Sample Itinerary #6: 20 days in New Zealand, November/December

Day 1. Wednesday 14th Arrive Auckland at 1.00pm
On clearing New Zealand Immigration & Customs please make your way to the Tour Area on the left as you enter the Arrivals Hall where you driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
The rest of today is free to relax.
Two nights on B&B basis at:
Superior Hotel: The Sebel Suites
Standard Hotel: Rydges Auckland Hotel.

Day 2. Thursday 15th Auckland

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel this morning. This morning enjoy sailing experience on the Waitemata Harbour, the home of the America's Cup Challenge. Spend two hours onboard NZL40 either relaxing and enjoying the view or getting involved as a crew member . NZL40 was built for the 1995 America's Cup challenge at San Diego in the United States. It is now permanently based in the Viaduct Basin and it's berth is about 30 metres from your hotel.
This afternoon your rental car will be delivered to the hotel.
Rental car will be a 2 litre, automatic, air conditioned vehicle and the hire includes unlimited kilometres and the vehicle insurance. Model: Nissan Primera / Honda Accord or similar.
Free afternoon to explore around Auckland.

Day 3. Friday 16th Auckland to Pauanui on Coromandel Peninsula

Breakfast at hotel again today.
Depart Auckland at your leisure today.
Distance from Auckland is 152 kilometres and this will take you about 2 hours. We recommend following the coastal route around the Firth of Thames as it's much more scenic than travelling on the Southern Motorway.
Two nights on B&B basis at:
Superior Lodge: Puka Park Lodge
Standard Lodge: Pauanui Pines Motor Lodge
This evening enjoy a two hour guided walk through the regenerating forest and see the fluorescent glow-worms on the banks and ledges near streams and under rock faces. Your guide will tell you about Maori medicinal uses for the plants in the forest and about the gold mining history of the forest. On a clear night you will be amazed by the night sky.

Day 4. Saturday 17th Coromandel Peninsula

Breakfast at the lodge today.
Spend a relaxed morning maybe by taking a walk along Pauanui Beach or the ferry across to Tairua township.
This afternoon visit Hot Water Beach to see the boiling water bubbling out of the sand, walk to majestic Cathedral Cove and visit Hahei Beach and Whitianga with your guide.

Day 5. Sunday 18th Pauanui to Rotorua

Breakfast at the lodge before you depart. Distance today 202 kilometres which will take you about three hours. Travelling via Tauranga you will see the Pacific Ocean and many fruit orchards along the route.
On arrival at Rotorua on your way into the city centre we recommend turning left and visiting Lake Tarawera and the Blue and Green Lakes. The 3.5 kilometre around the lake through the native and exotic forest is worthwhile.
Two nights on B&B basis:
Superior Hotel: Royal Lakeside Hotel - Lakeview Room
Standard Hotel; Rydges Rotorua Hotel - Spa Room

Day 6. Monday 19th Rotorua

A leisurely breakfast followed by free morning.
This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel by 4WD vehicle for drive up historic Mount Tarawera. Once at the top of the mountain a chance to take walk around the volcano crater summit which is at 1111 metres above sea level. Mount Tarawera last erupted in June 1886. The eruption devastated the surrounding landscape, destroyed Maori villages and the famous Pink and White Terraces which until then were acclaimed the eight wonder of the world.

Day 7. Tuesday 20th Rotorua to Napier

Depart Rotorua at leisure after breakfast today.
Today's drive will take you via Lake Taupo which is New Zealand's largest and deepest lake. From Lake Taupo you travel out to the coast on the Taupo - Napier Highway to Hawkes Bay.
Distance 229 kilometres / allow 3 hours.
Napier is renown for the Art Deco era buildings around the city which were built when the city was destroyed in the Napier Earthquake of February 1931. Once you have arrived we highly recommend a walk around the buildings and along the beach esplanade.
Two nights on B&B basis at:
Superior Hotel: The Country Hotel
Standard Hotel: Tennyson Motor Inn

Day 8. Wednesday 21st Napier

Breakfast at leisure this morning.
The Hawkes Bay was one of the first areas to produce New Zealand wines and today produces over 25% of the countries wines. Today during your winery tour you will learn more about the history of New Zealand's wine production while visiting four wineries from the oldest to the newest.
During your free time today we recommend driving out to Cape Kidnappers and also up Te Mata Peak near Hastings.

