Spectacular North and South

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in the city for an overnight stay in the City of Sails.

Collect your rental car today and travel north. Stretching 350km north from Auckland, Northland is New Zealand’s only sub-tropical region and with its above average sunshine record and glorious beaches, it is popular with locals as well as visitors. From your base in Paihia, you may wish to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where on 6 February 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between Maori and the British Crown. Your included Waitangi Admission Pass is valid for 2 days and includes admission to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Treaty House, museums, and carving workshop, as well as an informative guided tour and Maori cultural performance featuring traditional and contemporary story, song and music. You may also wish to explore the beautiful Bay of Islands by boat.

Leave Paihia at your leisure today and travel to Orewa, lying on the Hibiscus Coast, just north of the base of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and 40 kms north of central Auckland for an overnight stay.

Travel to the verdant Coromandel Peninsula, separated from Auckland by the broad Firth of Thames and comprising a forested backbone of mountains separating the precipitous west coast from the coves and white sand beaches of the east. Explore at leisure to experience the very best this wonderful region has to offer. Renowned worldwide for its natural beauty and lush flora, the Coromandel is blessed with hundreds of natural hideaways, making it an ideal place to slow down, relax and unwind.

Drive south either following the coast road via Tauranga or inland via the interesting towns of Paeroa and Te Aroha, towards the active geo-thermal heartland of Rotorua. This evening make your way to the Mitai Maori Village to join an evening of traditional culture and food. Witness a haka, enjoy a hangi feast and watch out for the glow worms that sparkle in this natural bush setting.

Discover the Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Lake Rotomahana on a self guided walk and boat cruise. You can explore the world’s youngest geothermal valley at your own pace along the beautiful walking trails, woven through a natural geothermal ecosystem. Walks vary in length from 1.5kms – 4.5kms, covering a range of geothermal activity, hot springs, volcanic craters, nature and wildlife. The trail leads you down to the lake, where you can complete the experience with a relaxing 45-minute boat cruise around Lake Rotomahana, known as the final resting place of the Pink and White Terraces.

Witness the superb and dramatic scenery of North Island’s heartland. En route enjoy a visit to Orakei Korako geothermal area today (also known as “The Hidden Valley”), situated on the Waikato River at Lake Ohakuri. Even with two thirds of the original geothermal area covered by an artificial lake, Orakei Korako is still New Zealand’s largest geyser field and one of the country’s must-see natural attractions. Make your way on to Ruapehu, a snow-capped volcano surrounded by desert like lava and ash. Perhaps hike the famous 1-day Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks or alternatively spend time at leisure and explore the striking volcanic landscapes.

Continue your journey to Napier, New Zealand’s Art Deco capital. Located in the heart of Hawke’s Bay wine country, the city was rebuilt in the early 1930s following a massive earthquake and nowhere else can you see such a variety of art-deco architecture in such a concentrated area. On your day at leisure, perhaps take a guided walking tour, visit the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers on an overland safari or alternatively spend time exploring the wineries the region is renowned for.

Depart Napier and make your way to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Wellington, offers an unforgettable urban experience in a stunning natural setting. Set between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills, this compact city has great shopping, professional theatre, memorable arts, culture and heritage and great cafes and restaurants all close to untouched nature spots. Central Wellington itself is only 2 kilometres in diameter and you can walk from one side to the other in under 20 minutes. Enjoy a 60-minute ‘Introducing Te Papa’ tour at the iconic Te Papa Museum. The name broadly translate to ‘the place of treasures of this land’, this tour includes notes and observations on many of the treasures housed here.

Drop off your rental car and travel in the Premium Plus cabin on the InterIslander ferry across the magnificent Cook Strait to Picton. Collect another vehicle and make your way via Nelson to Kaiteriteri. This region is known for its year-round sunshine, golden beaches, national parks, boutique wineries, micro breweries and a large creative community of working artists.

Enjoy a day in the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park with your Abel Tasman Cruise & Walk Open Day Pass. Travel into the park by boat before exploring the golden sands and forested trails on foot at your leisure.

Depart Kaiteriteri and make your way to Punakaiki, which is best known for its dramatic pancake rocks and blowholes but is also the gateway to Paparoa National Park.

Make your way down the wild and very striking West Coast past the mining town of Hokitika to Franz Josef, where optional activities include guided glacier walks and scenic flights. A visit to nearby Lake Matheson, the mirror lake, is also highly recommended and birders will relish the opportunity to explore the wetlands of Okarito Lagoon.

Drive through World Heritage rainforests and cross Haast Pass to reach the stunning alpine resort town of Queenstown, which lies at the heart of the spectacular Southern Lakes region. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or drive to neighbouring Arrowtown, a traditional gold panning town that in Autumn is awash with hues of red and gold – a photographers dream.

Enjoy mountain views and farm country on the drive to Te Anau. Situated beside a lake, this town is the gateway to Fiordland National Park, part of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound along the Milford Road where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak. In the afternoon return to Te Anau with time at leisure.

Make your way to Wanaka. With all the charm but less attention, Lake Wanaka rivals Queenstown for scenery and adventure. It is more laid-back and enjoys a certain tranquillity that is favoured by many visitors. Mirrored in the lake’s placid waters is the incredibly scenic backdrop of Mt. Aspiring and the Southern Alps and within easy access to Mt Cook. Explore at leisure, perhaps join a half day Mou Waho Island Lake Cruise including a guided nature walk or enjoy the wilderness trails by bike, on foot or by horseback or alternatively take a scenic helicopter flight.

Head north through magnificent rural landscape to Twizel. The scenery here is literally breathtaking as you take in mesmerising blue glacier lakes and tussock-clad hills as well as clear skies, perfect for stargazing.

Drive to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo and the town of Geraldine across the Canterbury Plains.

Enjoy time at leisure exploring this compact, yet vibrant city centered around the River Avon. Punt down the river and enjoy the delightful botanical gardens or visit the numerous street performers, lively markets, bars and cafes that line the city streets. On your final day drop off your rental vehicle at the airport and depart.