Skip Navigation
New Zealand - Maui, Apollo & Britz - 2026-2027 Special Offer

Book by 31st October 2026 and get 10% off the daily vehicle hire rates

Embark on a breath-taking journey through the wonders of New Zealand with this extraordinary independent rail and road tour, designed to offer you the very best of this enchanting country.

In Auckland board the Northern Explorer train which winds it way across the North Island. Witness the majestic Tongariro National Park from your seats whilst enjoying the commentary and a bite to eat. 

After sailing across the Cook Strait to the South Island, join The Coastal Pacific train in Picton. Spectacular vistas from the train await as the journey hugs the rugged Pacific coastline to Christchurch.

Discover the rest of New Zealand in your motorhome. Discover Mount Cook (Aoraki), Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Franz Josef Glacier, and the Abel Tasman National Park on the South Island before returning to the North Island to explore Martinborough, Napier, Rotorua and the Coromandel Peninsula.

Duration: 29 days

Holiday Type:
Independent Motorhome Tours

Departure dates:

  • Year round from £6,499  per person
Make an enquiry

Highlights

  • North Island’s Northern Explorer rail journey
  • Sailing through Marlborough Sounds 
  • South Island’s Coastal Pacific rail journey
  • West Coast’s Franz Josef Glacier
  • Nelsons Tasman art and craft’s
  • Napier, Art Deco capital of the world
  • Rotorua’s rich Māori culture
  • Coromandel Peninsula’s Hot Water Beach

Route Map

Sorry, this map cannot be displayed.

The following consent is required:
Tracking & performance, Targeting & advertising.

What's Included

  • Return economy flights from the UK to New Zealand
  • All Transfers
  • 3 Nights Auckland hotel including breakfast
  • 2 Nights Wellington hotel including breakfast
  • 2 Nights Picton hotel including breakfast
  • 2 Nights Christchurch hotel including breakfast
  • Northern Explorer Train Auckland to Wellington
  • Return Cook Strait ferry crossings
  • Coastal Pacific Train Picton to Christchurch
  • 16 nights on pre-booked campsites
  • Maui Ultima 2-berth motorhome with value pack for 17 days, includes:
    • High Road Insurance
    • Liability reduced to zero
    • Single Vehicle Rollover Cover
    • Unlimited Kilometres
    • 24-Hour roadside Assistance
    • Awning damage
    • Towing and recovery costs in the case of an accident
    • Additional driver
    • Linen & Bedding
    • Kitchen Kit & General Equipment
    • Camping Chairs & Table
  • Mobile itinerary app with offline maps and real-time itinerary updates
  • eSIM data package per person (minimum 3GB)

Our prices remain the same; we've simply updated how we show them. The total price now includes both our price and any required local fees.

Itinerary

Fly from the UK, arriving in Auckland on day three due to the difference in time zones. Unwind after the flight and enjoy this harbour side city. Explore at your leisure, perhaps taking in the views from the top of the Sky Tower or enjoying a boat trip across the harbour to one of the neighbouring islands.

Distance: 491km (304miles)

The Northern Explorer is a scenic rail service that runs between Auckland and Wellington. As the train slowly travels through the National Park, watch the passing scenery with its three spectacular volcanic mountains in the distance: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu.

New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, has plenty to explore. Discover the country’s history and Māori heritage at Te Papa Museum, then take the iconic Wellington Cable Car and enjoy panoramic views of the city and harbour from Mt Victoria.

Distance: 64km (40miles)

Enjoy the scenic ferry crossing from Wellington across the Cook Strait to Picton at the northern tip of the South Island. As the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is a great spot to take a boat cruise through the sounds and enjoy a day walk on the Queen Charlotte Walkway or relax with a picnic by one of the bays.

Board the Coastal Pacific Train for one of New Zealand’s most scenic rail journeys. Over just five hours, the route hugs the Pacific coast between the ocean and the Kaikōura Mountains, passing rugged cliffs, rocky outcrops, modern vineyards and rustic farmsteads.

Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, is known for its beautiful public gardens, historic architecture and walkable centre. Although the 2011 earthquakes destroyed much of the city, it has rebuilt with distinctive pop-up malls, boutique shops and restaurants.

