Sub Tropical North to Alpine South

26 Days North and South Island Tour

Auckland > Bay of Islands > Hamilton > Rotorua > Wanaka > Te Anau > Queenstown

Time in Auckland to acclimatise to your new surroundings, then head north for days in the Bay of Islands, enjoy time in the Maori and geothermal centre of Rotorua and fly to Queenstown to experience the delights of the beautiful Lakes and Mountains region.

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Days 1-3 Auckland

Find your Pacific legs with a three-night stay in Auckland. Stroll along the waterfront, view the city from atop the Sky Tower of from the summit of Rangitoto Island.

The Customs House is the departure point for other trips to the islands of Tiritiri Matangi and Waiheke or to a pleasant suburb of Devonport with its galleries, coffee shops and markets.

City Hotel

Days 4-9 Bay of Islands

Collect your rental vehicle and head across the Harbour Bridge for a scenic drive past beaches, bays and seaside communities to Pahia or Russell for a five-night stay.

These centres are the departure points for trips into the Pacific Ocean to view dolphins and sea birds with landings on one of the islands.

Nearby Waitangi is a must- visit to understand the heritage of New Zealand. The Visitor Centre is located on the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and Maori Chiefs in 1840 and it forms the basis of the New Zealand Constitution today.

Further North travel by special coach along amazing 90 Mile Beach to sacred Cape Reinga

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment

Day 10 Hamilton

Drive South by passing Auckland (visit Hobbiton en route if you wish) for a one night stay in New Zealand’s Second City .

City Hotel

Days 11-13 Rotorua

Time to explore the geothermal and Maori Centre of New Zealand.

Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts centre and the site of Rotorua’s Pohutu geyser.

Take an easy walk down the Waimangu Valley, created by the eruption of Mount Tarewa in 1870 and today a trail of bubbling wonders.

And of course, you should enjoy a nighttime visit to the forest and the Tamaki Maori cultural evening including a delicious meal cooked in the traditional manner.

Days 14-19 Wanaka

Leave your vehicle at Rotorua Airport and fly to Queenstown in the South of South Island. Collect a new vehicle and drive to nearby Wanaka, a vibrant township sited in the centre of Mount Aspiring National Park.

Here you can relax, take lakeside walks or enjoy jet boat trips up the Matukituki River, boat trips out to the eco island of Mou Waho or four-wheel drive adventures high into the mountains.

Apartment

Days 20-23 Te Anau

Drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to the small township of Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland World Heritage Park and staging post for trips out to the renowned Milford and Doubtful Sounds.

Country Hotel / Apartment

Days 24-26 Queenstown

Your destination for all the thrills and spills the town has to offer – from bungy jumping to jet boating, from white water rafting to horse riding at Glenorchy.

Or take the cable car to the top of Queenstown for spectacular views of the whole area.

A trip on the TSS Earnslaw, a 100-year-old steamship across the lake, is a must, as is the possibility of winetasting from some of the nearby Cellar Doors.

Apartment / Private Hotel

Return your vehicle to Queenstown Airport to take your international flight home.*

*You may wish to consider the option of adding 3-4 more days and returning to Christchurch via the West Coast (include a train journey across the Southern Alps) or the East Coast with a stop to explore the Mount Cook region.

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Your New Zealand Holiday

From £5,700 per person*

Please note Payment is by Bank Transfer Only.

*See Inclusions

Flights

Airline prices are usually released 13 months after the date you intend to return to your home base.

(This means if you intend to complete your trip by 25th February, your flights will be available from the 25th March the previous year).

Prices are flexible and based on market demand; they change every day.

A general rule of thumb would be to budget approximately £2,000 plus per person in Economy; £4,000 plus in Premium Economy and £8,000 plus in Business.

These are only guidelines for prices with the major airlines; of course, offers and deals are always coming online.

Stopovers

Unless you are travelling Business Class and find it easy to sleep on a plane, we would suggest a stopover in one of the main gateways; our favourite at present, being Singapore.

It is a long way to travel (23/24 hours) and it makes sense to have a break en route to refresh before the next journey.

A guide price at a well-located hotel for two persons sharing a room with breakfast would be £250 per night for the room