Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and collect your rental car from the airport. Spend your first evening wandering through Auckland's harbor area at your own pace, getting a feel for the city before heading out on your road trip.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Leisurely stroll through Auckland's harbor area
- Dinner in one of the excellent restaurants in the Wynyard Quarter
- Ferry to Rangitoto or Waiheke Island
- Climb Mount Eden
- Explore regional parks and their volcanic origins
- Day 2
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula
Drive from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula, making a full loop around it (about 260 km). You can stop for a short hike up Paku Hill in Tairua for panoramic views, or if you prefer something slower, check out Coromandel Town's cafés and shops instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Short hike up Paku Hill in Tairua
- Stop in Coromandel Town to visit cafés and stores
Landmarks Paku Hill Coromandel Town - Day 3
Coromandel Peninsula
This day is yours to plan. Head to Hot Water Beach and soak in the natural thermal pools, or hike over to Cathedral Cove on the beach. If you're interested, guided sea kayak tours are available around Cathedral Cove for an extra fee.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Hot Water Beach
- Hike to Cathedral Cove on the beach
- Cathedral Cove Kayaks - Cathedral Cove Classic Kayak Tour (duration 3-3.5 hours, includes paddle through sea caves, volcanic islands visit, cappuccino at Cathedral Cove Café)
Landmarks Hot Water Beach Cathedral Cove - Day 4
Coromandel Peninsula to Taupo
Drive along the east coast toward Rotorua and Taupo, passing through lakes, dense forests with geysers, bubbling mud holes, and hot springs (about 270 km). Rotorua is known for its strong Maori culture. You can optionally stop at Opoutere Beach bird sanctuary or the Kiwi Fruit Center in Te Puke. On the way to Taupo, consider visiting Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland or Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stop at bird sanctuary on Opoutere Beach
- Visit Kiwi Fruit Center in Te Puke
- Visit Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland
- Visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Landmarks Opoutere Beach Kiwi Fruit Center Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland Waimangu Volcanic Valley - Day 5
Taupo to Tongariro National Park
Drive to Tongariro National Park to see active volcanoes that constantly reshape the landscape (about 130 km). You'll stay at Blue Duck Station, a working sheep and cattle farm that also runs an award-winning conservation project protecting endangered blue ducks and native species.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Short hikes from Whakapapa Village
- Learn about endangered blue duck and native species from hosts at Blue Duck Station
Landmarks Tongariro National Park Whakapapa Village - Day 6
Tongariro National Park
You'll have a free day at Blue Duck Station with an included bush safari where you learn about nature conservation, local history, and daily farm operations. Optional kayak trips to Kaiwhakauka waterfalls might give you chances to spot blue ducks, or explore on a mountain bike if that appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bush safari with guide learning about nature conservation, local history, and farm operations
Optional Activities
- Kayak excursion to Kaiwhakauka waterfalls (may spot blue ducks)
- Mountain bike exploration of the area
Landmarks Kaiwhakauka waterfalls - Day 7
Tongariro National Park to Wellington
Drive south along Tongariro National Park's foothills via Raetihi to Pipiriki, following the scenic Whanganui River (about 315 km total). From there, continue along the Whanganui River Road to Wanganui and the Kapiti Coast, ending in Wellington. You can optionally take a city tour, walk the waterfront, or visit Te Papa national museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- City tour of Wellington
- Walk along the waterfront
- Visit to Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum
Landmarks Whanganui River Kapiti Coast Te Papa - Day 8
Wellington to Abel Tasman National Park
Board a ferry from Wellington to Picton through the scenic Marlborough Sound, a 3.5 hour journey that's considered one of the trip's highlights. From Picton, drive along Queen Charlotte Drive with its bays and beaches to Nelson, then head to Abel Tasman National Park (about 165 km drive plus ferry time).
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Ferry from Wellington to Picton through Marlborough Sound (passengers and car, includes access to Premium Plus Lounge)
Landmarks Marlborough Sound Queen Charlotte Drive Nelson - Day 9
Abel Tasman National Park
You have a free day in Abel Tasman National Park. Take a water cab to Tonga Bay and hike to Torrent Bay, returning by boat. Optional kayak tours along the coast to the golden bays are available either on your own or with small groups.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Water cab to Tonga Bay and hike to Torrent Bay with return by boat
- Kayak tours along the coast to golden bays
Landmarks Tonga Bay Torrent Bay - Day 10
Abel Tasman National Park to Kaikoura
Drive through Wairau Valley and Nelson National Park toward the east coast (about 370 km). You can optionally stop for wine tasting at Brancott Wine Estate in Blenheim. Continue to Kaikoura, known as the environmental capital, where whale watching and dolphin swimming happen in natural settings. After that, hike through New Zealand bush with Kanuka trees to your PurePod accommodation, a unique spot designed for environmental sustainability with excellent starry sky views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at Brancott Wine Estate in Blenheim
- Whale watching in Kaikoura
- Swim with dolphins in Kaikoura
- Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter Tour (starts 8:30am, 12:30pm & 5:30pm Nov-Apr; weather dependent; bring swimsuit, towel, warm clothes and camera for swimming option)
Landmarks Wairau Valley Nelson National Park Brancott Wine Estate Kaikoura - Day 11
Kaikoura to Punakaiki
