Sample Itinerary #5: 20 days in New Zealand - New Zealand Nature Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Auckland - connecting flight to Dunedin
Arrive Auckland International Airport. Make your way to the domestic airport to connect with flight to Dunedin (flight not included in quoted price). Meet and greet at Dunedin Airport and transfer to accommodation for the next two nights.

Day 2 Dunedin
Early start before dawn travelling onto the Peninsula with walk down deserted beach to see the Yellow Eyed Penguin begin their daily routine going out to sea. Return to accommodation for well deserved breakfast and a rest before heading out again. Spend the rest of the day with your guide on the Peninsula with visits to:
Marine Studies Centre
Royal Albatross Centre
One hour cruise on the harbour

Day 3 Dunedin to Stewart Island
Set off this morning after breakfast for guided day trip down the Catlins Coast to Invercargill. Visit the Nugget Point Scientific & Marine Reserve. A day of natural history, flora, fauna and sea birds. Be delivered to Invercargill Airport and farewell your Dunedin Nature Guide before your to flight to Stewart Island. On arrival be met and transferred to your accommodation for one night including evening dinner.

Day 4 Exploring Stewart Island
Breakfast with your host before departing to Ulva Island for half day guided tour and nature study. Be collected after your tour to begin overnight kiwi spotting adventure and enjoy this afternoon's trek through native unspoilt bush and forests, making your way to your overnight hut accommodation at Masons Beach including evening dinner. Go out in the evening spotting the nocturnal kiwi and other nightlife.

Day 5 Exploring Stewart Island
Breakfast with your hosts this morning, then begin today's walk back to Halfmoon Bay. Only a small area of Stewart Island is populated and today you will continue to enjoy the natural scenery that only a privileged few have seen. There is an abundance of wildlife, birdlife and plant life to be observed in this unforgettable land. Be delivered to your accommodation for one night. Packed lunch and evening dinner included today.

Day 6 Stewart Island / Invercargill / Manapouri / Doubtful Sound
Breakfast with your hosts before being transferred back to Stewart Island airfield for return flight to Invercargill. On arrival at Invercargill take delivery of your rental car a 1.8 litre automatic Toyota with air conditioning. Begin your scenic drive via Riverton and Tuatapere to Manapouri. Report in for your overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. Cross Lake Manapouri by launch to the west arm of the lake. Travel over the Wilmot Pass by coach through dense rainforest. At Doubtful Sound board the Fiordland Navigator with spacious deck areas for viewing the wilderness scenery and wildlife of Doubtful Sound. A 3 course buffet meal is served onboard this evening.

Day 7 Doubtful Sound to Manapouri to Queenstown
A cooked breakfast is enjoyed before disembarking off the Navigator and make return journey over the Wilmot Pass and across Lake Manapouri to complete your wilderness experience. Collect your rental car and make your way via Te Anau to Queenstown and your accommodation for the next two nights.

Day 8 Queenstown
Breakfast at the hotel then a free day in our "Adventure Capital". Simply relax or you can 4WD to historic gold mining sites, jet boating, bungy jumping, horse trekking, para-penting, wine tasting, cruising, sailing, golfing, nature spotting, the choices are endless.

Day 9 Queenstown to Mount Cook
Breakfast at the hotel, then at your leisure depart to Mount Cook. Begin your journey traveling up the Kawarau River Gorge to the fruit growing orchards close to Lake Dunstan. From here pass through the Lindis Pass to Omarama famous as a gliding area. You are now in the MacKenzie Basin and have the mighty Southern Alps as your constant companion right through to Mount Cook Village. Take note of the interesting colour of the water in the lakes as you pass them. Arrive Mount Cook village and your accommodation for this evening. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 10 Mount Cook to Christchurch
Breakfast at the hotel then continue your drive to Christchurch. A walk up the Hooker Glacier track is highly recommend before departing Mount Cook Village. Return via the shores of Lake Pukaki to State Highway 8. A brief stop at picturesque Lake Tekapo is advisable and it's famous 'Church of the Good Shepherd' before going over the top of Burkes Pass. From here the scenery changes as you emerge on the Canterbury Plains which take you directly into Christchurch city. Make your way to your accommodation for this evening

Day 11 Christchurch to Kaikoura
Up early this morning and be collected from hotel for Hot Air Ballooning. On board you will experience superb views over the blue Pacific Ocean, over 'the garden city' and across the patchwork coloured fields of the Canterbury Plains to the splendid Southern Alps.
Return to hotel for late breakfast. At your leisure make your way out of Christchurch up the East Coast to Kaikoura and your accommodation for one night.

