FASCINATION NEW ZEALAND- STANDARD -CHC-AKL ENGLISH Great days

Day notes

Welcome to New Zealand!

After picking up your rental car at the airport, you will drive to your accommodation and get a first impression of Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. Today you can take a walk through the botanical garden and visit the Art Gallery.

In the evening we recommend the Christchurch "Tram Dinner". Here you dine in style in the historic streetcar while you get to know the city on a sightseeing tour.

Day notes

Today's drive takes you first through Canterbury, the fertile heart of the South Island, where vast farmlands stretch like a patchwork quilt.

You will then experience an impressive change of vegetation. You will first reach highland farms, which differ in livestock operations from lowland farms, and then approach the Southern Alps.

At Lake Tekapo you can visit the 'Church of the Good Shepherd', which impresses with its seclusion and location directly at the turquoise Lake Tekapo. Here you can also relax in the hot springs of Tekapo Springs.

The journey continues into the McKenzie Country to Twizel.  Sparse rainfall makes this highland appear as a barren steppe landscape. Vast "tussock" (flowering grass) meadows carpeting the hills transform the landscape into a strange looking inner alpine basin landscape.

Day notes

Your drive today takes you back to the highway and on through the McKenzie Basin to Omarama, the "place of moonlight," with its bizarre silt sandstone cliffs.

Sparse rainfall makes this highland appear as a barren steppe landscape. Vast tussock meadows, which cover the hills like a carpet, transform the landscape into a strange-looking inner-alpine basin landscape.

You will cross Lindis Pass (971 m) and reach 'Central Otago' and soon after Queenstown, which is often called the "St. Moritz of the South Seas". Due to its beautiful mountain location on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, the small vacation resort has developed into the popular tourist center of the South Island.

Day notes

There is much to experience and discover in Queenstown, the adventure city of New Zealand. Today is at your leisure.

Take a ride on the steamship "TSS Earnslaw" and cross Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Here you can also get a barbecued lunch if you wish and join a farm tour.

Alternatively, explore Queenstown's wild backcountry by jeep, with an experienced off-road driver. Learn about the gold rush past as you drive over hill and dale through the rough terrain of Skippers Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of New Zealand." Lord of the Rings tours to filming locations are also available.

Other recommended activities: Skyline Gondola, Shotover Jet, and Dart River Safari.

Day notes

You continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fjordland National Park, New Zealand's largest and also most developed national park. Hardly any landscape embodies the concept of wilderness better than the Fjordland. In the west, 14 fjords penetrate deep into the primeval forests of a rugged alpine world like overlong ocean tongues. Not far away, snow-capped mountain peaks rise above alpine grass mats to 2700m.

In Te Anau you have the possibility to visit the glowworm caves or the bird sanctuary "Punanga Manu, which is located directly at the lake. Entrance is free (donations requested).

Day notes

Today you will take a trip to the famous Milford Sound. A shuttle will pick you up in Te Anau.

Milford Sound is the most developed of the fjords and has been called the eighth wonder of the world. You will first drive along the spectacular Milford Road. At the Homer Tunnel you often see the cheeky Keas, the only mountain parrots in the world.

Once in Milford, you will board an excursion ship that will take you on a cruise into Milford Sound. The ship follows the course of the fjord and glides out to the Tasman Sea. Enjoy the wild romantic scenery, which is determined by almost vertical mountain walls.

Afterwards the shuttle will bring you back to Te Anau.

Afterwards you will drive to Wanaka.

On your way there you will pass Arrowtown. This charming village invites you for coffee and a stroll through the small stores. In an old Chinese settlement you will get an impression of the hard living conditions during the gold rush. Also some "Lord The Rings" scenes were filmed in this environment.

You will continue along the deep Kawarau Gorge, once the gold richest river, passing the world's first commercial bungy jump (43 meters, jump optional for daredevils).

After a short drive along Lake Dunstan, New Zealand's youngest reservoir, you reach Wanaka, considered the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park.

Day notes

You drive through the mountains of the Aspiring National Park and reach the Haast Pass a little later.

You will cross the climate and water divide of the Southern Alps. Here you will experience an impressive change of vegetation. The rain west of the pass has created an extremely interesting and dense flora. The Westland National Park, where you are now, is one of the most diverse and fascinating national parks in New Zealand. The lush moss growth of the lowland rainforest and the swamp forests create a fairytale atmosphere.

