Arrive at Auckland International Airport, where you will pick up your car. The rest of the day is free to explore Auckland's many attractions.You could take a walk down to the Viaduct or try shopping on Queens Street.
Overview
Auckland - Bay of Islands - Whitianga - Rotorua - Napier - Wellington - Kaikoura - Christchurch - Lake Tekapo - Dunedin - Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown - Franz Josef Glacier - Christchurch
Day 1, Arrive Auckland
Day 2, Auckland - Rotorua
Travel Time: 3 hrs (Via Waitomo 4 hr 10 min)
Distance: 236 kms (via Waitomo 329 km)
Day 3, Rotorua
Day 4, Rotorua Free Day
Day 5, Rotorua - Napier
Travel Time: 2 hrs 35 mins
Distance: 219 km
Day 6, Napier
Day 7, Napier - Wellington
Travel Time: 4 hrs 30 mins
Distance: 353 kms
Day 8, Wellington
Day 9, Wellington to Kaikoura
Travel Time: 1 hr 50 min
Distance: 156 kms
Day 10, Kaikoura to Lake Tekapo
Travel Time: 4 hr 45 mins
Distance: 400 kms
Day 11, Lake Tekapo to Dunedin
Travel Time: 3 hrs 40 mins
Distance: 310 kms
Day 12, Dunedin
Day 13, Dunedin to Te Anau
Travel Time: 3 hrs 25 mins
Distance: 289 kms
Day 14, Milford Sound Cruise
Travel Time: 3hrs
Distance: 236 kms
Day 15, Te Anau to Queenstown
Travel Time: 2 hrs
Distance: 171 kms
Day 16, Queenstown
Day 17, Queenstown
Day 18, Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
Travel Time: 4 hrs 20 mins
Distance: 352 kms
Day 19, Franz Josef Glacier
Day 20, Franz Josef Glacier to Christchurch via TranzAlpine Train
Travel Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
Distance: 173 kms
Day 21, Christchurch
Day 22, Depart Christchurch
Additional Information
Pricing
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Waitomo/Hamilton
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Descend into Waitomo Glowworm Caves and be amazed by the size of Cathedral Cave. Many of your guides are direct descendants of the Maori chief who discovered the grotto, and will bring the stories to life. Silently glide in a flat bottom boat through the magical grotto lit by thousands of tiny glowworms.
Hamilton Gardens
Discover the history and development of gardens through the centuries. You could have strange dreams in the Surrealist Garden, relax in peace in the Japanese Garden of Contemplation, or step back 4,000 years into the land of the Pharoahs in the Ancient Egyptian Garden. With over 25 different themed gardens, and more being added each year, there is something for everyone. Open every day of the year, entry is free for all visitors, though there is a small charge for guided tours.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
Experience New Zealand as it used to be in this ecological time capsule surrounded by one of longest pest-proof fences in the world. The ancient forest is home thriving populations of New Zealand’s most endangered birds, geckos, bats, skinks and frogs. There are free walks in the northern enclosure at Hicks Road; or for their showcase Southern Enclosure at Tari Road you can purchase a self-guided Sanctuary Explorer Pass to explore the best of Sanctuary Mountain. Guided tours are also available daily except Monday and Saturday.
Rotorua
Rotorua Canopy Tours
Fly like a bird through the forest canopy taking you through the beautiful, ancient kiwi forest; with ziplines, and swingbridges. The Original Canopy Tour has 6 ziplines, with a total length of 600 metres taking 3 hours; whereas the Ultimate Canopy Tour is longer and higher with twice the length of ziplines, as well as a 400 metre tandem zipline, spiral staircase, and 50 metre high cliff walkway, taking 3½ hours.
Polynesian Spa
Relax in one of five Deluxe Lake Spas looking over Lake Rotorua and gardens. With four shallow alkaline mineral hot pools from Rachel Spring; and a further one acidic mineral pool from Priest Spring; as well as a cold plunge pool; you can alternate by bathing in pools of different temperatures for the best hot-cold hydrotherapy detox. The Deluxe Lake Spa also has geothermally heated pool recliners, with premium changing rooms.
Taupo
Hukafalls Jet
Experience the thrill and power of a 30 minute Hukafalls Jet ride to the rapids at Huka Falls, with 270,000 litres of water pouring down the falls every second. Hang on for dear life as the Hukafalls Jet goes into it’s 360˚ spins, a bit like being swirled around in your washing machine!
Napier
Art Deco Walking Tour
On this 1 hour Art Deco Walking Tour, you will learn about the 1931 earthquake that destroyed Napier, hear stories about how the people were affected, and the amazing rebuild that took just 2 years, and brought the fascinating Art Deco architecture to Napier, making it today the best example of art Deco Architecture world wide.
Art Deco Vintage Car Tour
After be picked up by your chauffeur, dressed in period 1930’s clothes, you will travel in style in a luxury 1930’s vintage car, through Napier’s Art Deco Quarter, an Art Deco residential suburb, and historic Port Ahuriri on this 90 minute Art Deco Vintage Car tour.
Wellington
Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour, Wellington
View al the Lord of the Rings sites around Wellington, that featured in the movies; whilst your guide shares little known stories about how the film was made at each site. Visit Weta Workshop to see how the props for the movies were made, and perhaps see the craftsmen at work. Lunch is included.
Kapiti Island Nature Tour
One of New Zealand’s premier nature conservation sites, where you can see some of New Zealand’s most endangered birds including Kereru, Koromiko (Bellbird), Hihi, Kakariki, Takahe, Toutouwai (Robin), Weka, Tieke (Saddleback) and Kaka. Your experienced nature guide will teach you about the Maori history, as well as how to identify the different flora and fauna on the island. A delicious cooked lunch is included, as well as transfers from your Wellington accommodation.
Kaikoura
Dolphin Encounter Swimming with the Dolphins
Experience a magical swimming encounter with dusky dolphins off the coast Kaikoura. You’ll be taken out in the catamaran and have the chance to swim in the water with these wild mammals in an completely natural environment. The dusky dolphin inhabits the waters around Kaikoura for most of the year - making it one of the only places in the world where dolphins can be encountered every day.
Airfares
International flights can be included from Australia for all Australian residents.
Highlights