Feel the excitement build as your plane lands into Auckland International Airport. Make your way to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in the ‘City of Sails’.

If you have time, you could head up the Sky Tower, and soak in the view from its 220 metre high observation deck, and then enjoy a stroll along the waterfront where you will find plenty of options for dinner.

Standard: Skycity Hotel

Deluxe: Hotel Fitzroy

This morning, pick up your rental vehicle and make your way to Pauanui on the Coromandel Peninsula, around a 1.5 hours drive from Auckland. The town is known for its native pohutukawa trees on its West Coast, and beautiful white-sand beaches on its East Coast.

Just north of Pauanui are two of the North Island’s most unique natural features. At Hot Water Beach, naturally heated mineral water bubbles up through the golden sand. At Cathedral Cove you’ll find caves and rock arches, carved into the cliffs by the ocean, and great fun to explore by boat or kayak from the town of Hahei.

The historical past of this region is evident in the mining relics, logging dams and Māori Pa sites that dot the landscape. The central ranges of native rainforest are also popular with hikers and ramblers.

Standard: Pauanui Pines Motor Lodge

Deluxe: Brenton Lodge

Heading south from the Coromandel Peninsula, along the coast and then inland brings you to the town of Rotorua, on the southern shore of the lake that shares its name.

Rotorua is the centre of the intense thermal activity in New Zealand, with both Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Waimangu Volcanic Valley, well worth a visit to see geysers, boiling mud pools and richly coloured hot springs.

Likewise, don’t miss Te Pa Tu, recreated village in the ancient Tawa Forest where you can learn about Māori culture and traditions, and the giant redwood and numerous varieties of ferns at Whakarewarewa Forest where there’s an elevated ‘treewalk’.

Coromandel Peninsula > Rotorua | 180 kms

Standard: Novotel Rotorua

Deluxe: Regent of Rotorua

From Rotorua, continue your drive south, stopping at the beautiful Lake Taupo on your way to the coast of Hawke’s Bay. At stop at Huka Falls is highly recommended, a thundering waterfall on the Waikato River where, at peak flow, 220,000 litres of water are squeezed through a 15 metre wide volcanic canyon every second.

On arrival in Napier, make your way to your hotel then get out to admire the town’s famous Art-Deco architecture, browse it’s retro boutiques and test out the wine bars that serve Hawke’s Bay cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chardonnay.

There is also a new viewing platform that stretches from Marine Parade over Napier’s black-sand beach to the Pacific Ocean.

Rotorua > Napier | 225 kms

Standard: Scenic Hotel Te Pania

Deluxe: The Crown Hotel

Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, lies at the southern end of the North Island, about four hours drive from Napier. On the shores of a magnificent harbour and surrounded by rugged green hills, it is one of the country’s most scenic cities.

The Mount Victoria Lookout is a great place to get your bearings. It’s either a short drive from the city, or a 1.5 to 2 hour walk – making the view even more rewarding.

Down town, there are a number of excellent museums, including New Zealand’s National Museum ‘Te Papa’ (Container of Treasures), which includes the National Art Gallery and collections of the former Dominion Museum. Riding the cable car from Lambton Quay to Wellington Botanic Garden is also fun.

Napier > Wellington | 330 kms

Standard: Rydges Wellington

Deluxe: QT Wellington

This morning you will board the Interislander for your journey across the Cook Strait to Picton, arguably one of the world’s most scenic ferry crossing! As you cruise through the Marlborough Sounds, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins and other wildlife.

From Picton, make your way to Nelson, that sits on the shores of Tasman Bay. You could check in to your hotel now, or continue on to Mārahau, the gateway to the glorious Abel Tasman National Park. Here you’ll find some of the best beaches in New Zealand, numerous hiking trails, and hidden bays and sea caves to explore by kayak.

If you would like to stay an extra night in Nelson to explore Abel Tasman further, just let your Travel Consultant know.

Wellington > Nelson | 110 kms

Standard: The Rutherford Hotel

Deluxe: Cambria House

From Nelson, drive along the west coast of the South Island to Greymouth and then on to Hokitika.

