Holiday Overview
This trip brings you some of the true highlights of both north and south islands. This wind-swept trip through New Zealand allows you to touch upon the natural splendour and unusual vistas of this small but mighty country. With so much history, culture, cuisine and landscapes to take in this will be the ideal way to discover New Zealand’s North and South Islands.
Start Auckland End Christchurch (V.V)
13 nights / 14 days
Islands visited: North and South Island
Highlights;
Visit Te Puia geothermal park in Rotorua
Enjoy the Art Deco town of Napier
Hawke's Bay's internationally acclaimed wine
Wellington “the world’s coolest little capital”
Explore Abel Tasman National Park
Travel on the Tranzalpine in South Island
New Zealand’s Best of Both Islands includes:
- Flights
- 2 nights accommodation Auckland
- 2 nights accommodation Rotorua
- 2 nights accommodation Napier
- Hawkes Bay Wine Tour
- 2 nights accommodation Wellington
- Interislander Ferry
- 2 nights accommodation Nelson
- 1 night accommodation Punakaiki
- Tranzalpine Train
- 2 nights accommodation Christchurch
- Intercity Coach Transfers
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?
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Unmissable Experiences
Bay of Islands Extension
Day 2 - Auckland
A full day of leisure to explore Auckland.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
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.
Featured accommodation
Pullman 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.
Featured accommodation
Pullman Rotorua
Unmissable Experiences
Te Puia
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.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Te Pania
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.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Te Pania
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.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington
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.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington
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.
Featured accommodation
Cambria House
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
Featured accommodation
Cambria House
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.
Featured accommodation
Punakaika Resort
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.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Unmissable Experiences
TranzAlpine Train
Day 13 - Christchurch
A full day to explore Christchurch at leisure.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 14 - Christchurch
Your itinerary concludes today in Christchurch.
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Simple, sophisticated, and designed for comfort. Copthorne Hotel Auckland City is centrally located, making it the perfect base to explore the city or attend conferences. Nearby you’ll find Queen Street shopping, the Central Business District, and University of Auckland. This hotel is just a 10-minute walk away from the Viaduct Basin and Spark Arena.
Pullman Rotorua
Situated in the heart of the city and moments away from the lakefront, Pullman Rotorua is the perfect base to explore the region’s geothermal paradise for families, adventures, business travellers and conference delegates.
Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Styled to complement its remarkable location on the edge of the beautiful Hawke's Bay, Napier's Scenic Hotel Te Pania is one of the most recognisable hotels in Napier, boasting design awards for its style and offering an unmatched level of service to leisure travellers and conference guests.
Intercontinental Wellington
Adjacent to Wellington’s waterfront, InterContinental Wellington is a global five-star hotel located in the heart of Wellington city. It is the seamless and personal service that makes InterContinental Wellington one of the best luxury hotels in Wellington. You will experience truly memorable moments and get the insider knowledge from the award-winning Concierge team, to help you discover the arts, events, shopping, and culinary culture. Discover the glamour, sophistication and unrivalled heritage that InterContinental Wellington has to offer
Cambria Hotel, Nelson
Cambria House is a gracious colonial homestead with modern facilities combining style, luxury and excellent service. It offers 6 individually furnished rooms (all with ensuites), private guest lounge, a large sunny deck and secluded woodland gardens, ideal for relaxing in with a coffee or glass of Nelson wine
Punakaika Resort
The resort is located just is 2 minutes walk from the Punakaiki beach. It is situated in Paparoa National Park just 300 metres from the magnificent Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. The Hotel Resort offers comfortable, environmentally friendly accommodation with rainforest and ocean views.
BreakFree on Cashel
Christchurch has evolved as a true cultural hub, embracing its chance to become a city re-imagined. This Christchurch accommodation is located in the heart of the CBD near Manchester and Hereford Streets, from BreakFree on Cashel, you’re in the perfect location to stroll to trendy cafes, restaurants or bars on offer.
Image Gallery
Rotorua
Abel Tasman
Auckland
Maori
Abel Tasman
Rotorua
Punakaiki
Wellington
Rotorua
Tranzalpine
Napier
Christchurch
Wellington
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0069 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
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