Along the west coast you drive through evergreen rainforest to the glacier region of the Southern Alps. As a natural weather barrier, the very close high mountain ridge is responsible for one of the most extreme precipitation regimes in the country. Above the snowline, large masses of ice accumulate to form fast-flowing valley glaciers. The Fox Glacier and the Franz Josef Glacier push down - uniquely in temperate latitudes - to a height of 300 m above sea level.

Day notes

Especially unforgettable is certainly a helicopter flight over the Fox/Franz Josef Glacier, also a hike on the glacier is offered.

Along the west coast you will pass the forgotten gold mining towns of Hari Hari and Ross, where you can visit old gold mines on a tour.

You will then reach your destination for the day, Hokitika, located at the mouth of the river of the same name.

The town is mainly the center of the processing of greenstone, the very hard New Zealand jade, which is turned into beautiful jewelry here.

We recommend the 'Treetops Walk Hokitika'. From there you can see the majestic trees and the sea from a completely different perspective.

Day notes

On the way from Greymouth to Hokitika, somewhat inland, you will find Shantytown. This heritage park was built to give the young and young at heart an understanding of the history of the area and its gold rush.

Your drive continues to the port town of Greymouth, followed by a longer drive inland over alpine-covered Lewis Pass and dense southern beech forests. If desired, you can stop at the spa town of Hanmer Springs and relax in the open-air thermal baths.

Your journey continues through the hinterland and over little used forest roads to the east coast of the South Island until you reach your day's destination Kaikoura.

Sperm whales are not rare at the coast of Kaikoura, attracted by the rich food supply of the warm ocean currents. You can also observe fur seals lying on the rocks here along the highway, and with a little luck even dolphins jump acrobatically out of the water.

Day notes

In the morning you will have the opportunity to join a whale watching tour.

The journey continues north along the east coast. 

You will first reach Blenheim in the Marlborough Plain. Viticulture in this region started in the 70's when "Montana Wines" was looking for new land. The composition of the soil, high sunshine duration, a long autumn and cold winter, are excellent conditions for a first class wine, especially for Sauvignon Blanc. We recommend a visit to the idyllic winery 'Cloudy Bay'. Of course, a wine tasting is not to be missed here.

Afterwards you will drive to the Marlborough Sounds, an area of "drowned" valleys, formed by the geological subsidence of a low mountain range. Steep ridges still bear witness to the original mountains, which today protrude as narrow peninsulas between deep inlets.

From the small harbor town of Picton you will be taken by boat transfer 'Cougar Line' at the harbor to your idyllic accommodation in the Marlborough Sounds.

Located directly on the water, you will discover a world without streets and everyday noise, which guarantees pure relaxation. In this unique atmosphere you will enjoy a delicious dinner at the end of the day.

Day notes

Waking up in the middle of the Marlborough Sounds must be like a morning in paradise. Enjoy your breakfast there before a boat transfer takes you back to Picton to the harbor.

You will then board the Interislander ferry, including your rental car. First you glide through the Marlborough Sounds, then you pass through the Cook Strait, which separates the North Island from the South Island, and finally reach the port of Wellington.

Here you can visit the Parliament, stroll along the promenade or explore the National Museum "Te Papa" (admission free). The funicular will take you to the Observatory, Botanical Gardens and lookout point over the harbor, while you can enjoy a magnificent view of New Zealand's capital from the lookout mountain Mt. Victoria.

In the evening we recommend a visit to Zealandia. With a local guide you will take a short hike through the 225 hectare bird sanctuary and see various animals, which only become active in the evening hours. With a bit of luck you may even see the Kiwi bird, an endangered flightless bird and also the national symbol of New Zealand.

Day notes

You will travel along the Kapiti coast via Taihape, the self-proclaimed "capital of gumboots" towards the north. You will cross vast farmlands and small farming districts that supply the North Island with farm products.

The three partly still active volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park form the backdrop of your drive along the Desert Road. The drive through barren steppe land, surrounded by peaks up to 2700 m, brings you to Lake Taupo. Lake Taupo is a crater lake larger than Lake Constance, formed about 2000 years ago by a massive volcanic eruption.

In the afternoon you still have the opportunity to explore the Tongariro National Park.

Day notes

On your onward journey today, you can stop at Kerosene Creek at Kerosene Hot Springs. These natural, free hot springs consist of a creek, a 2m high waterfall and several hot pools in the middle of the forest (about 200m walk from the parking lot).

Here it is worthwhile to stop at the foaming Huka Waterfalls or at the Craters of the Moon Geothermal Park.

Afterwards you drive on to Rotorua. The place is famous for the many hot springs, geysers and mud volcanoes found there. You can visit the "Te Puia Thermal Park" to get an impression of this geothermally active zone.

