Evening departure from London Heathrow with Air New Zealand

In transit

Arrive Auckland early this morning and transfer to the Aachen House for one night. New Zealand’s spectacular ‘City of Sails’ is an enchanting mix of modern lifestyle, Maori culture and stunning location and the rest of the day is free to explore Auckland’s beautiful harbour front and parklands at your leisure. (Early check in available at extra cost).

At approximately 09.00 hrs a representative will deliver your Intermediate automatic rental car to your hotel (note – delivery available weekdays only excluding public holidays at weekends it would be necessary to make your own way to the car depot). Travel north, across country to the beautiful Bay of Islands (approximately 260 kms), one of New Zealand’s most picturesque regions, where some 150 glittering islands lie amidst the clear waters of the South Pacific. You may like to travel via the Waipoua Kauri Forest (approximately 385 kms), one the highlights of North Island’s western coast and the largest remaining Kauri forest left in the country. Stay for two nights in a sea view room at the Cliff Edge by the Sea, which offers stunning harbour views. The afternoon is at leisure.

A full day to explore the Bay of Islands area. A Cape Brett ‘Hole in the Rock’ cruise is included today which can be taken in the morning or afternoon. Located approximately 3 hours drive north or Auckland, the Bay of Islands is renowned, not only for its stunning coastal scenery, but also as one of the most historical parts of New Zealand. Site of the first permanent British settlement, it was here that the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6th February 1840, when the Maori chiefs ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria, in effect beginning the long and sometimes bloody history of colonial involvement in the region. The Treaty House in Waitangi National Reserve is now an historic Museum. The coastal waters off shore meanwhile are renowned for thrilling deep-sea fishing, with marlin, swordfish and other game fish in abundance, whilst scenic flights and swimming trips with dolphins can all be arranged locally.

Return south today, heading towards the beautiful landscapes of the Coromandel Peninsula and the coastal town of Miranda (approximately 315 kms) where you will overnight at Umaya Lodge in a luxury suite. Dinner is included this evening.

Continue your journey to Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsula (approx 110 kms), a town famed for its long surfing beach. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, perhaps enjoying the watersports, or partaking in some of the excellent walks in the area. Stay overnight at the Brenton Lodge in an Ocean View Room.

Continuing south you enter the sacred Maori lands around Rotorua today, your final destination being the sulphur rich landscapes of New Zealand’s most active thermal area (approx 310 kms). Stay for 2 nights at the Accolades Boutique Hotel, in a Deluxe Room. In the evening enjoy a traditional Hangi Dinner and Maori concert at the Tamaki Village.

A free day to explore Rotorua. Settled during the 14th century and a region traditionally revered by the Maori, Rotorua is littered with a seemingly endless collection of steaming hot springs, spurting geysers and bubbling mud pools. Be sure to visit one of the region’s thermal reserves, like the Waitotapu (Sacred Waters) Thermal Wonderland, home to the famous Champagne Pool and the Lady Knox Spouting Geyser, which erupts daily at 10.15 hrs. Alternatively you could visit the town’s impressive Museum of Art and History, explore the area on foot or pamper yourself at the Polynesian Spa, which has been dispensing its rejuvenating waters since the 1880s. Another alternative is a scenic flight over Mount Tarawera (Burnt Spear) and Whakaari (White Island), renowned still as New Zealand’s most active volcano.

From Rotorua travel via Taupo to Napier, a town of singular elegance, destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and today filled with the stylish Art Deco architecture that makes it one of the most unique cities anywhere (approximately 215 kms). Stay at the County Hotel for one night in a Luxury Room. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Depart Napier and make your way south, to Martinborough, a major wine producing area located in the beautiful Wairarapa region to the northeast of Wellington and famous for its abundant wineries and Pinot Noir wines (approximately 286 kms). Stay overnight in a suite at Peppers Martinborough Hotel.

Make your way to Wellington, New Zealand’s charming capital, early this morning (approx 84 kms) and drop off your rental car at the Budget Ferry Depot. Departing on the 10.35 hrs Interislander Ferry from Wellington to Picton you’ll cross the Cook Strait, entering the lovely scenic waters of the Marlborough Sound, your gateway to the beauty of the South Island. Arrive at Picton at 13.35 hrs and collect your South Island Budget Intermediate car for your drive to Nelson (110 kms), one of New Zealand’s most charming cities. Stay two nights in a suite at Bronte Lodge.

