New Zealand - Highlights Tour North and South Island

New Zealand: Highlights Tour North and South Island

Day 1-3: Auckland to Rotorua (142 miles, 2:50 hours)

Surrounded by two bustling harbors, vibrant and multicultural Auckland is the country's largest city and commercial center. Spend a day experiencing all the city has to offer. Get your adrenaline pumping with a Sky Tower jump or relax with wine tasting on Waiheke Island, just 40 minutes by ferry but a world away from the busy city center.
A one-hour flight from Auckland takes you directly to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. The city is located directly on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so there are signs of volcanic activity everywhere you look. Take a dip in hot pools and enjoy food cooked in the hot springs of Te Puia, or even a traditional hangi dinner with a cultural show. Take a jet boat to the mighty Huka Falls or enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the lake.

Recommended activities:

AUCKLAND:
– Visit the Auckland Sky Tower and take a Skyjump or SkyWalk 192m above the city.
– Take a half-day Auckland city tour with one of the many tour operators.
– Discover the NZ Auckland America's Cup Sailing Challenge.
– Take a harbor cruise or visit Waiheke Island and enjoy a vineyard tour with views over the harbor.

ROTORUA
– Enjoy a nighttime cultural experience and sample delicious Māori food (hangi), singing, dancing, and haka.
– Experience Māori arts and crafts at Te Puia, sample Māori cuisine at the Steambox.
– Visit a geothermal park to see bubbling mud, steaming cliffs, and impressive geysers.
– Visit the Polynesian Spa for a relaxing soak in heated mineral waters.
– Spend the morning or afternoon at Skyline Rotorua with activities such as the scenic gondola ride, thrilling downhill toboggan runs, Skyswing, Zoom Ziplines, and a mountain bike park.
– Take a scenic flight to White Island or Mt. Tarawera with Volcanic Air.
– Get adventurous and experience white water rafting, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing.

www.aucklandnz.com
www.rotoruanz.com

Days 4–6: Taupo – Wellington (217 miles, 4 hours 40 minutes)

Continue south for about an hour towards Taupo, a quiet lakeside town, stopping off at Wai-O-Tapu for another spectacular geothermal landscape. From Taupo, you can take a kayak or boat out onto the lake to see ancient Maori rock carvings in the shadow of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Tongariro.

Take the famous one-day 12.2-mile Tongariro Crossing hike in the national park, which starts about an hour and a half south of Taupo. Traverse volcanic craters and lava flows to reach breathtaking emerald green lakes, or simply explore the shorter walks to beautiful waterfalls and then retreat to Chateau Tongariro.

Continue south to the cool little capital city of Wellington. The drive takes about 5 hours, or you can leave your car in Taupo and take the Northern Explorer Scenic Train.

The thriving coffee and craft beer culture means you'll never go thirsty. Enjoy a culinary tour of the city. Nature lovers should visit Zealandia, combined with a ride on the cable car for great views of the city and harbor.

Tip:

If you want to do the Tongariro Crossing on your own, you should arrange transportation to the start and end of the trail. Guided tours are also available for less experienced hikers or if you are concerned about the weather.

Recommended activities:

TAUPO:
– Take a Huka Falls jet boat ride and see the largest waterfalls on the Waikato River from the best possible angle.
– Stop off at the geothermal wonderland of Wai-O-Tapu and see incredible volcanic landscapes.
. Take a boat trip on Lake Taupo
– Try New Zealand's famous Manuka honey at Huka Hive.

