22 Day Both Islands

Haere Mai – Welcome to Auckland.

Arrive into Auckland and once you have cleared Customs and collected your luggage, make your way to Ezi Car Rentals desk to collect your vehicle and travel to your accommodation.

The afternoon is yours to relax or to explore the ‘City of Sails’.

After check-out, head north to the stunning Bay of Islands. You may wish to make a stop in Whangarei to see Whangarei Falls, often called the most photogenic waterfall in New Zealand. Or you may wish to Bream Head Scenic Reserve for outstanding walks and panoramic coastal views.

Set off on a half-day Bay of Islands cruise take in the stunning views as you glide out through the islands and along the Rakaumangamanga Peninsula to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island/Motukōkako, or as it is popularly known the ‘Hole in the Rock’.

This afternoon you will have at leisure. You may wish to visit neighbouring Kerikeri, which is home to New Zealand’s oldest stone building and has a range of art & craft shops. Or you may choose to visit the spectacular Rainbow Falls.

Return to Auckland with a lunch stop in Matakana, a foodie heaven with home-grown delicacies and award-winning wine. If you arrive on a weekend, you may wish to wander the picturesque Matakana Farmers Market.

This morning travel to Waitomo Glowworm Caves. The moment you enter this subterranean wonderland, you’ll discover an ancient underground labyrinth of limestone caves and grottos. Experience a boat trip like no other, journeying through the starry expanse of the Glowworm cave while your way is lit by a multitude of tiny glow worm lights. After touring, you will make your way to Rotorua for a two-night stay.

Rotorua has been known for its geothermal activity for over 150 years and today you are able to see, feel, smell and hear some of this wonder of nature with a visit to Te Puia, New Zealand’s geothermal wonderland featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud pools & bush walks.

The afternoon is free and we suggest visiting Polynesian Spa where you have the choice of 7 hot mineral spring pools to relax in or why not book a 30 minute private pool.

This evening you will feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) – blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar

Depart Rotorua and make a pit-stop at Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake and home to the thundering Huka Falls. You may wish to visit Taupo Hot Springs Spa if you would like another hot swim on the way to Napier. From here you have quite a variety of scenery as you ascend to the volcanic plateau then across mountains and valleys to Hawke’s Bay. Make your way to Napier city which was formerly destroyed by an earthquake and fire in 1931.

Travel through New Zealand’s rural heartland with a mixture of sheep, dairy and crop farming. Make a lunch stop at the beautiful wine region of Martinborough. Continue driving until you reach the coolest little capital in the world – Wellington.

Enjoy today at leisure. You may wish to drive up Mount Victoria or ride the Cable Car to get some magnificent views over this pretty city. You may wish to simply walk around Oriental Bay, visit Te Papa Museum of New Zealand or visit one of the many fine restaurants.

Today you will travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The journey across Cook Strait has a dramatic beauty all of its own. Both islands can be viewed, including the magnificent Kaikoura ranges and there is often the chance to see wildlife such as seabirds, dolphins, seals, whales and orca.

On arrival in Picton, collect your new rental car and make your way past vineyards and wineries until you reach Blenheim, Marlborough.

Travel through vineyards and rolling hillsides to the seaside settlement of Kaikoura. If arriving at Kaikoura early, we recommend purchasing tickets to join a Whale Watching Cruise for the ultimate marine experience or simply visit one of the many spectacular lookouts over Kaikoura Peninsular. Continue driving until you reach Christchurch – the Garden City.

Journey through the scenic Arthur’s Pass and make a pit-stop in the beautiful Hokitika Gorge before you arrive in Franz Josef. Nestled on the edge of the rainforest and descending 2500m in 13kms, these great cascading frozen rivers are only 6kms from the Tasman Sea and in this respect are unique. They are also amongst the fastest moving glaciers in the world, Franz Josef glacier is known to move up to 5m per day on occasions.

Embark on a journey across the Lake and into the sheltered bays of the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary. Enjoy the views and wildlife from the boat then disembark on the far shore for your guided walk through our magical rainforest trail into the Kiwi Sanctuary! The rainforest trail is designed to take you on a walk through another time, Jurassic rainforest, abundant bird life and home to the rarest Kiwi on the planet – the Rowi! Your guide will point out the birds and tell you all about the flora, fauna and kiwi conservation in the region. You may even get to try some edible native plants!

The rest of the day is yours to explore. You may wish to explore the glacier by guided walk, heli-hike or simply travel by helicopter for a once in a lifetime snow landing on top of the glacier.

View incredible scenery as you drive past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass to Wanaka. Wander the popular lakeside township of Wanaka before travelling over the Crown Range to the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown and then on to Queenstown.

 You may wish to add a night in Wanaka to allow for additional time.

A leisurely 90-minute cruise across Lake Whakatipu showcases some of Queenstown’s spectacular alpine scenery while offering you plenty of time to explore a piece of Queenstown’s living history – the over one hundred year-old TSS Earnslaw.

Prepare for an action-packed Jet Boat adventure on the spectacular Shotover River. Experience thrills, spins & speeds of up to 95kph.

TSS Earnslaw is under maintenance from 19 May – 08 Sep 25 so a different vessel will operate this trip.

After check-out, make your way south to the picturesque township of Te Anau, gateway to the glacier-carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure to wander the small town with a choice of charming restaurants.

Drive through native rainforest and glacier carved valleys as you make your way along Milford Road. Once you have arrived at Milford Sound, board your Cruise Milford cruise and see the fiord in all its glory. Witness cascading waterfalls and towering mountains as you experience New Zealand’s ultimate natural attraction.

After check-out, travel through the rolling hills of Southland & South Otago, making a stop in Gore, a small town home to country music and fly fishing. Upon arrival into Dunedin, check-in to your hotel for the next two nights.

Explore Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of the South. Founded by Scottish settlers, Dunedin in a vibrant, architecturally splendid city framed by a magnificent harbour and gateway to an arresting hinterland. Visit Larnach Castle & Gardens and learn of its rich history that dates back to 1871.

This morning travel through the towns of Omarama and Twizel before driving up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. Mt Cook is Australasia’s highest mountain at 3724 metres.

The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest in the Southern hemisphere. A total scenic highlight, you may wish to see Mt Cook from above by taking an optional scenic flight. Alternatively, you may wish to visit one of the many walking tracks to embrace the enormous peaks.

After a relaxing morning, leave New Zealand’s highest mountain behind as you head north through the picturesque town of Geraldine and across the Canterbury Plains, through to Christchurch. Be sure you make a photo stop at Lake Tekapo, a beautiful turquoise coloured lake and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of the lake. This is one of the most photographed churches in the world made of stone and sand from around the lake.

Upon check-out, make your way to Christchurch International Airport where you will drop off your vehicle and check-in for your return flight to Australia.