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 / BAY OF ISLANDS

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 to arrive at the “Thermal Spa City” of Rotorua in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or to go for an Optional soak in the thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.) Enjoy a Maori Hangi & Concert this evening.

DAY 3: BAY OF ISLANDS

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive South from Auckland along the motorway to the Bombay Hills and through the lush, green, dairy farming region of the Waikato Province to the Waitomo Caves and take a guided tour through the world famous Waitomo Glow worm caves, and view staligtites, staligmites and thousands of tiny glow-worms. Continue on to Rotorua in the afternoon via the prosperous farming 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 to arrive at the “Thermal Spa City” of Rotorua in the afternoon. Check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or go for an Optional soak in the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.) Enjoy a Maori Hangi & Concert this evening.

DAY 4: BAY OF ISLANDS / AUCKLAND

Enjoy a self drive morning 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, a visit to the museum, or perhaps wander around the city centre and do some shopping, or perhaps you would like to explore the surrounding region and drive to Lake Taupo. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned above are not included in tour cost.)

DAY 5: AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA

Depart Auckland this morning and drive south along the motorway to the Bombay Hills and descend into the lush, green, dairy farming region of the Waikato Province, folowing 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. Climb over the bushclad Mamaku Ranges and arrive at the “Thermal Spa City” of Rotorua in the late afternoon. Check into the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or go for an Optional soak in the thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.) Enjoy a Maori Hangi & Concert this evening.

DAY 6: ROTORUA

Enjoy a self drive morning sightseeing tour of the Capital City including Parliament Buildings, Wellington Cathedral, Botanical Gardens, Oriental Bay and a panoramic view from the top of Mount Victoria over the city and harbour to the Hutt Valley in the distance below the hills to the north, and south over Wellington Airport and across Cook Strait to the Marlborough Sounds and the South Island. Return to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own or perhaps an Optional visit to Te Papa – The Museum of New Zealand, or a ride on the Kelburn Cable Car. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned above are not included in tour costs.)

DAY 7: ROTORUA / TAUPO / WELLINGTON

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive from the hotel to the Wellington Ferry Terminal and drop off your rental car prior to boarding the Inter Islander Ferry to Picton. Depart Wellington and sail out of the harbour and into Cook Strait and across to the Marlborough Sounds and the South Island. Cruise up the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. On arrival at Picton pick up your rental car and drive to Kaikoura travelling via the wine growing region of Marlborough, famous for Savignon Blanc and Chardonnay wines, and drive along the scenic Kaikoura Coast. Check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or to walk around this quaint fishing village and former whaling station. Kaikoura is well known for the many very good seafood restaurants and for the fresh crayfish that abound here.

DAY 8: WELLINGTON / PICTON / NELSON

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive from your hotel to the Wellington Ferry Terminal and drop off your rental car prior to boarding the Inter Island ferry to Picton. Sail out of Wellington Harbour into Cook Strait and across to the Marlborough Sounds and the South Island. Cruise up the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. Arrive at the Picton Ferry Terminal and pick up your rental car and drive to Nelson. There are two routes to chose from here. One option is to travel by the very scenic Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock, and the other option is to take the main road via the wine growing region of Marlborough, well known for the savignon blanc and chardonnay wines that grow here, and through the main servicing town of Blenheim. The main road option is quicker but not as scenic as the Queen Charlotte Drive which follows the shoreline of Queen Charlotte Sound. Arrive in Nelson in the afternoon and check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. There are many bars, cafes and restaurants here as well as arts and crafts shops and galleries. The seafood here is very fresh and very popular.

DAY 9:NELSON / ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK / NELSON

This morning we recommend a full day excursion to the Abel Tasman National Park where you will be able to take a walk along this beautiful coastal track with golden sand beaches and pristine waters or participate in various Optional activities such as a launch cruise along the coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park or sea kayaking before returning to Nelson. The drive from Nelson passes through an area of many orchards, primarily apples and pears as well as other seasonal produce. Pass through the holiday settlement of Kaiteretere Beach with its golden sand beach to Marahau at the road end and on the boundary of the Abel Tasman National Park. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.)

