30-Day Ultimate Explorer Tour of New Zealand

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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.

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The drive from Auckland to the Bay Of Islands takes around 3.5 hours, giving yourself some leeway for stops. As you go through Puhoi, you'll take in the bohemian atmosphere of this historical township. You can stop for a breath of fresh salty air in Whangarei and take another break at Kawakawa - home to the world-famous Hundertwasser toilets. You'll enjoy the native bush surrounds and marvel at the endless golden beaches as you arrive into central Bay Of The Islands, Paihia.

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Commonly known as the winterless north, New Zealand's Bay of Islands is made up of over 140 subtropical atolls renowned for their untouched beaches, abundant marine life and idyllic climate. Today, you can explore this area on an optional tour should you wish. You can let the driver of the Dune Rider vehicle immerse you in the culture and history of the area while taking in the amazing scenery. Alternatively, you can take to the skies on a scenic flight or you can go on a dolphin cruise!

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From the Bay of Islands, you will head west for the wilder shores of Hokianga and the Tasman Sea. Small towns, Omapere and Opononi, are reminiscent of days gone by with a vintage seaside feel and are the perfect place to stop. You'll head south into Waipoua Forest, home to giant Kauri trees. You'll then backtrack cross-country to the Matakohe Kauri Museum, an award-winning museum before you continue on the road to Snells Beach, a lovely township close to Warkworth.

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Today you will leave Snells beach, driving from Warkworth and passing through Auckland. As you leave the city boundaries, you'll note a change in the landscape to lush rolling farmland. You'll cross the Hauraki Plains, go through the Thames Estuary and arrive at the coast at the town of Coromandel. Here, you can visit the Driving Creek Railway & Potteries and enjoy a one-hour EyeFull Tower Tour before continuing your drive to Whitianga via the scenic coastline of Whangapoua and Kuaotuna.

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Today, you'll have the day free to explore Whitianga located on the eastern coast of the Coromandel peninsular. Captain Cook arrived there in 1769 to observe the transit of Mercury and hence the bay was named. You can visit the Whitianga museum, housed in the old dairy factory, its many cafes and craft shops and the famous Hot Water Beach. On the other side of the harbour is Australasia's oldest stone wharf from where a passenger ferry takes visitors to the delightful Cooks Beach.

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Heading south from the Coromandel Peninsula, you'll pass through the seaside town of Whangamata, home to one of the best beaches in the region. Next, you come to the old mining town of Waihi and the Goldfields Railway. The route then takes you into the Bay of Plenty and the port town of Tauranga before you head along the scenic Pyes Pa Road to Rotorua. Lord of the Rings fans will want to stop in Matamata for a Hobbiton tour and those interested in Maori culture should visit Te Puia.

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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 to Rainbow Springs and National Kiwi Hatchery to see New Zealand's national animal.

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This drive will take you through the thermal region south of Rotorua. Home to a plethora of unique geothermal attractions including boiling mud pits, natural hot springs and steaming geysers. You'll then continue on to Taupo and marvel at the lake - a giant crater formed following a volcanic eruption in the year 180 CE. As you approach the city, be sure to stop at Huka Falls. In Hawke's Bay, you have the option to head out on a half-day wine tour and visit some of the most famous wineries.

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Napier, the city by the sea, is renowned for its 1930s Art Deco architecture, surrounding wineries and local fresh produce. Supported by a Mediterranean climate, a full day can be taken visiting Ocean Spa hot pools and swimming complex, the Hawke's Bay Museum and the National Aquarium of New Zealand. You can also discover the delights of Hawke's Bay on a five-hour afternoon winery tour visiting four local wineries including the oldest vineyard in New Zealand.

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As you leave the rolling countryside of the Hawke's Bay, you'll be greeted with some of the country's richest dairy farmland in the Manawatu Gorge. Continue on through the Wairarapa region and stop in the Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre, where you can see some of New Zealand native animals. As you drive south, a visit to historic Greytown is a must-do. Leaving state highway 2, you will cross over the Ruamahanga River into Martinborough wine country - your destination for the day.

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Today, your New Zealand vacation will cross the Rimutaka Ranges as you make your way to New Zealand's capital city, Wellington. Often compared to Melbourne, Wellington is a vibrant cultural hub. At one kilometre squared, the city centre (easily traversed on foot) has an international feel and is peppered with underground art shows, alleyway cafes and New York-style delis. Take in the boardwalk view as you stroll to Te Papa Museum or indulge your cinematic side exploring Weta Workshop.

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Today you'll cross the Cook Strait on the Interislander Ferry, cruising through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds. This journey to Picton takes around three hours and has been described as 'one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world'. From Picton, you'II first travel the Marlborough sounds coastline between Picton and Havelock. You'll continue on over the Bryant Range to arrive into Tasman Bay and the city of Nelson with Motueka just another 45 minutes along the coast.

