Depart London Heathrow by Air New Zealand to Auckland.

In flight.

On arrival in Auckland you will be met and transferred to the Heritage Hotel in a two bedroom executive suite for 2 nights. 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.

This morning you will be collected from your hotel by Bush & Beach for your Coast & Rainforest Walk, Full Day Tour. This full day excursion goes first to the Arataki Visitor Centre situated within Auckland's largest Regional Park, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The breathtaking panoramic views from the sweeping decks extend from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the area's history and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there. Continue further west with knowledgeable and highly experienced guides to the wild and rugged West Coast where you experience the isolation of the area. The guides will walk you through part of Auckland's coastal rainforest where they explain the local flora and fauna with its giant tree ferns growing alongside picturesque streams in regenerating rainforest. Then stroll on an awe-inspiring, rugged West Coast beach and feel the soft black sand and breathe the clear ocean breeze. Enjoy a kiwi style picnic lunch at a scenic location. Your journey then takes you to an area of untouched original rainforest with mature 1000 year old kauri trees. New Zealand has existed for millions of years separate from the rest of the world so has evolved in isolation to produce its own unique flora and fauna – 70 percent of our native plants are found nowhere else in the world. Our guides explain about our native species as you walk amongst New Zealand's famous kauri trees and native birds. Moderate level of walking ability required for walks of up to 1 hour duration. At the end of the day you will be returned to your hotel.

Auckland / Coromandel. This morning your rental car will be delivered to your hotel by a Hertz Representative Depart Auckland City and make your way to Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Hahei's attractive beach is named after the Maori chief Hei. From the lookout there is access to majestic Cathedral Cove and the marine reserve. Accessible only on foot or by boat, famous Cathedral Cove is one of the "must visit" sites on the Coromandel Peninsula. The track begins at the northern end of Hahei.2 nights at the Hahei Horizon B&B.

Coromandel Today, discover the magic of the underwater world on a "Marine Reserve Down Under" tour departing from Hahei beach. Revolutionary new kayaks have a huge viewing window in the bottom which allows you to come face to face with New Zealand's marine life. Paddle your way along this picture perfect coastline while exploring beaches, volcanic reefs, caves and coves. You also have the option to snorkel at Gemstone Bay and interact with dozens of fish species as they thrive in their natural habitat. To top it all off we head up the coast and check out the world famous Cathedral Cove! Later today we recommend a visit to Hot Water Beach (approx 10 mins drive). Hot Water Beach is a truly unique Kiwi experience. An underground river of hot water flows from the interior of the earth to surface in the Pacific Ocean at Hot Water Beach – a long beautiful white beach located between Tairua and Whitianga. The stunning beach overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offshore Castle Rock, with Pohutukawa lined cliffs at either end of the beach. Two hours either side of low tide visitors flock to the usually deserted Hot Water Beach to find hot water bubbling through the golden sand. Families, kids and couples can been seen digging their own spa pool in the sand to lie back in and relax while the steam from their hot pool envelops them. With the ebb and flow of the tide each individually created hot pool is washed away clearing the way for the next influx of visitors.

Coromandel / Matamata / Rotorua. Depart the Coromandel today and make your way to Matamata and the Hobbiton Movie Set. Daily tours are available to visit the original Hobbiton village from The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Your tour starts with a drive through a picturesque working sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Your host will take you to the woolshed and provide you with a sheep shearing demonstration, allow you to bottle feed the pet lambs and pet and feed the hand reared sheep. The Hobbiton movie set has been returned to its natural state, however hobbit holes and some structures from the film set are still present. Your tour guide will escort you through the ten acre site recounting fascinating details on how the Hobbiton set was created. After your tour continue onto Rotorua. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to Hells Gate for a walk through Rotorua’s most active geothermal park. This is home to many unique features, such as the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere, the only accessible mud volcano in a thermal reserve, steaming fumaroles, pools of boiling mud, land coral sulphur crystal deposits and many boiling pools with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees centigrade (212 degrees Fahrenheit). Self guided tours take between 45 minutes to 1 hour. Guided tours at 9.30am and 1.30pm daily take up to 1.5 hours. The track is up to 2.5 kms – with only a slightly gradual climb through the bush walk. You will also have the chance to bathe in a geothermal mineral mud bath for 20 minutes which is heated to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Your skin will become moisturized by the healthy minerals in the mud, exfoliation of used skin tissue and repair of any damaged skin. This is followed by a cold shower to revive your blood circulation to a normal rate and to close skin pores. Then move to the pure sulphur spa where the action of the heated water (40 degrees Celsius or 104 Fahrenheit) will leave your skin feeling refreshed and vital. You may spend as long as you wish in the sulphur spa.1 night at the Koura Lodge, in a Lakeview Family Suite.