RUAPEHU:
– Take a breathtaking scenic flight over the volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park.
– Go on an alpine hike – Tongariro Crossing
– Take a trip on the Northern Explorer Scenic Train

WELLINGTON:
– Take a ride on the Wellington Cable Car and enjoy incredible views of the city.
– Visit Weta Cave, a mini museum featuring movie props and collectibles.
– Visit Space Place at Carter Observatory and learn about the night sky in the Southern Hemisphere.
– Take a food tour.
– Visit New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa.
– Visit Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience.

www.GreatLakeTaupo.com
www.visitruapehu.com
www.wellingtonnz.com

Days 7–11: Nelson – Christchurch (257 miles, 5 hours 20 minutes)

The three-hour ferry across Cook Strait to Picton includes a scenic journey through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds. Take a short but rewarding two-hour detour to Nelson, New Zealand's sunniest region, where you can experience amazing markets, food, and local artists.
If you drive another hour, you'll reach Abel Tasman National Park, a paradise for hikers, kayakers, and marine life. Take a guided tour in a traditional waka canoe or hike to learn more about the area's history.
Drive about two hours back east to sample some of the Marlborough region's famous New Zealand wines, then follow the coast south to Kaikoura, the famous whale watching mecca. Here you can see giant sperm whales, humpback whales, pilot whales, and orcas.
Drive another three hours south to Christchurch, New Zealand's vibrant and ever-changing second-largest city, affectionately known as "The Garden City." For breathtaking views, ride the Christchurch Gondola or explore the center while riding the historic Christchurch Tram.

Special tip:
An alternative to the ferry is to fly directly to Nelson with Air New Zealand or Sounds Air. Golden Bay Air will also fly directly from Wellington to Motueka to reach Abel Tasman National Park.
If you don't want to drive for a few days, fly to Motueka and take Intercity to get back to Nelson and Blenheim. Once you arrive in Blenheim, you can board the Coastal Pacific train and get off at Kaikoura and Christchurch.

Recommended activities:

NELSON TASMAN:
– Visit the World of WearableArt & Classic Car Museum
– Take a bike ride on Tasman's Great Taste Trail – a scenic ride past many local shops, cafes, and restaurants.
– Enjoy a glass of craft beer at one of the region's many craft breweries.
– Hike part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand's great walks. Guided options are available.
– Experience an adventurous kayak trip along stunning bays and beaches.
– Relax on a boat trip or sailing trip around the park's stunning coastline.

KAIKOURA:
– Go on a whale watching trip or enjoy a bird's eye view of these gentle giants on a scenic flight.
– Experience a boat trip with dolphins.
– Swim with playful New Zealand fur seals.

CHRISTCHURCH:
– Discover local history in the beautiful historic building of the Canterbury Museum.
– Take a boat trip on the beautiful Avon River through the Central Botanic Gardens.
– Ride the Christchurch Gondola and enjoy breathtaking views of Christchurch and Canterbury.
– Explore Christchurch in historic style with the Christchurch Tram.
– Visit the International Antarctic Centre

www.nelsontasman.nz
www.MarlboroughNZ.com
www.kaikoura.co.nz
www.christchurchnz.com

Days 12–15: Greymouth – Wanaka (485 km, 5:20 hours)

Drive three hours west over Arthur's Pass, a scenic route that crosses the TranzAlpine train as it slowly chugs from coast to coast.
Just north of Greymouth is the natural phenomenon of Punakaiki, Pancake Rocks. And a little further south is Hokitika, known for pounamu—New Zealand jade—and the crystal-clear blue waters of Hokitika Gorge.
Franz Josef and Fox Village, about two hours south, are best known for heli-hiking and ice climbing on the glaciers. But you can also reach the glacier on foot or relax in hot pools and meet the local Kiwis at the West Coast Sanctuary. Lake Matheson, just 10 minutes from Fox Village, offers a perfect reflection of the mountains.
Continue on to Haast Pass at the northern end of Mt Aspiring National Park, known for its natural beauty. Allow plenty of time for stops, as there are amazing waterfalls just a few meters from the roadside.
You will drive between Lakes Wanaka and Hawea as you reach Wanaka. Wanaka is Queenstown's laid-back lakeside neighbor, very popular with mountain bikers and hikers.

