17 Days

Highlights

  • Milford Sound
  • Geothermal Wonders
  • Whale Watching

Proximity

  • by plane:

    Start your adventure in Auckland

  • by car:

    Total trip distance: 3388km

Soak up the wonders of nature with this relaxing and reinvigorating itinerary. Scroll to discover more.

Soak up the wonders of nature with this relaxing and reinvigorating itinerary. Feel the magic of caverns filled with twinkling glow worms at the Waitomo Caves and marvel at the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. Enjoy the spectacular ferry ride between the North and South Island before heading south for whale and dolphin watching encounters, beautiful fiords and ancient glaciers.

Day 1 & 2, Auckland

Auckland
Takapuna Beach, Auckland

Highlights

  • Vineyards and Craft Beer
  • Rangitoto Island - an Active Volcano
  • Beautiful Scenery

Enjoy all that Auckland has to offer. Take a relaxing boat cruise around the stunning harbour, or choose to take a fast-paced jet boat ride instead. Out on the water, look out for dolphins and whales. Visit Kelly Tarlton Sea Life Aquarium(opens in new window) and encounter a wonderland of snow, ice and amazing underwater creatures.

Don't miss taking a trip up the Sky Tower(opens in new window) - at 328 metres high, it's the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand and offers breathtaking, 360-degree views across Auckland and beyond.  

Day 3 & 4, Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua

Waikato
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Waikato

Proximity

Journey by car to Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the world-famous Glowworm Caves(opens in new window), which includes a magical underground boat ride to view the millions of twinkling glowworms on the cavern roof. Continue driving over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the “Thermal City” of Rotorua.

Day 5 & 6, Rotorua - Wellington

Rotorua
Te Puia, Rotorua

Proximity

Explore the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua before driving south to reach the popular lake resort(opens in new window) of Taupo. Travel along the shores of Lake Taupo to Turangi, before continuing on the Desert Road, dominated in the background by three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Continue driving through the lush farmland of the North Island and arrive in the vibrant capital city of Wellington – home to the Parliament, the museum of New Zealand, Te Papa(opens in new window), and a thriving film industry.

Day 7 & 8, Wellington - Picton - Marlborough

Marlborough
Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough

Proximity

Drive to the ferry terminal at the Wellington waterfront where you'll drop off your rental car and check in for your Interislander Ferry to Picton(opens in new window). Journey across Cook Strait - which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand - and into the beautiful Marlborough Sounds before arriving in Picton. Explore the nearby wine regions, or spend some time cruising the Sounds and viewing marine wildlife up close.

Day 9 & 10, Marlborough - Nelson Lakes National Park - Christchurch

Christchurch - Canterbury
Port Hills, Christchurch - Canterbury
christchurch-canterbury

Christchurch - Canterbury

Christchurch Accommodation

Proximity

Head south from Marlborough through the Nelson Lakes National Park - a land of enchanting alpine landscapes, forests and stunning glacial lakes. Go for an easy lakeside walk before setting off towards Christchurch. Visit contemporary art galleries, boutique shops and open-air markets that add to Christchurch’s creative vibe.

Day 11 & 12, Dunedin - Te Anau - Milford Sound

Dunedin is full of options for an exciting day of sightseeing. The Otago Museum(opens in new window) is home to fascinating heritage as well as the Tropical Forest, where you'll enter a lush, living tropical environment full of beautiful butterflies flying free. Marvel at Baldwin Street, the world's steepest street, and challenge yourself to climb up it. 

Fiordland
Milford Sound, Fiordland, Fiordland

Proximity

  • by car:

    4 hrs from Dunedin to Te Anau

Don't miss driving out to the beautiful Otago Peninsula and visiting Larnach Castle - New Zealand's only castle. While there, visit the Royal Albatross Colony(opens in new window) for a guided tour where you'll learn more about these huge, fascinating endangered birds. From here, head to Te Anau - the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Enjoy the Milford Sound Scenic Cruise(opens in new window) on this world-famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and the cascading Bowen Falls.

Day 13 & 14, Milford Sound - Queenstown

Queenstown
View from Bob's Peak, Queenstown

Proximity

  • by car:

    2 hrs 40 mins from Te Anau

From Milford Sound, make your way to the beautiful alpine resort town of Queenstown. Queenstown sits on the shore of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges; it’s rumoured that gold prospectors - captivated by the majestic beauty of the surrounding mountains and rivers - gave this now cosmopolitan town its name. Enjoy fine local wines or ride the Skyline Gondola for the ultimate panoramic views.

Day 15: Queenstown - Franz Josef Glacier

West Coast
Franz Josef Glacier, West Coast

Proximity

  • by car:

    4 hrs 45 mins from Queenstown

Depart Queenstown and travel via Lake Wanaka and through the historic Haast Pass, gateway to Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast, past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the glacier town of Fox Glacier where you'll spend the night. From here you can access both Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers and take a guided walk(opens in new window).

Day 16: Fox Glacier - Greymouth - Christchurch

After exploring stunning Fox Glacier, continue your drive north along the west coast to Greymouth. Here, drop off your rental car and board the world-famous Tranz-Alpine train(opens in new window). Ascend through lush beech forests past the alpine village of Arthur's Pass before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. Travel over the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Upon arrival at Christchurch Railway Station, transfer to your hotel for your final night in New Zealand.

Day 17: Depart Christchurch

Christchurch - Canterbury
Christchurch City, Christchurch - Canterbury
christchurch-canterbury

Christchurch - Canterbury

Accommodation in Christchurch

Highlights

  • Great Day Walks
  • Street Art and Creative Culture
  • Punting on the Avon River

Discover Top Experiences in Christchurch

Find out more

Enjoy breakfast in Christchurch today before making your way to the airport to catch your flight home.

View the journey below

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