Maori Heritage, Coastal Wonders and the Alpine South

31 Day North and South Island Tour

Auckland > Rotorua > Nelson / Abel Tasman National Park > Wanaka > Te Anau > Queenstown

Arrive in Auckland for three nights before taking in the Maori and geothermal highlights of Rotorua.

Enjoy blissful days exploring Abel Tasman National Park before driving the East coast with options for winetasting in Blenheim and whale watching in Kaikoura.

Flying to Queenstown and your base in Wanaka to explore the beautiful Lakes region.

The finale of this trip is a cruise on the mighty Milford or Doubtful Sounds.

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Days 1-3 Auckland

Arrive in the “the city of sails” for a three-night stay. Time to gently let yourself into kiwi ways and adjust your body clock. Consider trips out across Waitemata harbour to the islands of Rangitoto, Waheke or Tiritiri Matangi.

Head up Sky tower for views of the city and visit the parks and gardens of the Domain.

City Hotel

Days 4-7 Rotorua

Collect your hire vehicle in downtown Auckland and drive the southern highway to Rotorua. You may wish to stop at Hobbiton en route for a pre-arranged visit.

Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts centre and enjoy an evening “hangi” cultural performance and meal in the nearby forest.

Apartment

Day 8-13 Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park

Fly to Nelson and transfer to your hotel for one night before taking the coach the next day to the small township of KaiterIteri, gateway to Abel Tasman National Park.

Cruise the coastline to your accommodation for four nights and enjoy days walking, kayaking or simply relaxing in the natural environment of this scenic coastal park.

Apartment / Lodge

Days 14 Kaikoura

Collect a rental vehicle in Nelson and drive across the top of South Island with an optional stop in Blenheim to stock up on some of Marlborough’s classic sauvignon blancs before you drive to the coast and your overnight in Kaikoura.

Apartment

Days 15-18 Christchurch

In the morning there is the possibility of whale watching with a three-hour trip into the marine waters of the Pacific Ocean. Continue through North Canterbury to Christchurch.

Walk in the city’s parks and gardens and view some of the new buildings and ongoing projects which have redefined the city’s outlook and environs since the earthquake of 2011.

City Hotel

Days 19-24 Wanaka

Fly from Christchurch to Queenstown and after collecting your vehicle at the airport make the short drive to Wanaka, your base for exploring Mount Aspiring National Park.

Enjoy lakeside walks, trips across the lake or up the Matukituki river and dine out in some of the town’s fine restaurants.

This is a great place to wind down and admire the stunning mountain views.

Apartment

Days 25-28 Te Anau

Leave Wanaka to drive along the frankton road around lake Wakatipu to the small township of Te Anau. Here you can enjoy trips out to the mighty Milford or Doubtful Sounds.

Country Hotel / Apartment

Days 29-31 Queenstown

Make the return journey north to the scenic resort of Queenstown where you can indulge in all manner of activities or simply enjoy short walks by the lake and a crossing on the 100 year old steamship, the TSS Earnslaw .

Returning your vehicle to Queenstown airport and board your international flight.

Apartment / Private Hotel

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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