3 Weeks Luxury & Landscapes Self Drive

Overview
If there's one style of accommodation that sets New Zealand on the very highest plateau of comfort, it's the country’s famous lodges, invariably owner-run and often found in stunning hideaway locations.

Days 1 and 2 Waiheke Island
After the long flight from home we would recommend that you catch your breath and ease into the gentle pace of New Zealand on Waiheke Island, just a tenminute hop by helicopter from Auckland’s international airport, across the islanddotted Hauraki Gulf. Waiheke is a wonderful world of beaches, forests, farmland and boutique vineyards (Stonyridge among them), enjoyed by a harmonious mix of bolt-holing Kiwis, many of whom own holiday homes or ‘baches’ (pronounced ‘batches’).

You’ll be staying at the nautically-themed Boatshed, with five designer suites. The owners will meet you on arrival and can arrange a number of touring options, including visits to the local vineyards and picnics, or you can explore the island independently by hired car. The Boatshed also offers a ‘jetlag package’ which includes rejuvenating massages.

Day 3 Auckland
Ferry back to the mainland, with renewed energy to tackle some of Auckland’s urban highlights. Spend the night in the warm and welcoming Mollies, a Victorian haven of nostalgia with harbour views, interesting artefacts from around the world and a strong musical resonance from the owners (Frances is a concert pianist, Steven was an opera set designer).

Days 4 and 5 Rotorua
A morning’s drive to Rotorua, a town famous for its bubbling cauldrons of hot mud and salvoes of spurting geysers as well as being a hub of Maori culture. You might consider a self drive lake cruise, with the chance to hook a trophy-size rainbow trout (£107), a 4WD bush safari in which you do the driving (£37), or a helicopter trip to inspect Mount Tarawera, a dormant volcano that last erupted in 1886, including a guided walk through - yup, that’s what’s on the tin - the craters (£136). Ask our consultants for details.

Your accommodation is at a luxurious, tranquil lodge, Peppers on the Point, a converted 1930s nine-room mansion on the banks of Lake Rotorua. Or treat yourself to a stay at Treetops - one of New Zealand’s exclusive lodges (see our hotels – New Zealand Lodges) for a supplement of £273 pp. Or push the boat out even further at the fullyserviced private home, Okareka Lake House, (see our hotels – Private Houses), or the famous Huka Lodge (See our hotels – New Zealand Lodges).

Days 6 and 7 Hawkes Bay
This is one of the most acclaimed wine producing regions in New Zealand. You’ll spend two nights at McHardy House, built in the late 19th century as a holiday home in the Art Deco heritage town of Napier. Or upgrade to Greenhill The Lodge (see our hotels – New Zealand Lodges) for a supplement of £169 pp.

On your second day, following the sensible approach when it comes to visiting vineyards, we would suggest you take a personalised, private guided tour of the region with a local guide and a luxury 4WD (£188).

Days 8, 9 and 10 Nelson
Cut out some long driving and sea time by flying from Napier to Nelson in the north of South Island, crossing the Cook Strait with eye-boggling views of the Marlborough Sounds. Your accommodation, Bronte Lodge, is a heritage homestead overlooking the estuary. During your stay there’ll be lots of time to visit the several art and craft studios in Nelson (5hr guided tours, £54); tour the area’s best known wineries (£94); hike, sea kayak or sail in the Abel Tasman National Park on an organised, full-day private sailing trip (£514); or enjoy a sightseeing adventure by helicopter (£300) along one of the country’s most magnificent stretches of coast and over Lord Of The Rings landscapes. As an alternative to Bronte you could treat yourself to the highly-acclaimed Eden House, a gracious private home situated on a 48-acre farm with a large spa pool overlooking the gardens and pretty valley - for a supplement of £289 pp incl dinner.

