Three Week Grand Tour Self Drive

This independent, head to toe, self drive tour of New Zealand is a treat of fantastic scenery, punctuated by some of the country’s most appealing boutique accommodations. Check into the Hilton, maritime hip in style with wide open views of Waitemata harbour, then drag yourself away from the window and explore the waterfront of the aptly-called ‘City of Sails.’

Days 3 and 4 The Coromandel

A perfect marriage of coast and native bush. We suggest you spend a day on a 'Kiwi Dundee' Adventure, which combines Kauri forest walks with an 1890s gold mining town and the famous, dig your own thermal pool at Hot Water beach.

Day 5 and 6 Lake Taupo

Stop en-route at Rotorua, visiting the bubbling thermal springs and Maori cultural centre, then check into Point View Lodge.

Days 7 and 8 Hawkes Bay

After admiring the Art Deco architecture of Napier, you'll drive to the Hawke's Bay wine district, staying at Breckenridge Lodge with stunning views of the vines.

Day 9 Wellington

The country’s waterfront capital, which sits in a handsome horseshoe of hills, is home to its best museum Te Papa, a superb repository of national treasures.

Days 10 and 11 Marlborough Sound

Ferry across the Cook Strait and on by boat to the Bay of Many Coves, with sea views, terrific food and the option of sailing, fishing, walking or kayaking in an unspoilt natural environment.

Day 12 and 13 Kaikoura

Enjoy lunch at one of the Marlborough wineries then continue to Kaikoura where you can go whale watching and/or swim with dolphins.

Day 14 Canterbury High Country

Terrace Downs, situated on the edge of Rakaia Gorge, is a resort with its own stables, an 18-hole championship golf course – one of the top three in NZ – and a spa.

Days 15 and 16 Queenstown

The menu of activities is staggering: hiking, Lord of the Rings tours, jetboating, 4WD, lake cruising, biking, kayaking, tandem sky diving and, of course, bungy jumping in the very place where the sport was invented.

Day 17: Afloat on Doubtful Sound

An overnight cruise on the Fiordland Navigator, with the prospect of Bottlenose dophins for company, fur seals on the shores and occasionally penguins.

Days 18 and 19 Wanaka

The lakeside town is like a cameo version of Queenstown, more chilled-out and arguably even more scenic.

Day 20 Fox Glacier

A stunning west coast and mountain drive, with a Kodak moment at every bend, with time to take a scenic flight over the glaciers and a hike - two hours or so - through native forest around Lake Matheson, known as Mirror Lake for its perfect upside down perspective on Mount Cook.

Days 21 Christchurch

Drive to Greymouth, drop off the car and hop aboard the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch, pretty city, not unlike Cambridge in the UK (you can even go punting).

Day 22: Home