Welcome to New Zealand! You’ll be greeted at Auckland Airport on arrival to take a private transfer to your hotel.

Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Perhaps enjoy 360° views of the city from the Sky Tower, or take a stroll down to the Viaduct Harbour, where you’ll find numberous cafés, restaurants and bars.

Hotel Grand Windsor or similar

This morning, collect your hire car at the city depot, leaving Auckland to head north via the rugged West Coast.

You may like to stop off at Muriwai Beach, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular black sand surf beaches. At its southern end, Otakamiro Point is the site of one of this country’s few mainland gannet breeding colonies, welcoming about 1,200 pairs of adult gannets each summer. They can be seen between August and March. Fur seals can often be seen too in the spring, as they feed and rest at Oaia Island, 1.6km off the coast.

Continue to Waipoua, where you’ll head into Waipoua Forest for a guided twilight tour. Learn about the affinity that early Maori had with the forest and the deep spiritual respect they hold for the giants still growing there, discovering Te Matua Ngahere, the Father of the Forest, and the giant Tane Mahuta, the Lord of the Forest.

Auckland > Waipoua | 229 kms

Copthorne Hotels & Resort Hokianga or similar

Dinner

Travel on to the Matakana Coast, a place of stunning countryside and coast.

You may like to pay a visit to Tawharanui Regional Park, exploring the bush, discovering quiet beaches and encountering endangered takahe and kiwi. Alternatively, hike the Te Araroa trail from Pakiri to the summit of Mt Tamahunga for spectacular coastal views.

The area is also known for its gastronomy. Why not sample wine at a vineyard or cellar door, browse local shops selling artisan food products, or enjoy a farm-to-table dinner at one of many restaurants.

Waipoua > Matakana | 178 kms

Sugar Loaf Lodge or similar

As you make your way back down to Devonport, the seaside suburb of Auckland. On your way, we’d recommend taking a sightseeing cruise to Tiritiri Matangi from Gulf Harbour (running between Wednesday and Sunday). Situated in the Hauraki Gulf, Tiritiri Matangi is an island sanctuary for an incredible diversity of wildlife.

The 22 hectare island was reforested and rare and endangered birds were translocated as, thanks to the fast-moving Tiri channel and the three kilometre distance between the island and the mainland, it is predator free. Learn about this incredible habitat on a guided walk, or explore the numerous trails independently, enjoying oportunities to snorkel or to spot wildlife.

Matakana > Devonport | 70 kms

The Peace & Plenty Inn or similar

Travel along the scenic ‘Seabird Coast’ today, on your way to Miranda, a gateway town to the Coromandel Peninsula.

If you’d like to discover more incredible birdlife, you can visit the Miranda Shorebird Centre, home to a whopping 131 species. The extensive tidal flats and rare shell bank create an accessible site for both migratory and endemic waders.

Alternatively, explore the Coromandel Peninsula that boasts incredible biodiversity. Visit Coromandel Forest Park, enjoying the network of stunning walking trails. Well worth seeing is Cathedral Cove. This stunning rock formation seperates two pristine white-sand beaches that can be explored on a kayak tour or a boat cruise. Look out for seals, dolphins and tropical fish in the nearby marine reserve.

Devonport > Miranda | 260 kms

The Springs B&B or similar

Spend the day exploring Rotorua, a place of wonderous geothermal activity, rich Māori culture and incredible wildlife.

Why not spend the day discovering the erupting geysers and bubbling mud pools of this volcanic area. Visit the Waimangu Volcanic Valley which boasts the world’s youngest geothermal eco-system and the largest hot water spring. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland’ is also worth exploring, with Lady Knox Geyser that erupts daily, exploding high into the air.

For an incredible wildlife encounter, head to Rainbow Springs Wildlife Park for a Kiwi Encounter. They run a breeding recovery programme for native New Zealand Kiwi, and you can enjoy a unique behind the scenes tour of the Kiwi nursery and hatchery.

The Springs B&B

Your journey continues down the West Coast, with its spectacular sea vistas, glorious sunsets, untouched native forest and dramatic hillscapes.

Stretching from Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay is the Paekakariki Escarpment Track. You may like to walk a section of this stunning trail, navigating swing bridges with striking views, and pathways across ridge lines.

You can also enjoy a relaxed afternoon on one of Kapiti’s many beaches, like Waikanae Beach with its surrounding river estuary and etlands, or Paraparaumu Beach, situated in a charming seaside village.

Rotorua > Kapiti Coast | 380 kms

Greenmantle Estate Boutique Lodge or similar

Today, take the ferry to Kapiti Island, home to the Little Spotted Kiwi (now extinct on the mainland). Spend the day exploring the island’s extensive network of walking trails.

In the evening, enjoy a guided Kiwi spotting walk. You’ll also have the chance to engage with endangered New Zealand birds like Takahe, Kākā, Weka, Tīeke (Saddleback), Kereru, Kokako, Hihi, and Toutouwai (Robin). There is also the chance to get up close to some extraordinary New Zealand native flora and fauna.

The lodge is remote with limited facilities but is welcoming with genuine Maori hospitality.

Kapiti Island or similar

Dinner

Take a short journey to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Nestled between harbor and hills, the city is compact, cultured and full of character.

You may like to take the Wellington Cable Car up to Kelburn, for panoramic views over the city and the coast, or take a stroll through the Wellington Botanic Garden.

Just minutes from the city is Zealandia, a living ecosystem, home to some of New Zealand’s most rare and extraordinary wildlife. Forty different species of native birds have been recorded in the sanctuary valley, twenty four of them endemic (found in no other country). Dozens of reptile species, hundreds of plant species and thousands of kinds of invertebrates have made Zealandia their home.

