Mainstay New Zealand

Day One: Auckland to Paihia  (237km – 3hrs 20mins)
Travel north from Auckland along the Hibiscus Coast through magnificent forests until you reach Paihia, the gateway to the Bay of Islands.  Spend the afternoon enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the town and surrounding areas.  Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty House, the Haruru Falls or take a stroll along the beach.

Day Two: Paihia
Travel north from Paihia past the stunning white sands of  Parengarenga Harbour and Waitaki Landing to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of the North Island.  A short walk from the car park will take you to the famous lighthouse.  Travel back to Paihia for the night.

Day Three: Paihia to Auckland (237km – 3hrs 20mins)
Travel back to Auckland and spend the afternoon sightseeing.  Visit Parnell Village, the Auckland Museum or the underwater world of Kelly Tarlton’s.  Enjoy an evening cruise on the harbour.

Day Four: Auckland to Rotorua (235km – 3hr 20mins)
Travel south over the Bombay Hills and out onto the fertile plains of the Waikato.  Stop for refreshments in the friendly riverside city of Hamilton before continuing east along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Rotorua.

Day Five & Six: Rotorua
Two days to explore the bubbling mud pools and gushing geysers of the area.  Visit some of the many tourist attractions Rotorua has to offer including Rainbow Springs Nature Park, The Buried Village and the Museum of Art and History.

Day Seven: Rotorua to Waitomo Caves and on to Taupo (330km – 4hr 40mins)
Depart Rotorua heading west across the Mamaku Ranges to Waitomo.  Take a guided tour of the spectacular underground caves and a boat ride downstream through the Glowworm Grotto.  From Waitomo, drive south through Taumarunui, Ohakune and Turangi to the lakeside city of Taupo.

Day Eight: Taupo to Wellington (370km – 5hr 25mins)
Before departing Taupo, you may wish to visit the Craters of the Moon Thermal Reserve and the mighty Huka Falls. Continue south along the highway through country towns and varying landscapes arriving in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.

Day Nine: Wellington
Spend a day exploring Wellington’s array of cafes or visit Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand.  Take a cable car ride to Kelburn and walk through the Botanic Gardens to the Parliament Buildings or along Lambton Quay.

Day Ten: Wellington to Blenheim (4hr 20mins including ferry)
Catch the Interisland Ferry to Picton and drive south to Blenheim the commercial centre of the Marlborough region.  Take a tour and experience alfresco dining at one of the area’s many vineyards. 

Day Eleven: Blenheim to Christchurch (398km – 4hr 25mins)
Drive south to Kaikoura, an area rich in marine life.  Spend the day whale watching or swimming with the local seals or dolphins.  On land you can visit the historic whaling cottage of Fyffe House or explore the craft shops on the main street.  Head south and on to Christchurch, The Garden City.

Day Twelve: Christchurch
Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city.  Built around the Christchurch Cathedral and the winding Avon River the city offers many different attractions.  From wildlife encounters at Orana Wildlife Park to the nightlife of the Christchurch Casino this city has something for everyone.

Day Thirteen: Christchurch to Fox Glacier (421km – 6hr 00mins)
Head west from Christchurch and across the Southern Alps.  Stop for morning tea in the small alpine village of Arthur’s Pass and admire the mountain scenery before travelling on to the untouched West Coast.  Drive south along State Highway 6 past World Heritage areas and clear glacial lakes to the town of Fox Glacier.

Day Fourteen: Fox Glacier to Queenstown (381km – 5hr 25mins)
In the morning, visit Lake Matheson and the Fox Glacier before driving south to Queenstown.  On the way, stop at any of the roadside walkways and take a stroll through the native forests.  

Day Fifteen: Queenstown
Free day in Queenstown.  Spend the day shopping in Queenstown’s many boutiques and speciality stores or take a cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu.  For the more adventurous there are plenty of activities such as jet boating, white water rafting, hot air ballooning and bungy-jumping.  In the evening, take the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy dinner in the restaurant overlooking Queenstown.

Day Sixteen: Queenstown to Te Anau (179km – 2hr 25mins)
Travel around south to the lakeside town of Te Anau.  Relax for the afternoon and take a walk along the lakeshore.

Day Seventeen: Te Anau (Milford Sound Cruise)
Drive north through the stunning Fiordland National Park and onto Milford Sound.
Take a chartered cruise past ice age glaciers and Mitre Peak to the open sea.  Return to Te Anau.

Day Eighteen: Te Anau to Dunedin (295 km – 4hr 10mins)
Depart for Dunedin travelling east through Central Otago.  On arrival choose from any of the many attractions Dunedin has to offer including relaxing strolls through Larnach Castle or the Botanic Gardens or guided tours through Olveston House, Speights Brewery or the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. 

Day Nineteen: Dunedin to Omarama (234km – 3hr 20mins)
Travel north bound through the Waitaki District to the settlement of Omarama.  Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this country town.

Day Twenty: Omarama to Christchurch (348kms – 5hr 00mins)
Take the highway north through the alpine village of Twizel.  From here you can drive up to the slopes of Mount Cook or continue through to Lake Tekapo.  Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd by the lake and enjoy the scenic views.  Continue east through Fairlie and Geraldine to rejoin State Highway One, which will take you back to Christchurch.