16-Day Auckland to Christchurch Explorer

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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 gourmet food and wine experience, hopping from one iconic location to the next on a hop on hop off tour bus!

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Today, you'll drive south past the Bombay Hills and into the rolling farmland and pastures of Waikato. You’ll soon go through the town of Matamata where you can visit the fully intact Hobbiton film set used in the shooting of the Lord of The Rings and Hobbit trilogies. Continuing on, you’ll pass several small farming communities before telltale signs of steam and other geothermal activity signals your arrival into Rotorua.

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Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the worlds most active volcanic regions. Home to several prominent Maori tribes, a visit to one of the Maori Villages should be high on your agenda. You can spike your adrenaline at Velocity Valley Adventure Park on stomach-dropping attractions such as static skydiving. Alternatively, you can head for the skies on a spectacular scenic flight with Volcanic Air Safaris for an extra thrill.

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The drive from Rotorua to Wellington takes you via the township of Taupo, home to New Zealand's largest lake. Following the lakeshore, you'll pass Turani and then ascend the central plateau onto the high country the Rangipo Desert. Skirting the edge of Tongariro National Park, you'll descend through rich farmland and rural towns to arrive at your destination, Wellington. In the evening, you'll have the option to do the Zealandia by night wildlife sanctuary tour!

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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, you'll begin the day with an optional whale watching tour. Then, you'll travel down the coast before heading inland through the North Canterbury wine region. If you have time on your hands, it is recommended that you take a detour to Hanmer Springs for a 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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You'll have the day free to spend as you wish, exploring Christchurch or heading out on a day tour to Akaroa. You will travel the scenic route to Akaroa via Governors Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Forsyth and Little River, stopping for spectacular views over the Akaroa Harbour. You'll then take a two-hour cruise through Akaroa Harbour for a chance to see this quaint French settlement from the sea as well as dolphins, penguins and seals.

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Today you'll leave Christchurch and enjoy a scenic drive through Canterbury and the MacKenzie Country to Mt Cook National Park. You'll continue 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 from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier-fed turquoise blue colour. In the afternoon, an optional rugged back road 4WD adventure to the Tasman Glacier and its gigantic moraine wall awaits!

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Leaving the alpine region of Mount Cook behind, you'll travel over the Lindis Pass, one of New Zealand's highest roads with a summit of 971 metres. Approaching Queenstown, the Remarkables Mountain Range comes into new as you arrive into the capital of adventure in New Zealand. In the evening, you have the option to go on a wonderful art and wine tour today and in the evening, you'll enjoy a gourmet BBQ dinner on the TSS Earnslaw Cruise!

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Although celebrated as New Zealand's ‘adventure capital’, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders. Go on a wine tour, have lunch in a Michelin-star restaurant, take a hike or get an adrenaline surge with the Shotover Jet, Nevis Bungy, canyon swing or zipline activities on offer.

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From Queenstown, you'll cross the Crown Range –the highest sealed road in New Zealand– to the Alpine town of Wanaka. Skirting the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea, you will enter Makarora. Stop at Blue Pools for a one-hour walk through native beech forest to a glacier-fed swimming hole. Then through the remote settlement of Haast before heading up the West Coast, a 600-kilometre stretch of bush and rainforest. Fox Glacier welcomes you first, then comes your destination - Franz Josef township.

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Franz Josef is a small but lively town in the heart of the West Coast, known for its 12-kilometre long glacier. Surrounded by lush rainforest-clad mountains the township has a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. To see the ice from a viewpoint you can walk along the valley floor to the terminal face without a guide. However, to go on the glacier itself you must take a licensed helicopter tour which you can do today with The Helicopter Line.

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Your drive today takes you north through the historic gold mining region of Hokitika, a seaside town dating back to the 1860s. Take in the sea views before moving on to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and the starting point of the next leg of your journey. You'll drop your rental car at Greymouth Station and board one of the most spectacular trains in the world to Christchurch, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your accommodation.