Itinerary
- Days 1 - 4
Hanmer Springs
Another free day at Hanmer Springs. If weather cooperates, there's an optional morning trip to Lake Tennyson. Between the thermal pools, walking tracks, cycling trails, shops, and restaurants, you've got plenty to keep busy. Adventure seekers can try rafting, quad biking, or bungee jumping, or drive out to Molesworth Station, New Zealand's largest farm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Lake Tennyson day trip (weather permitting)
- Thermal Pools and Spa complex
- Walking and cycling tracks
- Rafting
- Quad biking
- Bungee jumping
- Molesworth Station day trip
- Restaurants and cafes
Landmarks Lake Tennyson Molesworth Station 
- Days 5 - 10
Franz Josef to Wanaka
This is one of the most scenic driving days of your trip. You'll pass through high mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, river valleys, alpine lakes, and native beech forest. After seeing Fox Glacier and black sand beaches at Haast, you'll cross the Haast Pass within Mount Aspiring National Park. Stop at the luminous turquoise Blue Pools for a swim or short walk before reaching Wanaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Blue Pools short walk and swim stop
Optional Activities
- Swimming in Blue Pools
Landmarks Fox Glacier Haast Haast Pass Mount Aspiring National Park Blue Pools Lake Wanaka Lake Hawea 
- Days 11 - 18
Te Anau
Another day to explore Fiordland. Around Te Anau, you can have a glow-worm cave experience, walk pleasant trails along the lakefront, or check out the busy town centre with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Sightseeing options include cruises, helicopter rides, or you can simply take in the natural scenery.
Optional Activities
- Te Anau Glow-worm Cave experience
- Lakefront walks
- Town centre exploration
- Shops and galleries
- Cafes and restaurants
- Cruises
- Helicopter rides
- Flightseeing
Landmarks Te Anau Glow-worm Caves Lake Te Anau 
- Days 19 - 23
Naseby
You have a free day in Naseby, a historic gold mining settlement nestled in a pine forest. Explore the atmospheric old buildings in the village centre. Do forest walks, hit the excellent mountain biking trails, or visit the public swimming dam. Optional bike hire is available for sections of the Central Otago Rail Trail. Today includes a two-hour group curling session at the stadium, a fun way to try the sport.
Included Activities
- Naseby curling session at stadium
Optional Activities
- Forest walks
- Mountain biking trails
- Public swimming dam
- Central Otago Rail Trail bike hire and stages
- Museum visit
- Village shops and galleries
Landmarks Naseby Curling Stadium Central Otago Rail Trail Maniototo - Days 24 - 26
Oamaru
Free day in Oamaru to explore the photogenic historic Victorian precinct with 19th-century architecture built from local stone. Visit the fascinating Steampunk museum with its weird and wonderful collections, traditional craft shops, and galleries. Your camp sits right on the harbour edge, where the world's smallest penguins, the Blue Penguins, return to shore at dusk each night at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony.
Optional Activities
- Victorian precinct exploration
- Steampunk museum visit
- Craft shops and galleries
- Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony viewing at dusk
Landmarks Oamaru Victorian Precinct Steampunk Museum Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony - Days 27 - 30
Lake Tekapo to Akaroa
You'll drive over high passes and between tall mountains, leaving Mackenzie Country behind. Pass through rural towns Fairlie and Geraldine, then take the Inland Scenic Route through lush Canterbury Plains pastureland. Cross the Rakaia Gorge with its bright milky-turquoise alpine-fed river. Head east to Banks Peninsula and Akaroa, a French heritage settlement with magnificent sweeping harbour views.
Included Activities
- Rakaia Gorge crossing and viewing
Landmarks Fairlie Geraldine Rakaia Gorge Rakaia River Banks Peninsula Akaroa Akaroa Harbour - Days 31 - 33
Akaroa to Punakaiki
Say goodbye to Akaroa and head across the country via Arthurs Pass National Park to coastal Punakaiki. The scenery starts immediately as you wind up Banks Peninsula hills to Lake Ellesmere shores, through fertile Canterbury Plains to Arthurs Pass, the highest of three South Island alpine passes. Dramatic alpine scenery with huge peaks, scree slopes, steep gorges, and shingle rivers greets you. Exit the pass, pass Lake Brunner, and arrive at Punakaiki for a two-night stay.
Landmarks Banks Peninsula Lake Ellesmere Canterbury Plains Arthurs Pass National Park Arthurs Pass Lake Brunner Punakaiki - Days 34 - 38
Murchison
Free day in Murchison, the whitewater capital of New Zealand. The region is surrounded by rivers offering Class 2-4 rapids for kayaking and canoeing. Try jet boating, gold panning, and fishing. Prefer dry land? Outstanding mountain biking trails and scenic historic walks are nearby, including a hike to the world's only perpetually burning fire in a forest setting.
Optional Activities
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Jet boating
- Gold panning
- Fishing
- Mountain biking trails
- Scenic walks and hikes
- Perpetually burning forest fire hike
Landmarks Buller River Gowan River Mangles River Matiri River Glenroy River Matakitaki River Maruia River - Days 39 - 43
Collingwood
Free day in Collingwood, a tranquil ecotourism destination near Kahurangi National Park and Farewell Spit Nature Reserve. An optional Farewell Spit tour visits the bird sanctuary's first 4km, Cape Farewell at South Island's most northerly point, Fossil Point, and the historic lighthouse. Alternatively, visit beautiful Wharariki Beach with high dunes, secluded bays, caves, rockpools, and offshore islands. Explore the town's fresh seafood, fish and chips, scallops, bike rentals, kayak hire, museum, art gallery, and cafes.
Optional Activities
- Farewell Spit Nature Reserve tour
- Cape Farewell visit
- Fossil Point viewing
- Lighthouse tour
- Wharariki Beach visit
- Bike rental and exploration
- Kayak rental and paddling
- Museum visit
- Art gallery visit
- Seafood dining
- Cafes
Landmarks Farewell Spit Nature Reserve Cape Farewell Wharariki Beach Aorere Valley Ruataniwha Inlet - Days 44 - 49
Wellington
Final day of your tour. You'll arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's capital, after the ferry crossing. Check out of your hostel by 10am.
