Day-By-Day Itinerary
Day One:
Auckland
Arrive in Auckland and settle into the time-zone, and
your luxury accommodation.
Day Two: Auckland
Soak
up the sights and sounds of the iconic city of Auckland. For the best of the
views, visit the 328-meter Sky Tower, or otherwise hike up Mount Eden, a
volcanic peak that casts views over the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, and the iconic
Eden Park – home of the All Blacks. For a different sense of perspective,
families could choose to sail in the gloriously protected water of the bay on
a real America’s Cup Yacht. With the wind ruffling your hair, and the skyline
of Auckland as a backdrop, this is a fantastic way to introduce yourself with
what a holiday in New Zealand is all about.
Day Three:
Auckland
Today could be spent living as a true New Zealander by
journeying to one of the classic city escapes from Auckland. To the east lie
the Hauraki Gulf Islands, and the largest, Waiheke Island, offers something
for everyone. Children will make the most of the beautiful beaches, whilst
adults can sample some of the excellent wine produced in the local vineyards.
Together, take a stroll on one of island’s trails which take you from cliff
top vistas into the cool and dense envelope of the native forest. To the west,
families will find unique volcanic beaches in Piha and excellent surfing
lessons for all ages.
Day Four: Northland and the Bay of
Islands
Picking up your 4x4 hire car, your first taste of a
New Zealand road trip awaits. Today you drive north through the lush
vegetation, spectacular coastline, orchards of citrus trees and roadside fruit
stalls, bumpy volcanic peaks, and, of course, pastures of sheep. Arrive in
Russell to find a spectacular, panoramic private villa, with ample room for
all the family. Spend the evening spotting dolphins playing in the ocean below
you whilst unwinding in your private heated pool.
Day Five: Bay
of Islands
A stay in the Bay of Islands really is about
exploring the idyllic coastline that surrounds you. Lush fern filled valleys
turn to cliffs, bays, inlets and beaches, and into the crystal-clear waters of
the Southern Pacific. Choose from a range of family friendly activities
including sea kayaking, swimming with the resident dolphins, or sailing. Land
lovers may choose to admire the vistas on horseback, or by hiking. Otherwise,
simply get onto the beaches and soak up the Southern Hemisphere sunshine.
Day Six: Rotorua
Driving to Kerikeri Airport in the Bay
of Islands, you will drop your hire car and board your flight to Rotorua. This
flight will take you deep into the volcanic heartland of the North Island,
where geothermal wonders, bubbling hot pools, exploding geysers, and lush
rainforest. Pick up your new hire car, and perhaps join an evening Maori
cultural display in a local Maori village. Rotorua is often considered the
heart of Maori culture in New Zealand, so there is no better place to learn of
their historic traditions and watch fascinating song and dance before settling
down to an authentic feast cooked beneath the ground on hot stones.
Day Seven: Rotorua
Today would be best spent
uncovering the geothermal wonders of the region. To do so, families should
visit Te Puia – a 70-hectare park that contains the world famous Pohutu
geyser, as well as mud pools, hot springs and silica formation. Indeed,
families will also find the Kiwi bird, and national schools of Maori wood
carving, weaving, stone and bone carving. The highlight of the experience is
undoubtedly Pohutu geyser, an ancient geothermal feature, and the largest
active geyser in the southern hemisphere. She erupts twice every hour and
sometimes reaches heights of 30 metres. Next, travel to Whirinaki forest,
where lush rainforest supports a great diversity of wildlife including many
rare birds. A network of trails makes walking and mountain biking a joy
amongst the awe-inspiring trees.
Day Eight: Rotorua
On your final full day on the North Island, some families may rightly choose
to pay homage to a more modern cultural phenomenon in New Zealand. Located
about an hour’s drive from Rotorua, near Cambridge, is the magical set of
Hobbiton. Set amongst rolling green lush pastures, this was the iconic filming
destination for The Shire in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
Loose yourself in the magic of the set, where the landscape really does feel
like something from Middle Earth. Alternatively, Taupo is also a convenient
day trip from Rotorua where families can sail on the magnificent Lake in
search of ancient Maori rock carvings, or hike on the Tongariro National Park,
home to ‘Mount Doom’ from the Lord of the Rings.
Day Nine:
Marlborough Sounds
Wake early to drop your hire car at Rotorua
Airport and fly south to Wellington. From here, you can either cross the Cook
Strait by scenic ferry, and then board a water taxi to your idyllic
accommodation, or opt to fly by scenic helicopter flight directly to your hotel
from Wellington. Either way, the astonishing views of the Cook Strait and
Marlborough Sounds are a highlight to any holiday in New Zealand. Accessible
only by boat, seaplane or helicopter, the Marlborough Sounds comprise a
tranquil network of ancient sunken river valleys filled with the waters of the
Pacific Ocean. Here, forested hills rise steeply from the sea around an
intricate coastline of sheltered inlets and sandy bays. Settle into your
accommodation, and spot dolphins jumping in the afternoon sunshine, from the
deck of your private apartment. In the evening, a short walk will take you
into the bush, where the twinkling light of glowworms will provide a magical
compliment to the overhead star displays.
Day Ten: Marlborough
Sounds
A stay in the Marlborough Sounds really is a retreat
into the heart of nature. On land, excellent hiking tracks, bird watching and
island hopping prevail as the go-to activities. However, best of all, families
can get out onto the water through a range of excursions. Here, you can choose
to sail, kayak, cruise, and fish in the calm and tranquil waters of the
Sounds, or even swim with Hectors Dolphins, thought to be one of the world’s
rarest dolphin species! There’s plenty of time to relax too, and with
fantastic beaches, an indulgent spa and swimming pools, it is the perfect way
to round off a day of active exploration.
