On arrival at Auckland Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, enabling you to spend the remainder of the day resting and exploring downtown Auckland.

In the Maori language, Auckland is known as Tamaki Makau Rau, the city of 100 lovers. It earned this name because it was a place desired by all and conquered by many.

The Auckland region boasts three harbours, two mountain ranges, 48 volcanic cones and more than 50 islands. Auckland’s population is approximately 1.3 million, making it by far the largest city in New Zealand, with one third of the country’s entire population.

Standard: Skycity Hotel

Deluxe: Hotel Fitzroy

Discover more of Auckland before you begin your travels around New Zealand.

You may like to start your day with breakfast at one of the trendy cafes in Ponsonby, followed by a visit to the Sky Tower for panoramic views of the city.

Explore the Auckland War Memorial Museum in the Auckland Domain, where you can learn about New Zealand’s history and Maori culture. Stroll through the nearby Wintergardens, and then head to the bustling Viaduct Harbour for a leisurely lunch with waterfront views.

In the afternoon, take a ferry to Waiheke Island to enjoy its stunning beaches and renowned vineyards. Sample local wines and relax on the island before returning to the city. In the evening, visit the vibrant Britomart precinct for boutique shopping and dining at one of its many upscale restaurants.

You may like to end your day with a sunset walk along Mission Bay, soaking in the scenic views of Rangitoto Island.

Standard: Skycity Hotel

Deluxe: Hotel Fitzroy

Collect your rental car this morning, and make your way to Pauanui on the Coromandel Peninsula. 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.

Just to the north of Pauanui are two of the most beautiful and unique natural features on New Zealand’s North Island. At Hot Water Beach, where naturally heated mineral water bubbles up through the golden sand, and Cathedral Cove where natural caves and rock arches have been carved into the cliffs. Cathedral Cove is best reached by boat or kayak from the town of Hahei.

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

Standard: Pauanui Pines Motor Lodge, Pauanui

Deluxe: Brenton Lodge

Today make your way to Rotorua. 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 is abundant. 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

Standard: Novotel Rotorua

Deluxe: Regent of Rotorua

Spend the day at leisure in Rotorua. You may wish to visit to Te Puia – one of Rotorua’s famous thermal areas, with the country’s largest geyser, Pohutu (reaching to about 31m), the Prince of Wales’ Feathers geyser, boiling mud pools and silica terraces.

Rotorua is also one of New Zealand’s centres for Maori Culture, with this indigenous culture prevalent throughout the town. You can discover more at Te Pa Tu, just 20 minutes drive out of Rotorua, where recreated traditional villages have been made in the ancient Tawa Forest.

Standard: Novotel Rotorua

Deluxe: Regent of Rotorua

Make your way to Napier – the art deco capital of New Zealand. The centre of the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand, Napier is renowned for both its Art Deco architecture and also for its wine industry.

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

Standard: Scenic Hotel Te Pania

Deluxe: The Crown Hotel

Make your way to and spend the remainder of the day 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 the Mt Victoria lookout.

Public buildings of interest are the Dominion Museum and National Art Gallery, parliament buildings and the Alexander Turnbull library. A must see 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 database and fascinating collections.

Napier > Wellington | 330 kms

Standard: Rydges Wellington

Deluxe: QT Wellington

Spend the day at leisure in Wellington. Wellington is proud of its reputation as the Arts and Cultural Capital of New Zealand. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and the National Opera all call Wellington home. The City Gallery in Civic Square shows national and international contemporary art exhibitions of outstanding quality. Civic Square is home to the Visitor Information Centre and connects the city to the waterfront by the impressive City to Sea Bridge.

There are many art galleries around the city as well as fascinating museums including the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, and the New Zealand Academy of Fine Art at Queens Wharf.

Standard: Rydges Wellington

Deluxe: QT Wellington

This morning board the InterIslander Ferry for your journey across Cook Strait to Picton. On arrival in Picton make your way to Blenheim.

Blenheim regularly tops the sunshine stakes and has consequently earned the title of the ‘Sunniest Town in New Zealand’. Orchards, vineyards and horticultural products benefit from the sunny climate of the Marlborough region. The country’s most extensive area of grapes is planted in the Wairau Valley and has earned international acclaim. The wine trail is now established linking the various wineries and is a popular attraction.

Blenheim is also well known for crafts and the art and craft trail includes more than 30 Marlborough craftspeople open to visitors, including weavers, artists, silk painters, bone carvers, dried flower arrangers, potters and wood sculptors.

Picton > Blenheim | 140 kms

Standard: Scenic Hotel Marlborough

Deluxe: 14th Urban

Make your way to Nelson. Located at the top end of the south island, this area has the reputation for having the most sunshine hours in New Zealand.

It also has one of the most scenic National Parks in the country, Abel Tasman National Park, therefore activities such as tramping, swimming, sailing or just relaxing are popular in the region. A number of Award winning wineries and gourmet food industries are found in this area. From the idyllic coves and sounds to the lush private gardens – this region has it all.

