Arrive at Auckland Airport. Pick up the keys of your rental car and drive to your hotel where you can check-in.

New Zealand’s largest city and the first port of call for many visitors to the North Island, Auckland has plenty to tempt travellers—beautiful beaches, atmospheric neighbourhoods, and an abundance of cultural sites.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Auckland

Today, visit the Kelly Tarltons aquarium

Visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World where you will discover secrets of the Southern Ocean and see the magic of an Antarctic fantasyland, complete with Penguins strutting in fresh snow and ice!

Later, visit Skycity Auckland Sky Tower.

A dizzying 1,076 feet (328 meters) high, the Auckland Sky Tower is not only New Zealand’s highest building but also the tallest man-made structure in the Southern Hemisphere. The tower offers unbeatable views of Auckland’s skyline, with its distinctive spire visible from all corners of the city.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Auckland

Today, drive to Waitomo. Upon arrival, visit the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Take a boat ride through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Glide through this underground complex, enjoying a light show put on by the millions of tiny bioluminescent insects hanging above.

Later continue your journey to Rotorua, which is renowned for its geothermal activity and its Maori culture. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the day at leisure.

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Accommodation in Rotorua

Today, visit Te Puia Geothermal Reserve and see the boiling mud pools and cascading Pohutu geyser that makes Rotorua famous as New Zealand's "thermal city". Enjoy a visit to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute with local Maori carvers in action.

Travel onto the Agrodome for a one-hour performance seeing nineteen sheep breeds introduced onto the stage and they demonstrate the art of sheep shearing. Next, visit the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park where hundreds of brown and rainbow trout can be seen. Later in the evening, enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) & Concert.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Rotorua

Today, hit the road as you travel south to the popular lake resort of Taupo before continuing on the Desert Road, dominated in the background by the three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Continue south through farmland before arriving in the ‘Capital City’ of Wellington. Drive to the accommodation and check in.

Spend the day exploring Wellington.

Marvel at Wellington’s legendary landscape; catch the cable car up to Wellington Botanic Garden; or head to the Mt. Victoria Lookout for panoramic views of the city and harbour. Then, make your way down to the waterfront, and learn about the country’s indigenous Maori culture and history at the innovative Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. If you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings, join a tour of local filming locations, or sign up for a Weta workshop.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Wellington

Today enjoy the Te Papa Tour.

Get a personal introduction to Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s premier museum based in Wellington. This tour provides an overview of the museum’s interactive exhibits, artefacts, fine art and natural history displays. You’ll get a deeper look at Maori cultural heritage and colonial history with an expert guide who share insights and offers suggestions for galleries that might suit your interests.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Wellington

Today, drive down from the hotel to the ferry terminal then embark the Great Journey of New Zealand cruise.

Travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand and into the Marlborough Sounds with its sparkling clear waters and lush forests, before arriving in Picton.

Disembark from the cruise and drive down to Kaikoura which is a coastal town on the South Island of New Zealand. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the day at leisure

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Accommodation in Kaikoura

Today, drive to Christchurch. Upon arrival at Christchurch, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the day at leisure.

Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. It is also known as the "Garden City" because of its many beautiful parks, gardens and tree-lined streets. It is one of the world’s most unique destinations, combining urban regeneration and innovation with heritage, culture and exhilarating activity.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Christchurch

Today, travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ that is set on the scenic shores of Lake Tekapo, framed by snow-capped mountain peaks.

Continue to New Zealand’s highest mountain - Mt Cook.

Magnificent Mt. Cook (Aoraki) rises 12,217 feet (3,724 meters) tall, making it the country’s highest peak and one of the South Island's most prominent natural features. The Maori name Aoraki is aptly translated as “cloud piercer.”

Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south through the historic Central Otago region to the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the day at leisure.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Queenstown

Today, follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the breathtaking man-made Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound.

With its soaring cliffs, dramatic glacial valleys, and thundering waterfalls, it’s easy to see why Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most visited sights. This natural wonder is the star attraction of Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and wildlife haven for dolphins, seals, and penguins. Naturally, the best way to explore the fjord is by boat. Enjoy a cruise on this world-famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and the cascading Bowen Falls.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Queenstown

After breakfast, spend the day exploring Queenstown on your own.

Queenstown is paradise for thrill-seekers, with a seemingly endless array of pulse-raising pursuits on offer here. Get into the spirit of things by kicking off your day with an out-of-the-ordinary activity. Brace yourself for a bungee jump over the Nevis River, free-fall from a height of up to 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) during a tandem skydive, go rafting on the rapids of the Shotover River, ride the Skyline gondola up Bob’s Peak, enjoying fabulous views of Queenstown, the Remarkables mountain range, and Lake Wakatipu. Dine at the restaurant at the top and—if you’re still hungry for adventure—fly down the luge track to the bottom of the mountain. 

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Queenstown

Today, travel along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass, a gateway to World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests, and lakes to the glacier region of Fox & Franz Josef. Arrive at the hotel and check-in.

One of New Zealand’s most photographed natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Franz Josef Glacier serves up a dazzling landscape of snow-smothered peaks, rocky gorges, and icy waterfalls, feeding into the Waiho River.

Later, opt to visit the Glacier Hot Pools of Franz Josef.

The Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools—situated within a local rain forest—offer a scenic way to recharge. Unlike typical spring-water hot pools, heated by the Earth and emerging from a naturally occurring vent, the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools unconventionally draw on the nearby glacier’s ice-cold water and then artificially heat it to about 212ºF (100°C). A towering canopy of native trees surrounds all six pools, cloistering you from the worries of everyday life.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Franz Josef

Spend the day exploring Franz Josef.

Towering peaks, crevasse-filled glaciers, and sparkling waterways define the World Heritage area around the town of Franz Josef. Spend your day hovering over ice formations in a helicopter, strap on crampons for a hike to the glacier, paddle over tranquil waters that lead you on a secluded rainforest walk, or visit the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary for a glimpse of New Zealand’s national bird.

Make sure to head out on a scenic evening cruise and capture majestic panoramic photos of the Southern Alps reflected in the lake and lit by sunset’s alpenglow.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Franz Josef

Leave the Glacier Region today and travel north to Greymouth to board the TranzAlpine train.

The TranzAlpine Train is New Zealand’s most spectacular train journey. It winds its way through the dramatic gorges and alpine forests of the Southern Alps, over staggering viaducts and dizzying mountain passes. From Greymouth on the West Coast  to Christchurch on the East Coast, this almost 5-hour trip serves up endless photo opportunities as it runs through the heart of the South Island.

Arrive in Christchurch and check in at the accommodation.

Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. It is also known as the "Garden City" because of its many beautiful parks, gardens and tree-lined streets. It is one of the world’s most unique destinations, combining urban regeneration and innovation with heritage, culture and exhilarating activity.

Where to rest your head ?

Accommodation in Christchurch

Today, transfer to Christchurch airport where you can return your rental vehicle and catch your flight back home

Where to rest your head ?

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