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.
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 and encounter a wonderland of snow, ice and amazing underwater creatures.
Don't miss taking a trip up the Sky Tower - at 328 metres high, it's the tallest artificial structure in New Zealand and offers breathtaking, 360-degree views across Auckland and beyond.
Explore the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua before driving south to reach the popular lake resort of Taupō. Travel along the shores of Lake Taupō to Tūrangi, 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, and a thriving film industry.
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. 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.
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.
Dunedin is full of options for an exciting day of sightseeing. The Otago Museum 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.
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 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 on this world-famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and the cascading Bowen Falls.
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.
Depart Queenstown and travel via Lake Wānaka 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.
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. 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.
Enjoy breakfast in Christchurch today before making your way to the airport to catch your flight home.
Important things you need to know about driving in New Zealand.
Getting around New Zealand is easy with a great range of transport options available.
There are plenty of accommodation options for every budget and travel style.
No matter the season, the majority of our main attractions are open year-round.
More information on basic costs for accommodation, travel and food.
