14-Day New Zealand Grand

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Today you’ll take to the road for your New Zealand self-drive holiday. Leaving Auckland you'll cross the lush farmland of the Hauraki Plains, through the Thames Estuary, and choose between two different routes to the Coromandel Peninsula. You can either go over the Coromandel Ranges in 45 minutes, or go the more scenic, and three hours longer, route that takes you north to Coromandel town along the Pohutukawa Coast. This is one of the most spectacular drives in the region and not to be missed.

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Heading south from the Coromandel Peninsula you pass through the town of Whangamata and the old mining town of Waihi which still has an open cast gold mine. The route takes you into the Bay of Plenty and the port town of Tauranga before you head along the scenic Pyes Pa Road to Rotorua. For Lord of the Rings fans, a detour to Matamata is recommended to go to the Hobbiton film set. Arrive into Rotorua from the north, welcomed by the spectacular view of the lake.

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Go through the thermal region just south of Rotorua, home to a plethora of geothermal attractions including boiling mud pits, hot springs and steaming geysers, this area is a must! Continue on to Taupo and marvel at the lake - a giant crater formed following a volcanic eruption in the year 180 CE. Stop at Huka Falls to view the spectacular sight of hundreds of cubic metres of water spilling every second. Leaving Taupo, climb the rugged Ahimanawa Range before descending to art deco Napier.

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Hawke's Bay leads you into some of New Zealand’s richest farmland around the Manawatu region. Passing along the Manawatu Gorge, enter Wairarapa. Masterton is home to a sheep shearing competition while just further south Greytown boasts the largest concentration of historic wooden buildings in the country. Nearby Martinborough is home to dozens of boutique wineries. The route takes you over the Rimutaka Range and along the magnificent natural harbour that the capital city of Wellington sits upon.

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The journey between Wellington and Picton has been described as 'one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world'. From the Cook Strait, there are spectacular views of the Kaikoura Ranges on the South Island. Go through the Marlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Sound before coming to Picton. The Queen Charlotte Drive travels the Marlborough Sounds coastline. If you have time, take the road to Mahau Sound and Kenepuru Sound. Crossing the Bryant Range, arrive in Nelson.

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Leaving Nelson City you will pass through the suburb of Richmond, the Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi National Park region. Heading South towards Westport you will drive along the Buller Gorge, enjoy some wonderful scenery as you follow this magnificent river. On arrival in Punakaiki, you may want to visit Pancake rocks. You'll pass Greymouth before arriving in Hokitika, built by the West Coast settlers. It became a centre of the West Coast gold rush and more recently, its jade or greenstone crafts.

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Leaving Hokitika you’ll go through the gold mining town, Ross where the original buildings and workings remain. Continuing south, you’ll pass through Harihari, the township Guy Menzies crash-landed in, the first person to fly solo across the Tasman. Go through Whataroa, a township home to some of the world's rarest birds. Arriving in the glacier region you’ll catch your first glimpse of the Franz Josef glacier before coming into the township - a lively place with a great atmosphere.

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Head straight to Fox Glacier to view it before heading into the classic West Coast bush scenery. At Knights Point, elephant seals can often be seen basking on the sandy beaches. Crossing the Haast River, you turn inland climbing through mountains littered with waterfalls. The Blue Pools near Makarora are a great 30-minute walk before reaching Wanaka and New Zealand's highest sealed road, Crown Range that goes into Queenstown. This drive takes a full day to really enjoy the scenery and explore.

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On the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath the panorama of the Remarkables Mountain, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of wonders. Head down the Gibbston valley wine trail to sample some of the region’s Pinot and have lunch at the Michelin-star ‘Rata.’ Check out the historic Arrowtown and enhance your experience with a 4WD trip to Macetown. Go into the Fiordland National Park or drive through Lord Of The Rings country or jump aboard one of many dedicated LOTR tours.

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Skirting the shores of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables Mountain towers over your approach to the small township of Kingston. Cross the rolling tussock-lands of Mossburn (the deer capital of New Zealand) before arriving into Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Today's drive is a short one, you may wish to use the rest of your time today to follow a hiking trail through the national park.

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The drive from Te Anau to Dunedin takes you through Southland farmland scenery. If you want to spend the whole day exploring a little off the beaten path then take the scenic route through The Catlins. Following the Otago coastline to Invercargill, the route passes through Manapouri, Colac Bay and the fishing town of Riverton. From Invercargill, the route hugs the coastline. There are many side-trips to beaches and bays to explore before you arrive into the remarkable Edwardian city of Dunedin.

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Your first stop could be the Moeraki Boulders strewn on the beach and Fleur's Cafe in the township for the fresh seafood. Then visit Oamaru the old quarter or maybe stay longer to see the blue penguins come ashore at dusk. Next is the port town of Timaru and the vast Canterbury Plains. Crossing New Zealand's longest bridge at Rakaia you can see the South Island's famous braided rivers. Arrive in Christchurch City and maybe visit the International Antarctic Centre, which is highly recommended.