In the evening we recommend you to visit a Maori village. Here you will be traditionally welcomed at the gate of the marae and then experience the rituals of the Maori. Optionally you will be invited to "Hangi", an earth oven meal, after the concert at the meeting house. The dinner is cooked in an earth cave on glowing stones. There are shuttles to pick you up from your accommodation in Rotorua and eventually bring you back.

Day notes

Today you will spend a free day in Rotorua, where there is no lack of excursion possibilities.

You can take the cable car to a panoramic mountain and enjoy the panorama of Rotorua.

In the Waimangu Volcanic Valley there is the option to go on various hikes (1.5km to 4km), where you will pass by various hot springs and hike through rainforest.

At Te Puia Thermal Reserve, for example, you can experience how thin the earth's crust is here and how hot it is underneath. With all your senses you will experience colorful sinter terraces, eruptions of geysers, bubbling mud holes and the stinking fumes of the sulfur fumaroles.

Especially recommended is a day trip with Kaitiaki Adventures to Mount Tarawera, which is truly unique with its different shades of red.

Day notes

Your way leads you today further to Waikato.

On the way there you can make a detour to Matamata. Here you will discover the real Middle Earth. During your 2-hour guided tour you will visit the film set of the "Lord of the Rings" and the "Hobbit" triologies, which might be better known to you as the "Shire". During your tour you will see the Hobbit Caves, "The Green Dragon Inn" and many other highlights.

After your optional excursion to Hobbitland, you will continue to Waikato. 

You will spend the evening in a rural style accommodation. Together with your New Zealand hosts you will enjoy a tasty dinner and let the evening end in a pleasant atmosphere.

Day notes

After breakfast you will say goodbye to your local hosts.

In the morning you can visit the famous Waitomo glowworm caves. In a boat you will glide through the glowworm grotto on the underground lake.

Alternatively, you can take a more adventurous approach. Equipped with a wetsuit, helmet and pit lamp, you will drift through the glowworm cave in car tires hooked together. Once the lamps are extinguished, the cave ceiling lights up in 1000s of tiny lights like the Milky Way.

You will then continue through the fertile heart of the North Island with its distinctive dairy industry, passing the cities of Auckland and Whangarei. You will then reach your destination for the day, Paihia, located in the Bay of Islands. A total area of 8000 hectares is protected as the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park. With its subtropical vegetation, its bathing bays and partly uninhabited islands, the Bay of Islands is a popular vacation destination.

Day notes

Design today according to your wishes.

You can take a trip along the "Ninety Mile Beach" to Cape Reinga, the tip of the North Island.

Or take a boat trip through the islands of the Bay of Islands, New Zealand's subtropical paradise. We recommend the "Explore Discover the Bay." Learn all about the region's rich culture and history on the tour with a local skipper. If conditions permit, you can explore the dramatic cliffs of Cape Brett up close and drive through the legendary Hole in the Rock.

Your trip also includes a stop at Otehei Bay on the Department of Conservation's Urupukapuka Island. You'll have time to explore the island, swim in the sandy bay, or enjoy a drink or bite to eat in the sun at our fully licensed café.

An interesting historical excursion is a visit to the Treaty House at Waitangi, where the peace treaty between the Maoris and the English was signed in 1840 and still holds great significance in the coexistence of the two cultures today.

Day notes

In the morning you will drive along the Hokianga Harbour to the west coast of the Northlands, where picturesque bays and coastal roads await you.

Then turn south and experience another highlight: the drive through the Waipoua Kauri Forest. This forest is home to the densest population of giant Kauri trees. These are not only among the most powerful conifers on earth, but also among the oldest in natural history. The gigantic primeval forest trees become up to 2000 years old.

Afterwards you drive via Matakohe with its worth seeing Kauri and Pioneer Museum further to Auckland, the "City of Sails".

Today you can still drive to the extinct volcano Mt. Eden, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view over the city.

Or you can explore the elegant suburb "Parnell" and the harbor of Auckland.

Stroll along the harbor or through the downtown shopping centers. It's also worth visiting the War Memorial Museum or the Sky City Tower.

If you want to enjoy your dinner with spectacular panoramic views of New Zealand's largest city, we recommend visiting the rotating Orbit Restaurant in the Sky Tower.

Day notes

Unfortunately, today is already the last morning of your surely unforgettable New Zealand trip.

Drive to the airport in Auckland and drop off your rental car here.

We hope you have an entertaining onward or home journey and wish you a good flight - Safe travels!