18-day North & South Island itinerary

Day by day

1. Day 1

   Auckland

   Meet your private driver at the arrival gates of Auckland Airport for transfer to your hotel. After check-in, stroll through the America's Cup village. Visit the Sky Tower and take in the views of the city and harbour. Take a boat trip to beautiful Waiheke Island or head across to Devonport. Visit the shops and cafes of Parnell Village.

   Stay: QT Auckland (opens in a new tab)

   • Optional extraThe Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari (opens in a new tab)
   • Optional extraExplore America's Cup Sailing Auckland (opens in a new tab)
2. Day 2

   Hahei

   Collect your rental car and drive to the eastern coast on the Coromandel Peninsula (2.5 hours). The Coromandel is famous for its golden beaches, great swimming and bush walks. Take a relaxing soak in a natural thermal spring at Hahei beach - make sure you go at low tide! See the marine wildlife at the Hahei Marine Reserve. Choose your adventure - scenic boat trips, sea kayaking and scuba diving. There are great surfing options.

   Stay: Hahei Bed & Breakfast (opens in a new tab)

   • Good to knowThe Coromandel
3. Day 3

   Hahei

   Join the Kiwi Dundee guided nature tour and explore the local rainforest and beaches. This is the ideal introduction to New Zealand's nature and beauty spots! Alternatively, join a guided kayaking tour from Hahei Beach or take a scenic boat tour along the stunning Coromandel coast.

   Stay: Hahei Bed & Breakfast (opens in a new tab)

   • HighlightCathedral Cove Kayak Tours (opens in a new tab)
   • Optional extraKiwi Dundee Adventures 1 Day Coromandel Circuit
   • Optional extraHahei Explorer
4. Day 4

   Rotorua

   Drive to the famous Waitomo caves (3 hours) and discover the beauty of stalactites. We have included the 'Ruakuri Cave' tour, a dry-cave walk- through. This trip takes about 2 hours. Go 'Black Water Rafting' or do the 'Black Labyrinth' tour where you float through the caves on a rubber tube. Alternatively, abseil through the darkness! (takes about 3 hours). Afterwards, drive through rural farm country to Rotorua (2.5 hours).

   Stay: Regent of Rotorua (opens in a new tab)

   • HighlightRuakuri Cave Tour Optional (opens in a new tab)
5. Day 5

   Rotorua

   The North Island of New Zealand is the tectonic centre of thermal activity. In the morning, take a helicopter flight over Rotorua's an active volcano areas. Here you can experience the immerse power of mother nature in a remote place. In the afternoon, be pampered in a luxurious spa. For the evening, take a spiritual journey into Maori culture with village and performance experiences.

   Stay: Regent of Rotorua (opens in a new tab)

   • HighlightVolcanic Air
   • Optional extraRotorua Canopy Tours (opens in a new tab)
   • RecommendedWaimangu
6. Day 6

   Lake Pukaki

   Return your rental car to Rotorua airport and take a domestic flight to Christchurch. Collect another rental car from Christchurch airport and travel to Lake Tekapo. Take the the Inland route along the Rakaia Gorge through South Canterbury to Geraldine. Continue on to Lake Tekapo (4 hours drive). See for yourself, the famous turquoise colour of Lake Tekapo. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Mt John Observatory.

7. Day 7

   Lake Pukaki

   Take a day trip from Lake Tekapo to the Mount Cook National Park. This area has wonderful mountain walks, 4WD safaris, boating on the glacier lakes and scenic flights with snow landings. Don't miss the chance to do some stargazing at Mt. John - this is a highly recommended night tour. Remember to pre-book for all these tours.

   Stay: Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat (opens in a new tab)

   • Optional extraEarth & Sky Observatory
   • Optional extraTekapo Springs (opens in a new tab)
   • Optional extraAir Safaris Tekapo (opens in a new tab)
   • Optional extraGlacier Explorers Aoraki Mt Co
8. Day 8

   Otago Peninsula

   Drive on through the MacKenzie Country, down the Waitaki Valley and onto the eastern coast. Dunedin City is surrounded by dramatic hills and a natural harbour. It was originally settled by whalers, gold miners and migrants from Scotland and China. Dunedin has some of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere.

   Stay: Camp Estate (opens in a new tab)

   • Optional extraLarnach Castle (opens in a new tab)
9. Day 9

   Otago Peninsula

   This morning, go out exploring more of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. Join a wildlife tour in the afternoon - visit the Royal Albatross sanctuary where you might catch sight of the extremely rare Yellow-Eyed Penguin. This is one of the main nature attractions in New Zealand nature enthusiasts love. You won't be returning to your accommodation until the evening, so do have a substantial lunch.

