Classic Auckland to Christchurch road trip

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Auckland
• 2 nights Rotorua
• 1 night Napier
• 2 nights Wellington
• 2 nights Blenheim
• 2 nights Kaikoura
• 1 night Christchurch

Day 1: Auckland

On arrival in Auckland, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you will check in for one night. 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? If you feel ready to dive straight into Maori culture, head to the Auckland Museum, where you’ll find the largest collection of ‘taonga’ (treasures) in the world, from small artefacts to full-size canoes and meeting houses.

Day 2: 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.

Day 3: Drive to Rotorua via Hobbiton

Leaving the the big city behind you, this morning you'll pick up your hire car and drive south to visit Hobbiton, the iconic film set from The Lord of the Rings films. Wander amongst hillsides dotted with hobbit holes, where real vegetables grow in the plots, and even enjoy a pint of cider at The Green Dragon. It's a charming and unforgettable place, whether or not you're a fan of the films.

After your visit, you'll continue on to Rotorua, where you’ll check into your hotel for two nights. Rotorua is famously geothermal town, and you'll smell the sulphur before you see the famous hot pools! We always a recommend a visit to one of the local thermal spas, where you can soak in naturally heated mineral pools and make the most of Rotorua’s unique geothermal landscape.

Day 4: 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. This evening, we've included an evening of Maori culture. Starting with a haka at the edge of the village, you will be welcomed in to experience Maori crafts and dancing. You'll even learn to do the haka yourselves! Finish the evening with a delicious hangi feast, cooked under the ground by the geothermal heat and enjoyed in the big hall alongside traditional Maori entertainment. It's the perfect end to your time in beautiful Rotorua.

Day 5: Drive to Napier

It’s less than a 3-hour drive today to the coastal city of Napier set in the famous wine-producing region of Hawke’s Bay. On the way, make sure you visit Lake Taupo and the gushing waterfall at Huka Falls - why not take a relaxing cruise on the lake or the iconic jet boat experience on the river up to the falls, both are equally spectacular. 

On arrival in Napier, you'll check into your hotel for one night before heading out to explore the town in your own time. Napier is well known for its 1930’s art-deco style architecture - we've included an hour long walking tour with a knowledgeable guide. They'll point out art-deco features that you'd never notice otherwise! 

Day 6: Drive to Wellington

Spend the morning enjoying Napier or exploring the wider Hawke’s Bay region, perhaps heading out to visit one of the area’s vineyards or simply soaking in the rolling landscapes and coastal scenery. For something a little different, why not head out to enjoy the Gannet Safaris Overland tour to Cape Kidnappers, travelling by 4WD across private farmland and along the coast to reach the gannet colony, with spectacular views across Hawke’s Bay along the way. It’s a lovely option for wildlife enthusiasts, particularly during the gannet season, and makes for a memorable final morning in the region. 

In the afternoon you'll drive south to the capital city of Wellington, checking into your hotel for two nights. 

Day 7: Wellington 

Gazing across Wellington Harbour to the Cook Strait, New Zealand’s hugely appealing capital is a wonderful place to spend a few days. Painted wooden houses dot the hillsides, swanky restaurants line the waterfront and hip cafes pepper the city. We'd always recommend a visit to Te Papa, the largest museum in New Zealand and a sight to behold, both inside and out. The exhibitions change regularly, but the permanent collections offer a fascinating insight into the history of the Maori, the volcanic geology of New Zealand and unique wildlife of the three islands, much of which is now extinct.

During your stay, we've included a visit to Zealandia. Here, you can learn about the locals’ efforts to protect indigenous species, both plants and birds, in this spectacular city wildlife reserve.

Day 8: Ferry to Picton

Leaving the North Island behind, today you'll catch the Interislander ferry across to Picton. This trip is one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world with little coves home to seal colonies and dolphins gliding by. Pick up your new car rental and continue the onward drive to Blenheim in the renowned Marlborough region, known for its universally acclaimed Sauvignon Blanc. Check into your hotel for two nights and settle in for a delightful few days of food and wine. 

Day 9: Blenheim

Spend the day discovering the vineyards of Marlborough on a relaxed wine tour from Blenheim, travelling between cellar doors and sampling some of the wines that have made this New Zealand’s most celebrated wine region. The area has more than 30 cellar doors, with everything from its famous Sauvignon Blanc to Pinot Noir, sparkling wines and aromatic whites to try along the way. Heading out on a tour means you can leave the car behind, learn a little about the region and its winemaking as you go and enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the vineyard restaurants between tastings. It’s a wonderfully unhurried way to experience Marlborough, combining beautiful vineyard scenery, excellent food and, of course, plenty of wine. 

Day 10: Drive to Kaikoura

Spend the morning enjoying Blenheim at your own pace - perhaps visiting a couple of different vineyards from yesterday or enjoying breakfast at one of the iconic brunch spots around town, before driving south along the Pacific coast towards Kaikoura. Stop off in Kekerengu for a coffee on the way, tuck into some local crayfish along the coast and pull in at Ohau Point to admire the fur seals along the shore. From here, you'll start to see the mountains rise dramatically to your right as the vast ocean lies to your left and soon you'll arrive in spectacular Kaikoura, home to some of the most majestic coastal scenery on the South Island. 

Day 11: Kaikoura 

Spend the day enjoying Kaikōura’s spectacular coastline and abundant marine life, with the mountains providing an impressive backdrop to your day. We've included a whale-watching cruise , taking you out onto the water in search of the whales found off the Kaikōura coast. Sperm whales can be found here year round, while humpbacks pass through on their migration from Antarctica between June and October. If you'd rather, we can change this to a whale watching flight or helicopter experience - these tend to be shorter but give you incredible views of the mountains and ocean, as well as the chance to see the whole length of the whale from above - it's pretty incredible! If you'd like to add this, just ask! 

Beyond the iconic whales, enjoy walking part of the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, with its clifftop views and opportunities to spot seals and seabirds, or perhaps join a kayaking trip or dolphin-watching experience. Kaikōura is also well known for its seafood, so make time to sample some local crayfish, whether at a relaxed seaside restaurant or one of the simple roadside seafood stops along the coast.

Day 12: Christchurch

Today is your final drive down the coast to Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. Spend the afternoon exploring the city's many pop-up bars, cafes and shops and learning about the history of the architecture and changes since the earthquake in 2011. Why not go punting along the River Avon past the Botanic Gardens or even head out to the gondola for incredible views over Littleton Harbour. You'll check into your hotel for one night - 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! 

Day 13: Depart Christchurch

Enjoy your morning at leisure before dropping off your rental car at the airport and caching your onwards flight.