On arrival at Auckland Airport a private transfer will take you to your hotel. Take the remainder of the day to explore the boutique shops and restaurants within the newly developed Britomart precinct close to the city’s waterfront or relax in the tree lined parks of the Domain, a short walk from the city centre.

Standard: Sudima

Deluxe: QT Auckland

Today you will be taken on a full day guided tour to Auckland’s wild black sand beaches and lush rainforest. Spend the day walking and relaxing in the real New Zealand while hearing the stories of the region. You’ll first visit the Arataki Visitor Centre – gateway to Auckland’s coastal rainforest. The breath taking panoramic views from the sweeping decks extend from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Continue further west to the wild and rugged west coast. Walk through lush rainforest with giant tree ferns growing alongside picturesque streams in regenerating rainforest.

Then stroll on an awe-inspiring beach and experience the uniqueness of the soft, black sand and the clear ocean breeze. Your journey then takes you to an area of untouched original rainforest with mature 1,000 year old kauri trees. New Zealand has existed for millions of years separate from the rest of the world so has evolved in isolation to produce its own unique flora and fauna.

Standard: Sudima

Deluxe: QT Auckland

This morning make your way to the rental car city depot where you will collect your rental car for your exclusive use. Depart Auckland for your journey south. You may like to stop and visit the Hamilton Gardens which feature a traditional Maori Garden as well as themed gardens from all over the world. Travel via Matamata for an afternoon tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set.

Your guided tour takes you through a picturesque sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Learn how the hobbit holes were created and how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth complete with hobbit holes and hobbit gardens and orchards.

Auckland > Hamilton | 196 kms

Standard: Distinction Hamilton Hotel

Deluxe: Villa Walton

Travel today to the Taranaki region where the volcanic soil and rainforest climate provide ideal growing conditions for native rainforests and many exotic species that have found a new home on the plains and rolling hills dominated by Mt Taranaki.

Hamilton > New Plymouth | 228 kms

Standard: Nice Hotel

Deluxe: King & Queen Suites

Recommended gardens to visit today are Te Kainga Marire – an amazing intimate native garden; world renowned Pukeiti, a 360- hectare rainforest on the slopes of Mount Taranaki that features over 500 rhododendron varieties; Pukekura Park with a huge variety of plant collections amidst a diverse range of landscapes; Hollard Gardens and Tupare originally private gardens that have grown into spectacular displays of native and exotic specimens.

Standard: Nice Hotel

Deluxe: King & Queen Suites

Enjoy the transformation of scenery through Otaki Gorge as you travel via the Kapiti Coast to Wellington.

Begin with Mount Taranaki in your mirrors and continue around the coast. A slight detour will bring you to Cape Egmont Lighthouse with picturesque views of the coastline and Mount Taranaki.

At Whanganui you can explore this historic town, taking a stroll along the Whanganui River and visit the Durie Hill Elevator and Tower, or enjoy the Whanganui Regional Museum.

Further around the coast you can visit the Foxton Windmill and take the Paekakariki Hill Road for stunning views of the Kapiti Coast and beyond.

Your drive concludes in Wellington, New Zealand’s waterfront capital.

New Plymouth > Wellington | 355 kms

Standard: Rydges Wellington

Deluxe: Booklovers B&B

A 10 minute drive will take you to Zealandia, an urban sanctuary dedicated to telling New Zealand’s unique conservation story. With over 225 hectares of regenerating native forest and 40 species of birds, it is a unique, world-first eco-attraction. Discover the story of New Zealand’s natural history and conservation movement with a world-class interactive exhibition.

Some of the best views are obtained from the hilltops, especially from Mt Victoria lookout, which can be conveniently reached by a short taxi ride.

Public buildings of interest are the Dominion Museum and National Art Gallery, parliament buildings and the Alexander Turnbull library. The newest attraction in the ‘capital’ is New Zealand’s National Museum. Named ‘Te Papa’ (our place) it contains a wealth of information on New Zealand’s past, present and future, many interactive exhibits, multi-media databases and fascinating collections. A must see while in Wellington.

Standard: Rydges Wellington

Deluxe: Booklovers B&B

Breakfast

Return your car and board the Interislander Ferry for your cruise across Cook Strait. On arrival in Picton, pick up your car and take a leisurely drive to Nelson.

Wellington > Nelson | 130 kms

Standard: The Rutherford

Deluxe: Cambria House B&B

Enjoy a day at leisure in the stunning coastal region of Abel Tasman. There are some outstanding walks and rainforest treks to be done, or alternatively relax on the sandy beaches next to the crystal clear waters of the Abel Tasman National Park.

Standard: The Rutherford

Deluxe: Cambria House B&B

Travel today down the West Coast. This remote area has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow capped mountains. A recommended stop is at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes where the surging sea has sculptured amazing shapes out of the rocks. Also of note en route, just 15 minutes south of Hokitika is the West Coast Treetop Walk – an exhilarating scenic walk adventure among the ancient tree canopy of temperate rainforest giants.

Nelson > Fox Glacier | 480 kms

Standard: Bella Vista

Deluxe: Reflection Lodge Homestay

Today will take you on a memorable trip through some of the most magnificent scenery in New Zealand to the alpine resort town of Queenstown; exciting, sophisticated and fantastically scenic.

Fox Glacier > Queenstown | 327 kms

Standard: Copthorne Lakefront Hotel

Deluxe: Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Enjoy a day at leisure for you to enjoy many of the sights and activities on offer in New Zealand’s most exciting and picturesque town. A recommended excursion is a 20 minute drive to Arrowtown – a delightful gold rush village nestled below the beautiful peaks that surround the sparkling Arrow River.

Standard: Copthorne Lakefront Hotel

Deluxe: Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Today is yours to discover more of this beautiful lakeside town. The Queenstown Gardens are just a few minutes walk from central Queenstown and offer a beautiful tranquil setting with some of the best panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu.

Standard: Copthorne Lakefront Hotel

Deluxe: Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Today, travel via river plains and tussock country through Coastal Otago to Dunedin. This is a region of natural beauty overlaid with a fascinating cultural history and often referred to as the eco-capital of New Zealand. Nearby is the beautiful Otago Peninsula home to New Zealand Fur Seals, rare Hooker’s Sea Lions, Yellow-Eyed Penguins, and the only mainland Royal Albatross colony.

Queenstown > Dunedin | 286 kms

Standard: Distinction Dunedin

Deluxe: Camp Estate

Included with your accommodation is a visit to Larnach Castle and the beautiful Gardens. Over a century old this large garden surrounding historic Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula is at an altitude of 300 metres. The scenery is spectacular and though the garden is subjected to wind and low rainfall it contains a unique collection of plants seldom seen elsewhere.

Standard: Distinction Dunedin

Deluxe: Camp Estate

Today, depart Dunedin and travel north crossing the Canterbury Plains and travelling to Christchurch known as ‘the Garden City’ of New Zealand. In a loop of the Avon River, bordered on three sides by the green expanse of Hagley Park are the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Some of the largest, tallest and oldest trees in New Zealand can be found here.

The gardens host spectacular colour and form, intriguing artworks and some of the largest, tallest and oldest trees in New Zealand. A loop of the gently-flowing Avon River, criss-crossed by bridges, encloses a large part of the gardens which include horticultural displays, conservatories, memorials, garden art and walking tracks.

Dunedin > Christchurch | 360 kms

Standard: Crowne Plaza

Deluxe: The Classic Villa

Although it is time to check out of your hotel and 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 car and check-in in time for your scheduled flight to continue your holiday or return home.