Blenheim > Nelson | 116 kms

Standard: Rutherford Hotel

Deluxe: Cambria House

Begin your drive along the west coast of the South Island, by making you way to Greymouth and then on to Hokitika.

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

Once checked into your hotel at Hokitika, you may like to take the short hike up to the gorge, where the river waters appear a bright turquoise due to the glacial sediment flowing down from up river.

Nelson > Hokitika | 320 kms

Standard: Beachfront Hotel

Deluxe: Rimu Lodge

Make your way down the West Coast to Franz Josef. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. 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 kilometres long extending into the rainforest just 5 kilometres 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 | 160 kms

Standard: Scenic Hotel

Deluxe: Rainforest Retreat

Make your way to Wanaka. Any time of year is a great time to visit Wanaka – summer or winter. This area, situated between Mt Cook and Queenstown offers many diverse activities from passive recreation to action packed.

The summer is hot and dry, while winter is cold and clear. Abseiling, boating, golfing, gliding, mountaineering, paragliding, Nordic skiing, snowboarding and wine tasting are only some of the activities available in the region.

Franz Josef > Wanaka | 280 kms

Standard: Oakridge Resort, Wanaka

Deluxe: Lime Tree

Depart Wanaka and make your way to Queenstown. 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, skiing, heli-skiing and snowboarding. Year round adventure activities include world famous bungee jumping, white water rafting, parapenting and much more.

Wanaka > Queenstown | 117 kms

Standard: Copthorne Resort, Queenstown

Deluxe: The Rees

Today you can leave the car, and spend your day at leisure sightseeing around Queenstown. There is a lot to occupy you, from thrilling jet boat rides, vintage steamer cruises on the lake, visits to high country sheep stations or mountain gondola rides — the list is endless.

You will also have plenty of time to relax and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery.

Standard: Copthorne Resort, Queenstown

Deluxe: The Rees

Make your way to Te Anau. You will begin by driving along the shore of Lake Wakatipu, before continuing around the mountains to the lakeside town of Te Anau.

Te Anau with its setting of mountain lakes, forest and fiords, unspoiled, rugged and beautiful is the natural gateway to Fiordland National Park and for trips to Lake Manapouri, the Eglinton Valley and Milford Sound.

Queenstown > Te Anau | 170 kms

Standard: Distinction Luxmore

Deluxe: Fiordland Lodge

From Te Anau, continue on Highway 94 to Milford Sound. This road is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular, with stunning scenery on all sides.

This road offers spectacular views of snow-capped mountains tumbling waterfalls as well as still lakes in the valleys below.

Your destination is Milford Sound, a glacial cut fiord, that is bordered by steep cliffs. You may wish to join one of the scenic cruises that travel along the fjord to the entrance with the ocean and back.

Your return drive to Te Anau, offers further opportunities to stop and view the Mirror Lakes and Christie Falls.

Standard: Distinction Luxmore

Deluxe: Fiordland Lodge

From Te Anau it is just over three hours’ drive to the town of Dunedin on the south east coast. Dunedin is known as the “Edinburgh of the South” and you will be able to discover the town’s Scottish heritage during the afternoon.

You may like to visit the Otago Peninsula – home of a rare Royal Albatross Colony and endangered Yellow Penguins.  Alternatively you may prefer to spend time wandering through the historic Larnach Castle and its grounds.

Te Anau > Dunedin | 290 kms

Standard: Distinction Dunedin

Deluxe: Fable Dunedin

Just a 90 minute drive will take you to Oamaru today.

Oamaru is famous for its wildlife; the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony provides a unique opportunity to see these adorable creatures up close.

For those seeking other activities out of the car can enjoy the scenic Oamaru Public Gardens and the coastal Oamaru Harbour.

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.

Dunedin > Oamaru | 115 kms

Standard: Poshtel

Deluxe: Pen-y-Bryn Lodge

Make your way up the South Island’s eastern coast to Christchurch, known as the ‘most English City outside England’.

In Christchurch you can explore the stunning Botanic Gardens and the picturesque Hagley Park, perfect for leisurely strolls after your drive.

You can discover Christchurch’s arts scene at the Canterbury Museum and the Christchurch Art Gallery then take a ride on the historic Christchurch Tram for a unique city tour, or visit the rejuvenated Riverside Market for local cuisine and shopping.

Oamaru > Christchurch | 247 kms

Standard: Crowne Plaza

Deluxe: The Observatory

Today you can discover more about Christchurch. You may like to visit the Port Hills for hiking and panoramic views, or take a walk along the nearby Banks Peninsula for dolphin watching along the coast.

If you would like to see more wildlife you can join a day tour to Kaikoura. From here a two and a half hour cruise will allow time to spot one of the many humpback and sperm whales which inhabit the waters off the east coast.

Standard: Crowne Plaza

Deluxe: The Observatory

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.