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 / WAITOMO / ROTORUA

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: ROTORUA

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, visit the Museum, or perhaps wander around the city centre and do some shopping, or perhaps explore some of the surrounding region such as a drive to Lake Taupo. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned above are not included in tour cost.)

DAY 4: ROTORUA / CHRISTCHURCH

Check out of your hotel and drive from hotel to Rotorua Airport and drop off the rental car before boarding your departure flight to Christchurch. (Domestic air sector not included in tour costs.) Fly to Christchurch. Pick up another self drive rental car on arrival at Christchurch Airport and drive to the hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure for Optional activities such as a ride on the Christchurch Tram, or a punt on the Avon River, or visit the Canterbury Arts Centre or the Canterbury Museum, or perhaps take a walk through some of the magnificent parks and gardens of the "Garden City", such as the Botanical Gardens, Hagley Park or Mona Vale, or perhaps explore some of the surrounding region on your own. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned above are not included in tour costs.)

DAY 5: CHRISTCHURCH / GREYMOUTH / FRANZ JOSEF

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive to Rotorua Airport and drop off your rental car before boarding your departure flight and flying to Christchurch. (Please note that the domestic airfare is not included in the tour costs.) Pick up another self drive rental car on arrival at Christchurch Airport and drive to the hotel.

Check in and the rest of the day is at leisure for Optional activities such as a ride on the Christchurch Tram, or a punt on the Avon River, or visit the Canterbury Arts Centre, or the Canterbury Museum, or perhaps take a walk through some of the magnificent parks and gardens of the "Garden City", such as the Botanical Gardens, Hagley Park, or Mona Vale, or explore some of the surrounding region. (Please note that Optional activities mentioned above are not included in the tour costs.)

DAY 6: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER / QUEENSTOWN

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive across the flat Canterbury Plains to the foothills of the Southern Alps and drive across the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth. Time for a break here for lunch before the continuation south to Franz Josef Glacier.

Drive through the small settlements of Hokitika, Ross and Hari Hari and past several beautiful lakes surrounded by native bush en route to Franz Josef Glacier. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps take a walk to the Westland National Park Visitor Centre to learn about the glaciers of this region, or perhaps drive up to the terminal face of the Franz Joself Glacier and have a walk.

DAY 7: QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN

Full day excursion to Milford Sound. Travel 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 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 8: 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 9: QUEENSTOWN /DUNEDIN

Check out of your hotel and drive from Queenstown to Dunedin via the Kawarau Gorge and fruit growing area of Cromwell. Cross Lake Dunstan and follow the Clutha River through Central Otago and on to Alexandra, Roxburgh, and Lawrence to arrive in the student "Scarfie 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 in this lively student city, or perhaps take a drive up Signal Hill or along the Otago Peninsular.

DAY 10: DUNEDIN

This morning you will enjoy a self drive city sightseeing tour including the First Church, the Octagon, Dunedin Cathedral, Botanical Gardens, Town Belt, Dunedin Railway Station, and the University of Otago. In the afternoon you can drive out along the Otago Peninsula to visit the Royal Albatross Colony, Natures' Wonders with the Yellow-Eyed Penguins, and the grounds of Larnach Castle built by William Larnach in the nineteenth century and the only castle in New Zealand. Return to your hotel later and take in the view across the harbour.

DAY 11: QUEENSTOWN / MOUNT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH

Depart Dunedin and travel north via the motorway over the Kilmog Hill to the coastal settlement of Waikouiti and through the rich farming district of North Otago to Oamaru, famous for the distinctive architecture of its stone buildings made from a local sandstone during the 19th Century. Follow the Waitaki River inland to the MacKenzie High Country and on to New Zealand’s highest mountain – Mount Cook.

There is time here for an Optional scenic flight over the Southern Alps with a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier subject to the weather on the day. (Please note that Optional scenic flight in not included in the tour costs.) Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki and continue on to Lake Tekapo and the “Church of the Good Shepherd” before descending Burkes Pass and travel through rolling hill country to Geraldine and drive across the flat straight roads of the Canterbury Plains to the “Garden City” of Christchurch. Check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy this very English city on your own.

DAY 12: 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.