Welcome to Auckland, the City of Sails. 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 maybe a boat trip across the harbour to one of the neighbouring islands.
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:
Make an enquiryHighlights
- The Bay of Islands’ subtropical beauty
- Waitomo with its labyrinth of caves
- Marlborough wine tour
- Abel Tasman National Park coastal paradise
- Queenstown’s gondola mountain views
- Doubtful Sound Cruise
- Arthur’s Pass TranzAlpine Train
- Kaikoura, New Zealand’s whale watching capital
- Art Deco city of Napier
- Coromandel Peninsula’s rugged beaches
UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Te Wahipounamu
Route Map
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What's Included
- Return economy flights from the UK to Auckland
- All transfers
- 4 nights in a central 4-star Auckland hotel including breakfast
- 48 nights pre-booked campsites
- Ferry Crossings across Cook Strait
- Welcome and Farewell Dinners
- Te Pa Tu Maori Evening Experience and Hangi Dinner
- Marlborough Wine Tour
- Arthur’s Pass Guided Day tour including TranzAlpine Train
- Doubtful Sound Cruise with Picnic Lunch
- Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Dinner
- Bay of Islands’ Hole in the Rock Cruise
- Locally guided by professional and experienced New Zealand Guides
- McRent Compact Plus Motorhome for 49 days including;
- Full Inclusive Package
- Unlimited km’s
- Insurance
- Collisions Damage Waiver (reduced to NZ$0)
- Camping table and chairs
- Mobile Travel App
Itinerary
Distance: 264km (164miles)
Once you have collected your motorhome your first destination is Dargaville, a Northland river town with dairy farming as its main industry as well as producing two thirds of New Zealand’s kumara (sweet potato) crop. The town has an interesting history which can be explored at the Dargaville Museum and the Kauri Museum.
Distance: 135km (84miles)
Onto 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 which is location for the signing of the unique treaty between the British and the Maori people in 1840, which is still relevant today.
During your stay enjoy the included half day 'Hole in the Rock' Cruise on Day 7. 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: 202km (125miles)
Leaving Northland continue onto Red Beach located on the Hibiscus Coast at the base of the Whangaparoa Peninsula. Spend your overnight’s stay next to the beautiful 2km stretch of beach.
Distance: 225km (140miles)
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.
Nearby is the Otorohanga Kiwi House which shelters several rare species of the native kiwi.
Available Excursions:
Distance: 170km (105miles)
Heading south you will pass through idyllic lush countryside dotted with dairy farms, picturesque little towns and views over to Mt Taranaki. 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: 188km (117miles)
In Whanganui take a river cruise on the Steamer Waimarie, visit the interesting museums and the River Market. Alternatively visit Whanganui National Park to the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ for a surprising sight with no road either side or signs of construction or civilisation. Hike or cycle to this picturesque valley which provided farms for soldiers returning from World War I in 1919.
Distance: 196km (122miles)
On the road to Wellington, you will see the offshore island of Kapiti, a nature reserve where you can book tours and see rare birds.
Depart Wellington for a scenic 3-hour Interislander ferry crossing which passes through the Queen Charlotte Sound. Sit back and relax as you leave the North Island, enjoy locally sourced cuisine onboard ready for your arrival into the pretty harbour town of Picton.
Build in some time to explore the bays around Picton, each with their unique perspective over the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds. The Queen Charlotte Walkway is a great way to stretch your legs and enjoy some amazing scenery.
On Day 17, join an included full day wine tour with lunch. Just south of Picton lies the world-famous Marlborough vineyards, famous for their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Maybe you’ll pick up a bottle or two?
Distance: 168km (105miles)
It is a very pleasant, interesting drive from Picton, so take your time skirting round Nelson on the coast road, with sublime seascapes as you traverse along twisting mountain passes.
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 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.
Distance: 250km (155miles)
Leaving the fertile orchards and forested slopes of South Island’s north coast, head towards the winding roads and mountains of the west coast.
Westport’s climate is similar to Nelson and Golden Bay – moderate to warm but wetter than the Nelson region. The lush sub-tropical nikau palm-studded rainforest needs regular water to stay beautiful and green. Wander the Westport streets and check out the art deco buildings, rebuilt after an earthquake in 1929 or hike the nearby Cape Foulwind Walkway.
Distance: 275km (170miles)
Driving south on the spectacular Great Coast Road, be sure to stop at Punakaiki along the way. The easy loop walk around the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes are impressive at high tide when the high waves crash against the cliffs and burst up through the blowholes.
