Best of New Zealand

DAY 1

Arrive Auckland

On arrival, depending on your preferred travel choice, you will either be met and privately transferred, or self drive to your accommodation. Overnight: Auckland

DAY 2

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here. Seat in coach guests will enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Auckland before a visit to Kelly Tarlton's SeaLife Aquarium (all guests).  The remainder of the day is free. Overnight: Auckland

DAY 3

Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua

Journey past rolling green hills to Waitomo for a tour of an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Then, continue on to Rotorua, a destination you will find is like nowhere else! Overnight: Rotorua

DAY 4

Rotorua

Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends.  Overnight: Rotorua

DAY 5

Rotorua - Wellington

There’s a bit of everything on today’s drive.  The road to Taupo will keep you entertained with its unusual, volcanic geography and refreshing tracts of pine forest.  Follow the eastern edge of Great Lake Taupo to meet the long, straight Desert Road and enjoy amazing views of Tongariro National Park's volcanoes.  As you drive south the landscape becomes dominated by rivers and valleys.  Finally, the stunning Kapiti coastline leads you in to New Zealand’s capital city.  Overnight: Wellington

DAY 6

Wellington

Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot.  Great shopping, arts culture, cafes and restaurants are all within minutes of the city’s untouched nature spots.  Overnight: Wellington

DAY 7

Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura

New Zealand's North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean fresh air.  Departing Wellington, your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton.

From here, the Pacific Coast Road to Christchurch presents one of New Zealand's most dramatic drives with breathtaking mountains on one side and wild pounding ocean on the other.  Overnight: Kaikoura

DAY 8

Kaikoura - Christchurch

Nestled between rugged ranges and the deep Pacific Ocean, Kiakoura is truly spectacular. The unique marine geography here provides the perfect environment for marine life and at any time of year you are almost guaranteed to see whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds.

The impressive scenery of coastal ranges will accompany on today's journey to Christchurch, a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. Overnight: Christchurch

DAY 9

Christchurch - Aoraki Mt Cook - Queenstown

Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes.  At Lake Tekapo the solitary ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Continuing south, hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki and through the historic Central Otago region to Queenstown.  Overnight: Queenstown

DAY 10

Queenstown - Milford Sound -Queenstown

Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses.  Today's stunning journey takes you past mirror lakes, spectacular waterfalls and water-sculpted rocks. Venture into Milford Sound, a New Zealand treasure carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your return to Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown

DAY 11

Queenstown

Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.  Overnight: Queenstown

DAY 12

Queenstown - Glaciers

Another scenic journey today takes you to the West Coast, a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.  Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys.  Overnight: Glacier Region

DAY 13

Glaciers

A temperate climate at a low altitude make Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world.  Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millenia and here, the ice age is still underway.  Today is a free day to add your preferred activity.  Overnight: Glacier Region

Please note admission to the Glacier Hot Pools is included for self drive travellers only but may be added to your bucket list (additional cost will apply) if you are on a seat-in-coach tour.

DAY 14

Glaciers - Christchurch

The coastal road north offers beautiful rivers, unique rail bridges and great views of the wild west coast. After travelling through the historic town of Hokitika, self drive travellers head eastwards, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park, to Christchurch.  Seat-in-coach travellers continue to Greymouth, to take the journey across to Christchurch, by train.  Overnight: Christchurch

Day 15

Depart Christchurch

Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or return of your rental car.