DAY 10: NELSON / GREYMOUTH / FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

Check out of your hotel and drive from Nelson to Franz Josef Glacier via Greymouth. Travel through the scenic Buller Gorge to the historic West Coast of the South Island, where during the nineteenth century many settlers and prospectors arrived attracted by the discovery of gold and coal and many fortunes were made and lost. Drive down the coastal route from Westport to Greymouth via the "Blow Holes" at Punakaiki and the rugged, inhospitable coastline to arrive at Greymouth, the main town on the West Coast and situated at the mouth of the Grey River. Continue on south and pass through the small settlements of Hokitika, Ross and Hari Hari and several beautiful lakes surrounded by native bush en route before arriving at Franz Josef Glacier. Check in to your hotel. The rest of day is at leisure to relax or perhaps take a walk to the Westland National Park Visitor Centre.

DAY 11: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

This morning you will be taken on a ½ day guided glacier walk onto the ice of the Franz Josef Glacier accompanied by experienced Alpine Guides who will explain the local flora and fauna as well as the geology of the glacier. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an Optional scenic helicopter flight over the glacier. Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour cost.

DAY 12: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER / QUEENSTOWN

Check out of your hotel and drive to Queenstown this morning traveling through the small settlements of Fox Glacier and Haast at the mouth of the Haast River before following the river upstream to the “Gates of Haast” and over the scenic bush clad Haast Pass, the southern most route across the main divide. Travel past the small settlement of Makarora opposite the Mount Aspiring National Park and along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before passing through the fruitgrowing area around Cromwell and through the scenic Kawarau Gorge to picturesque Queenstown set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or wander around this lovely spot with its many bars, cafes and restaurants which are all situated very close to each other and create a great atmosphere.

DAY 13: 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, dolphins, seals and maybe penguins as well as the stunning scenery. Return to Queenstown & arrive in early evening.

DAY 14: QUEENSTOWN

Today is a free day at leisure with an opportunity to explore on your own or to experience some of the many Optional activities available here such as Jetboating, bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, gondola ride up Bob's Peak, TSS Earnslaw cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak Sheep Station, 4WD safaris and many more options. (Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.) Enjoy your time in Queenstown - the Adventure Capital of New Zealand.

DAY 15: QUEENSTOWN / DUNEDIN

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive from Queenstown to Dunedin via the scenic Kawarau Gorge and fruit growing area around Cromwell and across Lake Dunstan and follow the Clutha River through Central Otago via Alexandra, Roxburgh and Lawrence to the student "scarfy" City of Dunedin with its Scottish heritage and much of New Zealand's early colonial history. Check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore this lively student city.

DAY 16: DUNEDIN

oday is a free day to explore the city of Dunedin are surrounding area on your own. This morning you can enjoy a self drive sightseeing tour of the city of Dunedin including the First Church, Octagon, Town Belt, University of Otago, Botanical Gardens, Otago Museum, and Dunedin Railway Station. This afternoon you can self drive out along the Otago Peninsula to visit the Royal Albatross Colony Visitors Centre, Natures Wonders with the Yellow–Eyed Penguins, and Larnach Castle and grounds built by William Larnach in the nineteenth century and the only castle in New Zealand. The views from the Otago Peninsula are spectacular with many bays and beaches and wildlife. We suggest driving along the harbours edge to the end of the peninsula and return via the high road and Larnach's Castle. Return to your hotel afterwards. The rest of the day is at leisure to experience the local night life in this student city.

DAY 17: DUNEDIN / MOUNT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH

Today is a free day at leisure with an opportunity to explore on your own or to experience some of the many Optional activities available here such as Jetboating, bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, gondola ride up Bob's Peak, TSS Earnslaw cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak Sheep Station, 4WD safaris and many more options. (Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.) Enjoy your time in Queenstown - the Adventure Capital of New Zealand.

DAY 18: 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.