For your glacier adventure, spend the next two nights in Franz Josef, a small village surrounded by dense rainforest with the high snow-capped Southern Alps towering above. The glaciers of Fox and Franz Josef are fairly unique because 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. See the glaciers from the ground or take a heli-hike to grasp the beauty of these mighty glaciers.
Distance: 289km (180miles)
View incredible scenery as you travel through the jaw-dropping and diverse landscapes from rugged coastline to mountains. Travel through Haast which sits within the Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area due to its unique wilderness.
Overnight in Wanaka to relax and enjoy its breath-taking mountains and lake views.
Distance: 56km (34miles)
Drive via the amazing Crown Range, the highest main road in New Zealand with a stunningly scenic drive through mountains and valleys. Located in the Otago region of the South Island, Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town and well worth exploring.
On Day 26, there is an included trip on the Queenstown Skyline Gondola and dinner at the Stratosfare Restaurant, overlooking the city and Lake Wakatipu.
Distance: 180km (112miles)
Skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu as you make your way to Te Anau, the gateway to the Fiordland National Park. Nestled on the edge of a lake, this picturesque town is the perfect place to explore the area.
During your stay you could join an exhilarating jetboat ride, stopping at three of the actual film locations featured in the Lord of the Rings film or visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves where a mystical underground world of waterfalls and incredible rock formations awaits.
On Day 28 enjoy an included cruise across Doubtful Sound with a picnic lunch.
Available Excursions:
Distance: 152km (94miles)
Travel along the Southern Scenic Route as you make your way to Invercargill, fondly dubbed the ‘City of Water and Light due to its long summer daylight hours. No visit is complete without a stop at Bill Richardson’s Transport World which has the largest motoring collection of its kind in the world.
Distance: 208km (129miles)
Today you may opt to take the slightly longer worthwhile route continuing along the Southern Scenic Route (or the Catlins Coastal Heritage Trail) which takes you via the Catlins with its rugged coastline, hidden lakes, and magical waterfalls.
Dunedin is known as the wildlife capital of New Zealand so there will be ample opportunity to see the world’s smallest penguins and the Royal Albatross amongst other native bird and marine life.
Distance: 116km (70miles)
From Dunedin follow the coast northwards making sure you have time for a stop at the mysterious Moeraki Boulders. Oamaru is best known for having some of the Southern Hemispheres most complete Victorian streetscapes and 19th century architecture.
Distance: 187km (116miles)
Leaving Oamaru, you will head across the Canterbury plains towards Mount Cook. 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: 311km (193miles)
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.
Spend three nights in Christchurch to explore the heritage of this laid-back city and its surrounds. On Day 37, an included trip on the TranzAlpine train allows you to experience the stunning scenery of Arthur's Pass.
Available Excursions:
Distance: 176km (109miles)
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.
Available Excursions:
Distance: 156km (97miles)
Return to Picton for your Interislander ferry crossing to the southern end of the North Island, and the city of Wellington. Explore the country’s capital city with a visit to the Te Papa museum, the national museum of New Zealand, or take a trip up Mount Victoria for views out over the city.
Distance: 70km (43miles)
Leave the city of Wellington for the quieter charm of Martinborough – a wine village at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Packed with colonial charm, Martinborough is ideally located to leave the motorhome behind for some wine tasting.
Distance: 270km (167miles)
Heading north, 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. Alternatively take a break in Masterson and visit the interactive Woolshed Museum to learn about sheep farming in New Zealand.
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. Onto your destination for the day, you will be greeted with some of New Zealand’s richest dairy farmland in the Manawatu Gorge before reaching the rolling countryside of Hawke's Bay.
Often referred to as the Art-Deco capital of the world, Napier is famous for its many vineyards that serve gourmet food to accompany award-winning wines. You might enjoy the chance to view the world’s largest mainland gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.
Available Excursions:
Distance: 226km (140miles)
Next stop is the fascinating 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 will 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 experience on Day 49 for an evening’s cultural experience with a traditional hangi meal.
Available Excursions:
Distance: 231km (144miles)
Welcome to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautifully 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: 181km (112miles)
Auckland is a harbour city, and the locals love nothing more than getting out on the water. You will have the opportunity to explore the city at your leisure be it on land or water. A visit to Waiheke Island is recommended - an 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.
Time to bid farewell to newfound friends, leaving New Zealand with treasured memories that will last a lifetime.
Additional Information
Price per person is based on two people sharing, prices for solo travellers are available on request.
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Within GB:
01580 214 089
International:
+44 (0)1580 214 089
