Arrive into Auckland International Airport, collect your bags and your rental vehicle, before making your way to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing after your flight or exploring downtown Auckland.

You may like to start the following day with breakfast at one of the trendy cafes in Ponsonby, followed by a visit to the Sky Tower for panoramic views of the city.

Explore the Auckland War Memorial Museum in the Auckland Domain, where you can learn about New Zealand’s history and Maori culture. Stroll through the nearby Wintergardens, and then head to the bustling Viaduct Harbour for a leisurely lunch with waterfront views.

In the afternoon, take a ferry to Waiheke Island to enjoy its stunning beaches and renowned vineyards. Sample local wines and relax on the island before returning to the city. In the evening, visit the vibrant Britomart precinct for boutique shopping and dining at one of its many upscale restaurants.

You may like to end your day with a sunset walk along Mission Bay, soaking in the scenic views of Rangitoto Island.

Standard: Skycity Hotel

Deluxe: Hotel Fitzroy

Today make your way to Rotorua. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Rotorua is the centre of the intense thermal activity in New Zealand. Geysers, pools of bubbling mud, crystal clear springs and richly coloured craters make Rotorua one of the world’s great tourist attractions.

The city itself is situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua where you can enjoy a boat tour, fishing trip or scenic walk along the shoreline.

Rotorua is also one of New Zealand’s centres for Maori Culture, with this indigenous culture prevalent throughout the town. You can discover more at Te Pa Tu, just 20 minutes drive out of Rotorua, where recreated traditional villages have been made in the ancient Tawa Forest.

Auckland > Rotorua | 226 kms

Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua

There are more thermal wonders today as you make the short drive to Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, and the dramatic Huka Falls nearby.

There will be time to witness the bubbling Champagne Pools of Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland or the colourful silica terraces of Orakei Korako.

Rotorua > Taupo > Huka Falls | 76 kms

Lakeland Resort Taupo

Continue your scenic drive to the coastal town of Napier. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure exploring the town.

The centre of the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand, Napier is renowned for both its Art Deco architecture, and its wine industry. It is said to be one of the warmest regions in the country with warm summers and mild winters perfect for growing gapes.

There are many tours and activities you can choose from in Napier, including wine tasting and guided walks around the local art deco areas.

Huka Falls > Napier | 151 kms

The Nautilus, Napier

Continue your drive to the south coast of the North Island.

Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, lies on the shores of a magnificent harbour and is surrounded by green hills. It is one of New Zealand’s most scenic cities.

Some of the best views in Wellington can be obtained from the hilltops. Hop on board an historic tram to ride up to the Kelburn Lookout, and top entrance to the Botanic Garden. Or hike or drive up to Mount Victoria Lookout for panoramic vistas over the city and harbour.

Napier > Wellington | 323 kms

Travelodge Hotel Wellington

Leave your car at the Interislander ferry depot and enjoy the scenic cruise over the Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton in the South Island.

From here board the Coastal Pacific train for your journey down the picturesque coastline of the South Island’s East Coast, eventually arriving into Christchurch, where you will stay overnight.

Standard: Crowne Plaza

Deluxe: The Classic Villa

Pick up your comfortable motorhome for a total of fourteen days giving you ample time to explore the wonders of the South Island at your leisure. New Zealand allows motorhome users the option to ‘Freedom Camp’ meaning you can wake up in some of the most spectacular settings in complete seclusion.

Begin your exploration with an amazing journey, across the spectacular Southern Alps mountain range to New Zealand’s west coast. On the way stop to explore the scenic mountain views at Arthur’s Pass National Park.

Begin your drive along the west coast of the South Island, by making you way to Greymouth and then on to Hokitika.

En route you may like to stop at Punakaiki and visit the famous “Pancake Rocks”. These unique limestone rock formations date back 30 million years, and were part of the sea bed, and covered in mud and clay, until movement of the earth’s crust lifted them up.

