Day One: Auckland to Paihia (237km – 3hrs 20mins)
Travel north from Auckland along the Hibiscus Coast through magnificent forests until you reach Paihia, the gateway to the Bay of Islands.
Must see sights & stops:
- Spend the afternoon enjoying the town and surrounding areas
- Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty House
- Trek & walk along Haruru Falls
- Take a stroll along the beach
Day Two: Paihia
Travel north from Paihia for the day for dazzling beaches along the coast & spectacular scenery in the Bay of Islands.
Must see sites & stops:
- Stroll in the stunning white sands of Parengarenga Harbour
- Drive from Waitaki Landing to Cape Reinga - the northernmost point of the North Island
- Take a short walk to the famous lighthouse at Cape Reinga
Day Three: Paihia to Auckland (237km – 3hrs 20mins)
Travel back to Auckland and spend the afternoon sightseeing.
Must see sites & stops:
- Visit the charming & distinct character of Parnell Village
- Stop at Auckland Museum for local & international exhibitions
- Observe Antarctic and local sea life at Kelly Tarlton’s
- Cruise around Auckland Harbor enjoying the views of the city
Day Four: Auckland to Rotorua (235km – 3hr 20mins)
Travel south over the Bombay Hills and out onto the fertile plains of the Waikato.
Must see sites & stops:
- Stop for refreshments in the riverside city of Hamilton
- Continue east along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Rotorua
- Visit the antique town of Tirau to discover Maori culture
Day Five & Six: Rotorua
Take two days to explore the bubbling mud pools and gushing geysers of the area.
Must see sites & stops:
- Relax in the tranquility of Rainbow Springs Nature Park
- Discover the Pink & White Terraces in The Buried Village
- Learn about the rich culture of the region at the Museum of Art and History
Day Seven: Rotorua to Waitomo Caves and on to Taupo (330km – 4hr 40mins)
Depart Rotorua heading west across the Mamaku Ranges to Waitomo. From Waitomo, drive south through Taumarunui, Ohakune and Turangi to the lakeside city of Taupo.
Must see sites & stops:
- Take a guided tour of the spectacular underground caves
- Boat ride downstream through the Glowworm Grotto
Day Eight: Taupo to Wellington (370km – 5hr 25mins)
Continue south along the highway through country towns and varying landscapes arriving in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.
Must see sites & stops:
- Visit the Craters of the Moon Thermal Reserve in Taupo
- Check out the unique blue colour of the mighty Huka Falls
- Skydive over Lake Taupo viewing Tongariro National Park
Day Nine: Wellington
Spend a day exploring New Zealand’s capital city.
Must see sites & stops:
- Visit Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand
- Take a cable car ride to Kelburn
- Walk through the Botanic Gardens to the Parliament Buildings
- Stroll along Lambton Quay and enjoy the culture of the CBD
Day Ten: Wellington to Blenheim (4hr 20mins including ferry)
Catch the Interisland Ferry to Picton and drive south to Blenheim the commercial centre of the Marlborough region.
Must see sites & stops:
- Take a tour and experience alfresco dining
- Bike to one of the area’s many vineyards
Day Eleven: Blenheim to Christchurch (398km – 4hr 25mins)
Drive south to Kaikoura, an area rich in marine life. After spending the day in Kaikoura, head south and on to Christchurch, The Garden City.
Must see sites & stops:
- Spend the day whale watching
- Swim with the local seals or dolphins
- Visit the historic whaling cottage of Fyffe House
- Explore the craft shops on the main street
Day Twelve: Christchurch
Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city. Built around the Christchurch Cathedral and the winding Avon River the city offers many different attractions for everyone.
Must see sites & stops:
- Check out wildlife encounters at Orana Wildlife Park
- Dip into nightlife at the Christchurch Casino
- Stroll through the botanical gardens
Day Thirteen: Christchurch to Fox Glacier (421km – 6hr 00mins)
Head west from Christchurch and across the Southern Alps.
Must see sites & stops:
- Stop in the small alpine village of Arthur’s Pass
- Travel on to the untouched West Coast
- Drive south along State Highway 6 past World Heritage areas
- Trek around clear glacial lakes to the town of Fox Glacier
Day Fourteen: Fox Glacier to Queenstown (381km – 5hr 25mins)
In the morning, visit Lake Matheson and the Fox Glacier before driving south to Queenstown.
Must see sites & stops:
- Stroll through the native forests at any roadside walkways
- Visit the romantic town of Wanaka and see the deep alpine lakes
Day Fifteen: Queenstown
Free day in Queenstown – New Zealand’s adventure capital.
Must see sites & stops:
- Shop in Queenstown’s many boutiques and specialty stores
- Take a cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu
- Go jet boating, white water rafting, hot air ballooning and bungy-jumping
- Grab the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy dinner overlooking Queenstown
Day Sixteen: Queenstown to Te Anau (179km – 2hr 25mins)
Travel around south to the lakeside town of Te Anau.
Must see sites & stops:
- Relax for the afternoon and take a walk along the lakeshore
- Check out the glowworms in the cave system of the western shore
Day Seventeen: Te Anau (Milford Sound Cruise)
Drive north through the stunning Fiordland National Park and onto Milford Sound.
Must see sites & stops:
- Take a chartered cruise past ice age glaciers and Mitre Peak to the open sea
- Return to Te Anau stopping along the drive for a walk in Fiordland National Park
Day Eighteen: Te Anau to Dunedin (295 km – 4hr 10mins)
Depart for Dunedin travelling east through Central Otago.
Must see sites & stops:
- Take a relaxing strolls through Larnach Castle or the Botanic Gardens
- Go on a guided tours through Olveston House, Speights Brewery or the Cadbury Chocolate Factory
Day Nineteen: Dunedin to Omarama (234km – 3hr 20mins)
Travel north bound through the Waitaki District to the settlement of Omarama. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of this country town.
Must see sites & stops:
- Glide through the Omarama airfield in a glider pilot
- Fly fish trout and salmon in the Waitaki River
Day Twenty: Omarama to Christchurch (348kms – 5hr 00mins)
Take the highway north through the alpine village of Twizel.
Must see sites & stops:
- Drive up to the slopes of Mount Cook and continue through to Lake Tekapo
- Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd by the lake and enjoy the scenic views
- Continue east through Fairlie and Geraldine to rejoin State Highway One,which will take you back to Christchurch
