Express New Zealand in two weeks

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Auckland
• 2 nights Rotorua
• 1 night Christchurch
• 2 nights Franz Josef
• 1 night Wanaka
• 2 nights Queenstown
• 1 night Milford Sound cruise
• 1 night Queenstown

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Auckland

On arrival in Auckland, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you will check in for two nights. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city – why not take a walk down to the harbour for a walk up or head up the Sky Tower for views over Auckland? We've also included the epic All Blacks Experience, where you'll get closer to the history, culture and passion of New Zealand rugby. Learn the power of the haka and put your own rugby skills to the test in the interactive zone - it's a great way to spend your first afternoon in New Zealand. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Waiheke Island

Spend today exploring the nearby island of Waiheke. This beautiful spot combines scenic landscapes, excellent food and wineries and a relaxed atmosphere that's perfect for your first day in New Zealand. Stroll along golden beaches before visiting a local vineyard for a delicious lunch and spend the afternoon browsing small galleries, boutiques and organic olive groves. It's an easy going day where you'll learn lots about this haven near Auckland and settle into your time in New Zealand.

Included: Waiheke Island tour, 4* hotel 

Day 4: Hobbiton tour to Rotorua

This morning, you'll be picked up for a brilliant one way tour from Auckland to Rotorua, visiting the iconic film set of Hobbiton. Leaving the big city behind, you'll be driven through the lush, green hills and rural landscapes of the Waikato region, before arriving at Hobbiton. Spend a few hours on the guided tour of the set, exploring the different hobbit holes, admiring the flowers and vegetable gardens, learning about the filming of the iconic Lord of the Rings series and enjoying a pint at the famous Green Dragon Inn. After exploring this magical spot, you'll be driven onwards to Rotorua, arriving in time to settle into your hotel for two nights. 

Included: Auckland to Rotorua Hobbiton tour, 4* hotel

Day 5: Rotorua

Spend the day exploring Rotorua and the surrounding area - there is so much to see here! Rotorua is one of the best places in New Zealand to experience the geothermal landscapes - make sure you visit Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to explore the bubbling mud pools, the shocking orange Champagne Pool and the incredible other hot springs here. Another must do experience is a visit to Te Puia, a centre of Maori art with lots of geothermal activity on its grounds. Here, you can wait for the geyser to erupt before exploring the cultural centre, where you can see traditional Maori architecture and learn about traditional life. For those looking for some activities - Rotorua has so many possibilities! Why not head to the Redwoods Treewalk where you can walking amongst the canopy or even try ziplining through the virgin forests near the town. 

Included: 4* hotel 

Day 6: Fly to Christchurch

Spend the morning in Rotorua before being driven to the airport for your flight to Christchurch. On arrival, you'll be driven into the city and check into your hotel for one night. Why not head straight out and enjoy some punting along the River Avon past the Botanic Gardens or even go up to the gondola for incredible views over Littleton Harbour. If you'd like we can add on the iconic Tram Dinner experience, where you tuck into a delicious meal as you enjoy a relaxed tram journey through the centre of the city. If you'd like to add this - just ask!

Included: Transfers, internal flights, 4* hotel 

Day 7: TranzAlpine train to Greymouth, drive to Franz Josef

You’ll be up early this morning to climb aboard the TranzAlpine at 7.30am, ready to take you through Arthurs Pass to the west coast town of Greymouth. You’ll pass through vast plains and miles of native forest before traversing the Southern Alps where glacier fed rivers shimmer under the snow-capped mountains. Arriving in Greymouth at lunchtime you’ll pick up your rental car at the station and drive south down the coast to Franz Josef – why not take a short detour on the way to see the gushing blue waters of Hokitika Gorge before arriving at your Franz Josef hotel and checking in for two nights.

Included: Train tickets in Scenic Plus, car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 8: Franz Josef

You’ve got a whole day here to enjoy the beauty of the Southern Alps and explore the west coast glaciers at your leisure. We've included the iconic heli-hike, which takes you high up onto the glacier, fitted with crampons and waterproofs to experience the ice blue world above. You'll head out on a hike across the ice, taking in the wild shapes and jagged peaks around you - every hike is different as the glacier is constantly changing. Admire shimmering blue pools, squeeze through ice caves, peer down narrow crevasses and soak up the other-worldly landscape of the glacier. It's an incredible way to spend the day!

Included: Car hire, heli hike, 4* hotel 

Day 9: Drive to Wanaka

Continue your drive down the west coast before turning inland on your journey to Wanaka. Don't miss the views across shimmering Lake Matheson where you can enjoy the loop walk around the lake and the Blue Pools, where you can admire the bright water as you explore the swing bridges over the water. This region is famous for it's seafood; why not tuck into whitebait fritters during the season or order a whole crayfish tail covered in garlic butter for lunch - delicious! Drive down the side of Lake Wanaka before arriving in town, checking into your hotel for the night. 

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 10: Drive to Queenstown

Explore the lakeside town of Wanaka, including the famous Wanaka Tree, growing in the water alongside the lake front. Heading towards Queenstown, we always recommend visiting the quaint village of Arrowtown, nestled in the hills behind Queenstown with pretty buildings, boutique shops and gold-mining history. Explore the small galleries and don't miss tasting an iconic New Zealand pie at the bakery! After a few hours enjoying the backroads and Arrowtown, you'll arrive in Queenstown, which sits on the edge of a deep blue lake under the gaze of the Remarkables mountain range. Check into your hotel here for two nights and head out for a walk around town on your first evening in this mountain resort.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 11: Queenstown

Nestled on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a major hub of activities and adventures in New Zealand. We always recommend enjoying the scenic drive down to nearby Glenorchy, where you'll be able to admire the mountains over the lake and stop in at various viewpoints on your way to the scenic village. We also love heading up on the gondola to Skyline Queenstown, where you can enjoy lunch with a view and head down on the iconic luge - it's great fun! 

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel

Day 12: Milford Sound overnight cruise 

This morning you'll be picked up from Queenstown and head out to explore the peaceful scenery of Milford Sound. The journey through the mountain roads around Te Anau and up to Milford Sound are incredibly scenic and that's before you even arrive at national park. When you arrive, you'll board the Milford Mariner, heading out to anchor in the peaceful Harrison Cove, where you can explore by kayak or boat, take a swim or simply relax on deck and enjoy the scenery. Back onboard the boat, you'll enjoy a delicious dinner followed by stargazing beneath Milford's towering peaks. It's a magical place to fall asleep in your cosy cabin. 

Included: Car hire, dinner, overnight cabin in Milford Sound cruise

Day 13: Drive to Queenstown

Wake up to sunrise over the fjord, enjoying breakfast on board before heading out to explore more of the sound throughout the morning. Admire the gushing waterfalls, sail past St Anne's Point Lighthouse and, depending on the weather, right out to the mouth of fiord as it meets the ocean. You'll head back to the terminal by mid morning, and arrive back in Queenstown by mid afternoon. Why not spend your final evening enjoying dinner in town, reminiscing about your incredible two weeks in New Zealand? 

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 14: Depart New Zealand

Enjoy one last stroll along the lake before driving to the airport to drop off your hire car in time for your flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, car hire, international flights

Day 15: Arrive UK