Christchurch > Hokitika | 246 kms

Take time this morning to visit Hokitika Gorge. This fast flowing river is famous for its turquoise waters. The waters appear so vibrant, due to the high concentration of glacial silt in the river, indicating that the water comes direct from the glaciers high above the town.

In the afternoon, continue your journey down the picturesque coast to the town of Franz Josef, where you can stay for the next two nights.

Hokitika > Franz Josef | 134 kms

The town of Franz Josef is the starting point for exploring the Franz Josef Glacier.

The Franz Josef Glacier is a 12km long finger of ice that stretches towards the ocean from a huge icefield up in the Southern Alps. It features ice pinnacles as high as multi-story buildings, deep crevasses and stunning, pristine blue ice.

The best way to discover the glacier is to enjoy a scenic helicopter flight up the glacier, to join a guided trek across the ice with an experienced guide to lead the way and explain the ice formations. The Franz Josef Heli-Hike is an experience never to be forgotten.

Continue along the coast and then head inland around Mount Aspiring National Park. You will probably want to stop alongside the beautiful lakes of Wanaka and Hawea, before continuing on to the amazing town of Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

During your stay in Queenstown you can enjoy some adventure activities such a jet-boat rides or bungee jumping, or perhaps something more relaxing as a cruise on the Steamship Earnslaw, or a visit to Onsen Hot Pools.

Queenstown is hive of activity with guided hikes and tours to movie locations all on the doorstep. There is also plenty of restaurants and shops to enjoy in downtown.

Franz Josef > Queenstown | 351 kms

The drive from Queenstown to Te Anau shouldn’t be rushed as their are plenty of scenic viewpoints to visit along the way. We suggest stopping at Devil’s Staircase Lookout and Kingston for panoramic views along Lake Wakatipu.

Te Anau is the gateway to the Fiordland National Park, and it is from here that you can make another spectacular journey to Milford Sound.

Milford Sound is a picturesque fjord, with steep-sided cliffs, that reaches out to the ocean. The best way to experience Milford Sound is a scenic cruise along the calm waters, allowing you to view the spectacular waterfalls up close.

The spectacular drive to and from Milford Sound is equally beautiful with mirror lakes and wild flowers adjacent to the road.

Queenstown > Te Anau | 171 kms

Leaving Fiordland National Park, continue your motorhome adventure by heading to Invercargill. the most southerly town in New Zealand.

The town of Invercargill has become known as the “City of Water and Light”, referring to the long summer daylight hours, the frequent appearances of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights), and the city’s position beside the Waihōpai River estuary.

Invercargill is also the departure point for exploring Stewart Island. As well as being a beautiful island, with many picturesque bays and ancient forests, the island is also famous for being a haven for New Zealand’s most unique bird, the kiwi. A guided tour at dusk is probably your best opportunity for a wild kiwi encounter.

Te Anau > Invercargill |155 kms

From Invercargill you can simply follow the coast all the way to Dunedin, the principal city of the Otago region. Ringed by green hills that overlook a pretty harbour, Dunedin is home to Edwardian and Victorian architecture that are relics of the brief gold rush in the area. Particularly worth a visit is Larnach Castle, on the Otago peninsula, which was built in 1871 and remains New Zealand’s only castle.

The area around Dunedin is also thriving with unique wildlife, including penguins, fur seals and albatross. The best way to view this wildlife is from the sea, so if you wish to see more it is worthwhile joining a guided Otago cruise around the bay.

Invercargill > Dunedin | 204 kms

On your way back to Christchurch, break up the journey in Oamaru to soak in the scenic hot tubs, marvel at the Moeraki Boulders or watch the natural phenomenon of the blue penguin colony returning from sea to their nests at night.

Dunedin > Oamaru | 113 kms

Although it is time to return to the airport, you may still have time to visit the International Antarctic Centre that is conveniently adjacent to the airport.

When you are ready, return your motorhome to the depot and transfer to the airport to check-in in time for your scheduled flight to continue your holiday or return home.

Oamaru > Christchurch | 247 kms