YOUR DAY
Guided: Upon arrival at Christchurch Airport, a shuttle driver will take you to your accommodation in the city. The day and night are free to spend at your leisure and your guide will meet you tomorrow morning.
Self Drive: Upon arrival at Christchurch Airport you will collect your rental vehicle within the airport terminal. Make your way to your inner city accommodation where the day and night are free to spend at your leisure and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Tonight you will enjoy a dining experience at one of The Road Trip's favourite Christchurch eateries; 5th Street.
"Hospitality has a special role in all of our lives, it is one of the few times you can be truly looked after. We encourage our staff to value their role and to recognise the importance of service. Giving is one of the fastest ways to feel good and receiving that feel-good feeling is one of the key ingredients to a fantastic night out!
We also know that Service starts from the top down, so it is important that our staff are cared for and valued. They are the front of 5th Street and we are always looking for ways to support and encourage their growth and journey."
YOUR DAY
385km, 5 hours 10 minutes driving
Today you will drive through the mighty Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass National Park. Keep a look out for the Bealey River as well as the reflective waters of Lake Pearson and Lake Lyndon. Our favourite nature walk in this national park features a stunning 150 metre waterfall and spectacular views of the mountains as you peek through native beech forest. Be sure to keep a look out overhead for the Kea (New Zealand’s cheeky native alpine parrot)!
Driving further you will reach the West Coast and the Tasman coastline. Head slightly inland where you can visit the stunning Hokitika Gorge to marvel at its beautiful bright blue waters and surrounding native forest.
Continue further south through the rainforest to the town of Franz Josef glacier, nestled at the base of the towering alps and surrounded by dense native bush.
Includes 5 course degustation
Dinner also included with gold option
YOUR DAY
250km, 4 hours driving
This morning you will have the opportunity to enjoy a short scenic helicopter flight with snow landing on Franz Josef Glacier, or a 3 hour guided heli-hike on the ice of glacier itself! (optional).
One of the most dramatic journeys in the country is what you can experience on your drive over the Haast Pass through to Wānaka. En route you will visit Lake Matheson, otherwise known as ‘Mirror Lakes’ where on a clear day it is possible to see the reflection of New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook (3754m/12,316ft). The walking possibilities are endless today around Haast and Haast Pass and you can choose from several nature walks, some of which feature spectacular waterfalls and deep blue coloured pools where it is possible to see trout swimming. One of our favourite spots at The Road Trip is Ship Creek, an isolated beach featuring native totara trees hugging rugged coastline.
Tonight you stay in Wānaka, one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday spots.
YOUR DAY
Today is a chance to explore the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka. Options include a walk up one of our favourite look out spots featuring 360 degree views of Lake Wānaka, Mount Aspiring National Park and the Clutha River, a visit to Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World, kayaking on the lake, a visit to the Warbirds and Classic cars Museum or even fishing on the lake for some brown or rainbow trout. Perhaps take on the majestic Rob Roy Glacier hike or venture Roy's Peak if you're feeling especially fit!
If you choose a guided tour, today will be a legally required day off for your driver/guide.
YOUR DAY
260km, 3 hours driving
This morning your South Island tour takes you to the beautiful town of Arrowtown via The Crown Range, New Zealand’s highest highway. Arrowtown was an important location in the gold rush of Central Otago in the 1860s and is now a historic town with a very special vibe. Perhaps browse the preserved Chinese gold mining village or wander the boutique shops the town has on offer.
Following this, you'll enjoy lunch at one of The Road Trip's favourite winery restaurants, Mora.
After lunch you will drive a further 2 hours to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park.
Mora offers hand-crafted cuisine that is made from scratch. They use New Zealand’s finest sustainable ingredients, sourced in and around the four coasts of the South Island. At Mora, honest, comforting and social food meets the beauty of Mora Central Otago wines.
YOUR DAY
240km, 4 hours driving
Be prepared for one of the jewels of the New Zealand landscape! The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most spectacular in the world and certainly a highlight on any New Zealand tour.
En route you will see spectacular valleys, breath taking mountains and hopefully spot the cheeky Kea (New Zealand’s mountain parrot). This morning you will experience all that the fjords have to offer with a 1 hour 45 minute cruise, featuring pristine waterfalls and towering mountains plunging into the Tasman Sea. Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and the Fiordland crested Penguin.
On your trip back to Te Anau there is the opportunity to take some short walks in the Fiordland National Park.
