New Zealand Treasures

1 Night – Auckland
2 Nights – Paihia (Bay of Islands)
1 Night – Auckland
2 Nights – Rotorua (via Waitomo Caves)
2 Nights – Wellington (via Taupo)
1 Night – Nelson
1 Night – Greymouth
1 Night – Fox Glacier (via Hokitika)
2 Nights – Queenstown
1 Night – Milford Sound

✈️ UK – Auckland (1 night): You’ll fly from your chosen UK airport to Auckland, where you can discover New Zealand’s largest city with its shops, museums and two harbours.

🚗 Auckland – Paihia (2 nights): Head north to the beautiful Bay of Islands and stay in Paihia for two nights. Explore this idyllic subtropical region by taking excursions to the outer islands or simply relax on its golden sands.

🚗 Paihia – Auckland (1 night): Drive back to Auckland and take a ferry to Waiheke Island. With its scenic vineyards, olive groves and white-sandy beaches, it’s a fantastic day trip just a short sail from the city.

🚗 Auckland – Rotorua (2 nights): Continue south towards Rotorua, stopping en route to visit the magical Waitomo Caves, where you’ll find a labyrinth of glow-worm-lit tunnels and underground rivers. Spend two nights in Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland of bubbling pools, natural hot springs and geysers. Learn about Māori culture with a visit to a traditional Te Arawa village.

🚗 Rotorua – Wellington (2 nights): Travel south to Wellington, the country’s capital, stopping by beautiful Lake Taupo along the way. Enjoy the city’s harbour views, vibrant arts scene and gourmet cuisine. You could also take a day-long wine tour to the nearby vineyards of Martinborough, known for their award-winning Pinot Noir.

🚢 Wellington – Nelson (1 night): Take the scenic 3-hour Interislander Ferry to the South Island and spend a night in Nelson, close to the stunning Abel Tasman National Park. Explore its golden beaches, forested trails and clear coastal waters by boat or on foot.

🚗 Nelson – Greymouth (1 night): Journey down the wild west coast to Greymouth, stopping in Hokitika to learn about the region’s shipwrecks, gold-mining heritage and jade-carving traditions. Visit Shantytown, a fascinating replica gold-rush settlement.

🚗 Greymouth – Fox Glacier (1 night): Continue to Fox Glacier, one of the world’s most accessible glaciers. Take a guided walk to the terminal face, venture into blue-ice caves, or soar above it all on a thrilling helicopter flight.

🚗 Fox Glacier – Queenstown (2 nights): Drive south to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Try bungee jumping, white-water rafting or jet-boating, or simply take in the views across Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding alpine peaks, famously used as “Middle-earth” in The Lord of the Rings.

🚗 Queenstown – Milford Sound (1 night): From Queenstown, travel to the magnificent Fiordlands and enjoy a scenic cruise on Milford Sound. Sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls and resident fur seals, dolphins and penguins make this one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Stay overnight in the lakeside town of Te Anau, a scenic two-hour drive away.

🚗 Milford Sound – Dunedin (1 night): Continue east to Dunedin, one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Known as the “Edinburgh of New Zealand,” it’s a charming coastal city surrounded by rolling hills and dramatic wildlife-rich coastline.

🚗 Dunedin – Mount Cook (1 night): Drive inland to the spectacular Mount Cook National Park and stay in Mount Cook Village. Enjoy scenic walks suitable for all levels, set against New Zealand’s highest peak and the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki.

🚗 Mount Cook – Christchurch (2 nights): Finish your journey in Christchurch, a relaxed and resilient city framed by gardens and parks. Glide along the River Avon on an Edwardian punt, visit the Botanic Gardens or explore the vibrant pop-up cafés and shops that give the city its unique charm.

✈️ Christchurch – UK: On your final day, return your car at Christchurch Airport and catch your flight back to the UK, ending your unforgettable New Zealand adventure.