Auckland - Rotorua

Travelling Distance: 240 KM
Travelling Time: approx 3.5 hours 

Travelling south on SH1, the buzz of the city gives way to the more bucolic sights and sounds of the country – farms, market gardens and rivers. There are many interests en route, both urban and rural, vineyards at Te Kauwhata, the historic battle site at Rangiriri, the coal-mining town (and museum) at Huntly and the thermal springs at Waingaro. If time is plentiful and you’re looking for a diversion, there’s the beach at Raglan, known for its perfect surfing conditions, Maungatautari Ecological Island is 15kms from pretty Cambridge, the Mormon temple at Temple View is open to visitors. Taking SH5 at Tirau – known for its fascinating animal-shaped corrugated iron buildings and antique shops – the route travels through the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park, over interesting volcanic terrain and leads to Rotorua.

Rotorua - Tongariro National Park

Travel Distance: Approx. 184KM
Travel Time: Approx. 2 & ¾ hours 

Whether you drive on SH30, then SH1 or follow SH5 south towards Taupo, a riveting journey is guaranteed. Traversing this active geothermal area, the volcanic terrain is fascinating and has huge geological appeal. En route look out for the tremendous and unique thermal valleys. Wai-O-Tapu has been active for over 150,000 years and has some remarkable features such as the deep cauldron-like craters bubbling frantically with mud and the coloured pools. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is the world’s newest geothermal system and features both a scenic reserve and a wildlife refuge – walks, cruises and bus trips are available. 

The more secluded Waikite Valley Thermal Pools are equally worth a diversion. Other interesting places to visit include the hydro power station at Atiamuri and the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station further south. For a natural, perhaps ‘raw’, experience of the pure energy of water, make time to visit both the stunning Aratiatia rapids and the Huka Falls where water hurtles down at a rate of more than 220, 000 litres per second. 

Travelling around the largest lake in New Zealand, the wonderful Lake Taupo, and past Turangi, known as the trout capital of the world, SH1 then SH47 leads directly to the volcanic Tongariro National Park.

Wellington - Picton - Blenheim

This morning you will catch your ferry across the Cook Strait from Wellington through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds into Picton – the gateway to the south island. 

Pick up your car in Picton ferry terminal and start your southern leg of the trip with some of the finest wineries of the Marlborough region. Stay on a vineyard for the next 2 days and visit the local wineries by bikes from your hosting B&B

Blenheim to Kaikoura

Travel Distance: 156KM
Travel Time: Approx 2 &1/2 hours 

Heading south on SH1, this route passes the vineyards of Blenheim, follows the east coast past the cliff-top restaurant at Kekerengu, The Store, to the small ‘whale’ town Kaikoura

Christchurch - Mount Cook

Travelling Distance: 332 km Approx 4hours and 50minutes

Leaving behind the plains of Canterbury; scenic route 72 heads inland offering gentle views of farmlands and shadows the foothills

This particular drive is one of the most scenic in New Zealand. Vast open plains surrounded by majestic mountains – plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Your destination this day is New Zealand’s highest peak – Mt Cook. There are numerous day walks on offer at he valley, a unique glacial lake cruise, as well as scenic flights over the mountain and surrounding glaciers – breathtaking views! (Additional cost).

Queenstown

An adventure playground extraordinaire, Queenstown is both beautiful and bountiful: even the mountain range framing the town is called “The Remarkables”. Add to this Lake Wakatipu and lush forestation, its no wonder Hollywood film-makers frequently visit. 

Home to the first commercial bungy jumping enterprise, Queenstown is known for its many adrenaline-filled activities. Nearby Skipper’s Canyon and Arthur’s point commemorate the discovery of gold in the area. A stunningly beautiful and compact town, walking around Queenstown from eatery to entertainment, from parties to performances is all too easy – and being the unofficial adrenaline capital of New Zealand, you might want to pace out your days! Mountain skiing is immensely popular at Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone; with cross country skiing at the Waiorau Snow Farm (near Cardrona). 