Tips
– The TranzAlpine crosses the mighty Southern Alps, offering spectacular views of the Alpine landscape. It then continues through the impressive gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River before reaching the fields of the Canterbury Plains. 
– Allow plenty of time for stops along the west coast, the clear glacier water is breathtaking and there are many photo opportunities along this route.
– If you book a helicopter tour in Franz or Fox, book an afternoon flight on the day of your arrival, if it is canceled due to weather conditions, you will get a second chance the next day.
– Franz is more of a village, but Fox only has one helicopter company operating there, so it is less crowded – this company also operates in Mount Cook on the other side of the mountain.
– A free hike to the glacier in Franz Josef starts a short drive from town and is a great walk, but due to the retreating glacier, you can't get as close as you used to. If you want to be close to the glacier, the best option is a helicopter tour.

Recommended activities:

GREYMOUTH:
– Board the TranzAlpine, one of the world's most famous train journeys, between Christchurch and Greymouth.
– Visit the magnificent Punakaiki Pancake Rocks.
– Enjoy a brewery tour at Monteith's Brewery.
– Visit Shantytown Heritage Park.
– Take a break in Hokitika and buy local West Coast pounamu (jade) jewelry.
– Experience the West Coast Tree Top Walk.
– Go on a Blackwater Cave Tubing & Zipline Adventure.

GLACIER COUNTRY:
– Take a guided tour of the glacier at Fox or Franz Josef.
– See the glaciers from above with a scenic flight.
– Relax in the steaming glacier hot pools at Franz Josef Glacier.
– Get up close and personal with New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef.
– Experience the spectacular mountain reflections at Lake Matheson – take a short walk through the ancient rainforest to a pontoon that extends into the lake, ideal for photo opportunities.
– Stop in Haast and enjoy a jet boat or helicopter tour.

WANAKA:
– Experience plenty of action on the water with jet boating, fishing, or paragliding. For the adventurous, there is canyoning or whitewater rafting.
– Go hiking, take a four-wheel drive tour, or go mountain biking.

www.westcoastnz.com
www.lakewanaka.co.nz

Days 16-19: Aoraki/Mount Cook – Dunedin (197 miles, 3:50 hrs)

Head north to Aoraki Mount Cook Village via the picturesque Lindis Pass and along beautiful Lake Pukaki. A glacier exploration cruise on the lake brings you close to icebergs, or a helicopter tour takes you right to the top of the glacier.
A night in the Mackenzie region under the Dark Sky Reserve offers amazing starry skies. Then it's an hour's drive to Tekapo, famous for the legendary stone church of Good Sheppard on the shores of another breathtaking blue lake. Arrive early and enjoy the hot pools by the lake before they get crowded.
Back on the east coast, continue to the historic Waitaki town of Oamaru, known as the White Stone City because of its Victorian heritage, and witness the Little Blue Penguin Parade just before sunset.
In the morning, drive independently from Oamaru to Moeraki, about 30 minutes, and marvel at the giant, spherical Moeraki Boulders. The drive from Moeraki to Dunedin takes about 1 hour.
Historic Dunedin is known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture, as well as its proximity to rare wildlife. The city is beautifully situated on Otago Harbour, protected by the Otago Peninsula; its rugged coastline is home to unique wildlife, including the rare yellow-eyed penguin and the royal albatross. Dunedin is rich in preserved heritage; the railway station, Otago University, and First Church are among the most famous buildings. This charming city offers visitors many activities.

Tips:
– Make sure you book activities in the MacKenzie region in advance – options are limited and this is a major route through New Zealand, so demand is high.
– Arrive early in Tekapo to find the best photo opportunities at the Church of Good Shepherd without the crowds.
– Book the 'premium viewing experience' for the Little Blue Penguin Parade and the penguins will walk right in front of you.
– Check the tides for Moeraki, as the boulders are best seen at low tide.

Recommended activities:

AORAKI/MOUNT COOK & TEKAPO:
– Take a scenic flight over the Southern Alps by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft.
– Between mid-September and the end of May, take a trip with Glacier Explorers to the spectacular Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake.
– Explore the area by land with Tasman Valley 4WD and Argo Tours.
– Experience the wonder of the southern hemisphere at night in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with Big Sky Stargazing.
– Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
– Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935 for the pioneer families of the Mackenzie District and still used as a place of worship today.
– Enjoy a hot tub overlooking the lake at Tekapo Springs Hot Pools.

