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Northern Explorer
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Auckland
Bay of Islands
Viaduct Harbour, Auckland
Northern Explorer Hapuawhenua Viaduct
Interislander Ferry, Cook Strait
Te Puketea Bay, Abel Tasman National Park
Franz Josef Glacier
Lake Wakatipu Queenstown
Christchurch
Christchurch

NZ Encounter

14 day Holiday Idea – from £1415

With flights from £2715

Explore some of New Zealand’s most awe-inspiring coastal and mountain scenery on this two week adventure by road and rail.

Highlights:
  • Spend two nights at the spectacular Bay of Islands
  • Traverse the North Island on board the Northern Explorer
  • Drive through the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks
  • Gaze up at the mighty Franz Josef Glacier (or down from a helicopter!)
  • Enjoy three nights in beautiful lakefront Queenstown

Your Itinerary

Expand All

You can customise your holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Auckland

Day 1 – Auckland

Arrive into New Zealand’s North Island and the gateway city of Auckland. On…

Arrive into New Zealand’s North Island and the gateway city of Auckland. On arrival collect your car from the airport and drive into the ‘City of Sails’ for an overnight stay. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore.

Auckland
Bay of Islands

Day 2 to 3 – Bay of Islands

Drive along the scenic Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands. Here you can relax and…

Drive along the scenic Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands. Here you can relax and unwind and shake off the jet lag. Take a boat cruise through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, swim with dolphins and be sure to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, one of New Zealand’s most significant historical sites.

    Auckland > Bay of Islands | 236 kms
Bay of Islands
Viaduct Harbour, Auckland

Day 4 – Auckland

Travel back to bright lights of Auckland for an overnight stay. Dine in one of the…

Travel back to bright lights of Auckland for an overnight stay. Dine in one of the waterfront restaurants of Viaduct Harbour or watch the sunset with a dinner cruise around Auckland Harbour.

    Bay of Islands > Auckland | 236 kms
Viaduct Harbour, Auckland
Northern Explorer Hapuawhenua Viaduct

Day 5 to 6 – Wellington

Watch the North Island become a moving postcard as you travel from Auckland…

Watch the North Island become a moving postcard as you travel from Auckland to Wellington on the Northern Explorer rail journey. Travel through the fertile farmland of Waitoko and the volcanic peaks of the Central Plateau before arriving the nation’s capital for a two night stay.

Northern Explorer Hapuawhenua Viaduct
Interislander Ferry, Cook Strait

Day 7 – Nelson

Board the InterIslander Ferry and sail across the Cook Strait to the South…

Board the InterIslander Ferry and sail across the Cook Strait to the South Island port gateway of Picton. Begin your South Island self drive as soon as you arrive by collecting your car at the ferry depot and driving to Nelson for an overnight stay.

    Picton > Nelson | 140 kms
Interislander Ferry, Cook Strait
Te Puketea Bay, Abel Tasman National Park

Day 8 – Greymouth

Drive through the Able Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks and meander down the dramatic and rugged…

Drive through the Able Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks and meander down the dramatic and rugged West Coast. Marvel at the Pancake Rocks and blowholes of Punakaiki before arriving into Greymouth, a town laced in jade and gold mining history.

    Nelson > Greymouth | 282 kms
Te Puketea Bay, Abel Tasman National Park
Franz Josef Glacier

Day 9 – Franz Josef

Your journey continues south through untamed natural wilderness and rainforests to Franz Josef Glacier. This giant…

Your journey continues south through untamed natural wilderness and rainforests to Franz Josef Glacier. This giant ice flow can be viewed from the valley floor or from the vantage point of an unforgettable helicopter and hike experience.

    Greymouth > Franz Josef | 170 kms
Franz Josef Glacier
Lake Wakatipu Queenstown

Day 10 to 12 – Queenstown

Travel through the pretty lakeside town of Wanaka and onwards to the South Island’s most popular…

Travel through the pretty lakeside town of Wanaka and onwards to the South Island’s most popular resort town. A three-night stay in Queenstown will allow you time to explore and enjoy many of the activities on offer. Take a cable car ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for the ultimate view of the town and surrounding Remarkable Mountains or opt for one of the more adrenaline fuelled activities such as a bungee or parasailing experience from this scenic lookout point.

