Mt Cook
Queenstown – Tekapo/Mt Cook: 256-266km (approx 3hrs, 15mins)
DAY 11 Tekapo / Mt Cook – Christchurch
Be sure to stop for a while at Lake Tekapo where the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Then continue north east where braided rivers and familiar plains will signal your arrival back into Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch
Tekapo/Mt Cook - Christchurch: 230-230km (approx 3-4hrs)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Dark Sky Experience
DAY 12 Dep from Christchurch
Arrangements conclude today the return of your rental car to Christchurch Airport.
