Day 1

Arrive Auckland (30km)

On arrival at Auckland Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel (Self-drive passengers collect your rental car for your exclusive use until the end of the tour package).

Day 2

Auckland / Rotorua (234km)

This morning travel south over the Bombay Hills and through the lush Waikato pasturelands to the famous geothermal centre of Rotorua.

Day 3

Rotorua D

A full day Rotorua sightseeing activities including the following attractions and activities. A guided tour through Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see roaring geysers and boiling mud pools, Rainbow Springs, The Agrodome Leisure Park famous for its entertaining sheep show, a gondola cable car ride to the Skyline Skyride Complex and the Polynesian Spa, which is New Zealand’s leading thermal bathing complex. Included tonight is a traditional Maori “hangi” (feast) and concert.

Day 4

Rotorua / Napier (225km)

Travel south-east today towards Napier, known as the fruit bowl of New Zealand and a well known wine region.

Day 5

Day at leisure - Napier

Full day free at leisure - time to explore the parks, gardens, shoreline and wineries.

Day 6

Napier / Wellington (330km)

Travel south through the Manawatu Gorge, coast horticultural farms and the rocky seascapes to Wellington.

Day 7

Wellington / Picton / Blenheim (120km)

Transfer to the Ferry Terminal Depot. (Self-drive passengers drop your car off at the rental car depot at the Ferry Terminal). Board the Interislander Ferry for your journey across Cook Strait to Picton. On arrival in Picton you will be transferred to Blenheim (Self-drive passengers collect your rental car and make your way to Blenheim).

Day 8

Blenheim / Kaikoura / Christchurch (308km)

Journey down the coast past the towns of Kaikoura (famous for whale watching) and Cheviot before arriving in Christchurch. Seat-in-coach passengers enjoy a journey on the Tranz Coastal Train.

Day 9

Christchurch / Mt Cook (331km) D

This morning travel to Mount Cook. Whilst in Mount Cook time is available to take an optional scenic skiplane or helicopter flight over the Tasman Glacier.

Day 10

Mt Cook / Queenstown (328km) B

This morning travel south over the Lindis Pass and through the Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown.

Day 11

Day at leisure - Queenstown

Full day at your leisure to select your optional sightseeing: Thrilling jet boat rides, vintage steamer lake cruises, visit to high country sheep stations, mountain gondola rides - the list is endless and you also have time to relax and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery.

Day 12

Queenstown / Dunedin (285km)

Depart this morning through the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell, following the Clutha River down through Alexandra via the rich farmlands of South Otago to Dunedin - the “Edinburgh of the South”. This afternoon in Dunedin time is available to explore - you may like to visit the Otago Peninsula - home of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Penguins or historic Larnach Castle.

Day 13

Dunedin / Christchurch (365km)

Depart this morning, heading north to Moeraki to view the unique outdoor beach boulders. Continue via Oamaru and Timaru across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Day 14

Christchurch (10km)

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight (Self-drive passengers return your rental car directly at the airport).