New Zealand Essential Itineraries

DAY 2

Auckland – Waitomo – Hobbiton – Rotorua

Journey past rolling green hills to Waitomo for a tour through an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Then, head to Matamata where a delightful slice of Middle Earth awaits you at Hobbiton. Finishing off a visually fulfilling day, continue along the Thermal Explorer Highway and through a green oasis lined with lush tree ferns to Rotorua, a destination like nowhere else!This evening forest and fantasy come to life with a magical illuminated evening tree walk high amongst the mesmerising giant Redwoods.

Overnight: Rotorua

Auckland-Waitomo: 195km (approx 2hrs, 30mins)
Waitomo-Matamata: 102km (approx 1hr, 20mins)
Matamata-Rotorua: 67km (approx 55mins)
INCLUDED ACTIVITES

Hobbiton Movie Set
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Redwoods Treewalk Nightlights

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.  Enjoy a scenic gondola ride high above Rotorua for spectacular views of the city and lake. Then make a visit to Waimangu Geothermal Valley and experience spectacular volcanic craters, enormous hot water springs, beautiful geothermal features, rare and unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured micro biology and a wide array of birds.

Overnight: Rotorua

INCLUDED ACTIVITES

Waimangu Geothermal Valley
Skyline Gondola Ride Rotorua

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

Hells Gate Walk, Mud Bath & Spa

DAY 4

Rotorua – Auckland

Today you can choose to spend the morning further exploring around the lakes and forests of Rotorua or depart for Auckland to spend the afternoon in the city or out on the harbour. Overnight: Auckland

Rotorua – Auckland: 228km (approx 3hrs)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

National Kiwi Hatchery Tour

DAY 5

Depart Auckland

Arrangements conclude today with the return of your rental car. Or let us extend your stay.

DAY 2

Christchurch – Tekapo -Queenstown

Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes. At Lake Tekapo the solitary ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Continuing south, hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki and through the historic Central Otago region to Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown

Christchurch – Queenstown: 483km (approx 6hrs,10mins)
You may need to add a night in Tekapo to allow time for Optional Activities.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

Dark Sky Experience

DAY 3

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

DAY 4

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

Shotover Jetboat Ride

DAY 5

Queenstown – Aoraki Mt Cook – Christchurch

Return north through picturesque sheep farming country to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. Embrace the dramatic vast landscape of a rugged land of ice and rock that showcases multiple giant peaks including New Zealand’s highest mountain. Then, heading east, you’ll witness the return of the braided rivers and familiar plains that signal your arrival into Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch

Queenstown – Aoraki Mt Cook – Christchurch: 572km (approx 7hrs,10mins)

DAY 6

Depart Christchurch

Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or return of your rental car.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

Punting on the Avon River

DAY 2

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here.Enjoy a visit to Kelly Tarlton’s SeaLife Aquarium and Auckland’s newest attraction, Weta Workshop Unleashed, a fantastical film effects experience.

Overnight: Auckland

INCLUDED ACTIVITES

Weta Workshop Unlimited
Kelly Tarltons SEA LIFE Aquarium

DAY 3

Auckland – Waitomo – Hobbiton – Rotorua

Journey past rolling green hills to Waitomo for a tour through an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Then, head to Matamata where a delightful slice of Middle Earth awaits you at Hobbiton. Finishing off a visually fulfilling day, continue along the Thermal Explorer Highway and through a green oasis lined with lush tree ferns to Rotorua, a 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
Hobbiton Movie Set

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. Enjoy a scenic gondola ride high above Rotorua for spectacular views of the city and lake.  Then make a visit to Waimangu Geothermal Valley and experience spectacular volcanic craters, enormous hot water springs, beautiful geothermal features, rare and unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured micro biology and a wide array of birds. This evening forest and fantasy come to life with a magical illuminated evening treewalk high amongst the mesmerising giant Redwoods.

Overnight: Rotorua

INCLUDED ACTIVITES

Waimangu Geothermal Valley
Skyline Gondola Ride Rotorua
Redwoods Treewalk Nightlights

OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

Polynesian Spa – Deluxe Lake Spa

DAY 5

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

DAY 6

Christchurch – Aoraki Mt Cook – Queenstown

Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes. At Lake Tekapo the solitary ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Continuing south, hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki and through the historic Central Otago region to Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown

Christchurch – Aoraki Mt Cook – Queenstown: 572km (approx 7hrs, 10 mins)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES

Dark Sky Experience

DAY 7

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

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 – Glacier Region

Today’s scenic journey takes you to the West Coast, 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

INCLUDED ACTIVITES

Glacier Hot Pools – Main Pool

Day 10

Glacier Region – Christchurch

The coastal road north offers beautiful rivers, unique rail bridges and great views of the wild west coast. After travelling through the historic town of Hokitika, self drive travellers head eastwards, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park, to Christchurch. Seat-in-coach travellers continue to Greymouth, to take the journey across to Christchurch, by train. Overnight: Christchurch

Day 11

Depart Christchurch

Arrangements conclude today with the return of your rental car.