Day 1: Arrive Auckland
Overnight in Auckland
Flag Suites New President
Copthorne Anzac Avenue
Oaks on Hobson
Stamford Plaza Auckland
Quest West Suites Auckland
Day 2: Auckland – Rotorua
Travel south through lush Waikato farmland, perhaps via Waitomo Caves, to Rotorua, steeped in Maori culture and history. Tonight experience a Maori hangi (feast) amongst the surroundings of an authentic village.
Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.
Princes Gate Hotel Rotorua
Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay, Rotorua
Day 3: At Rotorua
A day free to explore this exciting thermal region – there are many activities to enjoy.
Day 4: Rotorua – Napier
Drive south through steam clad Wairakei, to Taupo. Skirt Lake Taupo, and cross the Rangitaiki Plains to the wine producing region of Hawkes Bay.
Overnight in Napier.
The County Hotel
http://newzealand.travelmall.com/content/hotel_info/The_County_Hotel-54887.html
Blue Water Hotel
http://newzealand.travelmall.com/content/hotel_info/Blue_Water_Hotel-55059.html
Pass the many vineyards and orchards of the Hawkes Bay, as you make your way south to our capital city, sprawled over the hills surrounding Wellington Harbour. Overnight in Wellington.
Du Pont Motel
The Bay Plaza Hotel
Copthorne Oriental Bay
Duxton Hotel Wellington
Day 6: Wellington – Picton – Nelson
Cross Cook Strait by ferry, to the Marlborough Sounds and Blenheim. Continue past vineyards built on rich alluvial plains, which produce world class wines, to Nelson.
Stay 2 nights in Nelson.
A full day to explore the Nelson area known for it’s gourmet wine and seafood, and the abundance of local artisans and craft people. The nearby Abel Tasman National Park offers opportunities to walk or cruise it’s beautiful coastline.
Day 8: Nelson - Greymouth- Glaciers
Travel through the Buller Gorge to Westport, and down the coast to the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Continue past Greymouth and Greymouth to the Glaciers. We recommend a guided walk to the terminal face of a glacier.
Overnight at either Fox or Franz Josef Glacier townships.
Fox Glacier Hotel
Glacier View Hotel
Glenfern Villas
Glenfern Villas
Continue south into dense rain forest broken by rugged coastal vistas. Reach Lake Wanaka in the early afternoon. Pass through the rugged Kawerau Gorge to Queenstown for 2 nights.
Blue Peaks Lodge
Sherwood Manor
Oaks Shore Apartment
Kingsgate Hotel Terraces Queenstown
The Heritage Queenstown
Peppers at the Beacon Queenstown
Day 10: At Queenstown
Today is free for you to enjoy this fabulous Alpine resort. There are dozens of optional activities from thrilling jet boat rides to leisurely lake cruises, 4WD safaris and bungy jumping.
Drive south following the dramatic southern shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Te Anau, then travel through pristine beech forests and the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. We have included a cruise to enable you to appreciate the majesty of Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Return to Te Anau.
Over night Te Anau
Anchorage Motel
Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau
Luxmore Hotel
Day 12: Te Anau - Dunedin
Drive across the Waimea plains towards the farming community of Gore, then travel through the rolling hill country of South Otago to Dunedin.
Stay 2 nights in Dunedin
Carisbrook Motel
Quality Hotel Cargills
Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin
Know as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ take time to enjoy the rich historical architecture and abundance of wildlife to be found in this fascinating area.
Day 14: Dunedin - Mount Cook Region
Drive north to historic Oamaru and turn inland. Cross the barren MacKenzie Country to reach the glacial lakes at the foot of the Southern Alps.
Overnight at Mt Cook
Flag Hotel Heritage Gateway
The Hermitage
Day 15: Mount Cook Region – Christchurch
Travel north across through Fairlie and Geraldine , then across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Overnight in Christchurch.
Ashleigh Court Motel
Chateau on the Park
Copthorne Central Christchurch
Heritage Christchurch
Cashel Apartments
The George
Day 16: Depart Christchurch
Return your car at the airport in time to catch your onward flight.