DAY1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Pick up self drive rental vehicle on arrival at Auckland International Airport. Transfer by self drive rental car to your hotel in the “City of Sails”. The rest of the day is at leisure

DAY2: AUCKLAND

This morning enjoy a self drive sightseeing tour of the "City of Sails" including a drive across the Auckland Harbour Bridge and view the Westhaven Yacht Marina and city centre as you return. Travel along Tamaki Drive with stunning views of the Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island, an extinct volcano which dominates the Hauraki Gulf. Visit the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial in recognition of a former Prime Minister, and enjoy the vista looking back towards the city and across the harbour.

Drive through Parnell Village with its restored Victorian era villas which have been transformed into upmarket boutiques and cafes. Continue on to the Auckland Domain, a large inner city park, the major feature of which is the Auckland Museum built in the 1930's with large Corinthian columns at the entrance, and one of the best views in Auckland.

Continue on to the extinct volcanic crater of Mt Eden from the top of which you will get panoramic views across the sprawling city in all directions. Also included is a visit to the Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World & Antarctic Encounter. Return to hotel. This afternoon is at leisure for Optional activities such as a harbour cruise on the Waitemata Harbour or visit a nearby island in the beautiful Hauraki Gulf or take the ferry to Devonport. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.)

DAY 3: AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA

Check out of hotel and depart Auckland this morning and travel South along the motorway to the Bombay Hills and descend into the lush, green, dairy farming region of the Waikato Province, following the Waikato River for part of the way and on to the world famous Waitomo Caves.

Take a guided tour through the Waitomo Glow worm caves and view staligtites, staligmites and thousands of tiny glow worms. Continue on to Rotorua via the prosperous town of Cambridge, well known for the many thoroughbred horse studs in the area which have produced some of the top race horses. Drive over the bushclad Mamaku Ranges and arrive at the “Thermal Spa City” of Rotorua in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or go for an Optional soak in the thermal pools of the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour cost.) Enjoy a Maori Hangi & Concert this evening.

DAY 4: ROTORUA

This morning enjoy a self drive sightseeing tour of some of the highlights of Rotorua including a visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and geysers and learn about Maori culture.

Also visit the Paradise Valley Springs to see New Zealand trout, birds and wildlife before continuing on to the Agrodome where you will watch a New Zealand Farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and learn about the New Zealand sheep farming industry and the different breeds of sheep. Return to your hotel.

This afternoon is at leisure for Optional activities such as a soak in a hot pool, a 4WD safari to Mt Tarawera, a scenic flight, visit the museum, or perhaps wander around the city centre and do some shopping or explore the surrounding region, such as a drive to Lake Taupo. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned above are not included in tour cost.)

DAY 5: ROTORUA / DUNEDIN

This morning check out of your hotel and drive to Rotorua Airport and drop off your rental car before boarding your flight to Dunedin. Fly to the city of Dunedin.(Please note that air sector is not included in the tour costs.)

Pick up another self drive rental car on arrival at Dunedin Airport and drive to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for Optional activities such as a visit to the Otago Museum, the Otago Early Settlers Museum, or Dunedin Art Gallery or the University of Otago, a walk in the Botanical Gardens or a visit to the stately home of Olveston House.

A lot of early New Zealand history is to be found in this very Scottish city of the south, and it is a very lively place when the University students are in residence during term time. Perhaps take a drive out along the Otago Peninsula.(Please note that the Optional activities mentioned above are not included in the tour costs).

DAY 6: DUNEDIN

Today you have a full day in Dunedin for some city sightseeing including the First Church, the Octagon, Dunedin Cathedral, Botanical Gardens, Town Belt, and the University of Otago, all of which are close to the city centre.

In the afternoon you would have time to drive out along the Otago Peninsula, firstly visiting the grounds of Larnach Castle, built by William Larnach in the nineteenth century and the only castle in New Zealand, with its magnificent views over the harbour and city.

Continue on to the Royal Albatross Centre and learn about the Albatross Colony here, which is the only mainland Albatross Colony in the world. Later visit Natures Wonders to see the Yellow Eyed Penguins at close quarters before returning to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore this "scarfie" student city with its many bars, restaurants & cafes.

DAY 7: DUNEDIN / QUEENSTOWN

This morning is at leisure for some shopping or Optional activities such as a visit to the famous Cadbury Chocolate Factory or take a tour through the very popular Speights Brewery and sample the product afterwards. (Please note that these Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.) Check out of your hotel this morning and there is time for some Optional activities and then depart Dunedin for Queenstown, driving through Central Otago following the Clutha River for part of the way, then via Cromwell and the rugged Kawarau Gorge, following the Kawarau River to arrive at picturesque Queenstown in the late afternoon and drive to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore this lovely town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

DAY 8: QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN

Full day excursion to Milford Sound. Drive alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath the towering Remarkables mountain range and across the flat Southland Plains to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park, now proclaimed a World Heritage Park. Pass through Beech forests, glaciated valleys, the Homer Tunnel with its 1:10 gradient, and stunning scenery to reach the majestic Milford Sound.

Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord which is dominated by Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls. View waterfalls and dolphins, seals, and maybe a few penguins as well as the spectacular scenery. Return to Queenstown in the early evening and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or experience the bars and cafes.

DAY 9: QUEENSTOWN / MOUNT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH

Depart Queenstown this morning and travel through the Kawarau Gorge to the fruitgrowing region of Cromwell and across Lake Dunstan and on through Central Otago to the Lindis Pass and up into the MacKenzie High Country and on to New Zealand’s highest mountain – Mount Cook.

There will be time here for an Optional scenic flight over the Southern Alps with a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier subject to the weather conditions on the day. (Please note that the Optional scenic flight is not included in the tour costs.)

Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki and on to Lake Tekapo and the “Church of the Good Shepherd” before descending Burkes Pass to Fairlie and across rolling hill country to the farming service centre of Geraldine. From here follow the long straight roads across the Canterbury Plains to the “Garden City” of Christchurch. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps for some last minute shopping for souvenirs.

DAY 10: DEPART CHRISTCHURCH

Your arrangements conclude today with the drop off of your rental car at Christchurch International Airport prior to boarding your departure flight. Bon Voyage! We trust that you have enjoyed your New Zealand holiday with Adventure Pacific.