Arrive into Auckland International Airport and get a private car transfer to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Auckland.

Situated on a narrow isthmus between two beautiful harbours, Auckland the ‘city of sails’ is New Zealand’s largest city with a population of over 1 million. Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, so aptly named by the Maoris as the ‘sea of sparkling waters’, has brought prosperity to the city. Besides being New Zealand’s main shipping port, Auckland is also the main terminal for overseas traffic. The warm sunny climate, with its generous and evenly distributed rainfall is ideal and there are beautiful parklands and garden reserves throughout. The many miles of coastline provide Aucklanders with the means to enjoy their favourite sport of yachting.

Skycity Hotel

This morning collect your rental car in Auckland and make your way to Pauanui on the Coromandel Peninsula. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Pauanui.

This area, about 1.5 hours drive from Auckland is renowned for its native pohutukawa trees on its West Coast and the beautiful white sandy beaches on the East Coast. The historical past of this region is evident in the mining relics, logging dams and Maori Pa sites that dot the landscape. The central ranges of native rainforest are also popular with hikers & ramblers. Many activities are possible in this area, mainly of a walking or water related nature.

Auckland > Coromandel Peninsula | 160 kms

Pauanui Pines Motor Lodge

Make your way to Rotorua and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Rotorua is the centre of the intense thermal activity in New Zealand. The city itself is situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua and excellent stream and lake fishing abounds. Geysers, pools of boiling mud, crystal springs and hot mineral water and richly coloured craters make Rotorua one of the world’s great tourist attractions.

Coromandel Peninsula > Rotorua | 160 kms

Novotel Rotorua

Make your way to Napier. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Napier. The centre of the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand, Napier is renowned for both its Art Deco architecture and also for its wine industry. It is said to be one of the warmest regions in the country with warm summers and mild winters. There are many activities from adventure seeking, wine tasting to just browsing around the local art deco shopping areas.

Rotorua > Napier | 225 kms

Scenic Hotel Te Pania

Make your way to and spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Wellington. Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand lies at the southern end of the North Island. On the shores of a magnificent harbour and surrounded by the rugged beauty of green hills, it is one of the most scenic cities.

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.

Napier > Wellington | 330 kms

Rydges Wellington

Board the InterIslander Ferry for your journey across Cook Strait to Picton. On arrival in Picton spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Nelson.

Nelson, at the top of the South Island, is an extraordinary corner of New Zealand – a beautiful region between sweeping beaches and the northern edge of the southern Alps.

Wellington > Nelson | 110 kms

The Rutherford Hotel

Make your way to Greymouth or Hokitika. En route you may like to stop at Punakaiki and visit the famous “Pancake Rocks”. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Greymouth or Hokitika.

Nelson > Hokitika | 300 kms

Beachfront Hotel

This morning make your way down the West Coast to Franz Josef from Greymouth or Hokitika. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in 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 1000 feet (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.

The glacier is over 12 km long extending into the rainforest just 5km from the Franz Josef Township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints, or for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided glacier walk, heli-hike excursion or scenic flight.

Hokitika > Franz Josef | 180 kms

Scenic Hotel

Make your way to Queenstown where on arrival you will have the remainder of the day at leisure. Queenstown nestles in Queenstown Bay, about midway along the eastern shores of the azure blue waters of Lake Wakatipu. An unusual feature of the lake is the regular ‘breathing’, a 3-inch rise and fall every 15 minutes. Striking mountain peaks surround Queenstown, and although still rural in character, the town has developed into a tourist resort for all seasons.

Situated more than 300 metres above sea level, it is sufficiently inland to provide a sharp contrast between the hot summer and bracing winter. The autumn colours and the Lake District are justly famous and a delight to photographers and painters. Winter brings spectacular snow scenery, ice-skating, white water rafting, parapenting and much more.

Franz Josef > Queenstown | 350 kms

Copthorne Lakefront, Queenstown

Full day at your leisure to select your optional sightseeing (at your own expense): thrilling jet boat rides, vintage steamer lake cruises, visit to high country sheep stations, mountain gondola rides — the list is endless and you also have time to relax and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery.

Copthorne Lakefront, Queenstown

Make your way to Te Anau via Milford Sound where time is available to enjoy a cruise on the scenic sound (at your own expense).

Queenstown > Te Anau | 420 kms

Distinction

Make your way to Dunedin – the “Edinburgh of the South”. This afternoon in Dunedin time is available to explore — you may like to visit the Otago Peninsula – home of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Penguins or historic Larnach Castle (at your own expense).

Te Anau > Dunedin | 290 kms

Distinction

Depart Dunedin and make your way to Christchurch, known as the ‘most English City outside England’ or the ‘garden city’. Be sure to visit the Botanic Gardens or go punting on the River Avon.

Dunedin > Christchurch | 360 kms

Crowne Plaza

Tour ends with returning your rental car to the Christchurch City or airport depot.