17 Nights Self-Drive

Met on arrival at Auckland Airport by a chauffeur from the Langham Hotel and transferred by limousine to the Langham Hotel. Remainder of day free to explore Auckland, the City of Sails.

2 nights Langham Hotel, Auckland

Day 2 Auckland NM

At leisure in Auckland. You may like to take an America’s Cup Sailing Experience on Waitemata Harbour or Wilderness Tour to the black sand beaches on the West Coast.

Day 3 Auckland – Rotorua (235kms/3 hrs) NM

Your car will be delivered to the Langham Hotel, which is conveniently located near the motorway. Travel south through Hamilton and Cambridge to Rotorua, an area renowned for its Maori culture, hot springs, geysers and boiling mud.

2 nights Accolades Boutique Hotel

Day 4 Rotorua BD

Free to explore Rotorua’s attractions which include the arts and craft institute at Te Puia and Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, the Agrodome with its amazing display of trained sheep, working sheep dogs and pastoral exhibits, and Rainbow Springs. Tonight enjoy the Maori Cultural Performance and Hangi at Tamaki Maori Village.

Day 5 Rotorua – Wellington (460 kms/6 hrs) B

Travel through to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake passing the Wairakei geothermal project and Huka Falls. Continue south through the Tongariro National Park to New Zealand’s Capital, Wellington.

2 nights Duxton Hotel, Wellington

Day 6 Wellington NM

A free day to visit Te Papa, the museum of New Zealand, view the Parliament Buildings or take the Kelburn Cable Car up to the Botanical Gardens and enjoy the lovely panoramic views of the city and harbour.

Day 7 Wellington – Picton – Nelson

(Picton-Nelson 110 kms/2 hrs) NM

Enjoy the scenic 3 hour cruise on the Interislander between the North and South Islands. Arrive in Picton and marvel at the coastal scenery and forest clad ranges as you drive through to Nelson, an area known for its orchards, hop fields, potters, painters, weavers and wine makers.

2 nights Shelbourne Villa, Nelson

Day 8 Nelson B

A free day to explore Nelson or take a day tour into the Abel Tasman National Park.

Day 9 Nelson – Punakaiki (265 kms/4 hrs) B

Travel through the scenic Buller Gorge to the West Coast. Follow the magnificent coastline to the unusual limestone rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki.

Overnight Punakaiki Rocks Hotel and Villas

Day 10 Punakaiki – Fox Glacier

(235 kms/4 hrs) NM

Pass through Greymouth, Hokitika and Franz Josef Glacier before reaching Fox Glacier. Allow enough time to walk to the base of the glacier, join a guided glacier walk or take a scenic flight over this spectacular alpine region.

Overnight Te Weheka, Fox Glacier – Bed

& Breakfast

Day 11 Fox Glacier – Queenstown

(371 kms/7 hrs) B

Continue on this spectacular journey through the Haast Pass, travel along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea and cross the Crown Range before arriving in Queenstown, New Zealand’s premier holiday destination.

3 nights Peppers Beacon, Queenstown

Days 12 & 13 Queenstown NM

Two free days to enjoy the many activities offered in and around Queenstown. We recommend that you include a day trip to Milford Sound. Some of the highlights are suggested on page 64.

Day 14 Queenstown – Mt Cook

(263 kms/31⁄2 hrs) D

Travel past the orchards of Cromwell and on to Twizel before entering the Mount Cook National Park. At 3,754 metres, Mt Cook (Aoraki) is New Zealand’s highest mountain.

Overnight The Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Top 3 Floors with 3 course à la carte dinner in the Panorama Restaurant.

Day 15 Mt Cook – Christchurch (337 kms/5 hrs) B

Your drive to Christchurch takes you along the shores of Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo. Here you may like to take the 50 minute Grand Traverse scenic flight (as suggested on page 61) and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue through the richest agricultural and pastoral regions of the Canterbury Plains to reach Christchurch.

3 nights The George Hotel, Christchurch

Day 16 & 17 Christchurch NM

Two free days when you might like to visit Kaikoura and take a Whale Watching tour, drive across to the French settlement of Akaroa or just enjoy the attractions in Christchurch. Some suggestions are shown on page 58.

Day 18 Depart Christchurch NM

Return your car to the airport and depart Christchurch for your onward flight.