Holiday Overview
New Zealand has been the backdrop of many successful films over the years, like ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’, ‘King Kong’, ‘Willow’, and more famously ‘Lord of the Rings’. The set of Hobbiton from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ can be visited on this whistle stop trip around North and South Island. During your fly drive you will be able to take in the Southern Alps, the awe-inspiring Fox Glacier and Tranzalpine train. Throughout your trip you will see and experience the Maori culture so you can fully understand the draw to this unique part of the world.
Start Auckland - End Christchurch
12 nights / 13 days
Islands visited: North and South Island
Highlights;
Visit Matamata, the movie set of Hobbiton in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Maori cultural experience in Rotorua
Tranzalpine rail journey through the Southern Alps
Fox Glacier in the small town of Franz Josef
New Zealand’s Movies, Mountains & Maori includes:
- Flights
- 2 nights accommodation Auckland
- 2 nights accommodation Rotorua
- 2 night accommodation Christchurch
- 1 night accommodation Hokitika
- 1 night accommodation Fox Glacier
- 3 nights accommodation Queenstown
- 1 night accommodation Lake Tekapo
- Inter-Island Ferry
- Maori Experience Rotorua
- Transfer to Tranzalpine train
- Tranzalpine train
- Compact car hire
Day 1 - Auckland
Check into your 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
Spend a full day at leisure exploring the “city of sails”.
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Day 3 - Auckland – Rotorua
Leave Auckland behind and journey to the Maori cultural and geothermal area of Rotorua. Perhaps stop off en route 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
Unmissable Experiences
Hobbiton
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
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
Unmissable Experiences
Te Puia
Day 5 - Rotorua – Christchurch
Take a lunchtime flight from Rotorua to Christchurch, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 6 - Christchurch – Hokitika 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 Hokitika.
Featured accommodation
Beachfront Hokitika
Unmissable Experiences
TranzAlpine Train
Day 7 - Hokitika – Fox Glacier
Take the drive from Hokitika to Fox Glacier, perhaps stop off at Franz Josef en route. Ask your consultant for options regarding a once in a lifetime helicopter experience.
Featured accommodation
Fox Glacier Lodge
Day 8 - Fox Glacier – Queenstown
Drive onwards to one of the South Islands beautiful and exciting hubs, Queenstown. After checking into your chosen hotel, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 9 - Queenstown
Spend the day at leisure exploring Queenstown. In the evening ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of the mountain for a stargazing guide of the southern skies.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 10 - Queenstown
Enjoy a full day of leisure in Queenstown, ask you consultant regarding the many tours and excursions available.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 11 - Queenstown - Lake Tekapo
Depart Queenstown for Tekapo, the township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water. Tekapo is also home to the well photographed Church of the Good Shepherd.
Featured accommodation
Peppers Bluewater Resort
Day 12 - Tekapo - Christchurch
Return to Christchurch and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps take the Gondola to take in the magnificent view across the city, over the Canterbury Plains and on to the Southern Alps.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 13 - Christchurch
Today your journey concludes 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.
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.
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.
Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
Located right on the beach, The stunning Beachfront Hotel is located in central Hokitika on New Zealand’s West Coast and offers a wide range of quality accommodation, full dining and event facilities.
Fox Glacier Lodge
Experience the warm hospitality and the mountain views towards the glacier valley. Enjoy the tranquil private setting surrounded by temperate rainforest edging the Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
Image Gallery
Matamata - Hobbiton
Mt Doom (Mt Ngauruhoe)
Lake Tekapo - Church of the Good Shepherd
Mt Cook
Maori Culture
Rotorua
Franz Josef Glacier
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
New Zealand Self Drive 2024, 2025
New Zealand’s Movies, Mountains & Maori
- 12 Nights
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Fox Glacier
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
Australia and New Zealand 2024, 2025
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- 14 Nights
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
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
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- 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
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Mount Cook
- Lake Tekapo
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 Fly Drive Holidays
North Island's Lodges Fly Drive Holiday
- 15 Nights
- Auckland
- New Plymouth
- Napier
- Taupo
- Rotorua
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
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
Multi-Country Holidays
Shiraz to Sauvignon
- 14 Nights
- Adelaide
- Sydney
- Wellington
- Napier
- Rotorua
- Auckland