This flexible holiday combines the self-sufficiency of motorhome travel with the convenience of a pre-planned route featuring some iconic locations in the ‘land of the white cloud’. Take in a wealth of scenic wonders from Auckland to the Fiordland including Rotorua, Tongariro, the West Coast glaciers and iconic Mount Cook over three fabulous weeks.
With recommended 2-night stays in the Coromandel, Lake Wanaka, Te Anau and Mt Cook, visit geothermal Rotorua, dual World Heritage Listed Tongariro, magnificent Fiordland National Park and alpine Mt Cook. With plenty of opportunities for hiking and adventure, discover the natural wonders of NZ.
Designed so that you can be completely self-sufficient and thereby reduce your day to day living costs, this itinerary is especially suited to the independent traveller. Offering ultimate flexibility, following our suggested itinerary or vary the itinerary as you travel!
We recommend pre-booking campsites during peak season in New Zealand, from mid-November to late February. The itinerary can also be done in reverse, starting in Christchurch and ending in Auckland.
Itinerary
Fly into Auckland and take an airport shuttle to your hotel in the city and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Spend a full day at leisure to explore the beautiful ‘City of Sails’ or beyond. You may wish to take a tour of the city or a trip to the Waitakere Ranges and the dramatic black sand beaches of Auckland’s West Coast.
Optional Experiences
Taste of Waiheke, Auckland
Tiritiri Matangi Island Full Day Tour, Auckland
Whale and Dolphin Eco Safari, Auckland
Transfer by shuttle bus to the Maui Motorhome depot near Auckland Airport to collect your motorhome. After a thorough briefing, collection and orientation of the vehicle, a stop is recommended at the airport’s supermarket where you will be able to stock up with supplies before heading south. Depart Auckland and make your way south to Whitianga, on the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula.
Optional Experiences
Hahei Explorer at Cathedral Cove, Coromandel
Kiwi Dundee Nature & Coast Adventure, Coromandel
Take a leisurely drive to Rotorua today. You may wish to travel via Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty with a short detour to Mount Maunganui – a popular beach town. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Enjoy a day exploring the thermal heart of New Zealand’s North Island, which is also a steeped in Maori culture. Stroll through redwood forests, explore the world’s youngest geothermal valley and perhaps enjoy a cultural evening.
Optional Experiences
Mitai Maori Hangi and Concert, Rotorua
Whirinaki Forest Full Day Guided Walk, Rotorua
Te Po Indigenous Evening at Te Puia, Rotorua
Make your way to Whakapapa Village in the Tongariro National Park and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Perhaps enjoy a guided half or full day walk on the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, renowned as one of the finest one day walks in the world.
Optional Experiences
Tongariro Full Day Guided Walk, Taupo
Tongariro Sunset Guided Walk, Taupo
Depart Tongariro and make your way to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital nicknamed the ‘windy city’.
Optional Experiences
Wellington Foodie Delights Tour
Introducing Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
Enjoy your journey today on the Interislander ferry across the magnificent Cook Strait (approx. 3 hours) to Picton. Your motorhome travels with you on board the ferry. On arrival in Picton continue south along the wonderful eastern coastal route to the whale watching capital, Kaikoura.
Spend the day at leisure in Kaikoura. Perhaps enjoy a whale-watching tour by boat or by plane (optional, at extra cost) or one of the fine walks in the region.
Optional Experiences
Whale Watch, Kaikoura
Journey to the charming town of Hokitika on the West Coast through the Lewis Pass. En-route you might like to visit Hanmer Springs, a delightful alpine spa town offering a chance to relax in some wonderful mineral spa pools.
Set off down the rugged West Coast to the village of Franz Josef in the heart of glacier country.
Explore the area choosing from a range of wonderful activities, including scenic helicopter flights with glacier landing and guided walks.
Optional Experiences
Franz Josef Heli-hike, West Coast
Twin Glacier Flight, Franz Josef
Continue your journey south via Haast Pass to stunning Lake Wanaka in the heart of the Southern Lakes region.
Enjoy a day exploring Wanaka and surrounds. You may like to enjoy one of many superb walking trails, take a jet boat ride into Mt Aspiring National Park, drive across the dramatic Crown Range to Queenstown or just relax and enjoy the views.
Optional Experiences
Lake Cruise and Island Nature Walk, Wanaka
Drive to the charming town of Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. This is the largest of New Zealand’s national parks and a major part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site.
Spend the day at leisure in the Te Anau area, perhaps taking a cruise on iconic Milford or Doubtful Sound (must be pre-booked). Learn about the history of the region and benefit from the knowledge of a specialist nature guide.
Optional Experiences
Milford Sound Nature Cruise, Milford
Drive to the heart of the Southern Alps and majestic Mount Cook. Your Holiday Park this evening is located just 18 kms from the Mt Cook National Park and Village and has to be one of the most stunning campsite locations in the world!
Enjoy a day exploring the wonderful alpine setting of the Mount Cook region. You may like to enjoy a glacier boat cruise or guided walk. The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre located at the Hermitage Hotel is well worth a visit.
Optional Experiences
Tasman Glacier Boat Cruise, Mt Cook
Hooker Valley Guided Walk, Mt Cook
Travel through the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch and spend the remainder of the day at leisure exploring this remarkable city. You may like to visit the Botanical Gardens or the Cardboard Cathedral.
Optional Experiences
Christchurch Meander: Food and Culture
Make your way to the Maui Motorhome depot near Christchurch Airport and return your vehicle. A complimentary transfer via shuttle is available to Christchurch Airport for your departing flight.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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All-inclusive Maui Motorhome rental throughout
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Auckland accommodation in rooms with private bathroom (2 nights)
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Interislander ferry crossing
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Shuttle transfer on arrival and to motorhome depot
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £2184
21 Nights
Jan-May & Oct-Dec
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing a 2-berth motorhome, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Lauren
2
Eyelash vipers spotted
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Steps climbed up and down to view Rio Celeste waterfall
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
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Phoebe
Travel Specialist
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Jenna
Travel Specialist
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Darren
Travel Specialist
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Rosie
Travel Specialist
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Doug
Travel Specialist
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Freya
Travel Specialist
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Lauren
Travel Specialist
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Gary
Travel Specialist
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Jo
Travel Specialist
