Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll land at Christchurch Airport and collect your rental car, then drive into the city center. Your hotel sits in the heart of Christchurch, a place with strong English character and charm throughout its streets. After settling in, you'll have the rest of the evening to relax and get oriented for the days ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Admission to National Kiwi Hatchery Tour (English-speaking)
Landmarks National Kiwi Hatchery 
- Day 2
Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
You'll drive about 570 km through the South Island with Lake Tekapo passing by on your route. The scenery along the way sets the tone for what's ahead. Once you reach Queenstown, settle into your accommodation for two nights in this adventure-focused town.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Landmarks Lake Tekapo 
- Day 3
Queenstown
This is your time to explore Queenstown at whatever pace suits you. The town has plenty to offer if you want to get out and do things. You could try a boat trip on the historic steamship Earnslaw, or if you're after something faster, jet boat experiences are available too.
Optional Activities
- Boat trip on steamship Earnslaw
- Jet boat trips
- Day 4
Queenstown to Te Anau
You'll cover about 410 km heading to Te Anau, the main town near Fiordland National Park. If you leave early enough, there's a chance to visit Milford Sound during the drive. You've got two nights here to settle in and get your bearings.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Trip to Milford Sound (if leaving early)
Landmarks Fiordland National Park Milford Sound - Day 5
Te Anau
Another free day, this time in Te Anau. Walk around and see what interests you in the area. An optional boat trip to Doubtful Sound gives you a chance to see dramatic mountain slopes, green bays, and the deep blue water up close if you want to take it.
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Doubtful Sound
Landmarks Doubtful Sound - Day 6
Te Anau to Wanaka
You'll drive roughly 290 km to Wanaka, a lakeside town known for sailing and fishing. It's a nice spot to spend two nights and get a feel for what the region offers beyond the main tourist circuit.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Landmarks Lake Wanaka - Day 7
Wanaka to Franz Josef
The drive to Franz Josef Glacier covers about 280 km through Westland National Park. Once there, you can choose how to experience the glacier from a few options: walk on it yourself, take a guided national park tour, or see it from a helicopter. You'll have one night in the area.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Glacier hike
- Exploration tour through Westland National Park
- Helicopter flight
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier Westland National Park - Day 9
Franz Josef to Punakaiki/Greymouth
You're traveling 180 to 220 km to reach the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki in Paroaa National Park. The rock formations are worth the drive. Spend the night either in Greymouth or Punakaiki, depending on where appeals more.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit to Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki
Landmarks Pancake Rocks Paparoa National Park - Day 10
Punakaiki/Greymouth to Nelson
The next leg takes you about 260 to 300 km to Nelson, a coastal town on the South Island. You'll be here for two nights, so there's time to get comfortable and look around.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
- Day 11
Nelson
You have the day to yourself in Nelson. Wander the town and see what catches your eye. If you want something more active, Abel Tasman National Park is nearby with outdoor adventures available as an optional activity.
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks Abel Tasman National Park - Day 12
Nelson to Picton to Wellington
You'll drive about 110 km to Picton, then board a ferry for roughly three hours to reach Wellington on the North Island. After arriving, check in for a two-night stay in the capital.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing Picton to Wellington (passengers and vehicles)
- Day 13
Wellington
Wellington is an art-focused city, so there's a lot to explore. You could visit Te Papa National Museum for cultural exhibits, take the cable car up to Kelburn for views over the city, grab food at Courtenay Place or Cuba Street, walk through the Botanical Gardens, check out theaters, or relax at Oriental Bay beach.
Optional Activities
- Te Papa National Museum visit
- Cable car ride to Kelburn district
- Dining at Courtenay Place or Cuba Street
- Visit to Botanical Gardens
- Museum visits
- Theater visits
- Beach time at Oriental Bay
Landmarks Te Papa National Museum Kelburn Courtenay Place Cuba Street Wellington Botanical Gardens Oriental Bay - Day 14
Wellington to Napier
You'll drive about 330 km through Dannevirke and Masterton to reach Napier, known locally as 'Art Deco City' because of its distinctive 1930s buildings. Take a casual stroll through town to see the architectural character. You have one night here.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Leisurely stroll through Art Deco architecture
Landmarks Napier Art Deco District Hawkes Bay - Day 15
Napier to Rotorua
The drive to Rotorua covers roughly 230 km, passing through Taupo. Rotorua is the center of geothermal activity and Maori culture in New Zealand. You'll stay two nights in this geothermally active region.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Landmarks Lake Taupo 
- Day 16
Rotorua
You've got the day to explore Rotorua and the geothermal areas around it. The Rainbow Springs National Kiwi Hatchery Tour lets you see kiwi birds up close, which is a good way to connect with New Zealand's national bird.
Included Activities
- National Kiwi Hatchery Tour at Rainbow Springs (English-speaking)
Landmarks Rainbow Springs - Day 17
Rotorua to Coromandel Peninsula
You'll drive about 195 km to the Coromandel Peninsula via Tauranga. If you're interested, there's an optional detour to Matamata to see the Hobbiton film set. The peninsula itself has old gold mining sites, volcanic mountains, and a rugged coastline. One night here.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Detour to Matamata for Hobbiton film set visit
Landmarks Coromandel Peninsula Hobbiton Movie Set 
- Day 18
Coromandel Peninsula to Auckland
From the Coromandel Peninsula, you'll drive roughly 160 km to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. You'll have one night to get a feel for the place.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
- Day 19
Auckland to Bay of Islands
Heading north from Auckland through Whangarei, you'll cover about 240 km to the Bay of Islands. This scenic region is worth the drive. You're staying three nights here, so there's time to really explore.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Landmarks Whangarei Bay of Islands - Day 20
Bay of Islands
You have a free day in the Bay of Islands. An optional boat trip lets you explore the waterways and islands in the area if that appeals to you.
Optional Activities
- Boat trip through Bay of Islands
- Day 21
Bay of Islands
Another free day to spend in the Bay of Islands. You could visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to learn about New Zealand's history, or check out other attractions around the region.
Optional Activities
- Visit to Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Landmarks Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Day 22
Bay of Islands to Auckland
You're heading back to Auckland now, traveling about 360 km through the Waipoua Forest. This forest is home to giant kauri trees that are really worth seeing if you stop. You'll arrive back in Auckland for your final night.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit to Waipoua Forest and giant kauri trees
Landmarks Waipoua Forest - Day 23
Auckland
Your road trip finishes today. You'll return your rental car or arrange an extension if you want to keep exploring New Zealand.
Optional Activities
- Individual extension bookings