Rotorua / Taupo. Continental breakfast is included this morning. Enjoy a leisurely start to the day and enjoy the morning at leisure in Rotorua. Later, make your way to Taupo to the Clarion Suites Sacred Waters, and stay in a 2 bedroom Thermal Spa Apartment. The remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure

Taupo/Tongariro/Taupo. This morning make your way to Turangi to check in for your White Water Rafting Adventure on the Tongariro River. This half-day Tongariro River journey is one of the best rafting adventures in New Zealand. The rapids are Grade Three, which makes this an ideal adventure for expert or first-time rafters alike. In four hours you navigate over 60 roller coaster rapids with an expert guide at the helm. A large part the top section of this trip can only be accessed by raft or kayak so you’ll see plenty of spectacular unspoilt wilderness. NOTE - min age is 10 years. If white water rafting is a little too adventurous for your family, join the Gentle Family Float instead. This leisurely 1 ½ hour trip down the soft, tumbling waters of the Lower Tongariro brings the magic alive for first time rafters and especially children. You still get to paddle and there are some small rapids to navigate but nothing too wet or wild (min age for the Gentle Family Float is 3 years). Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the Tongariro National Park. You might like to include a scenic flight (optional at own cost) with Mountain Air over Mt. Tongariro's craters, alpine lakes and classic shaped volcano of Mt Ngauruhoe, the filming site of 'Mt Doom' in The Lord of the Rings. Make your way back to Taupo later this afternoon/evening.

Taupo / Wellington. Depart Taupo this morning and make your way to Wellington for a 2 nights stay at the Citylife Wellington in an Executive Suite. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Wellington.

Wellington. Today you will join Flat Earth Tours for a Middle Earth Filming Locations Tour. This Lord of the Rings tour is a full day and Flat Earth's most popular tour. It visits all of the filming locations for Rivendell where Frodo recovered from his knife attack; the Auduin River where Aragorn was washed ashore after the attack of the Wargs; the Gardens of Isengard, the sight of the Orcs Felling the Trees and where Gandalf rode to see Saruman; go to the Mount Victoria lookout and Hobbiton Woods where you can race the Ferry and get off the Road; Buckland Forest where the Hobbits hid from Nazgul/Black Riders and where they found the mushrooms on the Road; Dunharrow Rohirrim encampment; visit the quarry for the filming of Helms Deep and the fortified ravine in Rohan and Minas Tirith. During the tour you will enjoy an al fresco lunch at one of the region's leading restaurants. You will be spellbound at the site of Lothlorien - the majestic Fernside Lodge. In 2000 Fernside’s lake was transformed into part of Lothlorien, and then to the Gladden fields. You will see where Smeagol and Deagol fought for the Ring right at lake-side. Fernside’s white bridge is a reminder of the bridge of Lothlorien . Fernside today remains a magical place and a must do for the most avid Lord of the Rings fans. This tour also visits the district of Miramar. Miramar is production central and the home of Peter Jackson and many of the cast and crew. You will also visit the newly opened Weta Cave for unique souvenirs and an exclusive and first-ever video of behind-the-scenes at Weta Workshop. Weta Cave is Wellington's newest Lord of the Rings venue. But it is much, much more. It is a place for everyone, screening the first ever behind the scenes look at Weta and an insight into the creativity that goes into crafting the art that is Weta. At the specially built Weta Cave theatrette you can see interviews with co-founders Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Jamie Selkirk.

Wellington / Picton / Nelson. Drop off your rental car to the Hertz Wellington Ferry Terminal this morning then join the Interislander Ferry to journey across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. On arrival in Picton collect your South Island Hertz rental car and drive to Nelson to the Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Apartments for 2 nights. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Nelson.

Nelson / Abel Tasman / Nelson (L). Today join Wilson's Abel Tasman for a "Great Day Out" Tour in the Abel Tasman National Park. Take the coach from Nelson to Kaiteriteri for the 9.30am Vista Cruise departure. Cruise the length of the spectacular Abel Tasman coastline to Totaranui, viewing the fascinating Seal Colony at Tonga Island Marine Reserve along the way. Return to the golden expanse of Anchorage Beach to walk approx. 3hrs 30mins (11.5kms, 7 miles) along the easiest section of the coast track, with spectacular views over Tasman Bay. The track winds through sunny Kanuka forest with hidden fern grottos and crystal mountain streams. At Marahau, rejoin your coach to Nelson at 4.00pm or 5.30pm. A packed lunch is included today during your tour.

