Holiday Overview
With New Zealand resting on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ then the country is bound to be abundant with geothermal activity and a history of a long since passed ice age. This makes for spectacular scenery! From the Bay of Islands to the north to the ice-carved sounds of Milford Sound in the south you will discover that this country has a vast array of geological features and attractions to interest everyone. Your drive will open your eyes to the meandering rivers of Marlborough Sound and an assortment of native wildlife.
Start Auckland - End Queenstown
21 nights / 22 days
Islands visited: North and South Islands
Highlights;
Drive the Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands
Maori cultural and geothermal area of Rotorua
Wellington cable car to the Mount Victoria
Explore Franz Josef Glacier on foot or by air
Cruise Milford Sound was carved out by glaciers
New Zealand’s Islands, Geysers & Glaciers includes:
- 3 nights accommodation Auckland
- 2 nights accommodation Bay of Islands
- 2 nights accommodation Rotorua
- 2 nights accommodation Napier
- 2 nights accommodation Wellington
- 2 nights accommodation Queenstown
- 2 nights accommodation Marlborough Sounds
- 2 nights accommodation Kaikoura
- 1 nights accommodation Christchurch
- 2 nights accommodation Franz Josef
- 1 night accommodation Wanaka
- Maori Cultural Experience
- Wellington Cable Car
- Compact Car Hire
- Inter-Island Ferry
- Hobbiton Tour at Matamata
- Whale Watching Kaikoura
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Transfer - Christchurch hotel to train station
- Tranzalpine train
Day 1 - Auckland
Arrive in Auckland, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Day 2 - Auckland – Bay of Islands
Collect your car and drive along the Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands
Day 3 - Bay of Islands
A full day of leisure to explore the Bay of Islands, enjoy the natural beauty of the area, comprising 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula. Perhaps take an optional cruise to view the “hole in the rock” at Piercy Island
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands
Day 4 - Bay of Islands – Auckland
Return to Auckland perhaps stop off La Nonna Italian Bakery in Kaiwaka for a coffee or stretch your legs at the Dome Valley or Byrnderwyns Scenic lookout.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Day 5 - Auckland
Free time in Auckland - "City of Sails"
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Day 6 - Auckland - Rotorua
Leave Auckland behind and journey to the Maori cultural and geothermal area of Rotorua. En route stop off at Matamata for a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, as featured in the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit trilogies.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
Day 7 - 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
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
Unmissable Experiences
Te Puia
Day 8 - Rotorua – Napier
Continue to Napier on the east coast, stop off en route at Lake Taupo for a stroll by the lake.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Day 9 - Napier
Spend a full day at leisure in Napier, optional day tours include a walking tour of the art deco area or take a gourmet tour to sample the produce from one of the local vineyards
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Day 10 - Napier – Wellington
Today drive to Wellington, dubbed 'The coolest little capital in the world'. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington
Day 11 - 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 12 - Wellington – Marlborough Sounds
Take the ferry from Wellington to Picton and onto the beautiful Marlborough Sounds via water taxi. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Furneaux Lodge
Day 13 - Marlborough Sounds
A full day of leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, perhaps walk a section of the Queen Charlotte Track, or take a kayak out onto the calm waters.
Featured accommodation
Furneaux Lodge
Day 14 - Marlborough Sounds – Kaikoura
Take the scenic drive from Picton via Blenheim to the costal town of Kaikoura. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
White Morph
Day 15 - Kaikoura
Enjoy a whale watch cruise. Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross.
