Day 1

    

Auckland

Day notes

Arrive at Auckland Airport, meet your private driver and check-in, at your hotel. Explore the America's Cup village. Absorb the views of the city and harbour from the Sky Tower. You’ll get great views of the city and harbour from the Sky Tower. Take a boat trip to across to Devonport.

Check-in to QT Auckland

Transfer from Auckland Airport [AKL] to QT Auckland

Details  
Mode

Transfer

Pick up

Auckland Airport [AKL]

Drop off

QT Auckland

Day 2

    

Rotorua

Day notes

Travel via the Waikato region to the famous Waitomo caves (225 km, 140 miles, 3 hours). See the architectural beauty of the stalactites then go on an exhilarating adventure the Ruakuri Cave. Continue in the afternoon to Rotorua (140 km, 87 miles, 2 hours).

Check-out from QT Auckland

Check-in to Regent of Rotorua

Self Drive from QT Auckland to Regent of Rotorua

Details  
Mode

Self Drive

Departure

QT Auckland

Arrival

Regent of Rotorua

Day 3

    

Rotorua

Day notes

Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland. Located within the Pacific Rim of Fire, Rotorua is a region of bubbling mud pools, clouds of steam, and natural hot springs. Immerse yourself in the otherworldly atmosphere of volcanic activity within a geothermal park and be pampered in a luxurious spa. Rotorua offers a spiritual journey into Maori culture with village and performance experiences. For outdoor adventures, rejuvenate your spirit with a spot of trout fishing, kayaking, hiking and mountain biking. If it’s adrenaline you crave, try sky-diving, jet boating and zorbing.

Day 4

    

Te Anau

Day notes

Drop-off your rental car off at the airport and take a domestic flight to Invercargill. Collect another rental car outside the airport terminal carpark. We recommend the Southern Coastal route to via Riverton and Tuatapere where the scenery is rugged, untamed and beautiful. The villages and small but this is classic New Zealand heartland at it’s best!

Check-out from Regent of Rotorua

Check-in to High Leys Lodge

Self Drive from Regent of Rotorua to Auckland Airport [AKL]

Details  
Mode

Self Drive

Departure

Regent of Rotorua

Arrival

Auckland Airport [AKL]

Scheduled Flight from Auckland Airport [AKL] to Queenstown International Airport [ZQN]

Details  
Mode

Scheduled Flight

Departure

Auckland Airport [AKL]

Arrival

Queenstown International Airport [ZQN]

Self Drive from Queenstown International Airport [ZQN] to High Leys Lodge

Details  
Mode

Self Drive

Departure

Queenstown International Airport [ZQN]

Arrival

High Leys Lodge

Day 5

    

Te Anau

Day notes

Te Anau is the gateway to the Fiordland National Park and New Zealand's hiking capital. Fiordland features a variety of unique wildlife, including penguins. Waterfalls cascade hundreds of metres into enormous fiords. Milford Sound is a fusion of spectacular natural features. The fiord cliffs rise vertically, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls are giant canons of power. Join a cruise in the fjord.

Self Drive from High Leys Lodge to Real Journeys Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Details  
Mode

Self Drive

Departure

High Leys Lodge

Arrival

Real Journeys Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Self Drive from Real Journeys Milford Sound Nature Cruise to High Leys Lodge

Details  
Mode

Self Drive

Departure

Real Journeys Milford Sound Nature Cruise

Arrival

High Leys Lodge

Day 6

    

Queenstown

Day notes

It’s a short drive from Te Anau to Queenstown (2.5 hrs), so there is plenty of time to spend on more Fiordland walks or ‘action time’ in Queenstown. Arrive in Queenstown, the ‘adventure capital’ of New Zealand! Enjoy a vibrant nightlife, world-class dining and great action tours. Queenstown is one of New Zealand's top visitor destinations and it’s easy to see why. The adventure is endless - bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking, wine tasting and river rafting, it's all here!

Check-out from High Leys Lodge

Check-in to Mount Rosa Lodge

Self Drive from High Leys Lodge to Mount Rosa Lodge

Details  
Mode

Self Drive

Departure

High Leys Lodge

Arrival

Mount Rosa Lodge

Optional

Day 7

    

Queenstown

Day notes

Queenstown is one of New Zealand's top visitor destinations. You'll be spellbound by the crystal clear Lake Wakatipu and it’s dramatic alpine surrounds. Queenstown is also home to the ultimate adventure bucket list

Day 8

    

Queenstown

Day notes

Skiers love the winter months and all visitors love activities like bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting. Queenstown is now a famous cycling destination with different graded scenic track and backcountry trails.

Day 9

    

Fox Glacier

Day notes

From Haast to Jackson Bay there are empty shingle beaches, dunes, lakes and wetlands, all with the backdrop of the Southern Alps. For an authentic insight to this area, join the Waiatoto River Jet Boating Safari to explore the local rivers. Join a wildlife tour to see fur seals, Hector's Dolphins and Fiordland Crested Penguins. A helicopter flight over the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier is a major highlight!

Check-out from Mount Rosa Lodge

Check-in to Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel

Self Drive from Mount Rosa Lodge to Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel

Details  
Mode

Self Drive

Departure

Mount Rosa Lodge

Arrival

Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel

Recommended
Information

Day 10

    

Greymouth

Day notes

There are very few towns on the 600 kms of coastal road between Karamea and Jackson Bay. However your attention will be focused on the beauty of native forest, beaches and lagoons. A visit to the White Heron colony near Whataroa is a must-do! The second largest town in the area is Hokitika, famous for New Zealand Pounamu (Jade) and the gold rush from 1860-80. Stop at Hokitika - it’s a great atmosphere! The Lonely Planet lists the Great Coast Road as one of the Top 10 Coastal Drives in the world!

Check-out from Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel

Check-in to Breakers Boutique Accommodation

Self Drive from Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel to Breakers Boutique Accommodation

Details  
Mode

Self Drive

Departure

Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel

Arrival

Breakers Boutique Accommodation

Recommended
Information
Information

Day 11

    

Christchurch

Day notes

The TranzAlpine scenic train runs between Christchurch and Greymouth, crossing from one coast to the next (Greymouth to Christchurch: 250 km, 155 miles, 4.5 hours). From the comfort of modern carriages you can see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Continue on through the Canterbury Plains, a vast quilt of agricultural land. Arrive at Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city.

Check-out from Breakers Boutique Accommodation

Self Drive from Breakers Boutique Accommodation to Eliza's Manor

Details  
Mode

Self Drive

Departure

Breakers Boutique Accommodation

Arrival

Eliza's Manor

Check-in to Eliza's Manor

Day 12

    

End of Itinerary

Day notes

Depending on your flight, you may have plenty of time to relax or the explore the Christchurch region before leaving. If leaving in the evening, Akaroa would be a perfect day trip (only a 1.5 hour drive away (one-way). Feel free to extend your stay in Christchurch or any other location.

Check-out from Eliza's Manor

Self Drive from Eliza's Manor to Christchurch Airport [CHC]

Details  
Mode

Self Drive

Departure

Eliza's Manor

Arrival

Christchurch Airport [CHC]

back to top