Day 12 Kaikoura to Picton
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning experience a Whale Watch Eco-marine Cruise from Kaikoura. . A unique opportunity to view the Giant Sperm Whales in their natural habitat. In addition to the Whales a typical trip could also see New Zealand Fur Seal, dolphin, Albatross, Penguins and other off-shore sea birds.
Continue your drive north to Picton, a small town which is the gateway to the South Island. Your accommodation is for one night.

Day 13 Picton to Wellington
Breakfast at the hotel
This morning enjoy a cruise on beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound to see variety of birds. Land on Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary for short bush walk and learn about the islands conservation progress. Then visit Ship Cove to have morning tea on the boat in the shelter of this beautiful bay. More than just a boat ride, this is a most fascinating tour with its mix of fantastic scenery, bush walking, history, wonderful wildlife and great guides. Make your way to the Picton InterIsland Ferry Terminal returning your rental car here. Board the ferry to Wellington and enjoy the spectacular scenery as you leave through the Queen Charlotte and Marlborough Sounds. Arrive Wellington where you take delivery of your replacement rental car and make your way to your accommodation for this evening.

Day 14 Wellington to Napier
Breakfast at the hotel
Spend the morning exploring Wellington and perhaps visit our National Museum 'Te Papa'
or visit Parliament Buildings. Depart at your leisure making your way to sunny Hawkes Bay and the Art Deco capital of Napier and your accommodation for the next two nights.

Day 15 Napier
Breakfast at the hotel
This morning enjoy the beautiful coastline of Cape Kidnappers as you make your way to the world's largest mainland Gannet Colony. There are three colonies on the reserve, the Saddle, the Plateau and the Black Reef. Along the route, rock and river shingle layers show a spectacular sectional outlook, with shell fossils scattering the cliff faces. View the earthquake faults formed thousands of years ago that have changed the earths structure. On returning the rest of the day is free time to maybe visit some wineries or check out the Art Deco buildings.

Day 16 Napier to Rotorua
Breakfast at the hotel
Today at your leisure, make your way to Rotorua via Lake Taupo. Lake Taupo is our largest Lake and used for all water sports, recreational boating and fishing. Perhaps lunch beside the lake today. Continue to Rotorua and your accommodation for the next two nights.
This evening enjoy a sample of our culture with a Maori Cultural Performance and Hangi Dinner.

Day 17 Rotorua
Breakfast at your hotel
Today make your way to Rainbow Springs to view live 'Kiwi' in a natural nocturnal enclosure.
They have developed a very extensive Kiwi recovery programme with breeding and hatching Kiwi eggs a highlight and the number of these little flightless birds is now increasing. The rest of the day is free time for optional activities.

Day 18 Rotorua to Auckland via Firth of Thames
Breakfast at the hotel
Make your way north via Tirau and Morrinsville to the Firth of Thames. This is a special bay for migrating birds and they come and go for the seasons, and time permitting visit the Miranda Bird Sanctuary. Continue your journey into Auckland city and your accommodation for the next two nights.

Day 19 Visit Tiritiri Matangi Island
Breakfast at your hotel
Make your way to the wharf to escape the bustling city on a 1 hour scenic cruise to Tiritiri Matangi Island the famous open bird sanctuary in Hauraki Gulf. Recently re-forested, Tiritiri Matangi Island is home to some rare and threatened species of birdlife. These include Saddleback, Stitchbird, Takahe and Kokako. Enjoy a guided walk given by a volunteer 'Friend of Tiritiri' who will identify species, share their knowledge of the islands restoration and history as you stroll amongst the endangered bird life. After the guided walk there is time for additional walks on your own, browse in the small shop or discuss this incredible island with your fellow visitors. Be collected from the Island at 3.30pm for your return cruise to Auckland arriving back at approx 4.45pm. No food for purchase on the island please bring your picnic lunch with you or you can purchase food items on the boat during the crossing.

Day 20 Depart Auckland / New Zealand
Breakfast at the hotel
Make your way to the Auckland International Airport, returning your rental car here as you prepare to check in for your departing international flight.