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

Once you have checked into your hotel at Hokitika, take the short hike up to the gorge, where the river water appears a incredible turquoise due to glacial sediment.

Nelson > Hokitika | 300 kms

Standard: Beachfront Hotel

Deluxe: Rimu Lodge

This morning, make your way down the West Coast to Franz Josef.

Nowhere in the world’s temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as South Westland’s most famous pair, Franz Josef and Fox. Both descend to levels of about 300 metres above sea level. Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier, which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea.

There are viewpoints overlooking the Franz Josef Glacier either side of the Waiho River; one you can drive to, and one a several hour hike. To get a close-up view, you could join a guided walk or glacier heli-hike.

Hokitika > Franz Josef | 180 kms

Standard: Scenic Hotel

Deluxe: Rainforest Retreat

It’s a long, but stunningly scenic drive today, from Franz Josef to Queenstown. En route there are plenty of things to see.

After crossing the Haast River and turning inland, you will drive through Mount Aspiring National Park. Look out for signs for Roaring Bill Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and Fantail Falls, each with their own viewing platform.

The Haast Pass Lookout is another worthy photo stop, likewise Blue Pools, which are a three kilometre return walk but live up to their name!

Queenstown sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by The Remarkables and the Eyre Mountains, which are part of the Southern Alps.

Franz Josef > Queenstown | 350 kms

Standard: Copthorne Lakefront, Queenstown

Deluxe: The Rees

Enjoy a car-free day sightseeing in Queenstown.

You could ride the ever-popular Skyline Gondola to the summit of Bob’s Peak, where there is a restaurant and a family-friendly luge track, not to mention great views.

Or enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu on the historic, coal-fired TSS Earnslaw, which stops halfway at Walter Peak High Country Farm, where you can meet the farm animals and take afternoon tea.

For thrill seekers, there are jet boat rides, bungee jumping, you name it!

Standard: Copthorne Lakefront, Queenstown

Deluxe: The Rees

Today’s drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular, with stunning scenery on all sides.

After following shores of Lake Wakatipu and then circumventing the 2,022 metre tall Jane Peak, you will reach the town of Te Anau where you will be staying tonight, but for now are just passing through en route to Milford Sound.

This glacial cut fiord is bordered by steep cliffs, with countless waterfalls. A scenic cruise through the fiord to its entrance with the ocean comes highly recommended, and is worth booking in advance. Keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins that like to ride the bow waves.

On your return Te Anau you could stop at Mirror Lakes or Christie Falls.

Queenstown > Te Anau | 420 kms

Standard: Distinction

Deluxe: Fiordland Lodge

From Te Anau, it is just over three hours’ drive to the town of Dunedin, known as the “Edinburgh of the South” for its distinctive Scottish heritage.

It the town itself, the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum and Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden are worth visiting. Just outside, the historic Larnach Castle, set in beautifully manicured grounds, serves a delicious afternoon tea.

If you have time, you may wish to visit the Otago Peninsula, home to penguin and fur seal colonies, and the intriguingly named Chasm and Lovers Leap sea cliffs.

Te Anau > Dunedin | 290 kms

Standard: Distinction

Deluxe: Fable Dunedin

Depart Dunedin and make your way up the South Island’s eastern coast to Christchurch, the “most English City outside England”.

The lovingly restored city trams provide a most pleasant way to get around. You can hop on and off at 18 stops including New Regent Street, Riverside Market, and the Botanic Gardens which, along with the picturesque Hagley Park, are perfect place for a leisurely stroll after your New Zealand road trip.

For the evening, Christchurch has a number of new rooftop bars serving cocktails and local craft beer.

Dunedin > Christchurch | 360 kms

Standard: Crowne Plaza

Deluxe: The Observatory

Your two week New Zealand self drive comes to an end today.

If you have some free time between returning your car and checking in for your flight, the International Antarctic Centre is conveniently located next to the airport.

Admire the stunning landscapes of New Zealand one last time, through the aeroplane window, as you head home.