   Stay: Camp Estate (opens in a new tab)

   • HighlightElm Wildlife Peninsula Encounters Tour (opens in a new tab)
   • Optional extraOlveston Histo (opens in a new tab)
10. Day 10

    Te Anau

    Drive through the Southland region to the Fiordland area. Take the 'Southern Scenic Route' between Invercargill, Riverton and Tuatapere to Te Anau. If you don't mind driving longer, take a detour via the Catlins - on this route, you'll see Nugget Point Lighthouse and the Cathedral Caves. Do check the tides before visiting the caves.

11. Day 11

    Te Anau

    Milford Sound is a spectacular scenic wonderland- perfect for nature lovers and hikers. Do the Milford Guided Walk in the morning and the Milford Scenic fjord cruise in the afternoon. Shorter walks can be arranged with a local operator. Choose a series of short walks with your nature guide or a 2.5 hour walk on the Routeburn Track to Key Summit. Return back to Te Anau around 5.30pm.

    Stay: High Leys Lodge (opens in a new tab)

    • HighlightMilford Track Guided Walk (opens in a new tab)
    • HighlightReal Journeys Milford Sound Scenic (opens in a new tab)
12. Day 12

    Wanaka

    Depart the green rainforests and drive to the tussock grasslands of Central Otago. As it is only a 2-hour drive from Te Anau to Queenstown, you may want to check out Queenstown or head to a nearby winery for lunch. Continue in the afternoon to the charming Wanaka village. You'll be staying in the surrounding countryside of Wanaka for a couple of nights.

13. Day 13

    Wanaka

    Wanaka is an lovely scenic spot and much smaller than Queenstown - a much more relaxed village vibe. In the morning, join a cruise on Lake Wanaka and head out to the beautiful Mou Waho Island for a guided walk. In the afternoon, take a jet boat tour up the Matukituki Valley. Learn more about the regions history, natural wonders and activities.

    Stay: Copper Beech Wanaka - Luxury Bed & Breakfast

    • HighlightLake Wanaka Cruise & Island Nature Walk (opens in a new tab)
    • HighlightWanaka River Journeys Optional - (opens in a new tab)
14. Day 14

    Fox Glacier

    Travel through Haast Pass to Fox Glacier (4 hours). You'll have many opportunities to visit waterfalls and take short forest walks. In the afternoon, take an inspirational helicopter flight and land on the snow at Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. As an alternative, you can join a heli-hiking tour, which involves two short heli flights and a 2 hour guided walk on the ice.

    Stay: Distinction Fox Glacier Te Weheka Hotel

    • Optional extraFlying Fox Helihike (opens in a new tab)
    • HighlightThe Helicopter Line Fox Glacier (opens in a new tab)
15. Day 15

    Greymouth

    There are hardly any towns on the 600 kms of coastal road between Karamea and Jackson Bay. However, you'll enjoy the unbridled beauty of native forests, beaches and lagoons. Start your day with an early morning walk around Lake Matheson. Explore the goldfield walkway at Ross and stop by the shores of Lake Ianthe. We highly recommend a visit to the White Heron colony near Whataroa. Drive on to the town of Hokitika, which is famous for New Zealand Pounamu (Jade) and gold.

    Stay: Breakers B (opens in a new tab)

16. Day 16

    Bronte

    Travel along 'The Great Coast Road', one of the Top 10 Coastal Drives in the world. The Paparoa National Park is home to the world's smallest penguins. Stop at Charleston and go underground rafting. See the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. Visit the seal colony at Cape Foulwind, then stop at Westport for refreshments. Continue via the Buller Gorge to the Abel Tasman region.

17. Day 17

    Bronte

    The sea views and lush native bush of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track is unsurpassed! This great New Zealand walk passes through golden beaches and coastal forests. Do a day trip with Abel Tasman Charters - a very personalised tour. Alternatively, use a water taxi to the coastal walk or take a guided sea kayaking tour for a half or full day. If you are keen on nature and wildlife, join an Eco tour in a small party group.

    Stay: Te Koi the Lodge at Bronte

    • HighlightAbel Tasman Charters Tar (opens in a new tab)
18. Day 18

    Northern Cape

    Drop off your rental car at Nelson airport and take a domestic flight to Auckland. Connect with your international flight in the afternoon or evening.

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