Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and self-drive to your accommodation.

Kia Ora! Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here.

Optional Attraction: Auckland Sky Tower without Transfers (Flight should be Arrive before 1400 HRS)

View Auckland City from 328 metres high above street level in the iconic Sky Tower. This is a great introduction to the city as it provides panoramic 360 degree views up to 80km in every direction.

Optional Attraction: Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise // Admission without Transfers

Immerse yourself in Auckland Harbour setting and unwind with a three-course meal on the water. Set sail and take in Auckland spectacular scenery as the sun lowers in the sky. Enjoy canapes and a welcome drink as you set sail onto the Waitemata Harbour. For the main course choose between dining in the downstairs cabin or on deck to take in the iconic sights of the Auckland Harbour. To finish the evening off, savour your dessert course as we leisurely sail back to Auckland's vibrant Viaduct Harbour. Includes: 2.5 hour sailing experience on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour Welcome drink of your choice served on arrival Enjoy a three-course meal on board served by our crew Informative commentary from our knowledgeable crew about the harbour and its history Fully licensed bar is available on board for additional drinks Children must be 5 years and older for this cruise

Duration: 2.5 hours. Includes a welcome drink and a three course meal.

Journey through the rolling green hills of Waitomo and enjoy a tour through an underground wonderland of caves

decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Continue to Matamata for a charming tour of unique, character Hobbit homes, gardens and the watering hole just as you see in the movies. Finishing off a visually fulfilling day, continue Rotorua, a bubbling and steaming destination like nowhere else.

Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and

bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends. Today you'll visit one of the local geothermal attractions before a sensory evening display in the forest.

There's a bit of everything on today's drive past Great Lake Taupo to Napier. The scenic journey includes volcanic geography, fresh forest plantations, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas.

Following an earthquake in 1931, a rebuild saw Napier completely redesigned in the style of the times. Buildings were constructed in the Art Deco style with Maori motifs to give the city a unique New Zealand character. Today, the delightful seaside city of Napier has the extra-ordinary feeling of a time capsule with its seamless line of some of the world's finest 1930's architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of Napier's unique history and architecture.

Rotorua - Napier: 220km (approx. 3hrs)

Today's travel south may be via the spectacular Manawatu Gorge or through the beautiful Tuki Tuki Valley and Wairarapa Wine region to reach Wellington. Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot. Great shopping, arts culture, cafes and restaurants are all within minutes of the city's untouched nature spots. Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum offers FREE admission but you might like to include a guided tour for a greater insight into New Zealand's rich history and culture.

Napier - Wellington: 320km (approx 4hrs,30mins)

New Zealand's North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean fresh air. Departing Wellington, the ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton. With its rugged mountain ranges and fertile plains, Marlborough has a lot to offer with its water, wilderness and wine. A short drive takes you to the compact town centre of Blenheim.

Picton-Blenheim: 30km (approx 30mins)

The Pacific Coast Road to Christchurch presents one of New Zealand's most dramatic drives with breath-taking mountains on one side and wild pounding ocean on the other. The seaside settlement of Kaikoura is set midway and overlooked by majestic mountains. The unique marine geography at this location provides the perfect environment for Sperm Whales and other marine life. On to Christchurch, a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River

Blenheim - Christchurch: 309km (approx 4hrs)

Optional Attraction: Whale Watch Tour - Ocean Cabin KAIKOURA, HANMER and NORTH CANTERBURY

Kaikoura is the whale watching capital of New Zealand. Around 80% of the world's whale and dolphin species migrate past the Kaikoura coastline so at any given time there is the opportunity for other species of marine mammals to be sighted. Modern catamarans are equipped with an enclosed passenger cabin and large outdoor decks offer great viewing and photo opportunities. Spacious interiors are fitted with comfortable seating while large plasma screens display award-winning marine wildlife animations. The main focus of your tour is to locate and view the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment at all times of the year. A typical Whale Watch tour may also encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross.

Allow: 3 hours, 15 mins for the total experience

Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast. New Zealand's rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world's last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys.

Christchurch - Greymouth: 240km (approx. 3.5 hrs)

A temperate climate at a low altitude makes Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world. Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia and here, the ice age is still underway. For an absolute bucket list experience, add a scenic flight with a glacier landing and a thrilling hike to your itinerary.

Greymouth - Glacier Region: 175-195km (approx 2.5-3hrs)

Travel through wilderness towns, waterfalls and river scenery on today's scenic journey to Queenstown. We recommend stopping for a break, and to unwind, at Makarora's Blue Pools. After settling in at the Queenstown accommodation, make your way to the Skyline Base for a Gondola Ride to the top of Bob's Peak and enjoy some spectacular panoramic views high above Queenstown. You might also like to add some Luge rides to your bucket list for some extra fun

Glacier Region - Queenstown: 330-350km (approx 4.5-5hrs)

Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.

*** We recommend you let someone else do the driving so you can enjoy the scenery on an optional day tour to Milford Sound (not included in tour cost). ***

Today's journey takes you to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes. Hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki to a rugged land of ice and rock, home to Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain.

Today you'll enjoy admission to the Darky Sky Project for a greater understanding of the night sky. Be sure to stop for a while at Lake Tekapo where the 'Church of the Good Shepherd' takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Then continue north east where braided rivers and familiar plains will signal your arrival back into Christchurch. Make a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch either today or tomorrow for an icy insight into this astounding continent.

Tekapo/Mt Cook - Christchurch :220-330km (approx. 3-4hrs)

Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer to Christchurch Airport

Do spare a few minutes to share your feedback with our representative or via email - as your valued suggestions will be most appreciated. Arrive home with pleasant memories of your overseas tour, which we are sure you will treasure for a lifetime