Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch to Greymouth to Punakaiki
Start your New Zealand trip on the TranzAlpine train, a scenic rail journey that winds through the Southern Alps with snow-capped peaks, forests, and river valleys visible from your seat. When you reach Greymouth, your guide and vehicle will be waiting to drive you to Punakaiki, where you'll stay near the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
Landmarks TranzAlpine Train Route Pancake Rocks Blowholes - Day 2
Punakaiki
Spend the full day exploring Punakaiki at your own pace. You can see the Pancake Rocks where water shoots up through natural rock formations, walk through coastal rainforests, check out limestone cliffs and caves, or take a leisurely walk along the rugged coastline. If you're more active, kayaking through Paparoa National Park's valley of limestone cliffs is available.
Optional Activities
- Explore Pancake Rocks
- Wander through coastal rainforests
- Explore limestone cliffs and caves
- Walk along the rugged coastline
- Kayak through Paparoa National Park
Landmarks Pancake Rocks Blowholes Paparoa National Park - Day 3
Punakaiki to Abel Tasman
Head along the wild West Coast with stops for scenic views, seal colonies, and lighthouse vistas. From there, you'll drive inland through the Nelson Lakes area toward Abel Tasman National Park. Arrival is in the afternoon, leaving time to explore the local town or relax at your accommodation.
Landmarks Nelson Lakes Abel Tasman National Park 
- Day 4
Abel Tasman National Park
Dedicate the full day to Abel Tasman National Park. You can choose kayaking along golden shores, hiking the coastal track, canyoning, or skydiving if you want more thrills. Alternatively, take a peaceful walk along the beach and soak in the scenery. Look for native wildlife like the Tui and Tuatara.
Optional Activities
- Kayak along the golden shores
- Hike the coastal track
- Canyoning
- Skydiving
- Walk along the beach
Landmarks Abel Tasman National Park - Day 5
Abel Tasman to Marlborough Region
Leave Abel Tasman behind and drive through the Marlborough region, famous for its vineyards and Sauvignon Blanc production. Stop at one of the local wineries for lunch and a tasting experience to sample the region's finest wines while looking out over the vineyard views.
Optional Activities
- Visit a local winery for lunch and wine tasting
Landmarks Marlborough Region Vineyards 
- Day 6
Marlborough Region to Kaikoura
After breakfast, continue to Kaikoura, a small coastal town with dramatic cliffside views. This is where you'll find opportunities to spot seals, whales, and dolphins in their natural habitats along the coast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Kaikoura 
- Day 7
Kaikoura to Christchurch
This morning, choose your final wildlife adventure in Kaikoura. You can spot seals, join a whale-watching tour, or swim with dolphins to experience the marine life here. Afterwards, your guide drives you back to Christchurch, arriving around 4:00 pm.
Optional Activities
- Spot seals
- Whale-watching tour
- Swim with dolphins
Landmarks Kaikoura - Day 8
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Travel from Christchurch through the Rakaia Gorge, a natural wonder worth seeing. You'll stop for lunch in Geraldine to taste local food and drinks, then continue to Lake Tekapo, known for its turquoise water and Southern Alps views.
Landmarks Rakaia Gorge Geraldine Lake Tekapo 
- Day 9
Lake Tekapo to Te Anau
Head southward toward Te Anau. Along the way, pause at Mt Difficulty Vineyard for lunch and wine tasting where you can sample the region's flavors and take in the surrounding landscape.
Optional Activities
- Lunch and wine tasting at Mt Difficulty Vineyard
Landmarks Mt Difficulty Vineyard - Day 10
Te Anau to Milford Sound to Queenstown
Travel to Milford Sound for a scenic cruise through the fiord past waterfalls, towering cliffs, and dramatic landscapes with chances to spot local wildlife. Then head to Queenstown, a mountain town surrounded by lakes and peaks.
Included Activities
- Scenic cruise through Milford Sound fiord
Landmarks Milford Sound Queenstown 
- Day 11
Queenstown
Take a free day to explore Queenstown at your own pace. Choose from optional activities like bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating, a scenic hike, or a leisurely walk around the city's streets and shops.
Optional Activities
- Bungy jumping
- Skydiving
- Jet boating
- Scenic hike
- Stroll around the city's charming streets
Landmarks Queenstown 
- Day 12
Queenstown to Franz Josef
Journey from Queenstown to Franz Josef, known for its glaciers. You'll pause in Wanaka, a lakeside town offering scenic vistas, then drive up the west coast taking in the landscape views along the way.
Landmarks Wanaka Franz Josef 
- Day 13
Franz Josef
Explore Franz Josef at your own pace. You can do a guided glacier walk, relax at thermal pools, or take a helicopter tour to see the surrounding terrain from above. Each option gives you a different way to experience the area.
Optional Activities
- Guided glacier walk
- Thermal pools
- Helicopter tour
Landmarks Franz Josef Glacier - Day 14
Franz Josef to Christchurch
On your final day, head back to Christchurch with scenic stops along the route. Visit Hokitika for its jade carvings and Arthur's Pass for mountain views. Finish at Castle Hill to see limestone rock formations, then return to Christchurch to end your New Zealand trip.
Landmarks Hokitika Arthur's Pass Castle Hill
