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 to view the Westhaven Yacht Marina, and back through the city centre and along Tamaki Drive with stunning views out over the Waitemata Harbour to the island of Rangitoto, an extinct volcano which dominates the Hauraki Gulf.

Visit the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial which remembers one of our earlier Prime Ministers and take in the view back towards the city. From here drive through Parnell Village with its restored Victorian era villas which are now full of interesting boutiques,to the Auckland Domain, a lovely inner city park which is dominated by the Auckland Museum.

From here drive up to the top of the volcanic crater of Mt Eden from the top of which you will get panoramic views across the sprawling city in all directions. Afternoon is at leisure for Optional activities. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in tour costs.)

DAY 3: AUCKLAND - WAITOMO - ROTORUA

This morning 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 on to the world famous Waitomo Caves. Take a guided tour through the Waitomo Glow worm caves with its limestone formations and view staligtites, staligmites and thousands of tiny glow worms.

Continue on to Rotorua through the rich farming area around Cambridge, well known for some of the best thoroughbred horse studs in New Zealand. Climb 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 perhaps an Optional soak in the mineral springs at the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional activities not included in tour costs.)

DAY 4: ROTORUA / QUEENSTOWN

Check out of your hotel and enjoy a self drive ½ day 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. Drive to Rotorua Airport and fly to Queenstown. (NB: Airfare is not included).

Pick-up another rental car on arrival at Queenstown Airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps take a walk or drive and explore on your own.

DAY 5: 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, seals, dolphins, and perhaps some penguins as well as stunning scenery. Return to Queenstown arriving late afternoon.

DAY 6: 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 to Bob's Peak, TSS Earnslaw Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak Sheep Station, 4WD safaris and many more options. Enjoy Queenstown - the Adventure Capital of New Zealand. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.)

DAY 7: QUEENSTOWN / MOUNT COOK / CHRISTCHURCH

Depart Queenstown this morning and drive through the scenic Kawarau Gorge to the fruitgrowing region of Cromwell and across Lake Dunstan and on through Central Otago to the Lindis Pass and climb 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 on the day.

(Please note that Optional scenic flights are 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 and then drive across the flat straight roads of the Canterbury Plains to the “Garden City” of Christchurch. Check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

DAY 8: 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.