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 including a drive across the Auckland Harbour Bridge and see the impressive Westhaven Yacht Marina. Drive through the city centre and along Tamaki Drive which overlooks the Waitemata Harbour, with the extinct volcano of Rangitoto dominating the Hauraki Gulf.

Visit the memorial for Michael Joseph Savage, a former Prime Minister and take in the view looking back towards the city. From here drive past Parnell Village and its Victorian era Villas now converted to boutique shops for the discerning, and on to the Auckland Domain ,an inner city park with the Auckland Museum as the centre piece.

Later drive up the volcanic crater of Mt Eden from the top of which you will get panoramic views across the sprawling city in all directions. Return to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or for Optional activities.

DAY 3: AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA

Depart Auckland and travel south along the motorway and over the Bombay Hills and descend into the lush, green, dairy farming region of the Waikato Province and continue alongside the Waikato River for some of the way en route 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.

Travel over the bushclad Mamaku Ranges and arrive at the “Thermal Spa City”of Rotorua. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own or to perhaps take an Optional soak in the thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional costs are not included in the tour costs.)

DAY 4: ROTORUA / CHRISTCHURCH

This morning enjoy a 1/2 day 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.

Self drive to Rotorua Airport afterwards and drop off the rental car before boarding your flight to Queenstown. (Please note that airfare not included in tour costs.) Pick up another self drive rental car on arrival at Queenstown Airport and drive to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. There are many options available in Queenstown.

DAY 5: CHRISTCHURCH / GREYMOUTH / FRANZ JOSEF

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, seals, dolphins and maybe see some penguins as well as the beautiful scenery. Return to Queenstown in late afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 6: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER / QUEENSTOWN

Check out of your hotel and drive to Queenstown this morning. There will be time to drive up the short road to the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier and go for a short walk for a closer look and a photo opportunity.

Continue south, 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.

Drive 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 on through the scenic Kawarau Gorge to picturesque Queenstown set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Arrive in Queenstown in the late afternoon and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps to explore this beautiful place on your own.

DAY 7: 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, seals, dolphins, and maybe some penguins as well as the stunning scenery. Return to Queenstown in late afternoon.

DAY 8: QUEENSTOWN / MOUNT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH

This morning check out of your hotel and depart Queenstown and travel via the Kawarau Gorge to the fruitgrowing region of Cromwell once more 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 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 cost.)

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 the small town of Fairlie and across rolling hill country to the rural servicing centre of Geraldine and then drive across the flat straight roads of the Canterbury Plains to arrive at the “Garden City” of Christchurch in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own, or for some last minute shopping.

DAY 9: 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.