Nelson / Punakaiki. Depart Nelson today and make your way to Punakaiki on the West Coast. Check into the Punakaiki Resort for 1 night. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Punakaiki / Franz Josef. Continue down the West Coast of the South Island to Franz Josef to the 58 on Cron Motel for one night. This afternoon at 2.15pm join Franz Josef Glacier Guides for a Glacier Valley Tour. This relaxing, interpretive walk to the glacier is the perfect opportunity to learn the role of the Franz Josef Glacier in shaping this remarkable landscape. After a short walk through the regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with your guide calling stops to explain the unique features of the Franz Josef Glacier and its surroundings. With the emphasis more on geographical information and the glacier's history, you're able to venture beyond the public barriers and right up to the dramatic terminal face of this advancing glacier with your experienced and knowledgeable guide. Return to the village at approx. 5pm and spend the evening at leisure.

Franz Josef / Queenstown. Depart Franz Josef today and make your way further south to Queenstown - the adventure capital of New Zealand. Check into the Heritage Hotel for 3 nights, and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Today you have the choice of a Dart Stables full day Horse Trekking adventure or a Dart River "Fun Yaks" Safari. Dart Stables River & Rings Tour - make your own way to Glenorchy and combine the River Wild and The Ride of the Rings in one day, with time in between to enjoy Glenorchy’s tranquil township. The River Wild is a beautiful 2 hour ride along the delta flats, crossing the Rees and Dart Rivers at the head of Lake Wakatipu. This ride is suitable for all riding abilities, from complete novice to lifetime rider. There are several river crossings, with the opportunity for the more experienced rider to canter whilst beginners are tutored. Then after lunch join the Ride of the Rings. Winding through the golden woods of Lothlórien, passing Amon Hen, the track opens up and the 'Golden Mile' begins. From here the views of the Wizard's Vale and the mighty peak of Methedras are breathtaking. Fun Yaks Safari - A truly unique Safari and the only adventure of its type in the Queenstown region, this Safari is a fun way to intimately explore and experience this amazing area. Start with an exciting jet boat trip up the Dart River, negotiating the classic braided river system and stopping to discover why this area is so rare and special. You’ll then begin your ‘Funyak’ adventure in one of the unique inflatable ‘Funyak’ canoes; paddling and drifting a spectacular downstream journey taking in all the awe-inspiring sights. Amongst the ancient beech forest you’ll enjoy a delicious buffet lunch as well as have the opportunity to explore hidden side streams, rock pools and dramatic chasms. Afterwards continue downstream to ‘Paradise’, where you’ll be taken by back-road 4WD safari vehicle to Glenorchy viewing breathtaking scenery that has inspired movies the world over.

Queenstown. Spend a full day at leisure in Queenstown.

Queenstown / Lake Tekapo. Depart Queenstown today and make your way to Lake Tekapo. Spend the remainder of the day in the Mount Cook Region. Stay at the Peppers Blue Water Resort Lake Tekapo for 1 night.

Lake Tekapo / Christchurch. Depart Tekapo and drive to Christchurch. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Christchurch. Enjoy a stay at the Heritage Hotel for 2 nights.

Christchurch / Akaroa / Christchurch. Make your way to Akaroa today for a swimming with dolphins excursion. Akaroa Harbour is around 90 minutes drive from Christchurch. Akaroa Township is a quaint, French inspired seaside village which is very romantic and unique in New Zealand. It's the only place on the planet where you can swim with the world's smallest and rarest dolphins - the Hector's or New Zealand dolphin. Black Cat Cruises operate a jet-powered catamaran for ultimate safety for you and the dolphins. Everything is provided including wetsuits, masks, snorkels, hot showers, hot chocolate and a free gift pack. And we'll also take optional photos of you swimming with dolphins. The three hours includes half an hour before for briefing and putting on the wet suits and half an hour afterwards for debrief, hot drink and shower. NOTE: min age 8 years. Make your way back to Christchurch later today.

Depart Christchurch. Make your way to Christchurch Airport today and return your rental car prior to your departing flight with Air New Zealand to London via Auckland.

Arrive at London Heathrow.