Other adventure possibilities include jet boating, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, skateboarding, tramping, paragliding, canyon-swinging, sky diving, river surfing and fly fishing! If a calmer pace suits you, Queenstown has a great shopping and commercial scene and there is an equally vibrant night-life. Take in Queenstown’s incredible scenery over a leisurely lunch and a locally produced Pinot noir from, apparently, the world’s southernmost wine region! Bars are a-plenty, whilst there is a constant buzz of street (and indoor) entertainment and live music. 

Queenstown is home to the coal fired steamship, the TSS Earnslaw; hosts an annual International Jazz Festival and a Winter Festival and also makes a great base for exploring the inland lakes (Lake Hawea, Lake Wakatipu, and Lake Wanaka).

Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park, the largest national park in New Zealand, glistens and enchants. It’s a photographer’s dream – majestic mountains meet pristine water, glacier-cut fiords deceive the eye, native bush clings to the hillside, magnificent lakes sparkle (Manapouri and Te Anau) and well-known tracks beckon walkers such as the Milford, Hollyford, Kepler and Routeburn Track (and others!) which can all be walked full length or in part; guided or unguided. 

Te Anau is a popular base for visitors to Fiordland and it is where you can find the vitally important Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. Te Anau is also home to the phenomenal glow worms where these wriggly little luminescent worms light up their caves. 

Milford Sound 
European explorers initially overlooked the Sounds because their narrow entries effectively concealed their magnitude – make sure you don’t miss out! Cruise Milford Sound (scenic cruise is approx 1-2 hours duration with multi-lingual commentary; nature cruise is 2-2.5 hours with specialist nature guide on board: available from the Milford Sound Visitor Centre). 

Watch as mountains project vertically out of the crystal clear waters and look out for the kakapo, takahe, seals, dolphins, bellbirds, kea and kiwi. To deepen this memorable experience, there’s also the possibility of an overnight cruise (private cabins or quad share bunk option), ‘flight-seeing’ and even sea kayaking (day or overnight trips) or canoeing for superb close-ups of the glorious scenery. 

The underwater tourist observatory in one of the bays offers a unique perspective of the sounds and their underwater life. For the walkers, the famed Milford Track is an adventure in itself. Starting at the northern end of Lake Te Anau, the track weaves around to Sandfly Point where a short trip by ferry is necessary to return you to the Milford Sound wharf. 
Accommodation at the sound is very limited as most people take day trips. 

Doubtful Sound 
Also overlooked by early explorers such as Captain Cook, the Doubtful Sound was so named due to Cook’s severe misgivings that, if entered, the combination of the narrow entry-way, steep mountainsides and unpredictable wind patterns would put a retreat in doubt. To this day the Doubtful Sound retains its reputation of being rather moody and unpredictable. Isolated and beautiful, the sound can appear full of atmosphere – clear, blue and glorious one minute, dark and foreboding the next. 

Dramatic scenery unveils infront of you whilst cruising on the Doubtful Sound, including the breath-taking sightings of dolphins (Doubtful Sound is home to one of the southernmost population of bottlenose dolphins), fur seals and penguins (Fiordland crested and blue). Occasionally rare large whales such as the humpback or sperm whale can be spotted. Waterfalls are also a frequent highlight, in particular Helena Falls at Deep Cove and the Browne Falls, although during the wet season literally hundreds of waterfalls can be seen – and felt! 

Cruises are available on the Doubtful Sound also with the once-in-a-lifetime option of an overnight cruise; and as with Milford Sound there is the possibility to ‘flight-see’, sea kayak (day or overnight trips) or canoe for a closer inspection of the sound.

Dunedin - Auckland

End of the tour… Catch a flight from Dunedin to Auckland or Christchurch to connect with your international flight. Have a good flight back home.