From South to North

We will meet your flight and transfer you to your hotel today. It is free for you to get your bearings.

City Hotel

Explore this most English of cities. Visit Hagley Park, the Botanical gardens and Canterbury Museum; head down Worcester Street to the River Avon and into the city to view some of the award-winning architectural designs of buildings constructed following the earthquake of 2011.

City Hotel

Board the TranzAlpine train for one of the world’s great rail journeys, across the Southern Alps to the West Coast.

Arrive in Greymouth and collect your rental vehicle for an afternoon drive along the rugged coastline to Hokitika. Home to 10,000 goldminers in the 1870’s, it’s now very much a West coast town with a name for crafts including jade carving, wood- carving and glass blowing.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment

Travel into Westland National Park, which extends from the surf-pounded beaches of the West Coast to the stunning snow-capped Southern Alps. Head into the native rainforest of the Westland National Park through the settlement of Franz Josef to Fox Glacier Village. Many of our travellers book a thrilling helicopter flight (weather permitting) to fly over the rivers of ice and land on a snowfield.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment

Make a morning visit to Lake Matheson, where a clear day rewards you with superb reflections of the Mount Cook range. Continue south through the ever-changing scenery of native rainforest, bush-fringed lakes and wild beaches into the rugged beauty of the Haast Pass to cross the Southern Alps Mountain range. Travel around the shores of glacial Lakes Hawea and Wanaka into the charming township of Wanaka.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment

Sitting on the shores of magnificent Lake Wanaka, the resort township of Wanaka offers gentle lakeside trail walks to more challenging hikes to the Rob Roy Glacier amidst a landscape of snow-capped peaks and long river valleys.

The township boasts boutique shops and award-winning restaurants.

Private Hotel

Choose from some a range of activities that will delight; into the high mountains on a four-wheel drive adventure or across the lake to Mou Waho island, a conservation island where volunteers are re- introducing the weka bird whose feathers adorn Maori cloaks or jet boat the mighty Matukituki river.

Private Hotel / Apartment

Travel south, around Lake Wakatipu across Southland to Te Anau. Enjoy a walk beside the lake or a boat trip to visit the glow worm caves.

Private Hotel / Apartment

A memorable day out to one of the Great Sounds in Fiordland World Heritage Park.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Private Hotel / Alpine Lodge

Drive via Kingston and around Lake Wakatipu to the scenic resort of Queenstown.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Private Hotel / Alpine Lodge

Surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, the Queenstown region create the perfect backdrop for a stay of adventure, exploration or relaxation.

City Hotel

Drive alongside the shores of Lake Pukaki into Mount Cook National Park.

Private Hotel / Apartment

Sir Edmund Hillary climbed these peaks before his ascent of Everest. Visit the Alpine Centre that bears his name, before following the Hooker Valley Track for superb views of Mount Cook.

Private Hotel

Leave Mount Cook for the short drive to Tekapo, where you can view the aquamarine lake through the windows of the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Continue into the hills of Methven or to a high-country farm for an overnight stay.

Private Hotel

Travel up the East Coast with views to the Pacific, before arriving in Kaikoura.

Kaikoura, meaning “to eat crayfish”, is a coastal town known for its abundant wildlife and its sperm whale population, which are spotted 95% of the year.  The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway winds from the town centre to lookout points at Point Kean. Close by, the rock platforms are home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals.

Private Hotel

Enjoy a Whale Watch experience by modern purpose-built catamaran for an exciting close-up encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment.

This afternoon continue north along a thin ledge of land pinned between the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged ranges then across farmland and through the Marlborough Wine Country surrounding Blenheim then drive across the top of the South Island to the city of Nelson.

Private Hotel

Transfer by coach from Nelson to Kaiteriteri for a cruise into the heart of Abel Tasman National Park.

Walk the most varied section of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, along a path that weaves through Manuka groves to the long golden sands of Anchorage beach.

Local Bed & Breakfast

Drive across the top of the South Island to Picton and the Interislander ferry terminal.

Depart Picton on the Interislander ferry and cruise through the scenic Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to the North Island.  On arrival, drive the short distance to your hotel.

Country Hotel

Wedged between bush-clad hills and a splendid natural harbour, Wellington enjoys an incomparable setting of ever-changing moods.

Take the cable car to the Kelburn Lookout and walk back down through the Botanical Gardens to the Beehive, the main parliament building before returning to Lambton Quay for a walk along the wharf side to Te Papa,  the National Museum.

In the evening eat out at one of the many restaurants that line the quayside.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment

Leave Wellington for your choice of locations as you head north to the National Park or Northeast to the Art Deco city of Napier.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment

Napier: Join a wine tasting afternoon in the sun driving through stunning scenery. Or head up to Mata peak for great views of the region.

Tongariro: Often described as the finest one day walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing is a full day traverse of the ‘saddle’ between Mts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. Shorter walks are also possible. A round of golf on an all-weather course, or a soak in a natural hot pool are other options.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment

On to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua.

Visit Te Puia with its geothermal valley and Maori Arts and Crafts Centre

Country Hotel

Stroll the Government Gardens and visit the Victorian Bathhouse. A popular excursion is out to Waimangu Valley for a leisurely walk through the valley of steaming geysers, mud pools and lakes. In the evening enjoy a cultural experience that culminates with a traditional Maori Hangi for your evening meal.

Country Hotel

Today drive up the coastline and to the Coromandel Peninsula.

If you wish to visit Hobbiton you can travel via Matamata for a pre-booked visit.
The eastern side of the Coromandel is furnished with an amazing collection of white sand and surf beaches, and an impressive, heavily forested mountain range runs right up the middle of the peninsula.

We recommend visiting Hot Water Beach to dig a spa pool in the sands (tide-dependent) and lovely Cathedral Cove (steep walk down to the shore).

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment / Private Hotel

Time to relax in your scenic coastal surroundings.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment / Private Hotel

Take the Highway north to Auckland and your accommodation in the city close to the attractions and departure point for trips on the harbour.

Country Hotel / Apartment

A day to explore the city and enjoy a trip to one of the nearby islands of Rangitoto, Tiritiri Matangi or Waiheke.

Enjoy a celebratory end of trip meal at the Sky tower restaurant with fine views across the city.

Local Bed & Breakfast / City Hotel

Return your rental vehicle to Auckland International airport to board your homebound flight.