OAMARU:
– See the world's smallest penguins in their natural habitat.
– Take a stroll through Oamaru's historic buildings, including the Oamaru Opera House.
– Visit the Steampunk Gallery.

DUNEDIN:
– Visit Olveston Historic Home and take a one-hour guided tour of Olveston Historic House, which provides an insight into life in the early 1900s.
– Encounter history at the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
– Enjoy a guided Speight's Brewery Tour with beer tasting.
– Visit New Zealand's only castle, Larnach Castle on the picturesque Otago Peninsula. It offers overnight accommodation for a truly unique experience.
– Visit the world's only continental breeding site for albatrosses at the Royal Albatross Centre.

www.mtcooknz.com
www.visitoamaru.co.nz
www.dunedinnz.com

Days 20-21: Invercargill – Fiordland (114 miles, 2:15 hrs)

Continue along the Southern Scenic Route to the hidden gem of Catlins National Park with its coastal cliffs and headlands, beaches, extensive temperate rainforests, and waterfalls. At Curio Bay, known for its ancient fossil forest, one of the most extensive and least disturbed examples of a Jurassic fossil forest in the world, you can see yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals, or even the endangered Hector's dolphin.
A short detour to Bluff takes you to the southernmost point of the New Zealand mainland.
In Invercargill, fans of cars, motorcycles, and heavy machinery will get their money's worth. Take the controls of a bulldozer at Dig This or crush a car in an "aggression session," a kind of fun you didn't know you needed.
Another scenic drive through Southland to Te Anau, the gateway to the fjords. Spend a night in Te Anau and take the later boat trips to Milford and Doubtful Sound to avoid the crowds of day trippers.

Tips
– The visitor center at Petrified Forest is worth a visit.
– Plan to leave early in the day for Invercargill, as it's great to be able to stop along the way.

Recommended activities:

INVERCARGILL
– Dig This!
– Bill Richardson Transport World

FIORDLAND
– Both Milford and Doubtful Sound are beautiful and offer boat or kayak trips.
– Experience the vast fiords and spectacular waterfalls from a bird's eye view with a helicopter or fixed-wing flight.

www.cluthanz.com
www.southlandnz.com
www.fiordland.org.nz

Day 22-23: Fiordland – Queenstown (146 miles, 3:45 hrs)

The views on the way to Queenstown are magnificent, so take plenty of time for stops along the way and keep an eye out for the native kea, New Zealand's clever alpine parrots.
In the city center, you can grab a famous Ferg Burger for dinner or take the Skyline Gondola up to see the city from a bird's eye view.
Queenstown is a true adventure destination: jet boats, bungy jumps, skydiving, scenic flights, and much more. A great way to end your trip!

Tips
– Visit Arrowtown, a picturesque historic gold mining village about 20 minutes' drive from Queenstown.
– In winter, snow lovers should head to Coronet Peak or The Remarkables ski fields, just 30-40 minutes away by car or shuttle. Further afield are the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski areas near Wanaka, just an hour's drive or shuttle ride away.

www.queenstownnz.co.nz

Recommended activities:
– Adventure activities include bungy jumping, jet boating, white water rafting, and ziplining.
– Enjoy the pristine waters of Lake Wakatipu on a boat trip and visit a highland station.
– Take an off-road tour and see some of the breathtaking locations featured in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
– Take a wine tour to get a taste of the region's 75 wineries.
– Take the gondola and enjoy the spectacular views from the Skyline complex on Bob's Peak. Bungy and paragliding options are available.

From Queenstown, there are international flights to Australia, or you can take a domestic flight to connect to your international flight.

• Everything from a single source: can also be booked with flights from Germany/Austria/Switzerland
• This trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. We would be happy to put together a trip tailored to your specific needs.