Depart Napier at your leisure after today's breakfast.
Distance today is 319 kilometres which will take you four hours, travelling on State Highway 2 to Wellington. If you are interested in red wines a side trip to Martinborough is well recommended.
Overnight on B&B basis at:
Superior Hotel: Duxton Wellington Hotel
Standard Hotel: Ibis Wellington Hotel

Day 10. Friday 23rd Wellington to Picton and onto Nelson

Early breakfast today as you need to be at the ferry terminal no later than 9.00am.
Please return your rental car in car park before checking in for your crossing of Cook Strait.
9.30am depart Wellington onboard Interislander ferry
12.30pm on your arrival at Picton replacement rental car will be waiting for you outside the terminal.
Driving distance from Picton to Nelson is only 113 kilometres which will take no longer than 2 hours. Driving around the edge of Queen Charlotte Sound on the Grove Track is the most scenic journey. This will bring you out at Havelock and then through the Rai Valley and onto Nelson.
Overnight on B&B basis at:
Superior Lodge: Cambria House
Standard Hotel: Trailways Motor Inn

Day 11. Saturday 24th Nelson to Marahau beside the Abel Tasman National Park

Breakfast at hotel.
Depart at leisure for journey via Richmond and Motueka to Marahau which is only 88 kilometres away (allow 1.5 hours). Nelson is famous for it's arts, crafts and wineries. Along the route today you can visit 'dried flower studio', Hoglunds Glass Blowing Studio, pottery and art studios and a variety of wineries.
When you have gone through Motueka the route to Marahau is well sign-posted.
Two nights on B&B basis at:
Superior Lodge: Marahau Lodge
Standard Lodge: Ocean View Chalets

Day 12. Sunday 25th Exploring Abel Tasman National Park

Enjoy you breakfast before heading off on today's adventure.
Before you begin your paddling today you will receive full instruction and safety briefing from your guide on the beach. After this head off for a day of kayaking around the Marine Reserve coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park which is famous for it's numerous golden sand beaches which have lush bush right down to the beach. The coastline is very sheltered so although physical the kayaking is not strenuous. The water is very clear and you should expect to see some marine life as you go along. Stops will be made at several beaches during the day for some short walks in the bush.
A packed lunch is provided.

Day 13. Monday 26th Marahau to Punakaiki on the West Coast

Depart Marahau at your leisure after breakfast.
Today's journey begins driving up the Motueka River Valley and then on State Highway 6 via Murchison and Inangahua Junction to arrive on the West Coast and the Tasman Sea near Westport.
From Westport you will have the rolling Tasman Sea on one side and the Paparoa National Park on the other through to Punakaiki.
Punakaiki is famous for the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Dramatic at any time but best viewed near high tide. The waves crashing down the coast for many centuries has created some very impressive blowholes and rock formations.
Distance 246 kilometres / allow 3.5 hours
Overnight on B&B basis at:
Superior Hotel: Punakaiki Rocks Hotel

Day 14. Tuesday 27th Punakaiki to Fox Glacier

This morning you will be able to watch the rolling surf on the beach as you enjoy your breakfast.
Continue down the West Coast today via Greymouth, Hokitika and Franz Josef Glacier to Fox Glacier. Distance today 266 kilometres which will take around 3.5 hours. We recommend a visit to the Jade Boulder Gallery at Greymouth and The Gold Room at Hokitika which both create jewellery and other pieces from the local greenstone (jade) and gold.
Once you have passed through Franz Josef Glacier village turn left over the bridge and make your way to the road end. From here you can see Franz Josef Glacier and if you want to walk up the river to the terminal face as well.
From here it is under 30 minutes to Fox Glacier township.
Overnight on B&B basis at:
Superior Lodge: Wekeka Inn

