Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
Your flight gets you into Christchurch where you'll head to your hotel. Your room's available from 3 pm, so you'll have some time to settle in and freshen up. Meet up with your tour guide later in the evening to go over what's ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 2
Lake Ohau
Start with a short tour around Christchurch to get oriented, then drive south toward Lake Tekapo. The landscape changes as you head toward Mount Cook National Park in the afternoon. You'll cover about 440 km total, ending up at Lake Ohau for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Christchurch
- Drive through Lake Tekapo area
- Visit to Mount Cook National Park
Landmarks Lake Tekapo Mount Cook National Park - Day 3
Dunedin
Drive past the Moeraki Boulders on your way to Dunedin and take a city tour. From there, head to the Otago Peninsula where you'll visit the Royal Albatross Center. A guide takes you through to learn about the royal albatrosses that live on this mainland colony. The drive is roughly 300 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive past Moeraki Boulders
- City tour of Dunedin
- Excursion to Otago Peninsula
- Private guided tour at Royal Albatross Center
Landmarks Moeraki Boulders Royal Albatross Center Otago Peninsula - Day 4
Stewart Island
Head into the Catlins area for a short hike through the east coast rainforest. After that, you'll drive through Invercargill to reach Bluff, then take a one-hour ferry crossing over to Stewart Island. The distance covers about 270 km before you hit the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Short hike through Catlins natural forest
Landmarks Catlins - Day 5
Stewart Island
Take a quick tour around Oban, then board a boat heading to Ulva Island. This spot is known for its bird life, and you'll get to do a short hike while you're there to really see what the island has to offer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Short tour of Oban
- Boat trip to Ulva Island
- Short hike on Ulva Island
Landmarks Ulva Island - Day 6
Te Anau
Ferry back to Bluff early in the morning, then drive along the Southern Scenic Route heading north toward Te Anau. You'll have time to walk along the lakeshore once you arrive. The drive is approximately 190 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Walk along Te Anau lakeshore
Landmarks Te Anau Lake - Day 7
Queenstown
Drive to Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park and take a boat trip through the fjord, seeing waterfalls and wildlife along the way. Return through Te Anau and continue to Queenstown. The total distance is about 410 km, and it's a long but scenic day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Milford Sound
- Boat trip through Milford Sound fjord
Landmarks Milford Sound Fiordland National Park - Day 8
Queenstown
This day is yours to do what interests you in Queenstown. The city has plenty of adventure activities and attractions to check out, whether you want to relax or get active. You can arrange things on your own schedule.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Boat trip on the steamship TSS Earnslaw
- Jet boat rides
- Bungy jumping
- Day 9
Fox Glacier
Drive to Arrowtown, the former gold mining town, and walk around to see the area. From there, head west toward the coast. In the afternoon, take a rainforest walk that leads down to the Tasman Sea. You'll cover roughly 340 km today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit to Arrowtown
- Walk through rainforest to Tasman Sea
Landmarks Arrowtown Tasman Sea - Day 10
St. Arnaud
Get to Franz Josef Glacier Valley in the morning, then visit a jade factory in Hokitika. Continue through Paparoa National Park to see the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and their impressive formations. You'll finish the day in St. Arnaud after traveling about 420 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Franz Josef Glacier Valley
- Visit to jade factory in Hokitika
- Tour through Paparoa National Park
- Visit to Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Hokitika Paparoa National Park Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - Day 11
Nelson
Visit Abel Tasman National Park and take a boat trip to see the coastal landscape up close. You'll have time to either walk on the beach or do a short hike depending on what appeals to you. Head to Nelson afterward for the night, covering around 190 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit to Abel Tasman National Park
- Boat trip through Abel Tasman
- Walk on beach or short hike in Abel Tasman
Landmarks Abel Tasman National Park 
- Day 12
Kaikoura
Drive through the Marlborough wine region, then head along the east coast to Kaikoura. If the weather cooperates, you might get out on a boat to spot whales. The day covers approximately 250 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive through Marlborough wine region
Optional Activities
- Whale watching boat trip (weather dependent)
Landmarks Marlborough wine region Kaikoura - Day 13
Wellington
Drive along the coast to Picton, then board the ferry to Wellington on the North Island. Once you cross over, you'll drive to your accommodation. The total journey is about 170 km by road plus the ferry crossing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from Picton to Wellington
Landmarks Picton - Day 14
Wellington
This day is free for you to explore Wellington on your own terms. The Botanical Gardens are nice if you want some greenery, and the National Museum of New Zealand offers plenty to see if you prefer indoor activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Trip to the Botanical Gardens
- Visit to the National Museum of New Zealand
Landmarks Botanical Gardens, Wellington National Museum of New Zealand - Day 15
Tongariro National Park
Travel along the Kapiti coast and through the farm country of Manawatu, heading toward Tongariro National Park on the central plateau. The landscape changes quite a bit as you go inland. You'll cover about 350 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Tongariro National Park - Day 16
Rotorua
Drive along Lake Taupo in the morning and meet with the Ngati Tuwharetoa tribe for a traditional greeting and a chat with the tribe elder. Stop at Huka Waterfalls later, then reach Rotorua where you'll visit Te Puia thermal center and the Maori art center. The drive is roughly 190 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit to Ngati Tuwharetoa Maori tribe
- Traditional Maori greeting
- Conversation with tribe elder
- Visit to Huka Waterfalls
- Visit to Te Puia thermal center
- Visit to Maori art center
Landmarks Lake Taupo Huka Waterfalls Te Puia - Day 17
Coromandel Peninsula
Start at a kiwi bird breeding station to learn about these native birds, then spend time in Whakarewarewa thermal park and Te Puia cultural center where guides explain Maori traditions. You'll also enjoy a folklore performance with a buffet lunch cooked in a Hangi earth oven. From there, head across the Bay of Plenty toward the Coromandel Peninsula, covering about 220 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Folklore performance with buffet lunch from the Hangi earth oven)
Included Activities
- Visit to kiwi bird breeding station
- Visit to Whakarewarewa thermal park
- Visit to Te Puia cultural center
- Folklore performance with Hangi buffet lunch
Landmarks Whakarewarewa thermal park Bay of Plenty Coromandel Peninsula - Day 18
Auckland
Begin at Hot Water Beach and soak in the natural hot pools if the tide is right. Take a short walk to Cathedral Cove to see its rock formations, then drive to Auckland. The distance is approximately 270 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Hot Water Beach
- Short hike to Cathedral Cove
Landmarks Hot Water Beach Cathedral Cove - Day 19
Bay of Islands
Travel via Whangarei north to the Bay of Islands where you'll board a boat tour through the island labyrinth. Watch for dolphins around Cape Brett, as they often appear in this area. The drive covers about 240 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Boat trip through Bay of Islands island labyrinth
Landmarks Bay of Islands Cape Brett - Day 20
Bay of Islands
You have the day to yourself for activities you want to do. Many people take a trip out to Cape Reinga at New Zealand's northern tip, but you can plan whatever interests you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Trip to Cape Reinga
Landmarks Cape Reinga - Day 21
Auckland
Travel along the Bay of Hokianga and through Opononi into Waipoua Forest where you'll see massive kauri trees, some up to 2,000 years old, surrounded by ferns. Return to Auckland after exploring. The drive totals around 345 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Bay of Hokianga
- Visit to Waipoua Forest
- View of kauri trees
Landmarks Bay of Hokianga Waipoua Forest - Day 22
Tour End
Your tour finishes after breakfast. Head to the airport or make your way to your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