A day at leisure. Boasting some of New Zealand’s most striking attractions and stunning scenery, this region is brimming with options. Explore the historic buildings and art and crafts of Nelson, take in the stunning coastal scenery of the Abel Tasman National Park and marvel at the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds, or sample some of the region’s fine wines from the many vineyards dotted throughout the region.

Depart Nelson and drive along the scenic coast road to Kaikoura (approx 245 kms), sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the towering foothills of the Kaikouras on the rugged east coast. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Stay 2 nights at Hapuku Lodge. (Upgrade to a one bedroom Treehouse from £50 per person).

Kaikoura has long been a mecca for marine wildlife and seabirds and today you have an opportunity to enjoy a Whale Watch Excursion by boat (duration 3½ hours). Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, exploring the regions fine coastal walks and abundant wildlife, including its plentiful seal colonies.

Depart Kaikoura and continue along the coast to the historic city of Christchurch (approx 185 kms). Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Stay overnight at the Charlotte Jane in a deluxe Room.

Depart Christchurch today and drive to Dunedin (approx 362 kms), nestling amidst the scenic splendours of the Otago Peninsula. Spend the reminder of the day at your leisure. Stay 2 nights at Larnach Lodge at Larnach Castle.

Spend the morning at your leisure. Dunedin has often been referred as ‘The Edinburgh of the South’ and presents a wealth of alluring 19th century architecture, historic museums and trendy cafes to keep you occupied, as well as boasting the distinction of the word’s steepest street, the impressively vertiginous Baldwin Street (1 in 1.266). Later this afternoon make your way to the end of Otago Peninsula, to the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Conservation Centre, home to one of the world’s rarest penguins and venue for your afternoon tour of the breeding habitats of this fascinating flightless sea bird (duration 1½ hours).

Depart Dunedin and make your way to Queenstown (approx 362 kms), one of New Zealand’s most visually stunning regions and most popular year round destinations. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Stay 3 nights at The Dairy Private Luxury Hotel.

Enjoy a cruise this morning on the steam-powered TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu, enjoying the breathtaking backdrop and heading up to Walter Peak for a High Country Farm Tour (duration 3½ hours). Afternoon at leisure. Nestling in Queenstown Bay, about midway along the eastern shores of the azure blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown lies in the stunning shadow of the towering Remarkable Mountains range. Whilst the town’s spectacular natural beauty presents the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the surrounding area, perhaps taking in some of its exceptional walking opportunities, or some genteel sightseeing from its Skyline Gondola, it is also renowned as New Zealand’s ‘adrenaline-activity capital’ You can try you hand at any number of exhilarating activities, including sky diving, jet boating, hang gliding, paragliding, rock climbing, kayaking, sailing and horse riding. For the serious adrenaline junkie you could try the terrifying Nevis High-wire bungy jump, a 134m high plunge over the Nevis River.

Day at leisure. There is an option today to take a tour out to the captivating landscapes of Milford Sound, renowned for its ‘out-of-the-world’ scenery of pristine, shimmering waters and meandering fjords, set before the imposing heights of Mitre Peak (1692m). You can choose from a popular coach tour that travels via Te Anau and includes a scenic cruise of the momentous sound, or opt for a tour that includes a return scenic flight back to Queenstown, affording an altogether different view of this stunning region. We will be happy to arrange any sightseeing trips you may require.

Depart Queenstown and drive to the town of Franz Josef, set amongst the glacier country of Westland Tai Poutini National Park (approx 404 kms), for your 2 night stay in a suite at Westwood Lodge.

Nowhere else at these latitudes can you find glaciers so close to the coast and today you enjoy a half-day guided hike on Franz Josef Glacier. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Drive to the historic gold-mining town of Greymouth, overlooking the waters of the Tasman Sea (approximately 179 kms). Drop your hire car at the railway station and board the award-winning Tranz Alpine Express, taking the 13.45 hrs departure to the beautiful ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch in the east. Renowned as New Zealand’s ‘great rail adventure’, the Tranz Alpine journeys from coast to coast, travelling from the Tasman to the Pacific and crossing the mighty Southern Alps, taking in spectacular gorges and lush river valleys en route. On arrival in Christchurch at 18.05 hrs you will be met and transferred to the Charlotte Jane for one night in a deluxe Room.

You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport, today for your onward destination.