Head west to Hanmer Springs, famous for its thermal pools. Then follow the winding road through Buller Gorge toward the west coast (about 400 km). You can optionally detour to Cape Foulwind to see a seal colony. End your day at Punakaiki to experience the sunset at Pancake Rocks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Thermal pools at Hanmer Springs
- Detour to Cape Foulwind to visit seal colony
- Sunset experience at Pancake Rocks
Landmarks Hanmer Springs Buller Gorge Cape Foulwind Pancake Rocks - Day 12
Punakaiki to Franz Josef Glacier Area
Continue along the west coast (about 225 km). Watch jade carvers at work in Hokitika. Explore Westland National Park where glaciers, rainforest, and coast meet. Optional jet boat tours to a white heron colony or kayak trips through Okarito lagoon are available. Helicopter flights with glacier landings operate from Fox and Franz Josef glaciers if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Watch jade carvers at work in Hokitika
- Jet boat tour to white heron colony in Whataroa
- Trip along coast to Okarito with kayaking through tranquil lagoon
- Helicopter flights with glacier landing from Fox Glacier
- Helicopter flights with glacier landing from Franz Josef
Landmarks Hokitika Westland National Park Whataroa Okarito Fox Glacier Franz Josef Glacier - Day 13
Franz Josef Glacier Area to Wanaka
Stop at Ship Creek Walk and make a detour to Monro Beach where you may see penguins and Hector's dolphins from October through December (about 285 km). Drive over scenic Haast Pass to Wanaka. If you have time and energy, climb Mount Iron for 360-degree views of the Southern Alps.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Ship Creek Walk
- Detour to Monro Beach to see penguins and Hector's dolphins (October-December)
- Easy climb to top of Mount Iron for 360-degree Southern Alps views
Landmarks Ship Creek Walk Monro Beach Haast Pass Mount Iron - Day 14
Wanaka
Start with a boat trip on clear Lake Wanaka to Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve. Take a guided hike to the summit (around 45 minutes) with a snack and the chance to plant a native tree while watching native birds. Later, join an exclusive four-wheel drive tour through spectacular hinterland showing off Southern Alps views, remote tracks, private farm tracks, old Maori roads, and heritage-listed villages.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat trip on Lake Wanaka to Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve
- Guided hike to Mou Waho Island summit (approximately 45 minutes) with snack and native tree planting
- Exclusive four-wheel drive tour through Lake Wanaka hinterland (includes remote tracks, Southern Alps views, private farm tracks, old Maori roads, heritage villages)
Landmarks Lake Wanaka Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve - Day 15
Wanaka to Te Anau
Drive over the scenic Crown Range to Queenstown, taking plenty of time to enjoy the scenery (about 230 km). An optional cable car ride up Bob's Peak offers views if weather cooperates. In the late afternoon, continue to Fiordland National Park and Te Anau.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Selection of excursions and activities in Queenstown
- Cable car up Bob's Peak (weather dependent)
Landmarks Crown Range Queenstown Bob's Peak Fiordland National Park - Day 16
Te Anau to Dunedin
Travel along the Southern Scenic Route through Fiordland National Park (about 400 km). Visit New Zealand's oldest suspension bridge at Clifden. Watch for dolphins and whales from cliffs at Te Waewae Bay. Reach Bluff, the southernmost point of the South Island, then continue along the south coast through the Catlins, passing the world's oldest petrified forest (160 million years old) and Nugget Point. Arrive in Dunedin, a city with Scottish heritage visible in its architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Clifden suspension bridge
- Dolphin and whale watching from cliffs at Te Waewae Bay
- Stop at Nugget Point
Landmarks Fiordland National Park Clifden suspension bridge Te Waewae Bay Bluff Catlins Nugget Point - Day 17
Dunedin
You have a free day in Dunedin with diverse wildlife nearby. A short drive from the city center gets you to rare yellow-eyed penguins and the only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatrosses.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided Wildlife & Penguin Tour at Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance (OPERA) (approximately 90 minutes; observe rare Hoiho/Yellow-eyed Penguins in natural environment; tour supports OPERA's conservation, restoration, education and on-site rehabilitation efforts)
Landmarks Otago Peninsula Royal Albatross breeding colony - Day 18
Dunedin to Lake Tekapo
Head north with a photo stop at the Moeraki Boulders (about 335 km). Stop in Oamaru to visit the Blue Penguin colony if you'd like. Head inland toward the Southern Alps. You can optionally detour to the bizarre Clay Cliffs in Omarama, or turn off toward Glentanner at Mount Cook's foot. Hike the Hooker Valley Track for spectacular Mount Cook views. Reach Lake Tekapo and enjoy an included stargazing tour on Mount John led by astronomy guides.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Stargazing tour on Mount John at Lake Tekapo (approximately 2 hours, led by astronomy tour guides from Earth & Sky, English-speaking)
Optional Activities
- Photo stop at Moeraki Boulders
- Visit Blue Penguin colony in Oamaru
- Detour to Clay Cliffs in Omarama
- Hike to Glentanner at Mount Cook
- Hooker Valley Track hike for Mount Cook views
Landmarks Moeraki Boulders Oamaru Clay Cliffs Mount Cook Hooker Valley Track Mount John Lake Tekapo - Day 19
Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
Drive through Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, the Garden City (about 275 km). Enjoy walks through Hagley Park or leisurely Avon River cruises. You can optionally visit the International Antarctic Center near the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Walk through Hagley Park
- Leisurely cruise across Avon River
- Visit International Antarctic Center
Landmarks Canterbury Plains Hagley Park Avon River International Antarctic Center - Day 20
Christchurch
Return your rental car at Christchurch airport or arrange an individual extension if you'd like to stay longer in New Zealand.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Individual extension arrangements