YOUR DAY
175km, 2 hours driving
This morning in Te Anau you will take a tour by boat across Lake Te Anau to the glow worm caves to view the shimmering light of thousands of luminous glow-worms in a 12,000 year old grotto.
Following this, you will head to Queenstown, ‘New Zealand’s adventure capital of the world’. Skirting your way around Lake Wakatipu makes for some stunning photography and you will be amazed by the Remarkables Mountain Range, one of the most famous back drops for Lord of the Rings. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish in Queenstown, and there is plenty to see and do! Perhaps enjoy a walk around the botanic gardens on the lake, enjoy a drop of Central Otago pinot noir at a nearby winery, or sample some fresh local cuisine on offer on the lakefront.
YOUR DAY
Today is free to explore Queenstown at leisure and take part in some of the fantastic activities that this ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ has to offer. Options for the adventurous include: Skydiving, Bungy Jumping, Jet Boating, Canyon Swings, White Water Rafting, Flyboarding and Paragliding.
Alternatively, explore some beautiful nature walks in the Queenstown area. Below are our favourites which offer a great mix of native forest, mountain and lake views and wildlife viewing opportunities:
Queenstown Hill Walking Track
The Queenstown Hill Time Walk is a 500-metre climb through pine forest to the summit of Te Tapu-nui (mountain of intense sacredness). As you make your way along the track, you will walk by the popular 'Basket of Dreams' sculpture as well as six information plates that explain different epochs of Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown. The views at the top looking over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountains are incredible.
Lake Hayes Walkway
Stroll, walk, run or cycle around a lake surrounded by spectacular mountains; also home to a healthy population of Australasian crested grebe.
Moke Lake Loop Track (14km past Queenstown)
This popular short, undulating walk through grassland is surrounded by mountains and goes right round the lake. A short boardwalk at the southern end protects a small wetland.
Glenorchy Walkway
This boardwalk track crosses wetlands with plenty of opportunity to view bird life. There are also views of Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi and the surrounding ranges. Native bird species you could spot along this track include: Pied stilt/poaka, South Island pied oystercatcher/torea, Australasian bittern/matuku, New Zealand shoveller/kuruwhengu, grey teal/tete (in spring), grey duck/parera, and scaup/papango. The New Zealand falcon/karearea may be seen soaring above the wetland hunting for prey.
YOUR DAY
280 km, 4 hours driving
You leave Central Otago today through the Kawarau Gorge and Cromwell where you can make a stop en route and visit a local fruit shop for a chance to try real fruit ice cream and perhaps sample New Zealand famous manuka honey products.
From there, cross the Lindis Pass (965m) to the Mackenzie Country and travel alongside the stunning turquoise Lake Pukaki towards Mt Cook Village. Weather permitting you can take a short walk at the foot of Mt Cook - New Zealand’s highest mountain.
En route to Lake Tekapo, perhaps take a trip to the top of Mt John to experience the feeling of being on top of the world. This boasts stunning 360 degree views of the Mountains and turquoise coloured lakes.
Tonight you will enjoy a stargazing tour atop Mt John with Dark Sky Project. At 1,029m high, Mt John offers unrivalled 360-degree views across the largest accredited International Dark Sky Reserve in the world. Their expert astronomy guides bring the night sky to life, sharing the science and the stories of our Southern skies. Take in the incredible Milky Way, far off planets, star clusters, solar systems, and even distant galaxies; every night sky beholds something different.
YOUR DAY
227km, 3 hours driving
This morning you depart Lake Tekapo and continue on to Christchurch.
The afternoon is free to explore The Garden City of Christchurch. You could enjoy a stroll in the botanic gardens and a drive around the bays of Banks Peninsula, taking in Lyttelton which was the gateway for many of Christchurch and the Canterbury region’s first European settlers. Cathedral Square and the remains of the Christchurch Cathedral are well worth a visit, as well as the revitalised central shopping area and Riverside Market.
YOUR DAY
190km, 2.5 hours driving
Today you will head north through the wine growing area of Waipara to Kaikoura. Kaikoura is a sea life paradise which boasts whales, seals, albatross and dolphins. There are over 17 species of whale to be found in Kaikoura all within 8 km of the coastline.
This afternoon you will take a whale watching boat tour. Keep a look out for Sperm Whales, Humpback Whales and Orcas as well as many species of Dolphin.
Spend the night in the seaside village of Kaikoura, where the Southern Alps meet the Pacific Ocean. Perhaps check out the famous Seafood BBQ Kiosk tonight for an al fresco dinner.
