New Zealand’s Best of Both Islands

Day 1 - Auckland

Arrive in Auckland, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Why not extend your New Zealand trip with an 'unmissable experience' to the Bay of Islands before starting this itinerary?

Day 2 - Auckland

A full day of leisure to explore Auckland.

Day 3 - Auckland – Rotorua

Take the intercity coach from Auckland to Rotorua. The journey takes around 4 hours with stops en route. Spend the rest of the day exploring Rotorua.

Day 4 - Rotorua

Visit Te Puia a 70-hectare geothermal park right on the edge of Rotorua. It's home of the world famous Phutu geyser and the national carving and weaving schools. They also house the kiwi, New Zealand's most well-known bird and have daily Maori cultural performances.

Day 5 - Rotorua - Napier

Take the daily intercity service to the Art Deco town of Napier. n 1931 a massive earthquake rocked Hawke's Bay for more than three minutes, destroying the commercial centre of Napier. Rebuilding began almost immediately, and new buildings reflected the architectural styles of the times - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco. Napier is often referred to as a 1930s film set.

Day 6 - Napier – Hawkes Bay – Napier

Savour some of Hawke's Bay's internationally acclaimed wine and food on this fabulous Odyssey. Relax where art meets science and take a behind the scenes look at a winery learning how the wine evolves from vine to glass. Travel from the country's oldest wine making road through the acclaimed Gimblett Gravels area from which we taste award winning wines throughout the day. Learn about Wine & Food Matching while indulging in the finest local produce including meat, seafood, cheese, marinated vegetables, olives, breads and dips.

Day 7 - Napier - Wellington

Catch the coach to the city dubbed “the world’s coolest little capital”.  Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 8 - Wellington

A full day of leisure to explore Wellington, perhaps take the cable car to the Mount Victoria lookout for a panoramic view of the city, make sure you visit Hannah’s Laneway, to sample some of the local gourmet produce.

Day 9 - Wellington – Picton – Nelson

Take the scenic ferry journey to the South Island and connect onwards to Nelson on the doorstep of the Abel Tasman National Park.

Day 10 - Nelson

Enjoy a full day tour to cruise around the coast of the Abel Tasman. Your coach travel from Nelson to Kaiteriteri and return to Nelson is included. Sit back and relax as you depart from picturesque Kaiteriteri Beach on a scenic cruise into the majestic Abel Tasman National Park as far north as Totaranui. View world-famous Split Apple Rock, fur seals, golden sands and the crystal-clear waters of Anchorage and Medlands Bay beaches before you return to Kaiteriteri.  A great cruise for all ages

Day 11 - Nelson to Punakaiki

Take the early morning coach down the West Coast to Punakaiki. Spend the rest of the day exploring the pancake rocks, blowholes and beach or just relax at your hotel.

Day 12 - Punakaiki To Christchurch via the Tranzalpine

Continue down the West Coast by coach to Greymouth. Transfer here onto the Tranzalpine. Travel past beautiful Lake Brunner through sub-tropical rainforest and emerge from the long Otira Tunnel before stopping at Arthurs Pass. Then descend the alpine scenery through a series of spectacular viaducts, follow the Waimakariri River and cross the patchwork farmland of the Canterbury Plains and on to Christchurch.

Day 13 - Christchurch

A full day to explore Christchurch at leisure.

Day 14 - Christchurch

Your itinerary concludes today in Christchurch.