Grand Tour

Day 1 : Arrive at Auckland
Our representative will meet you and take you to your car. The balance of the day is free.
Overnight in Auckland.

Day 2 : Auckland - Bay of Islands    4 hours
Drive north to Paihia. Afternoon is free. Stay two nights in Paihia.

Day 3 : At Bay of Islands
A free day for cruising or touring.

Day 4 : Paihia - Auckland - Coromandel    7 hours
Drive back to Auckland and then to Coromandel for 2 nights.

Day 5 : At Coromandel
A free day for nature walks and exploring.

Day 6 : Coromandel to Rotorua    4 hours
Via Tauranga and the kiwifruit country. Maori Hangi (feast) and concert is included. Stay two nights in Rotorua.

Day 7 : At Rotorua
Today is free - make sure you see Whakarewarewa, the Agrodome, Rainbow Springs, ride the luge at Skyline, swim in a thermal pool.

Day 8 : Rotorua - Wellington   7 hours
En route you skirt Lake Taupo and the volcanoes in the National Park. Overnight in Wellington.

Day 9 : Wellington - Picton - Blenheim    5 hours
By ferry across Cook Strait. We suggest you tour the wine country this afternoon. Overnight in Blenheim.

Day 10 : Blenheim - Nelson    2 hours
A morning drive will give you the afternoon free in Nelson for the local crafters, painters, and artisans. Stay two nights in Nelson.

Day 11: At Nelson
We recommend you leave the car at home and enjoy the day tour by coach and launch to the Abel Tasman National Park (optional).

Day 12 : Nelson - Greymouth    5 hours
Down to Westport and then to see the Punakaiki pancake rocks. Overnight in Greymouth.

Day 13 : Greymouth - Glaciers   4 hours
A morning drive will give you time for an afternoon guided walk on the glacier (optional). Stay at Franz Josef.

Day 14 : Glaciers - Wanaka    5 hours
Over Haast Pass and via Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Wanaka township. Overnight in Wanaka.

Days 15: Wanaka - Queenstown   2 hours
Plenty of time available to spend at either of these special places. Stay 2 nights Queenstown.

Days 16: At Queenstown
A whole day to relax and explore this premier resort.

Day 17: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Overnight cruise    5 hours
Around Lake Wakatipu to Kinston then across to beautiful Lake Te Anau. Then a magnificent drive through the Eglinton Valley, the Homer Tunnel and the Cleddau canyon to Milford Sound. Board the 'Mariner' for your overnight cruise on the fiord.

Day 18 : Milford Sound - Te Anau - Farm lodge   3 hours
Enjoy the solitude of the Sound and the many optional activities available before driving back to near Te Anau to meet your hosts for tonight and a farm tour - DBB.

Day 19: Te Anau - Dunedin    4 hours
From Te Anau it is a half-day drive to Dunedin. Stay at the Castle Lodge (30 minutes out of the city - near the albatross and penguin colonies). Stay 2 nights.

Day 20 : At Dunedin
A free day for (optional) visits to see the penguins, albatross, take a ride on the Taieri Gorge train, etc.

Day 21 : Dunedin - Mt Cook    5 hours
Via Oamaru and the Waitaki Valley to the Mt Cook National Park. Overnight at Mt Cook.

Day 22 : Mount Cook - Christchurch     5 hours
Across the Mackenzie and Canterbury Plains. Overnight in Christchurch.

Day 23 : Departure from Christchurch
Free time until your flight leaves.