Days 11 and 12 Marlborough
Home to some of the world’s best sauvignon blancs - Hunter’s, Cloudy Bay, St Clair and Villa Maria among them - Marlborough is also a culinary Mecca where locally-grazed lamb and Greenshell mussels and scallops straight from the Sounds complement the award-winning crispy whites from the Wairau Valley. Spend two nights at Old St Mary’s Convent in the heart of Marlborough’s wine region. Built in 1903 for the Sisters of Mercy, the Convent has been lovingly restored and transformed into a guest house with five rooms, including a honeymoon suite housed in the original chapel, overlooking the gardens and across to the surrounding hills. There’s a billiards room, a library with ornate kauri fireplace, swimming pool, and bicycles available to explore the surrounding vineyards.

Alternatively, you could put up in the four bedroom Timara Lodge, whose 600 acres include 25 devoted to beautiful Englishstyle gardens and a five-acre lake. Stay here for a supplement of £471 per person, including dinner prepared by the award-winning owner-chef.

One of the best ways to experience the Marlborough vineyards is on a 6hr private guided tour, which visits both iconic and boutique wineries - there are more than 60 in all - and can be tailored to your particular interests (£189). Alternatively, you could take a cruise on the Waters of the Sounds (£47).

Days 13 and 14 Canterbury
With time en route for a whale watching trip from Kaikoura, your day’s destination is the Claremont Country Estate, close to Christchurch and the Waipara wineries. You’ll spend two nights at this restored 1866 limestone heritage homestead, a 2,400 acre working sheep, deer and cattle station with 10km of Waipara River frontage. 4WD adventure tours of the area’s striking natural features are included; you’ll also be close to Hanmer Springs spa and thermal pools as well as some of the world’s most renowned trout and salmon fishing rivers.

Days 15 and 16 Mount Cook
To the mighty Southern Alps, arriving at the Hermitage Hotel in time to step into your room in the ‘Aoraki Wing’ and straight out onto the balcony to gawp at the full-on view of Mount Cook. As the house motto goes, you’ll “go to sleep in luxury, wake to pure majesty” when the first rays of light hit the white of the peak. There’s lots to do besides watching the peak performances. We would recommend a 40min scenic flight, including a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier (£162), or a 6hr boat tour along the base of NZ’s largest glacier (£58).

Days 17, 18 and 19 Queenstown
In the heart of picture postcard scenery, beside a lake and encased by jagged mountain peaks, Queenstown not only offers access to a full slew of high-octane action - it was here that AJ Hackett introduced the world to bungee jumping - but the town is also a launch pad for exploring the magnificent Lord Of The Rings mountainscapes.

Your accommodation is the new Sofitel, right in the heart of Queenstown. Alternatively, you could choose the beautiful Blanket Bay Lodge in Glenorchy, built in the grand style of the finest alpine lodges in a 60,000-acre estate overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the spectacular South Island mountain range, for a supplement of £401 per person (see our hotels – New Zealand Lodges).

We would encourage all visitors to the Southern Alps to treat themselves to a chopper flight up and over the peaks, touching down on a glacier for a stroll, then on to Milford Sound, with eagle eye views of waterfalls, fiords and mighty summits. Three landings will offer you closer inspection of the landscapes, with one devoted to a gourmet picnic lunch (£937). You can also enjoy a potted version, helicoptering to a remote area for a ‘Picnic on a Peak’, champers included (£275). For a different scenic perspective consider a Dart River safari, which combines driving through Lord Of The Rings locations with high speed jetboating (£94).
Let us know if you want us to design a similar itinerary tailored to your particular interests.

Your Accommodation

Two nights on Waiheke Island at The Boatshed including breakfast

One night in Auckland at Mollies Room Only

Two nights in Rotorua at Peppers On The Point, including dinner and breakfast

Two nights in Hawke’s Bay at McHardy House including breakfast

Three nights in Nelson at Bronte Lodge including breakfast

Two nights in Marlborough at Old St Mary’s Convent including breakfast

Two nights in Canterbury at Claremont Country Estate, including dinner and breakfast

Two nights at Mount Cook in The Hermitage, including dinner and breakfast

Three nights in Queenstown at the Sofitel Room Only