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Selected Escorted Tours - Spring Special Offer

Book by the 31st of May 2024 and get a 10% reduction on selected Escorted Tours:

Embark on an extraordinary 56-day odyssey through the breathtaking wonders of New Zealand. From the pristine beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula to the geothermal marvels of Rotorua, the vibrant cities of Wellington and Christchurch, and the majestic beauty of Mount Cook and Abel Tasman National Park, prepare for a journey that will ignite your spirit and leave unforgettable memories. Let the adventure begin!

Duration: 56 days

Holiday Type:
Escorted Motorhome Tours

Departure dates:

  • February 1, 2025 from £15,999  per person
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Highlights

  • The beautiful beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula
  • Kaikoura, New Zealand’s whale watching capital
  • Arthur’s Pass TranzAlpine Train
  • The glorious peaks of the Southern Alps
  • Invercargill, New Zealand’s southernmost city
  • Doubtful Sound Cruise
  • Hawke’s Bay Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
  • New Plymouth and Mt. Taranaki
  • Waitomo with its labyrinth of caves
  • Hole in the Rock Cruise in the Bay of Islands

UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

  • Te Wahipounamu

Route Map

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What's Included

  • International flights to Auckland
  • Airport transfer on arrival
  • Shuttle transfers to and from the motorhome depot
  • 4 nights in a centrally located hotel in Auckland including breakfast
  • 48 nights pre-booked campsites
  • Ferry Crossings across Cook Strait
  • Locally guided by professional and experienced New Zealand Guides
  • Welcome and Farewell Dinners
  • Te Puia Maori Heritage Experience and Hangi Dinner
  • Marlborough Wine Tour
  • Arthur’s Pass TranzAlpine Train with lunch
  • Doubtful Sound Cruise with Picnic Lunch
  • Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Dinner
  • Hole in the Rock Cruise from the Bay of Islands
  • McRent Compact Plus Motorhome for 49 days including;
    • Full Inclusive Package with unlimited km’s
    • Insurance, Collisions Damage Waiver (reduced to NZ$500)
    • GPS
    • Camping table and chairs

Itinerary

Distance: 168km (105miles)

Your first destination is the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of attractive beaches. It is a place where many Kiwis choose to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and is home to arts & crafts and stunning scenery. You can dig out your very own hot pool metres from the Pacific Ocean at world-famous Hot Water Beach, or head for Cathedral Cove where a huge arched cavern passes through the headland, joining up two secluded coves. Relax in the cafes and enjoy the art galleries or just taking in the wonderful scenery.

Distance: 209km (131miles)

Driving on, you come to the geothermal region of Rotorua. A highlight is the Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Reserve, featuring all things boiling and sulphurous: bubbling mud pools, colourful mineral pools, the 62 metre deep Champagne Pool, and the famous Lady Knox geyser.

Take the cable car ‘gondola’ up Mount Ngongotaha and in return you’ll get amazing views. Rotorua is a key part of the Maori heartland so there’s always the chance to learn about Maori culture and traditions. Go along to an included evening feast or hangi for a traditional banquet with dancing and Maori culture. You may even find yourself performing the haka!

Distance: 218km (135miles)

Often referred to as the Art-Deco capital of the world, Napier is in the Hawke’s Bay region which is famous for its many vineyards that serve gourmet food to accompany award-winning wines. Alternatively, you might enjoy the chance to view the world’s largest mainland gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.

Enjoy a gourmet food and wine tour of the Hawkes Bay region, before you move on.

Distance: 271km (169miles)

As you leave the rolling countryside of the Hawke's Bay you'll be greeted with some of New Zealand’s richest dairy farmland in the Manawatu Gorge. Continue through the Wairarapa region and perhaps make a stop in the Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre, where you can see some of countries native animals.

Take another break in Masterson and visit the interactive Woolshed Museum to learn about sheep farming in New Zealand. As you drive south, a visit to historic Greytown is a must-do. Take in the restored Victorian buildings and make time for a cup of tea at one of its quaint cafes.

Leaving state highway 2 you will cross over the Ruamahanga River into Martinborough wine country - your destination for the day.

Distance: 156km (98miles)

Take the Interislander ferry to Picton where you’ll pick up the road south to Kaikoura.

At Kaikoura you’ll find a natural playground of aquatic mammals, feeding in the rich coastal waters. There are whales and dolphins passing close to the shore and often clearly visible from the coastal walkway. A popular option is to join a whale watching cruise where you have a better chance of getting up close.