Don’t miss Riverside Market, a lively indoor farmers’ market offering a tempting range of restaurants focused on sustainable, locally sourced produce

Distance: 226km (141miles)

Collect your motorhome and set off on a scenic drive across the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. Stop by the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd on the lake’s edge, then head up to the Mt. John Observatory for a breathtaking perspective of this International Dark Sky Reserve. Unwind at the end of the day with a soothing soak in the hot pools and stunning mountain views.

Distance: 199km (12miles)

Set amid the spectacular Southern Alps, Wanaka attracts visitors with its striking mountain and lakeside scenery and easy access to Mt Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Area.

Just 68 km from Wanaka, Queenstown sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Known as New Zealand’s adventure capital, it also offers lake cruises and excursions to Milford Sound.

Distance: 287km (179miles)

Enjoy the views along the shores of Lake Hawea as you head north and stop for lunch at Makarora before hitting the Haast Pass. The scenery here changes dramatically as you enter the rainforest. The settlement of Haast is a town with a touch of the Wild West, and another good place to stretch the legs and have a look around. Just north of Haast is Lake Moeraki, a peaceful forest lake and the starting point of a 1.5 hr return walk to the penguin colony at Monro Beach. 

A two-night stay allows you to see the Franz Josef glacier either by a scenic helicopter flight, heli-hike or a valley walk to the glacier face. 

Distance: 279km (174miles)

With the Tasman Sea on one side and the Southern Alps rising on the other, take your time and enjoy the drive. Stop at Punakaiki and marvel at the bizarre limestone landscape and powerful vents of Pancake Rocks before continuing onto Carters Beach for your overnight stay.

Distance: 218km (136miles)

Your next destination is Nelson with a vibrant artistic community and many craft and art galleries to wander around. The town is also home to many fine breweries & wineries to while away an afternoon in. Beyond the town are beautiful forests, lakes and beaches to explore and get a taste of the beauty of this corner of the country.

Distance: 139km (87miles)

On this scenic route to Picton, spend some leisurely time in Havelock, known as ‘the Greenshell Mussel capital of New Zealand’. In this historic town of you can enjoy the renowned Greenshell Mussels for lunch accompanied with a glass of local Marlborough wine, browse art galleries or join a sightseeing boat trip.

Distance: 80km (50miles)

Board the ferry for your return trip across the Cook Strait to Wellington and then continue to Martinborough. 

Packed with colonial charm, Martinborough features over twenty wineries, most within cycling and walking distance of the quaint village square. Some of New Zealand’s best pinot noir comes from the town’s predominately family-owned vineyards, so it’s not surprising it is a key stop on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail.

Distance: 267km (167miles)

Often referred to as the Art Deco capital of the world, Napier is in the Hawke’s Bay region which is famous for its vineyards. Many of these serve gourmet food to accompany their award-winning wines, providing the opportunity to enjoy some mouth-watering cuisine.

Cape Kidnappers / Te Kauwae-a-Māui is a remarkable sandstone headland located east of Hastings in Hawke's Bay. It hosts the world’s largest and most easily accessible gannet colony. This 13-hectare privately owned reserve encompasses both the Saddle and Black Reef gannet colonies.

Distance: 218km (135miles)

Renowned for its rich Māori culture, Rotorua provides a fascinating insight into rich traditions, customs, and beliefs of the indigenous people. Make time for the nearby geothermal wonderlands to see spouting geysers, effervescent mud pools and colourful mineral pools.  

Distance: 214km (132miles)

The Coromandel Peninsula is a beautiful, rugged area and is a popular getaway for Kiwis to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Here 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 soak up the wonderful scenery.

Distance: 168km (105miles)

Return to Auckland and drop off your motorhome before transferring to your Auckland hotel. Dine at one of the many fine restaurants the 'City of Sails' has to offer for your final evening in this magical country. 

Additional Information

Total price includes the amount payable to Alan Rogers Travel and local resort fees. Price per person is based on two people sharing, prices for solo travellers are available on request.

Pay in Resort Fees:

  • From NZ$100/£49 per person

Based on the tour shown, an approximate total fee is payable locally using an exchange rate: Based on exchange rate NZ$1 = £0.44
Final resort fees are subject to change. (based on 2 people sharing)

Reviews

Tour Enquiry

Available Vehicles

You have the choice of all Britz, Maui, Star RV, Apollo, McRent and Pacific Horizon motorhomes for this tour. The prices displayed are based on the Maui 2 berth Ultima model or you can upgrade to any of the other motorhomes for an additional cost. Click on the images for more details and specifications of each motorhome.

Available Stopovers

Available Airlines