YOUR DAY
170 km, 2 hours driving + 3 hour and 30 minute ferry ride
This morning you will have the chance to visit a seal colony to view New Zealand’s native fur seal up close. Driving north you will head through the wine growing region of Marlborough. From here you will drive your vehicle on to the ferry in Picton and sail across to Wellington. The rest of the evening is free to explore at leisure. Perhaps take a cable car to the top of the botanic gardens (open until 9pm) (optional – extra cost).
YOUR DAY
Today is your day to explore the Coolest Little Capital in the World!
This morning you could take the Cable Car from the city up to Kelburn, where you will be able to wander the beautiful Botanical Gardens.
Late morning, perhaps hop on the free shuttle to Zealandia, the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state. The 225 hectare ecosanctuary is a ground+breaking conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area, 6 of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years.
Tonight why not enjoy one of the delicious restaurants the city is famous for? Wellington is known as the cultural capital of New Zealand and due to its small size, the majority of the city can easily be covered on foot.
If you choose a guided tour, today will be a legally required day off for your driver/guide.
YOUR DAY
287km, 3.5 hours driving
This morning you depart Wellington and continue North to the beautiful Tongariro National Park. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in the beautiful ski resort of Ohakune where you may wish to take a hike in the National Park itself. Enjoy a night at the Powderhorn Chateau where the cast of Lord of the Rings stayed for a prolonged period during filming of the trilogy! We recommend a drive up Mt Ruapehu to see Gollum's Pool! (As well as some stunning views from high up the mountain).
YOUR DAY
185km, 2.5 hours driving
En route today we recommend taking a short detour to the village of Whakapapa and the Chateau Tongariro in the Tongariro National Park where you may wish to enjoy a hike. One of The Road Trip’s favourites is 2 hours long featuring native bush, volcanic views and stunning waterfalls. In clear weather you will spot 3 of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes - Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngaurauhoe (also known as Mt Doom). Heading North today, you will reach Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake. Winding your way around the lake, you will reach the lakeside holiday town of Taupo.
Further down the road, stop at the mighty Huka Falls where you could take a spin in the Huka Falls Jet and experience the thrill from beneath (optional).
Continuing on the ‘Thermal Explorer Highway,’ you will arrive at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland- a Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. You will visit New Zealand’s largest thermal mud pool, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours.
You will arrive in Rotorua late afternoon where you could have a walk through the wonderful redwood forests or a look at Rotorua's lovely Government Gardens and lakefront.
YOUR DAY
This morning you will enjoy one of Rotorua's most magical experiences. Suspended high above the forest floor, encounter 75-metre-tall redwoods as you walk across eco-suspended bridges and platforms intricately designed to honour and accentuate the stunning natural environment.
The afternoon is free for leisure activities. Options include: Rotorua Gondola and Luge, zorbing, a trip to The Buried Village of Te Wairoa, bike hire for the forest trails in the area or a walk around Kuirau Geothermal Park.
This evening you will enjoy an authentic cultural experience at Te Pā Tū (formerly Tamaki Māori Village).
In the summertime, Te Pā Tū offers their Summer Harvest Celebration experience, "Tū Te Rā." Tū Te Rā is a summer celebration, aligned with the maramataka – the Māori lunar calendar. This is a time when the sun expresses optimal energy, the days are longer, and light nourishes the natural world. Tū Te Rā celebrates the abundant harvest of this season, and explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine.
In the winter, Te Pā Tū offers their Winter Matariki Celebration experience, "Tū Te Ihi." Tū Te Ihi references the energy and passion stirred by the Matariki cluster and the promise they herald. Tū Te Ihi celebrates a moment in the earth’s cycle when the stars of Matariki (Pleiades) draw attention. Matariki conjures ancestors as we recall their legacy, and reflect on the year that has been.
YOUR DAY
245km, 3 hours driving
This morning you leave Rotorua and head towards Auckland via Hobbiton and The Shire’s Rest, the only remaining film set from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies.
Here you will take a 2 hour tour of Hobbiton and its many hobbit holes and enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon pub at the end, as well as a delicious buffet feast in the festive party marquee!
You then drive north to New Zealand largest city; Auckland. Time permitting you could enjoy a visit to Mt Eden, a stunning viewpoint and one of Auckland’s most famous (and highest) volcanic craters, and perhaps a trip out to the beautiful Mission Bay for a stroll along the beach.
YOUR DAY
Today you will transfer to Auckland Airport for your onward travel arrangements. We trust that you've had an excellent time in New Zealand and wish you safe travels to your next destination.
Onward flight is not included.