14-Day Self-Drive North Island to South Island

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This morning, you'll pick up your rental car and then spend the day exploring Auckland. Sandy beaches, native bush and lush rainforests give way to a vibrant urban culture, humming with life. Spend time in the Viaduct Harbour, try your hand at sailing an America’s Cup yacht, or take the ferry to nearby Waiheke Island for a gourmet food and wine experience. From the top of Auckland's highest volcano, Mt Eden, take in soaring views of the gulf, or lose yourself in one of the national parks.

Today, you will leave Auckland and travel south through the rolling pastures of Waikato. Take the time to detour to Waitomo and experience its network of underground caves before heading inland to the Central Plateau and arriving at Tongariro National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tongariro is home to three active volcanoes Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe as well as a host of activities including hiking, fishing, climbing, mountain biking and skiing.

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Located in the centre of New Zealand's North Island, Tongariro National Park is the country's oldest national park and the fourth national park in the whole world. There are a plethora of walks in and around the park. From 15-minute hikes to longer 5-hour treks, there is something for every level of fitness. All established tracks are maintained by the Department of Conservation and the best walks to do include the Whakapapa Nature Walk (15 minutes), Taranaki Falls (2 hours) and many more.

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Today's drive is filled with fantastic scenery including Lake Taupo, the Desert Road and the Kapiti Coastline as you approach Wellington. Leaving Whakapapa Village, you'll make your way through the Rangipo Desert, skirting the edges of the Tongariro National Park, one of New Zealand’s three world heritage sites. Catch a glimpse of the volcanically active Mt Ruapehu and if you're Lord of the Rings fan, you'll enjoy seeing the symmetrical Mt. Ngauruhoe - better known as Mt Doom.

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Today you'll cross the Cook Strait on the Interislander Ferry. Approaching Picton, you'll cruise through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds. The journey between Wellington and Picton takes around three hours and has been described as 'one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world'. Enjoy spectacular views of the Kaikoura Ranges and the stunning Marlborough Sounds. You'll then travel 30 minutes to the heart of Marlborough - New Zealand’s largest wine-producing region.

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Today, you'll cross the 'dry hills' of Marlborough and head towards one of the most spectacular coastlines of the South Island, the Kaikoura Coast. The road hugs the shore for around 50 kilometres and offers many chances to view native wildlife. Kaikoura Township is a bustling little place with many cafes, restaurants and shops - but the main reason for visiting here is the wildlife - and it's one of the only places in New Zealand you can see whales year-round.

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Today, before you set off for Christchurch, you'll head out on a whale-watching tour in Kaikoura to witness these majestic giants. You'll then travel down the coast before heading inland through the North Canterbury wine region - the Waipara Valley. If you’ve time on your hands, it is recommended that you take a detour to Hanmer Springs for relaxing dip in its thermal pools. Arriving into Christchurch, you'll see a new and improved city, steadily rising from the ruins of the 2011 earthquake.

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Just a hours drive from Christchurch, Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula offers a great contrast to the South Island's largest city. Rolling green hills, streams, golden sand beaches and small settlements offer a unique insight into New Zealand's history and development plus, wineries, great cafes and restaurants and abundant wildlife. The Akaroa Harbour itself is teeming with wildlife and a nature cruise is a must-do activity to see one of the world's smallest and rarest dolphins, hectors dolphin.

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Today you'll enjoy a scenic drive through Canterbury and the MacKenzie Country to Mt Cook National Park. You'll catch your breath in Geraldine before continuing through Fairlie and ascending Burkes Pass, you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo. Follow the road and take in the view of Aoraki Mt Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier-fed turquoise blue colour.

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Today, you'll follow the drylands to Lindis Pass which leads to Wanaka. Twizel, south of Mt. Cook was the location of many Lord of the Rings scenes and a little further on is Omarama, the gliding capital of New Zealand. The Lindis Pass is one of New Zealand’s highest roads with the summit reaching 971 metres. The tussock covered hills offer an unusual contrast as you pass from the Mackenzie Basin and into Central Otago. Approaching Wanaka, the wonderful alpine lake welcomes you to the town.

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Today, you'll have the day free to explore Wanaka and the surrounding valleys and rivers. You may want to head out on a wine tour which offers a relaxed and personal introduction to the wines and scenery of the Central Otago region. You'll visit and enjoy tastings at four Central Otago vineyards including a gourmet canape matched tasting. Alternatively, you may want to take a step back in time to when pilots were larger than life and take a scenic flight around Wanaka in a vintage aircraft.

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This morning, you'll explore Lake Wanaka further. Starting with a cruise, you'll travel to the remnants of an early settlement; a stone wharf and a hut. A track leads from the landing and climbs steadily through native bush to near the top of Tyrwhitt Peak. After the cruise and hike, you'll head over New Zealand's highest sealed road, Crown Range Road, to Queenstown. This drive could be planned as a whole day to really enjoy the scenery and to allow time for many stops en route.