    Franz Josef > Queenstown | 350 kms
Lake Wakatipu Queenstown
Christchurch

Day 13 – Christchurch

Make the final drive back along the Canterbury Plains and arrive into…

Make the final drive back along the Canterbury Plains and arrive into Christchurch for an overnight stay. Visit the International Antarctic Centre and stroll around the landscaped gardens of Hagley Park.

    Queenstown > Christchurch | 480 kms
Christchurch
Christchurch

Day 14 – Farewell from Christchurch

Check out of your hotel and return you car to the airport before boarding your onward…

Check out of your hotel and return you car to the airport before boarding your onward flight.

Christchurch

Your Itinerary

You can customise your holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Day 1

|

Auckland

Arrive into New Zealand’s North Island and the gateway city of Auckland. On arrival collect your car from the airport and drive into the ‘City of Sails’ for an overnight stay. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore.

Auckland

Day 2 to 3

|

Bay of Islands

Drive along the scenic Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands. Here you can relax and unwind and shake off the jet lag. Take a boat cruise through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, swim with dolphins and be sure to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, one of New Zealand’s most significant historical sites.

    Auckland > Bay of Islands | 236 kms
Bay of Islands

Day 4

|

Auckland

Travel back to bright lights of Auckland for an overnight stay. Dine in one of the waterfront restaurants of Viaduct Harbour or watch the sunset with a dinner cruise around Auckland Harbour.

    Bay of Islands > Auckland | 236 kms
Viaduct Harbour, Auckland

Day 5 to 6

|

Wellington

Watch the North Island become a moving postcard as you travel from Auckland to Wellington on the Northern Explorer rail journey. Travel through the fertile farmland of Waitoko and the volcanic peaks of the Central Plateau before arriving the nation’s capital for a two night stay.

Northern Explorer Hapuawhenua Viaduct

Day 7

|

Nelson

Board the InterIslander Ferry and sail across the Cook Strait to the South Island port gateway of Picton. Begin your South Island self drive as soon as you arrive by collecting your car at the ferry depot and driving to Nelson for an overnight stay.

    Picton > Nelson | 140 kms
Interislander Ferry, Cook Strait

Day 8

|

Greymouth

Drive through the Able Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks and meander down the dramatic and rugged West Coast. Marvel at the Pancake Rocks and blowholes of Punakaiki before arriving into Greymouth, a town laced in jade and gold mining history.

    Nelson > Greymouth | 282 kms
Te Puketea Bay, Abel Tasman National Park

Day 9

|

Franz Josef

Your journey continues south through untamed natural wilderness and rainforests to Franz Josef Glacier. This giant ice flow can be viewed from the valley floor or from the vantage point of an unforgettable helicopter and hike experience.

    Greymouth > Franz Josef | 170 kms
Franz Josef Glacier

Day 10 to 12

|

Queenstown

Travel through the pretty lakeside town of Wanaka and onwards to the South Island’s most popular resort town. A three-night stay in Queenstown will allow you time to explore and enjoy many of the activities on offer. Take a cable car ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for the ultimate view of the town and surrounding Remarkable Mountains or opt for one of the more adrenaline fuelled activities such as a bungee or parasailing experience from this scenic lookout point.

    Franz Josef > Queenstown | 350 kms
Lake Wakatipu Queenstown

Day 13

|

Christchurch

Make the final drive back along the Canterbury Plains and arrive into Christchurch for an overnight stay. Visit the International Antarctic Centre and stroll around the landscaped gardens of Hagley Park.

    Queenstown > Christchurch | 480 kms
Christchurch

Day 14

|

Farewell from Christchurch

Check out of your hotel and return you car to the airport before boarding your onward flight.

Christchurch

This Holiday Includes

13 nights accommodation
13 nights car hire, with unlimited kilometers
Experiences and activities as detailed in the itinerary
Scenic rail journey

Flights & More

Ask your FREEDOM Consultant to include Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for a complete ABTA and ATOL protected package.

They can also add extra nights and experiences in places you choose, to create the exact holiday you are looking for. Popular options include:

  • A day tour to Rotorua and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves from Auckland
  • A stopover to New Zealand in Singapore, Dubai or another destination

Next Step

Please get in touch with our New Zealand Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.

NZ Encounter

14 day Holiday Idea – from £1415

With flights from £2715

Guide prices shown are per person based on two people sharing standard accommodation. Prices vary according to season and standard of accommodation chosen.

Map

Auckland & the South Map