Day 15. Wednesday 28th Fox Glacier to Queenstown

Enjoy your breakfast before this morning's adventure.
9.00am report in for safety briefing and collecting your hobnail boots, instep crampons, raincoat and walking stick. From here board waiting helicopter which takes you over the awe inspiring pillars of the lower icefall, to Victoria Falls and then over the upper icefall before landing on the glacier.
From here set off on foot to explore the beautiful ice formations and ice caves which can only be seen here. High on the glacier the ice moves each day so every trip is a new voyage of discovery even for the guides as they always find something new.
The helicopter returns after about 2 hours and returns you to the township.
This afternoon drives of 338 kilometres (allow 5 hours) takes you to the end of the West Coast where you go over the Haast Pass into Central Otago. The scenery is impressive all the way and once over the Haast Pass changes dramatically with the road following Lake Hawea nearly through to Wanaka. From Wanaka take State Highway 89 over the Crown Range and visit Arrowtown which is like going back in time 100 or so years before arriving at Queenstown.
Overnight on B&B basis at:
Superior Hotel: St Moritz Suites - Lakeview room
Standard Hotel: Rydges Queenstown Hotel - Lakeview room

Day 16. Thursday 29th Queenstown to Manapouri then into Doubtful Sound

Day 17. Thursday 29th Queenstown to Manapouri then into Doubtful Sound

Enjoy breakfast over looking Lake Wakatipu this morning.
It will take you 2.5 hours to get to Manapouri and you need to arrive there no later than 12.15pm. There is time to do something at Queenstown this morning but you return again tomorrow afternoon so have more time to enjoy Queenstown.
12.30pm departing from Manapouri your adventure begins with a cruise across Lake Manapouri to West Arm . Disembark launch and cross the Wilmot Pass by coach which has many alpine plant species to view. On your arrival at the wharf in Doubtful Sound board the MV Navigator with the other overnight cruise guests. The MV Navigator then cruises the full length of the Sound out to the Tasman Sea. Return to anchor in a sheltered inlet for the evening. Enjoy a relaxed 3 course dinner and the dramatic setting.
During the time on board there is time for wildlife spotting (dolphin, penguin and seal encounters are probable), kayaking and going ashore for a bush walk.
Overnight in ensuite cabin onboard MV Navigator including three course dinner and tomorrow's breakfast.

Day 18. Friday 30th Doubtful Sound to Manapouri drive back to Queenstown

This morning return to the wharf at the top end of Doubtful Sound and retrace the journey to Manapouri.
12.15pm on your arrival back at Manapouri you may like to visit Lake Te Anau during your return journey to Queenstown.
Overnight on B&B basis back at Queenstown hotel.
Superior Hotel: St Moritz Suites - Lakeview room
Standard Hotel: Rydges Queenstown Hotel - Lakeview room

Day 19. Saturday 1st Queenstown to Christchurch

Breakfast overlooking the lake before checking out of hotel.
Today driving through the centre of the South Island you will have the massive Southern Alps as your constant companion. The journey of 478 kilometres will take you about 6 hours. Stops of particular interest during the journey are Mount Cook Visitor Centre on the shore of Lake Pukaki and the most photographed 'Church of the Good Shepherd' on the shore of Lake Tekapo.
Overnight on B&B basis at:
Superior: The Chateau on the Park - One bedroom Suite
Standard Room: The Chateau on the Park - Deluxe room

Day 20. Sunday 2nd Christchurch to Auckland, depart New Zealand

A dawn start begins your last day in New Zealand.
The hot air balloon flight over Christchurch, 'the garden city' and the colourful Canterbury Plains is a wonderful way to end your New Zealand honeymoon. The views from the balloon go right from the Southern Alps to way across the Pacific Ocean. The flight offers 360° views over the uncluttered landscape.
The balloon will land in a field where you will enjoy a celebration drink with your fellow balloonists before being returned to the hotel.
After a late breakfast drive from the hotel to Christchurch Airport.
10.15am depart Christchurch bound for Auckland on Air New Zealand flight NZ434.
12.30pm on your arrival at Auckland make your way across to the International Terminal and check in for out outbound international flight. There is a courtesy coach which provides free of charge transfers or if you prefer you can walk between the terminals on well marked track which will take you no longer than 10 minutes.