Distance: 181km (113miles)

Today’s journey takes you along the edge of the rugged coastal ranges. From Cheviot you can detour to Gore Bay to see the fascinating cliff formations. The landscape becomes gentler as you approach Waipara - a region known for its vineyards and olive groves. The last leg of your journey takes you past the surf beaches of Amberley, Leithfield, Waikuku and Woodend.

Before you continue your journey, a trip on the TranzAlpine train is included, a chance for you to experience the stunning scenery of Arthur's Pass.

Distance: 309km (193miles)

Leaving Christchurch, you’ll head across the Canterbury plains towards Mt Cook. Be sure to stop at Lake Tekapo where the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd is a photographer’s dream, with sweeping lake views and surrounded by swathes of lupins in season.

The turquoise blue waters of Lake Pukaki are an eye catching sight as you approach Mt Cook village. Surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, all part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, there are sublime sunrises and sunsets over the snowy peaks. Explore the glacial lakes, hike the trails of Hooker Valley (mostly easy going with loose surfaces).

Distance: 186km (116miles)

Oamaru is best known for having some of the Southern Hemispheres most complete Victorian streetscapes and 19th century architecture, while nature lovers can head to see the world’s smallest penguins in their natural environment at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. You can also witness the world’s rarest penguin – the yellow-eyed penguin – coming ashore at Bushy Beach.

Distance: 204km (128miles)

Continue your journey south through the winding roads of the Catlins where you can spot seals, sealions, Hector’s dolphins, several species of penguins and the petrified forest in Curio Bay. The area is full of wilderness beaches, waterfalls, walkways, lakes, and rivers that provide nonstop scenery as you drive.

Available Excursions:

Distance: 158km (99miles)

Cross the rich farmlands of Central Otago as you make your way to Te Anau, the gateway to the Fiordland National Park. You can travel via Gore, set on the Mataura River, or you may like to take the slightly longer route which takes you south via the Catlins with its rugged coastline, hidden lakes, and magical waterfalls.

Once in Te Anau, options here include an exhilarating jetboat ride, stopping at three of the actual film locations featured in the Lord of the Rings films, or you can visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves where a mystical underground world of waterfalls and incredible rock formations awaits.

On your last day in Te Anau, enjoy a cruise across Doubtful Sound.

Distance: 179km (112miles)

Skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu and head to Queenstown, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Explore this beautiful town before heading to Arrowtown for two nights. Located in the Otago region of the South Island, Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town and well worth exploring.

On day 32, there is an included trip on the Queenstown Skyline Gondola and dinner at the Stratosfare Restaurant, overlooking the city and Lake Wakatipu.

Distance: 286km (179miles)

View incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park to the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The glaciers of Fox & Franz Josef are fairly unique, in that they are so close to the sea. These twin rivers of ice, slowly making their way down from the mountains, are just waiting to be explored. We recommend a guided walk onto the glacier itself to appreciate the scale of it close up.

Once you’ve had enough of the ice you can take a walk through the rain forest trail around Lake Matheson, near Fox, for fantastic mirror lake views of the Southern Alps or you might prefer to relax in the Franz Josef Glacier hot pools, nestled in lush rainforest beneath mature 30m tall trees.

Distance: 275km (172miles)

Travel along the rugged west coast with its towering rainforests, rushing rivers and tranquil lakes. With the Tasman Sea on one side and the Southern Alps mountain range rising up on the other, take it slowly and enjoy this scenic drive.

Be sure to stop at Punakaiki and marvel at the bizarre limestone landscapes and powerful vents of ‘Pancake Rocks’, formed millions of years ago. Then make your way to Carters Beach for a two night stay.

Distance: 238km (149miles)

The landscape gradually becomes softer and gentler as you leave the rugged west coast and mountains behind. The rolling hills and forested slopes give way to orchards and fertile fields as you approach Nelson and the north coast.

The Abel Tasman National Park enjoys New Zealand’s highest levels of sunshine and the beaches here have a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Enjoy some superb walking trails or take a leisurely water taxi or catamaran to see the coast from a different perspective.

Kaiteriteri, west of Nelson, is a great place for picking up kayaks and taking a paddle around the headland. Why not join a guided excursion to the incredible Split Apple Rock – it looks just like an enormous split apple and has been there in the shallows for 120 million years.

With fine, white sand beaches, palm trees and jauntily painted houses, Nelson appears almost subtropical. And with seaside promenades, a bustling marina with bobbing yachts and enticing eateries, you could imagine yourself on the Côte d’Azur. There are friendly cafés, galleries and lots of arts and crafts, not to mention a selection of rather decent small breweries.