Featured accommodation
White Morph
Day 16 - Kaikoura – Christchurch
Continue to Christchurch, either on the direct SH1 or detour via mountain spa town of Hanmer Springs. Then explore Christchurch at leisure.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 17 - Christchurch – Franz Josef via the TranzAlpine train
Take the spectacular rail journey through the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Greymouth, the train departs at 08:15 and arrives in Greymouth at 13:05, continue down the coast to Franz Josef.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Unmissable Experiences
TranzAlpine Train
Day 18 - Franz Josef
A full day of leisure to explore Franz Josef and its neighbouring glacier. Ask your consultant regarding options for a once in a lifetime helicopter trip to the glacier.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Day 19 - Franz Josef – Wanaka
Continue to Wanaka, on the edge of the lake Wanaka affords stunning lake and mountain views. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Tin Tub Resort
Day 20 - Wanaka – Queenstown
Queenstown sits on the shore of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges and is a wonderful hub for this beautiful region. After checking into your hotel spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 21 - Queenstown
Take a full day tour to Milford Sound. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Breath-taking in any weather, the fiord's cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards from as high as 1000 metres.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 22 - Queenstown
Today your epic journey concludes in Queenstown.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
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.
Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands
A waterfront location nestled in 60 acres of subtropical gardens, within the Waitangi National Trust Reserve. Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands is a harmony of nature and spacious comfort. The180 guest rooms include 4 suites and accessible rooms. Each room features its own patio or balcony, assuring great views of the bay, harbour, or garden.
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua is located midway between central Rotorua and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Facilities include a heated outdoor pool and a fitness centre. Guests enjoy free WiFi throughout.
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
Furneaux Lodge, Marlborough Sounds
Located at the head of Endeavour Inlet in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, Furneaux Lodge has a backdrop of native forest and lush rolling lawns right to the stunning green-blue water.
White Morph
Set on the Esplanade in Kaikoura, Heritage Collection The White Morph enjoys commanding views of the ocean and mountains, and gives you access to all of the region’s experiences.
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.
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
The Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is close to the edge of one of New Zealand's most spectacular natural attractions, welcoming you to this enticing and dramatic region.
Image Gallery
Glacier
Champagne Pool - Rotorua
Fox Glacier
Bay of Islands
Lady Knox Geyser - Rotorua
Bay of Islands
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
Australia and New Zealand 2024, 2025
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- 14 Nights
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- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
New Zealand Self Drive 2024, 2025
New Zealand’s Movies, Mountains & Maori
- 12 Nights
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Fox Glacier
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
New Zealand Self Drive 2024, 2025
New Zealand’s Islands, Geysers & Glaciers
- 21 Nights
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
New Zealand Road Trips 2024, 2025
Snapshot of North Island
- 9 Nights
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Tongariro National Park
- Martinborough
- Wellington
New Zealand Fly Drive Holidays
Golf New Zealand
- 14 Nights
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
New Zealand Road Trips 2024, 2025
South Island’s Mountain Explorer
- 9 Nights
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- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Mount Cook
- Lake Tekapo
Multi-Country Holidays
Shiraz to Sauvignon
- 14 Nights
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- Sydney
- Wellington
- Napier
- Rotorua
- Auckland
New Zealand Road Trips 2024, 2025
South Island to North Island Adventure
- 12 Nights
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
- Christchurch
- Blenheim
- Wellington
- Tongariro National Park
- Taupo
- Rotorua
- Auckland
New Zealand Fly Drive Holidays
North Island’s Natural Wonders
- 14 Nights
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- The Coromandel
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Napier
- Wellington
- New Plymouth
- Hamilton
New Zealand Fly Drive Holidays
Hike New Zealand The Ultimate Walking Holiday
- 13 Nights
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Tongariro National Park
- Wellington
- Picton
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
New Zealand Self Drive 2024, 2025
New Zealand Middle Earth Self Drive
- 13 Nights
- Auckland
- Blenheim
- Christchurch
- Tongariro National Park
- Wellington
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
New Zealand Fly Drive Holidays
North Island's Lodges Fly Drive Holiday
- 15 Nights
- Auckland
- New Plymouth
- Napier
- Taupo
- Rotorua
New Zealand Fly Drive Holidays
Mountains, Lakes & Sounds of South Island
- 14 Nights
- Christchurch
- Kaikoura
- Nelson NZ
- Hokitika
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Te Anau
- Invercargill
- Dunedin
- Lake Tekapo
New Zealand Fly Drive Holidays
New Zealand Self Drive Lodge Holiday
- 15 Nights
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch