Sample Itinerary #4: (for passengers from a cruise boat taking an onshore tour)

Day 1. Saturday 19th - 4.00pm arrive Christchurch on QF4137 from Auckland
When you have disembarked off your flight from Auckland you will see driver with your names on hand held board who will transfer you to your hotel.
One night on a B&B basis at The Chateau on the Park Hotel

Day 2. Sunday 20th - Christchurch to Dunedin

BD - Breakfast at hotel
Your rental car will delivered to hotel this morning. Vehicle will be a 2.0 litre, automatic, air conditioned vehicle and the hire includes unlimited kilometres and the vehicle insurance.
Distance today is 361 kilometres which will take you about 5 hours. We recommend definite stops at Oamaru which is just under four hours through the journey to see the 'white stone buildings' at Oamaru and then again shortly afterwards to see the Moeraki Boulders on the beach. As you approach Dunedin please look out for turn-off onto the Otago Peninsula and Larnach's Castle.
One night on a DBB basis at Larnach Castle Lodge. Dinner at the castle is included this evening

Day 3. Monday 21st - Dunedin to Te Anau

B - An early start this morning pre-dawn for your 'Sunrise Penguin Walk'. You will be collected from the Lodge and it's short journey in vehicle followed by a 20 minute walk along the deserted beach listening to the sounds of nature. From our observation post you will see the rate Yellow-eyed penguins start their day with their journey out to sea. Return to the Lodge for a well deserved breakfast about 3 hours later.
Today's journey will take you via Balclutha, Gore and Lumsden to Te Anau built on the shore of Lake Te Anau which is New Zealand's second largest lake and the largest lake in the South Island. Distance 289 kilometres, allow 4 hours)
One night on B&B basis at Holiday Inn Te Anau
8.15pm this evening travel in fast catamaran across Lake Te Anau to the Te Anau Glow-worm Caves on the western shore of the lake. View a fascinating presentation and also display to learn more about the glow-worms before heading in to the cave. The cave has a river running through it and there is a safe walking platform to walk on before boarding small boats inside the cave to float into the grotto which is lite only by the thousands of glow-worm which live suspended from the ceiling of the cave. Afterwards return across the lake in the catamaran to arrive back at Te Anau township at 10.45pm.

Day 4. Tuesday 22nd - Te Anau / Milford Sound / Queenstown

B Breakfast at hotel
It will take you 2 hours (121 kilometres) to drive into Milford Sound. You need to arrive no later than 12.15pm for your cruise and we recommend allowing plenty of time so you can stop at the many points of interest on the famous road to Milford Sound. A must do is to stop at 'the Cavern' which is once you have driven through Homer Tunnel where the water has carved out fascinating shapes in the rock.
12.30pm depart onboard the MV Mariner for extended 2.5 hour cruise on Milford Sound. The on-board nature guide gives an interesting commentary during the cruise which will take you the full length of the sound right to the Tasman Sea. There is plenty of time to appreciate the stunning scenery including waterfalls, rainforest and the towering peaks. Keep a look out for the wildlife, you should see dolphins playing in the ships wake, fur seals lazing on the rocks and many sea birds.
3.00pm after the cruise begin 292 kilometre (4 hour) journey through to Queenstown.
One night on B&B at Aurum Suites Apartments (2 bedroom / 2 bathroom with lounge, kitchen, laundry facilities)

Day 5. Wednesday 23rd - Queenstown to Fox Glacier

B - Breakfast at hotel
Spend this morning exploring around Queenstown. We highly recommend a walk in the Queenstown Gardens and along the lake esplanade and then ride on the Skyline Gondola which has fabulous views across Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
This afternoon when you depart Queenstown you can begin the journey by either going over the Crown Range or up the Kawarau River Gorge to Wanaka. From Wanaka follow Lake Hawea to the Haast Pass. Once over the Haast Pass you are on the West Coast and there is endless rainforest, rivers and lakes through to Fox Glacier. Distance 338 kilometres allow 4.5 hours.
One night on B&B basis at Wekeka Inn

Day 6. Thursday 24th - Fox Glacier to Marahau

B - Breakfast at lodge
If you have not already done so we recommend a visit to the Fox Glacier car-park where you have a clear view of Fox Glacier. It is about a 20 minute walk each way in the river bed if you want to go right up to the face of the glacier.
We also recommend a visit to Lake Matheson which is also very close to the township. There is a walking track around the lake which is famous for it's mirror image of Mount Cook.
Once you depart Fox Glacier you have a full day travelling via Hokitika, Greymouth, Punakaiki and Murchison (inland) to Marahau the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park.
Distance 512 kilometres, about 7 hours. Although a long journey the scenery makes it very enjoyable. A definite stop should be made at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks which are 30 minutes north of Greymouth. When you get to Motupiko after about 6 hours take State Highway 61 down the Motueka Valley to Motueka and from here it is about 15 minutes before you reach Marahau.
Two nights on B&B basis at Marahau Lodge

Day 7. Friday 25th - Day in the Abel Tasman National Park

BL - Breakfast at lodge
A packed lunch is also provided today
The MV Waingaro will collect you off the beach at Marahau at 9.00am this morning for a cruise along the Marine Reserve shore of the Abel Tasman National Park.
A number of options are available to you today depending on whether you want to cruise only, relax on beach or walk some of the Abel Tasman track.
Depending on your decision you will return to Marahau on the MV Waingaro at either 2.15pm or 5.15pm. Full details of choices will be included in your final trip information.

Day 8. Saturday 26th - Marahau / Nelson / Blenheim

B - Breakfast at lodge
Marahau to Blenheim is only 190 kilometres which will take you about 2.5 hours. Along the route you have opportunity to visit wineries and sample their wines, glass blowing studio, dried flower studio, pottery studio and fruit orchards.
One night on B&B basis at Hotel D'urville.

Day 9. Sunday 27th - Blenheim / Kaikoura / Hanmer Springs

B - Breakfast at hotel
Today you will break your journey at Kaikoura. Start with 132 kilometre (2 hour) journey to Kaikoura 'where the mountains meet the sea'.
At Kaikoura choice of the famous Whale Watch Eco-cruise to see these giant mammals which live in the deep water just off the Kaikoura coast or join the Swim with the Dolphins cruise with opportunity to put on a wetsuit and to swim in the ocean with the resident dolphins. Both are great activities.
After your stop at Kaikoura head back inland to the thermal resort of Hanmer Springs for your final night in New Zealand. Distance from Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs is 124 kilometres which will take another two hours. There are hot pools at Hanmer Springs which are open until 10.00pm in the evening so once you have checked in at the hotel you can walk across the road and spend the evening relaxing in the pools. There is a restaurant at the pool complex so you can also enjoy your dinner here.
One night on B&B basis at The Heritage Hanmer Springs Lodge

Day 10. Monday 28th - Hanmer Springs / Christchurch / Auckland / depart New Zealand

B - Early breakfast this morning
You need to depart Hanmer Springs no later than 7.45am for 135 kilometre journey to Christchurch Airport. It will take you no longer than two hours.
When you arrive at the airport park your rental car in rental return car-park and make you way into the terminal to check-in for your flight.
10.15am depart Christchurch bound for Auckland on flight QF4116.

Itinerary 1    |    Itinerary 2    |    Itinerary 3
Itinerary 4    |    Itinerary 5    |    Itinerary 6

Other custom trips include:
Mid-Life Adventures