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Abel Tasman National Park, known for its coastal hiking track, has an abundance of golden beaches, inlets and private lagoons. The park has a mild climate and is a special place to visit at any time of the year. Why not enjoy a scenic cruise through the Sounds or take a kayaking tour around its many sheltered bays? Relax to the melodious birdsong and get up close to some of the park’s many animal residents, including native bats, geckos, birds and marine mammals - fur seals and dolphins.

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Today, you will drive through Marlborough to Blenheim, New Zealand's largest wine-growing region - and home to many award-winning wines. It is recommended to time your day to arrive for lunch with a view to sampling some of the local offerings at one of the 40 plus wineries surrounding the area. Then, you'll continue over the dry hills of the Marlborough Ranges to one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world, Kaikoura.

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The Kaikoura Coast is renowned for its abundant marine life, and this is a huge visitor drawcard. Today, you'll begin the day with an optional whale watching in Kaikoura tour. Whale Watch Kaikoura offer a once-in-a-lifetime, up-close encounter with giant sperm whales. You are also likely to encounter New Zealand fur seals, dusky dolphins and albatross. Depending on the season you may also see pilot, blue and southern right whales as well as migrating humpbacks.

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Today, you'll travel down the coast before heading inland through the North Canterbury wine region to Christchurch. 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 in 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. You can make use of the Hop On Hop Off Christchurch Sightseeing bus to explore the key attractions of the city and its surrounds. Alternatively, you can head to the International Antarctic Centre or even head out on a Christchurch Grand Tour on a luxury coach with an interactive guide. If you prefer to explore on your own, then taking the Christchurch Gondola for a brilliant view of the city won't disappoint.

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This morning, you'll drive to Mount Cook National Park. On arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish. A great suggested activity is to experience 500-year-old icebergs up-close on the Mt Cook terminal lake on the Glacier Explorers tour. You'll see towering ice cliffs and floating icebergs from the safety of a specially designed boat which provides a safe way to view unseen and inaccessible areas of New Zealand's largest glacier - The Tasman.

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Leaving the MacKenzie Country today, you'll follow the Waitaki River to the coast, where you'll turn south for Dunedin. Today you'll leave Mt Cook National Park and travel past Twizel, one of the locations for the Lord of the Rings films. Driving through the Waitaki Valley, you'll head towards the east coast. Continue south down the coast to Moeraki. As you arrive in Dunedin, take in the city’s Edwardian and Scottish heritage reflected in the buildings around the city centre - The Octagon.

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Known as the Edinburgh of the South, Dunedin city has a heavy Scottish influence. Renowned for its Flemish Baroque-inspired ‘gingerbread house’ Railway Station, this university town is bustling with life. You may want to take a half-day tour of the Otago Peninsula and its unique wildlife including a cruise through Dunedin Harbour. A unique environment, this tour includes a visit to The Penguin Place to view the rare and unique yellow-eyed penguin.

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The drive from Dunedin to Te Anau takes you through classic Southland farmland scenery but if you want to spend the whole day exploring a little off the beaten path, taking the Southern Scenic Route through The Catlins is highly recommended. Upon arrival, you'll have the option to head to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves for a cruise through the inner caves to admire the incredible scene of millions of glowworms lighting up the cavity.

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Today, you'll make the beautifully scenic journey to Milford Sound. You'll get up close and personal with Milford Sound on a leisurely two-hour cruise of this spectacular fiord. From thundering waterfalls to sky-high mountains to lush rainforests, Milford has it all. Experience the spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces. Informative, participative and relaxed, this is the perfect way to experience Milford Sound to the fullest.

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Today, you'll cross vast tussock lands on your way to Queenstown. You'll pass through Mossburn, the deer capital of the nation. You'll then continue on through the Southland countryside where the road begins to hug the lake edge and the Remarkables Mountain Range towers over your approach into the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown. You'll spend the day exploring Queenstown and its surroundings.

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Today, you'll venture deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, where myth, heritage and fantasy come to life with the Wilderness Jet Dart River journey! Here, accompanied by your expert guide, you can experience a unique combination of breath-taking scenery and an exhilarating ride as you follow the braided, glacier-fed rivers by jet boat with exciting 360-degree spins along the way.

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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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Today, you'll take a scenic flight over all three Franz Josef glacier icefalls. Landing high on the glacier, you'll take a two-hour guided trip through some of the most beautiful terrain in the country. Your guide will choose the route as you go through a wonderland of blue ice and frozen pinnacles. You'll have endless views of the surrounding mountains and rainforest as well as plenty of opportunities to take photographs.

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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.