New Zealand's Great Outdoors

Days 1-2  Fly to Auckland  

Days 3-4  Auckland  
Welcome to Auckland! Enjoy a couple of days in this cosmopolitan city.  

Days 5-6  Coromandel Peninsula  
Drive to the Coromandel Peninsula for a great stay in a boutique property, a chance to see beautiful Cathedral Cove by kayak and a relaxing soak at Hot Water Beach.  

Days 7-10  Coromandel Peninsula to Hawke’s Bay  
Have your first volcanic encounter in Rotorua as well as visiting the cute kiwis in the National Kiwi Hatchery. Then in the wine capital of Hawke’s Bay, enjoy the views atop Te Mata Peak and sample some delicious Pinot Noir.  

Days 11-14  Hawke’s Bay to New Plymouth  
Trek through awe-inspiring volcanic scenery on the famous Tongariro Crossing in Tongariro National Park then drive the Forgotten Highway to New Plymouth for a walk around the base of Mount Taranaki in Egmont National Park.

Days 15-17  New Plymouth to Wellington
Drive down the Surf Highway to the Kapiti Coast. Enjoy a wildlife tour on Kapiti Island Nature Reserve before spending the night in New Zealand’s capital.

Days 18-21  Wellington to Nelson
Board a ferry in Wellington and cruise through the Marlborough Sounds to the South Island and spend the night in Nelson. The following day, head to Kaiteriteri, the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park to begin your guided walk. Spend two nights in Abel Tasman National Park before heading back to Nelson.

Days 22 – 26  Nelson to Christchurch
Spend a night in Blenheim before travelling down the coast to Kaikôura to spot resident sperm whales or migrating orcas on a cruise. Enjoy a couple of days in vibrant Christchurch with a day trip to see the rara Hector’s dolphins in nearby Akaroa Harbour.

Days 27-29  Christchurch to Mount Cook NP  
Admire the unbelievable aquamarine waters of Lake Tekapo and this evening, enjoy a stargazing tour in this dark sky reserve. Drive along Lake Pukaki for a stunning helicopter flight over Mount Cook. The next day, walk the famous Hooker Valley Track to encounter giant glacial icebergs on Hooker Lake.  

Days 30-34  Mount Cook NP to Stewart Island
Drive to Dunedin to visit the Royal Albatross colony on Otago Peninsula. Spot birdlife in Catlins Forest Park en route to Invercargill before spending the night. The following day, board the ferry to Stewart Island for a rare chance to watch wild kiwis wander by on the beaches of Rakiura National Park.

Days 35-36  Stewart Island to Te Anau
Depart Stewart Island and journey to Te Anau, the gateway of Fiordland National Park to spend the night. The following day, enjoy an overnight expedition cruise through the heart of the breathtaking Doubtful Sound.

Days 37-39  Te Anau to Queenstown
Disembark the cruise in Te Anau and drive to the South Island’s scenic playground, Queenstown. Enjoy a tour of this beautiful town before making the most of a wide variety of outdoor experiences in and around the area.

Days 40-41  Queenstown to Franz Josef
Drive to Franz Josef in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Take to the skies once more in a helicopter, soar over the majestic glacier and later, trek across the vast, icy expanse. Day 42 Franz Josef to Christchurch Take a last drive to Greymouth before taking the famous TranzAlpine train through Arthur’s Pass National Park back to Christchurch.  

Day 42  TranzAlpine Train
Take a last drive to Greymouth before taking the famous TranzAlpine train through the west coast’s subtropical rainforest of Arthur’s Pass National Park back to Christchurch. Spend your final night of the holiday in this lovely garden city.

Days 43- 44  Fly home