Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll land at Christchurch International Airport and pick up your rental car for the drive to your hotel in Christchurch, the Garden City. The city sits on New Zealand's South Island and has English-style architecture mixed with Antarctic exploration heritage. You'll have time to settle in and start exploring at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit International Antarctic Centre museum and visitor center
- Explore neo-Gothic buildings designed by Benjamin Mountfort
- View statue of Robert Falcon Scott in city center
Landmarks International Antarctic Centre 
- Day 2
Canterbury Trail - Arthur's Pass
Head out early on the Canterbury Trail, driving across the Canterbury Plains to reach Arthur's Pass National Park. The rugged mountain ranges here offer optional walks, guided nature exploration, or mountain hiking depending on what appeals to you. Later that evening, you'll return to Christchurch for dinner at the historic Tramway Restaurant, a colonial-style spot with only 36 seats where you can enjoy a special meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Tramway Restaurant - Colonial-style tramway with welcome drink, starter, main course, dessert, tea and coffee, seasonally changing menu featuring first-class service and New Zealand cuisine)
Included Activities
- Dinner at Tramway Restaurant Christchurch - Colonial-style tramway experience with welcome drink, starter, main course, dessert, tea and coffee
Optional Activities
- Scenic walk in Arthur's Pass National Park
- Guided nature exploration in Arthur's Pass National Park
- Mountain hiking in Arthur's Pass National Park
Landmarks Arthur's Pass National Park Canterbury Plains - Day 3
Kaikoura
Drive along the coast to Kaikoura, where lobster is the local specialty and you'll understand why. The scenic coastal town has whale and dolphin watching opportunities, plus art galleries, craft stores, and the Peninsula Walkway with views of the Kaikoura mountain range and Southern Alps peaks. Scenic flights are available if you want an even closer look at marine life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Scenic whale-watching flights by small plane
- Scenic whale-watching flights by helicopter
- Browse local art galleries
- Browse craft stores
- Peninsula Walkway walk
Landmarks Kaikoura Peninsula Kaikoura Mountain Range - Day 4
Blenheim
You'll arrive in Blenheim, a charming town known for its parks and gardens. This is New Zealand's largest wine-growing region, so much of what to do centers around visiting wineries, wine tastings, and local cafes. Settle into your accommodation for a 2-night stay and get comfortable in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit wineries
- Wine tastings
- Explore local cafés
Landmarks Marlborough Wine Region 
- Day 5
Blenheim
Spend a full day exploring the Marlborough wine region at your own pace. If interested, join the recommended Taste Marlborough Wine Tour, which takes you to select prestigious and boutique wineries chosen for their history, service, and quality. You'll meet knowledgeable connoisseurs who love sharing what they know about the wines here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Taste Marlborough Wine Tour - Visits to prestigious and boutique wineries with knowledgeable connoisseurs
Landmarks Marlborough Wine Region - Day 6
Abel Tasman National Park
Drive to Kaiteriteri, a sunny beach town with golden sandy beach and blue-green waters. From here, a water cab will transport you and your car to Abel Tasman National Park (your rental car stays behind at Kaiteriteri). You'll settle into your lodge between the sea and jungle for a 2-night stay in this unique setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Local hiking trails - Withells Walk
- Local hiking trails - Kaka Pah Point
Landmarks Abel Tasman National Park Kaiteriteri Beach 
- Day 7
Abel Tasman National Park
Spend the day enjoying your lodge setting and the natural surroundings. Hire kayaks to explore the waters, relax at the lodge amenities, or venture into the fascinating natural landscape around you. There's a guided nature walk option available to discover the unique natural and cultural history of Awaroa Bay if you want a more structured experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Kayak hire
- Guided nature walk (approximately 2 hours) - Discover natural and cultural history of Awaroa Bay and Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks Awaroa Bay - Day 8
Kaiteriteri - Nelson
Return to Kaiteriteri by water cab and retrieve your rental car. After that, drive to Nelson at the northern tip of the South Island, a region with Mediterranean climate, golden beaches, national parks, arts and crafts, and fine wineries. Settle into your accommodation for a 1-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Nelson Tasman Bay Golden Bay - Day 9
Marlborough Sounds - Punga Cove
Drive to Picton, the gateway harbor town to Marlborough Sounds with its 1,500 km of sheltered waterways, remote bays, and pristine beaches. Park your rental car and take a water cab to your remote resort in this natural paradise for a 2-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Boating in Marlborough Sounds
- Sailing in Marlborough Sounds
- Diving in Marlborough Sounds
- Fishing in Marlborough Sounds
Landmarks Marlborough Sounds Picton - Day 10
Marlborough Sounds
Explore your resort and natural oasis at your own pace. You can relax and unwind in your remote setting, or take advantage of the many guided hikes and boat trips available to discover more of the Marlborough Sounds and what the area has to offer.