Distance: 168km (105miles)

It’s a really pleasant, interesting drive to Picton. Skirting round Nelson on the coast road, with sublime seascapes as you climb up into forested hills and twisting mountain passes.

Build in some time to explore the bays between Anakiwa and Picton, each with its own unique perspective over the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds. The Queen Charlotte Walkway is a great way to stretch your legs and enjoy some amazing scenery.

Just south of Picton lie the world famous Marlborough vineyards, famous for their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Maybe you’ll pick up a bottle or two?

Distance: 199km (124miles)

The three hour Interislander ferry crossing passes through Queen Charlotte Sound, so enjoy the wonderful scenery as you leave the South Island, hopefully interspersed with sightings of dolphins playing in the calmer waters.

On the road to Wanganui you’ll see the offshore island of Kapiti, a nature reserve where you can book tours and see rare birds.

In Wanganui take a river cruise on the Steamer Waimarie, visit the interesting museums and the River Market.

Distance: 163km (102miles)

Heading north you’ll pass through idyllic lush countryside dotted with dairy farms, picturesque little towns and views over to Mt Taranaki.

You’ll be faced with a choice when you reach Hawera: for seascapes and beaches follow the Surf Highway around Cape Egmont, for verdant countryside follow the inland route via Stratford. To get closer to Mt Taranaki take a hike along one of the walking trails on its lower slopes.

New Plymouth is an interesting place with the well-known Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre. It’s an impressive contemporary gallery housing one of the artist’s most famous kinetic sculptures.

Distance: 180km (113miles)

Driving up the coast beside the Tasman Sea you’ll discover plenty of little villages and places to stop for a picnic and a stroll. At Awakino there’s always a chance of sighting the shy and elusive kiwi.

Waitomo is best known for its labyrinth of limestone caves where you can walk or take a boat ride to see the incredible natural spectacle of the glow worms which illuminate the caves in their thousands. The delicate canopy of light above your head is truly magical.

The Otorohanga Kiwi House shelters several rare species of the native kiwi.

Distance: 230km (144miles)

From Waitomo you’ll head up into the Waikato, real farming country and the dairy heartland of New Zealand. In Hamilton you can see the university, the elegant public gardens and river, while further north you bypass Auckland as you head to Orewa.

Distance: 201km (126miles)

Once you’re ready, it’s time to head north to the Bay of Islands, a National Maritime Park. The scenic Bay of Islands is home to 144 islands and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the views with a 3 night stay.

Options available to you include learning more about the history of the region, with nearby Waitangi the location for the signing of the unique treaty between the British and the Maori people in 1840, which is still relevant today.

Alternatively, you might enjoy a boat trip out into the bay, or how about heading to the most northerly point of New Zealand and Cape Reinga, where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea converge.

During your stay enjoy the included half day 'Hole in the Rock' Cruise. The Dolphin Seeker ship will allow you to take in the stunning views as you glide out through the islands and along the Rakaumangamanga Peninsula to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over and Piercy Island/Motukōkako, or as it is popularly known the ‘Hole in the Rock’.

According to Māori legend, local warriors used to paddle through the Hole in the Rock in their canoes before departing for battle. Drops of water from the cave roof above were a good omen. If conditions permit, your skipper will expertly guide the ship through the narrow space... and if you get dripped on, consider yourself lucky.

Distance: 201km (126miles)

Return to the coastal town of Orewa with its 3km long beach, looking out onto the Pacific Ocean, ideal for an overnight stop.

Distance: 233km (146miles)

Auckland is a harbour city and the locals love nothing more than getting out on the water. You have the opportunity to explore the city at your leisure be it on land or water. A visit to Waiheke Island is a recommended and enjoyable experience that offers spectacular views of the city across the water. The Sky Tower is unmistakeable and offers an alternative view of the city.

Your Farewell Dinner is a chance to look back at your Ultimate New Zealand adventure with your fellow travellers and your tour hosts.

Additional Information

Price per person is based on two people sharing, prices for solo travellers are available on request.

Tour Enquiry

Available Vehicles

You have the choice of 2 types of motorhome for this tour. The prices displayed are based on the McRent Compact Plus 2 berth model or you can upgrade to the McRent Comfort Standard 2 berth - please enquire for upgrade prices and availability. Click on the images for more details and specifications of each motorhome.

Available Stopovers

Available Airlines