FASCINATION NEW ZEALAND-STANDARD- AKL-CHCH Great Days

Day notes

Welcome to New Zealand!

After your arrival you can pick up your rental car directly at the airport and make your way to 'Auckland Central'. 

Afterwards, you can either walk along the harbor of the "City of Sails", as Auckland is aptly called, or stroll through the shopping centers of the city center. A visit to the War Memorial Museum or the Sky City Tower is also worthwhile.

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

Today you leave the big city of Auckland and drive over the harbor bridge along the hibiscus coast to Matakohe, where you can visit the popular Kauri and Pioneer Museum. 

In the afternoon you will reach the Waipoua Kauri Forest, where you will find the typical tree ferns as well as the gigantic Kauri trees. These are not only among the mightiest conifers on earth, but also among the oldest in natural history.

Take a walk through the forest (Footprints Waipoua Meet Tane).

Then continue via Opononi to the natural harbor of Hokianga. The strong westerly wind regularly leaves behind large masses of sand, which pile up into imposing dunes at the entrance to Hokianga Harbour.

Your journey continues to Paihia in the Bay of Islands.

Once in Paihia, take an early evening ferry ride from Paihia to Russell.

This charming town of Russell is the perfect base from which to explore the Bay of Islands.
It has the country's first seaport, the first European settlement and New Zealand's first capital in nearby Okiato. The city's streets retained their original layout and names in 1843. Many of the historic buildings can still be seen today. New Zealand's first licensed hotel, bar and restaurant, The Duke of Marlborough, is located on the waterfront in the historic village of Russell.

Enjoy dinner here before the ferry takes you back to Paihia.

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, explore the dramatic cliffs of Cape Brett up close and drive through the legendary Hole in the Rock.

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

Via Whangarei and Auckland, you will travel to the fertile heart of the North Island with its distinctive dairy industry before reaching the Waitomo/Waikato district.

Nearby you will have the opportunity to 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 illuminates in thousands of tiny lights, almost like the Milky Way.

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.

On your way to Rotorua we recommend a stopover in Matamata. During a 2-hour guided tour you will discover the real Middle Earth here and visit the movie set of the "Lord of the Rings" and the "Hobbit" trilogies, 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.

Rotorua is not only the center of Maori culture, but also famous for its geothermal activity. Geysers, steaming lakes and rivers, bubbling mud holes and multicolored hot mineral springs known for their healing properties can be admired here.

Day notes

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

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

Alternatively, you can take a cable car to a viewpoint mountain and enjoy the panorama of Rotorua.

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

In the evening we recommend a visit to a Maori village. Here you will be greeted traditionally 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

On the 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) about halfway between Rotorua and Taupo.

Afterwards, the drive continues to Lake Taupo, a crater lake larger than Lake Constance, which was formed by a massive volcanic eruption about 2000 years ago. Here a stop at the foaming Huka Waterfalls or at the geothermal park 'Craters of the Moon' is worthwhile.

Afterwards you drive along Lake Taupo to the Tongariro National Park.

This is defined by three sister volcanoes Ruapehu (2797 m), Tongariro (1967 m) and Ngauruhoe (2291 m), as well as a landscape of black ash, brown dust desert and the mountain streams lined with native beeches. Many Maori legends and tales surround the three mountains. In 1991, the national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and two years later, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several scenes from the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy were filmed in Tongariro National Park. Mount Ngauruhoe is featured as the mountain of destiny in the film. 

You will stay here overlooking the volcanoes of the National Park, at the foot of Mt. Ruapehu.

Day notes

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 country, surrounded by peaks up to 2700 m, brings you to the green, fertile farm areas of Rangitikei and Manawatu. The journey continues along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand.

Here you can visit the parliament, stroll along the promenade or explore the national museum "Te Papa" (entrance free of charge).

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, a bird sanctuary so close to the center of the capital. With a local guide you can take a short hike through the park and see various animals, which become active only in the evening hours. With a little luck you may even see the Kiwi bird, an endangered flightless bird and also the national symbol of New Zealand.