Optional Activities
- Guided hikes in Marlborough Sounds
- Guided boat trips in Marlborough Sounds
Landmarks Marlborough Sounds - Day 11
Wellington
Take the water cab back to Picton, then board the Interislander ferry with your car for the approximately 3.5-hour journey through Queen Charlotte Sound to Wellington on the North Island. The passage itself is fascinating to experience, and you'll arrive in New Zealand's capital, situated on a deep harbor basin surrounded by wooded hills and known for its vibrant cultural scene.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Interislander Ferry - Picton to Wellington (passengers and car)
Optional Activities
- Mount Victoria excursion - Panoramic views of Wellington, harbor, and Cook Strait
Landmarks Queen Charlotte Sound Te Papa Tongarewa Mount Victoria - Day 12
Wellington
Explore Wellington at your own pace, or join the optional Capital Flavors tour if you want a culinary journey through the city. This tour takes you through gourmet restaurants, hidden eateries, craft beer breweries, and coffee roasters, with sweet and savory samples at five different locations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Capital Flavors tour (3 hours) - Culinary exploration including samples at five locations featuring craft beers, coffee, and local specialties
Landmarks Te Papa Tongarewa - Day 13
Martinborough
Drive approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to Martinborough, a charming village home to numerous wineries specializing in Pinot Noir. The warm microclimate and ideal soil conditions here create perfect growing conditions. Beyond wine, the town has excellent restaurants, boutique shopping, art galleries, beauty spas, and activities like horseback riding, golf, and quad biking.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit wineries - Te Kairanga, Palliser Estate Wines, Dry River, Martinborough Vineyard, Murdoch James, Ata Rangi, Craggy Range
- Wine tastings
- Browse art galleries
- Browse designer outlets and boutiques
- Beauty spa treatments
- Visit olive grove and taste local oils
- Hiking in countryside
- Horseback riding
- Golf
- Quad biking
- Jet boat rides
- Clay pigeon shooting
Landmarks Martinborough Wine Region - Day 14
Napier
Drive to Havelock North, known for its natural charm, elegant homes, and vibrant arts scene. Visit Keirunga Gardens to see local creative produce, check out beekeeping in action, and climb Te Mata Peak for panoramic views of the region. From there, continue to Napier for a 2-night stay in this elegant coastal city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Keirunga Gardens
- Watch beekeeping at local apiary
- Hike Te Mata Peak (approximately 400 meters) and surrounding forest trails
Landmarks Te Mata Peak Havelock North 
- Day 15
Hawke's Bay
Discover the rural beauty of Hawke's Bay on an optional private excursion tailored to your interests. The region offers excellent food and fine wines, local art, and Maori cultural heritage. The excursion can be customized and organized according to what you want to see and do.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Private excursion in Hawke's Bay - Customizable experience featuring local food, fine wines, art, and Maori culture
Landmarks Hawke's Bay - Day 16
Rotorua
Drive to Rotorua, the center of New Zealand's geothermal activity where you'll encounter sulfurous smells, soaring geysers, bubbling mud pools, and colorful thermal pools. Later, experience Te Puia Indigenous Evening Experience, an authentic cultural celebration with regional and Maori cuisine, traditional songs, haka performances, and hot chocolate overlooking the illuminated Pohutu Geyser.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Te Puia - Indigenous Evening Experience - Buffet with regional cuisine and authentic Maori elements)
Included Activities
- Te Puia - Indigenous Evening Experience - Authentic Maori cultural evening with buffet regional and Maori cuisine, Pohiri ceremonial welcome, traditional waiata (songs), moteatea (chants), poi and haka, electric shuttle to geothermal valley, hot chocolate on naturally heated rock seats overlooking Pohutu Geyser
Landmarks Pohutu Geyser Te Puia 
- Day 17
Mercury Bay
Take a guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery, an active hatchery featuring the Operation Nest Egg program to protect New Zealand's iconic kiwi bird. Then drive to Whitianga, a lively coastal town with 7 beautiful beaches, opportunities to watch dolphins at the wharf in summer, and nearby activities like bike tours and horseback riding from Kuaotuna.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of National Kiwi Hatchery (approximately 1 hour) - Knowledgeable staff guide through Operation Nest Egg program with Q&A
Optional Activities
- Watch dolphins at Whitianga Wharf (summer season)
- Bike tours from Kuaotuna
- Horseback riding from Kuaotuna
Landmarks National Kiwi Hatchery Whitianga Mercury Bay 
- Day 18
Cathedral Cove
Join the included Full Monty Tour, a 2-hour exploration of 12 kilometers of rugged volcanic coastline. You'll discover nearby islands and beautiful beaches including Lonely Bay, Cooks Beach, and the spectacular Cathedral Cove (a Prince Caspian filming location). Visit Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve to observe marine and bird species, and explore dramatic sea caves including the impressive Orua Sea Cave.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Full Monty Tour (2 hours) - Exploration of 12 kilometers of rugged volcanic coastline, nearby islands, beaches (Lonely Bay, Cooks Beach, Hahei, Cathedral Cove), Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve with marine and bird species observation, and Orua Sea Cave
Landmarks Cathedral Cove Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve Orua Sea Cave Lonely Bay Cooks Beach Hahei - Day 19
Auckland
Drive to Auckland, New Zealand's largest multicultural city situated between two major ports. The city blends Polynesian and European influences reflected in galleries, museums, theaters, and concerts. Settle into your accommodation for a final 2-night stay in this vibrant cosmopolitan metropolis.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Auckland - Day 20
Waiheke Island
Use your last full day to explore Auckland or optionally visit Waiheke Island, just 35 minutes by ferry. The island offers sandy beaches, vineyards, native bushland, olive groves, and laid-back coastal villages. Try sea kayaking, mountain biking, or scenic coastal walks, or join a gourmet food and wine tour with tastings of wine, olive oil, and honey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Ferry trip to Waiheke Island
- Sea kayaking on Waiheke Island
- Mountain biking on Waiheke Island
- Scenic coastal walks on Waiheke Island
- Gourmet food & wine tour - Wine, olive oil, and honey tastings with oysters and lunch overlooking the vines
Landmarks Waiheke Island - Day 21
Auckland
Your road trip ends today. Return your rental car at Auckland, or arrange an individual extension if you'd like to stay longer and experience more of New Zealand.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Individual tour extension
