Auckland - Christchurch tour
Day 1: Auckland - Coromandel
You drive out of the city to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, with its white beaches and incredible variety of ferns.
Day 2: Coromandel
You have the entire day to explore the Coromandel Peninsula. We suggest you drive around to Whitianga, Coromandel Town, Thames and back to Pauanui. You can dig your own hole at the "Hot Water Beach" and bathe in the hot water. Fun is a walk to Cathedral Cove or walk through the beautiful vegetation on the tracks of the gold seekers.
Day 3: Coromandel - Rotorua
You will drive to Rotorua, which is not only the geothermal center of the North Island, but also center of Maori Culture. You will learn about these best during a hangi-feast in the evening. During the day, visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Park.
Day 4: Rotorua - Tongariro NP
You will drive via Taupo and along Lake Taupo to Tongariro NP. On the way, make a stop at Huka Falls for a nice hike. There is also time to take a bath in a warm water river.
Day 5: Tongariro NP
You have the whole day to explore Tongariro NP. The park is best known for its diversity of climate zones with each their unique flora and fauna. There are beautiful hiking trails.
Day 6: Tongariro NP - Wellington
You can drive the scenic route through the Wanganui Valley and then the main road to Wellington. You can use the afternoon to visit Wellington. For example, take the streetcar to the botanical garden and drive to the top of Mount Victoria for a magnificent view. Definitely worth a visit is also the museum "Te Papa". Take advantage of the evening to enjoy a delicious meal in one of the excellent restaurants.
Day 7: Wellington - Kaikoura
In the morning you will take the Interislander Ferry to the South Island (reserve in advance). You will then drive to Kaikoura.
Day 8: Kaikoura - Abel Tasman
The morning you will still be in Kaikoura where you can take the Whalewatch Cruise (reserve in advance). Whales are there all year, but the cruises only go when the weather is good. You will then drive via Blenheim, the Queen Charlotte Drive and Nelson to Abel Tasman NP, where you will stay 2 nights.
Day 9: Abel Tasman
You have all day to explore the magnificent Abel Tasman NP. Take the water cab from Maharau and hike along the beaches and through the hills.
Day 10: Abel Tasman - Punakaiki
You will drive via Buller Gorge, Wesport and along the rugged west coast to Punakaiki. In the afternoon there will be time to see the Pancake Rocks.
Day 11: Punakaiki - Franz Josef
You will drive via Greymouth along the rugged west coast to Franz Josef. The glacier offers a lot of options to discover the beautiful area. You can take a sightseeing flight over the glacier and the majestic Mount Cook, or hike to the of foot of the glacier. You can also hike along the glacier through a rainforest, where you can see many Kea birds.
Day 12: Franz Josef
You have another day to discover the area of the glacier village of Franz Josef.
Day 13: Franz Josef - Queenstown
With any luck you will see penguins and seals on the rocks along the coast before driving inland over Haast Pass. Wanaka is a nice stop on the way to Queenstown, where you will stay 2 nights. There is plenty to do and experience here, from Bungee Jumping, Jetboating, horseback riding, mountain hiking to a leisurely boat ride on the lake. You can also take a trip to the gold mining town of Arrowtown.
Day 14: Queenstown
You have another day to explore this beautiful mountain town and the surrounding area.
Day 15: Queenstown - Te Anau
You can still make the most of the morning in Queenstown. In the afternoon you will drive to Te Anau, the road leads through a rugged desolate mountain landscape. You can stay for 3 nights near the Fiordland National Park.
Day 16: Te Anau
One of the highlights of the trip is definitely the trip to the famous Milford Sound in the Fiordland NP. The road there is already beautiful, but a cruise through the sound is unforgettable.
Day 17: Te Anau
Another great excursion is to the Doubtful Sound. Of course, you can also use this day for a hike in the Fiordland NP.
Day 18: Te Anau - Dunedin
You will first drive eastward through impressive mountain scenery. Then the landscape changes to a hilly country with many farms. Eventually you will reach Dunedin, with its many Scottish influences, beautiful parks and buildings. There is a large chocolate factory you can visit. In the late afternoon you should visit the rare yellow-eyed penguins on the tip of the Otago Peninsula. On the peninsula, you can see the Scottish-style Lanarch Castle and the huge Royal Albatross colony.
Day 19: Dunedin - Twizel
On the way back to the mountains, you will first pass the Mouarki Boulders. These are million-year-old round rocks that lie along the beach. You continue your route inland through a mountainous landscape, where many shots were made for the movie "The Lord Of The Rings". Eventually you will reach the mountain town of Twizel, at the foot of the majestic Mount Cook.
Day 20: Twizel - Mount Cook
Today you get to explore the beautiful mountains near Mount Cook. You can go on a mountain hike or just enjoy the magnificent mountain views from the Hermitage. You can also take scenic flights by plane or helicopter over the mountains here.
Day 21: Mount Cook - Christchurch
You will drive through rugged mountain scenery and through picturesque Lake Tekapo to Christchurch, where you will spend your last night. The city on the Avon River has a very English atmosphere and is a starting point for some great excursions.
Day 22: Christchurch
On the last day, you will return the motorhome in Christchurch.