Day notes

In the morning you board the Interislander ferry, including your rental car, to Picton on the South Island. You will drive across the Cook Strait and through 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 Picton Harbour you will be taken by boat transfer 'Cougar Line' to your idyllic accommodation in the Marlborough Sounds. Located directly on the water, you will discover a world without roads and everyday noise, which guarantees pure relaxation.

In this unique atmosphere you will enjoy your dinner.

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 continue south 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.

Your journey continues along the wild and romantic coast to 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 bit of luck even dolphins acrobatically jump out of the water.

Day notes

In the morning you have the opportunity to participate in a whale watching tour.

The journey continues into the hinterland over the mountain pass "Lewis Pass" to the west coast. Around the Lewis Pass there are great hiking trails through dense beech forests.

If desired, you can stop at the spa town of Hanmer Springs and relax in the open-air thermal baths.

On your way, you'll pass through the port town of Greymouth and a landscape dominated by grazing and forestry, as well as historic gold panning areas.

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 a taste of the history of the area and its gold rush.

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 transformed into beautiful pieces of jewelry here.

Being located on the west coast, Hokitika is known for beautiful sunsets, which you can marvel at if you are lucky.

Day notes

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

Your journey continues to Ross, a forgotten old gold mining village. Ross is said to be sitting on $700 million in gold. One more reason why this area has always attracted numerous adventurers.

You will then continue into the glacial region of the Southern Alps, whose highest peaks abruptly rise to an altitude of 3500m south of Hokitika. As a natural weather barrier, the high mountain ridge is responsible for one of the most extreme precipitation regimes. Above the snow line, large ice masses accumulate, forming fast-flowing valley glaciers. The Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier - unique in temperate latitudes - push down to a height of 300 m above sea level.

Day notes

Especially unforgettable is certainly a helicopter flight over the glaciers, also a hike on the glacier is offered.

Today you can take a morning hike to Lake Matheson near the village of Fox. This lake is also known as "Mirror Lake", because in good weather the highest mountain in New Zealand, Mount Cook, is reflected in the water.

The journey continues through the Westland National Park, which has been declared a "Natural Heritage of Humanity". Over the Haast Pass, climate and watershed of the Southern Alps, past the high mountains of the Aspiring National Park and the deep glacial lakes of Wanaka and Hawea you will reach the beautifully situated resort of Wanaka. Wanaka is known for many hikes such as "Roys Peak".

Day notes

Via Queenstown, the drive takes you 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 2700 meters.

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 boat that will take you on a trip 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.

The shuttle brings you back to Te Anau.

In addition, you now have the opportunity to visit the glowworm caves in Te Anau.

Afterwards you will drive to Queenstown, 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

From Lake Wakatipu your journey continues over Lindis Pass (971 m) through McKenzie Country to Twizel. At Lake Pukaki you will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent glacier world of Mount Cook, weather permitting. The Maori call this mountain "Aoraki", the "cloud piercer".

We recommend a day trip to Mount Cook.

Here you should definitely do the Hooker Valley hike. It is perhaps one of the most famous in New Zealand. The easy hike leads you through the fantastic mountain landscape to the glacial lake, from where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of Mount Cook.

Day notes

Today you will continue to Lake Tekapo. Here you will find the Church of the Good Shepherd, which has been defying the harsh climate of this area since about 1930. Built with local materials, it is meant to symbolize durability and strength. The picturesque view from the window behind the altar is particularly impressive.

Today you will leave the three-thousand-meter peaks of the Southern Alps and again experience a spectacular change of vegetation. You will first reach highland farms, which are different from lowland farms in terms of livestock. The drive then continues through the Canterbury, the fertile heart of the South Island, where vast farmlands stretch like a patchwork quilt. Final destination is Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island.

Here you can take a walk through the beautiful botanical gardens and visit the Art Gallery.

In the evening we recommend the "Tram Dinner". Here you dine in style in the restored historic streetcar, in an air-conditioned carriage while you get to know the city on a sightseeing tour.

Day notes

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

Drive to the airport in Christchurch 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!