Day Eleven:
Kaikoura
Taking a water taxi back to Picton, pick up a new 4x4
hire car and set out South East en route to Kaikoura. Spot striking beaches,
and the friendly faces of sunbathing seals before arriving at your luxury
family treehouse accommodation in mid-morning. This afternoon, families can
choose to join a whale watching expedition in the rich, biodiverse waters just
off the coast. Made famous by David Attenborough amongst many other
naturalists, Kaikoura is home to an astonishing wealth of cetacean life,
including sperm whales, orcas and dolphins, as well as variety of other
species including seals and albatross. Whale watching boats really do offer a
great perspective of this ‘maritime Serengeti’, however snorkelling and scenic
flights are also available upon request.
Day Twelve: Arthur’s
Pass
Today an easy drive will take you from the Canterbury
Plains outside of Christchurch into the start of the Southern Alps. The
scenery from the road is some of the best in New Zealand, and postcard images
of the South Island will pass by in their dozens, from pastures of grazing
sheep to craggy cliffs and distant snow-clad mountain peaks. The vistas reach
their crescendo as you approach Arthur’s Pass. Here, settle into your friendly
and cosy luxury hotel, and perhaps join one of the walking tours of this
alpine environment before tucking into a well-earnt hearty meal.
Day Thirteen: Arthur’s Pass
Families can choose to
take part in a truly authentic Kiwi experience today by a tour of a real
working sheep farm. With 3000 sheep and 120 Angus cattle, experienced guides
will show you this typically New Zealand way of life, including traditional
blade-shearing demonstrations, and handfeeding of tame shape. Alternatively,
guests could hike or join an ecological guided tour of the area. The focus
really is on wholesome education suitable for all the family, and the alpine
scenery provides a magnificent backdrop. In the evening, observe the stars of
the southern sky in this second-to-none setting where clean air and zero light
pollution reveal the entirety of the milky way.
Day Fourteen:
Franz Josef Glacier
Continuing west across the Pass, today’s
drive will eventually take you down to the coast. Here families will find a
marvel of the latitude, with the pristine glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox
advancing close to the sea. Settle into your luxury lodge, and take a trip
into town to find a charming town alive with Kea – a cheeky and comical West
Coast Parrot. For pure relaxation, why not indulge in the glacier hot pools
that weave their way through the rainforest.
Day Fifteen: Franz
Josef Glacier
Today can be adventurous in the most Kiwi of
ways. One of the delights of the Franz Josef Glacier is the opportunity to
take a thrilling helicopter ride onto the pale blue pristine ice formations,
and hike along with the help of a qualified guide. This adventure is
deceptively safe, and your well-trained guides will walk with you every step
of the way. The views are exceptional, and the experience is unlike anything
you will have tried before. It really is one of the highlights of a trip to
New Zealand.
Day Sixteen: Queenstown
A scenic
drive will take you along the west coast of New Zealand, past a number of
achingly pretty stops. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Mount Cook National
Park, Haast, Mount Aspiring National Park and Wanaka, before touching the
wineries of Otago and passing into the famously adventurous Queenstown. Set on
the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and surrounded by snow-capped peaks, New Zealand
has saved the best for last for families. Settle into your private lake-side
apartment and revel in the alpine surrounds.
Day Seventeen:
Queenstown
The choice of activities on offer in Queenstown is
truly staggering. In the winter, head to the aptly-named Remarkables to find
some of the best skiing in the Southern Hemisphere. In the summer, choose from
mountain biking, white-water rafting or horse-riding amongst other activities.
Many of these opportunities operate year-round, allowing families to acquaint
themselves with Fiordland in an adventurous way. Queenstown itself is a
beautiful and exciting home from home amidst all the adrenaline. There is a
youthful energy available, as well as a palpable air of sophistication for
those seeking outstanding hospitality, food and wine.
Day
Eighteen: Queenstown
On your last full day in New Zealand, make
the most of the adventurous capabilities of Queenstown in a way that suits
you. Another option, is to join a day cruise of either Milford or Doubtful
Sound to the South West of the city. These incredible fiords are home to an
extraordinary mix of wildlife, from orcas to penguins, and feature some of the
best scenery in New Zealand. In the evening, return to Queenstown and raise a
glass to this incredible country.
Day Nineteen: Return
Home
With memories to last a lifetime, drop your hire car at
Queenstown Airport and catch your flight home.
Optional
extensions to your Australian Family Adventure Touring Holiday
Everything we do at Expressions Holidays is bespoke, and we are dedicated to
personalising the itineraries of every single client. Choose from the following
range of tour extensions, or get in touch today to suggest something completely
different.
Optional Abel Tasman National Park extension
(2-nights)
Following your two-night stay in the Marlborough
Sounds, venture West into the true wilderness of the Abel Tasman National
Park. Arriving by foot, water taxi, or by air, families will find themselves
plunged into the heart of nature, with a suite of activities on offer such as
hiking, kayaking, or simply relaxing. In the evening, relax in the company of
the stunning star displays and relish some proper family time away from the
distractions of phone signal and WIFI. Re-join your tour by driving to
Kaikoura.
Optional Best of North Island (3-nights)
Following your two-night stay in the Bay of Islands, fly further south to
Taupo to enjoy one night in the majestic presence of the Lake. Here, families
could embark on a serene day-sail out to hidden Maori carvings, or otherwise
hike out on the iconic Tongariro Crossing. This is the filming location for
Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings, as well as being known for its
spectacular volcanic scenery. Next, drive East into the welcoming arms of
Hawkes Bay for two-nights where excellent food and wine meet fantastic scenery
and wildlife. Cycle, surf, hike, eat and drink through the typically Kiwi
landscape of rolling green hills, lush forests, and mountainous ranges. There
is something for everyone in Hawke’s Bay. Re-join your tour by driving to
Rotorua.