Kapiti Coast > Wellington | 75 kms

Booklovers B&B

Drop your car off in Wellington this morning and take the Interislander Ferry through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to Picton.

There will be plenty of seabirds to spot along the way. The Marlborough Sounds are also a hotspot for marine life like dolphins, fur seals and even little blue penguins.

On arrival in Picton, collect another rental car and travel through Marlborough Wine Country before reaching Kaikoura.

Picton > Kaikoura | 156 kms

Manakau Lodge or similar

The unique marine geography of Kaikoura provides the perfect environment for the local sperm whales which cohabitate close to land whilst hunting deep sea squid. At any time of the year you are almost guaranteed to see whales, dusky and common dolphins, seabirds, seals and small marine creatures.

On a wildlife cruise, you can also get up close to albatross and a variety of seabirds, as Kaikoura’s marine environment is home to more seabird species in a small area than anywhere else in the New Zealand.

Later, continue on to Hanmer Springs, a beautiful and popular alpine resort, known for its thermal pools and spa.

Kaikoura > Hanmer Springs | 130 kms

Cheltenham House or similar

Travel south to Oamaru, today. In Oamaru town you can explore the historic precinct with its charming Victorian buildings, antique shops, and galleries. The Steampunk HQ museum also offers a quirky and fun experience. You can also visit the scenic Oamaru Public Gardens and the coastal Oamaru Harbour.

This evening go to see the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. The best view is at nightfall when the penguins return from the day’s fishing, make their way onto the beach and cross into the Colony.

Hanmer Springs > Oamaru | 375 kms

Pen-y-Bryn Lodge or similar

Drive to Dunedin today, or ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Why not visit New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle, or admire the Edwardian architecture of Dunedin Railway Station.

Alternatively, enjoy a half day tour of the Otago Peninsula where you can see the Royal Albatross Colony, Hookers sea lions and yellow-eyed penguins and a pelagic tour of the harbour.

Oamaru > Dunedin | 112 kms

Camp Estate or similar

The Southland region is rugged, remote and endowed with large tracts of native rainforest. It has abundant wildlife, is sparsely populated and is very scenic and unspoilt.

Here, close to the rich Sub-Antarctic feeding grounds, can be found some of the world’s rarest marine animals, three penguin species, Hooker’s Sea Lions, Hector’s Dolphins, Elephant Seals, as well as New Zealand Fur Seals. Notable seabirds include: Mollyhawks, Shags, Gannets and millions of Titi (Sooty Shearwaters). Rocky platforms carved by the sea, secret coves and sweeping beaches of gleaming, wave-combed sand are all part of the exhilarating variety of coastal scenery.

Dunedin > Invercargill | 205 kms

Beersheba Estate or similar

Drive to Bluff today, then catching the ferry to Stewart Island (small additional charge payable direct for car storage in Bluff), the ultimate bird watching destination.

Stewart Island is largely untouched by humans, providing an excellent habitat for native and endangered birds. The Stewart Island Brown Kiwi, or Tokoeka, is active during the day and night, with numbers estimated at 20,000. Residents on the island share their gardens with native birds and summer evenings resound with the melody of Kākā and cheeky Weka strut around Oban Township.

The stargazing is also spectacular on Stewart Island, with some of the darkest skies in the world. You might also manage to spot the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis).

Invercargill > Bluff | 149 kms

Stewart Island Lodge or similar

This morning catch the ferry back to the mainland. Travel to Te Anau is via the Southern Scenic Route, a drive featuring a myriad of landscapes shaped by natural processes in New Zealand’s young but varied geological history.

Te Anau is the perfect gateway to Fiordland National Park, so if you’d like you can enjoy a Milford Sound cruise, a guided kayaking trip, a jet boating tour or even a scenic flight.

Bluff > Te Anua | 180 kms

Dunluce B&B or similar

Today’s Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise takes you into the wilderness of one of New Zealand’s most spectacular and pristine fiords. With stunning views of waterfalls, rainforest and mountains it is home to bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins. Dedicated nature guides provide specialist knowledge of the region’s history, flora and fauna and kayaking and exploring by tender craft is offered.

Please note: As the overnight cruise does not operate over winter you can instead enjoy a day cruise including lunch and additional night in Te Anau.

Te Anau > Manapouri | 22 kms

Doubtful Sound Cruise

Travel today to scenic Lake Wanaka. Stop en route in Queenstown, surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown has earned a reputation as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier lake and alpine resort and is described as the adventure capital of New Zealand. From Queenstown travel through the Kawarau Gorge and via Cromwell and Lake Dunstan to Wanaka.

An alternative route today is via the Crown Range Road which is New Zealand’s highest sealed highway. This route is shorter than the one via Cromwell however travel time may take longer due to the winding nature of the road (note this route is not recommended over winter).

Manapouri > Wanaka | 273 kms

Maple Lodge or similar

Wind your way to Tiwzel today, enjoying views of  river valleys, native beech forests and lush alpine meadows.

Twizel is a gateway to Mount Cook National Park, where you can enjoy a scenic day hike or even mountain biking. The region is also known for fishing, so why not embark on a guided fishing experience.

Wanaka > Twizel | 144 kms

Matuka Lodge or similar

Travel across the patchwork farmlands that make up the Canterbury plains, to Christchurch. Why not spend the afternoon punting on teh Avon River, wandering the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park, or riding the historic Christchurch Tramway around the city.

For panoramic views of Christchurch, ride the gondola, where you can also see the Southern Apls and Pegasus Bay.

Twizel > Christchurch | 285 kms

The Classic Villa or similar

Your New Zealand adventure concludes with the return of your rental car to Christchurch Airport depot. Either fly home, or continue to your onwards destination.