Day One: Auckland
Arrive in Auckland and
settle into the time-zone, and your luxury accommodation. 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, you 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 Two:
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, with both beautiful beaches, fashionable streets and
some excellent vineyards. 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, volcanic beaches and great surfing await in Piha, a
fantastic climax to an easy day’s road trip.
Day Three:
Northland and the Bay of Islands
Picking up your 4x4 hire car,
your first taste of rural New Zealand 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 the Bay of Islands to find your spectacular panoramic
accommodation perfectly positioned to make the most of the evening sunshine.
Spotting dolphins playing in the ocean below you whilst unwinding on your
private deck or in a jacuzzi, sundowner in hand.
Day Four: 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 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 Five: 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 Six:
Rotorua
Today would be best spent uncovering the geothermal
wonders of the region. To do so, 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, here you 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 Seven: Hawke’s Bay
A full day’s drive will
delight as you drive pass yet more steaming geothermal sites before skimming
the eastern shores of the majestic Lake Taupo. Here, you could enjoy an
afternoon sail to the ancient Maori rock carvings, or head out on a short
hike in the Tongariro National Park. Next, meander through the forested
hills of Kaimanawa and Kaweka before reaching the art deco treasures of
Napier and the fertile and sunny plains of Hawke’s Bay.
Day
Eight: Hawke’s Bay
Spend a relaxing today investigating the
architectural treasures of Napier together with its Aquarium and dolphin
displays and then explore some of the famous vineyards of the region,
perhaps having lunch at Sileni or Black Barn. In the afternoon, you could
potter in the pretty village of Havelock North and take a scenic drive
along the Tukituki River. Hawke’s Bay really is all about appreciating the
landscape, climate and culinary prowess of New Zealand.
Day
Nine: Wairarapa
Depending on where you stay, take time today
to explore a working sheep farm and then to visit Martinborough, famous for
its pinot noir vineyards. If you stay in Martinborough make the most of the
accessibility of the vineyards, many by foot from the town centre. The
rolling rural pastures and the pleasant climate make Wairarapa an
all-together perfect end to your time on the North Island. Tomorrow you will
cross the Cook Strait, but today, raise a glass of pinot noir in toast to
this peaceful place.
Day Ten: Nelson and Abel
Tasman
Drive South to Wellington to board your ferry across
the Cook Strait. This scenic cruise is one of the highlights to any holiday
in New Zealand, as you enter the peaceful serenity of the Marlborough
Sounds. Having perhaps spotted dolphins from your ferry, arrive into Picton
and drive West towards Nelson to reach your accommodation in the afternoon.
Nelson is a charming city well known for its art and craft prowess. Perhaps
tour the galleries of the region before settling down to dinner.
Day Eleven: Nelson and Abel Tasman
Today would be a
great day to venture into the true wilderness of the Abel Tasman National
Park. Preferably, you could join your own private charter so that you get to
see the major sights along the coast and have time for a swim and sunbathe
and a picnic lunch on a pretty-much deserted beach. Either way, the Abel
Tasman National Park is a mecca for wildlife enthusiasts the world over.
Here lush vegetation and hills of native bush cascade into sheltered inlets
of turquoise water and idyllic beaches. The Park can only be reached by water
or foot, and it is this isolation that makes the Abel Tasman such a special
retreat into nature.
Day Twelve: Blenheim and
Marlborough
Today’s drive is particularly pretty as you head
along the coast passing Nelson and then through wooded hills skirting the
edge of the Marlborough Sounds near Havelock. Stop here for a fantastic
lunch of the local Greenlip mussels before reaching the more expansive, drier
country of the Wairau valley around Blenheim. Vineyards here stretch for
miles with easily recognisable names such as Montana, Cloudy Bay and
Stoneleigh. Stop for wine-tasting in the late afternoon, as the sun cast
golden hues over the pastoral landscape.
Day Thirteen: Blenheim
and Marlborough
Another full day of exploring the world-famous
vineyards of Marlborough could await guests. One of the most exciting ways
to do this would be by riding The Golden Mile, a series of excellent
vineyards connected by easy and scenic bike trails. Otherwise choose from a
variety of activities to showcase the best of the region. For example,
explore the local museums that tell the history of New Zealand, or hike and
kayak around the Wairau Lagoon, where the site of New Zealand’s earliest
human habitation, and over 90 species of bird are found.
Day
Fourteen: Christchurch
Set out South East en route to
Kaikoura. Spot striking beaches, and the friendly faces of sunbathing seals
before arriving into Kaikoura for lunch. If you have some extra time at your
disposal, 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. Continue onto Christchurch in
the evening, and perhaps explore this fascinating city as it rebuilds in
creative ways from the devastation of the 2011 earthquake.
Day
Fifteen: Arthur’s Pass
Today an easy drive will take you from
the Canterbury Plains 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 Sixteen: Arthur’s Pass
Live
like a true Kiwi local 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
the great outdoors, and the alpine scenery provides a magnificent playground
in which to indulge oneself. 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 Seventeen:
Franz Josef Glacier
Continuing west across the Pass, today’s
drive will eventually take you down to the coast. Here awaits 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 lush rainforest.
Day Eighteen: 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 Nineteen: 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. Settle into your lake-side accommodation and
revel in the alpine surrounds.
Day Twenty:
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 you to
acquaint yourself 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
Twenty-One: 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
Twenty-Two: Return Home
With memories to last a lifetime,
drop your hire car at Queenstown Airport and catch your flight home.