A Complete Journey North to South

Flight · Morning · Auckland

Car hire · Morning · Auckland Airport

Collect your premium 4WD for the journey south.

Self-drive · Afternoon · Northland

A scenic drive north taking about three and a half hours.

Accommodation · Evening · Russell

Take the car ferry from Opua to Russell; it runs every ten minutes.

Excursion · Morning · Paihia

Keep an eye out for wild bottlenose dolphins that frequent these sheltered waters.

At leisure · Afternoon · Russell

Walk up Flagstaff Hill for a panoramic view of the entire bay at sunset.

Accommodation · Evening · Russell

Excursion · Morning · Waitangi

The live cultural performance inside the carved meeting house is absolutely world-class.

Excursion · Afternoon · Paihia

The walking track departs from the Treaty Grounds and winds through beautiful mangrove forests.

Accommodation · Evening · Russell

Self-drive · Morning · Rotorua

Drive south through Auckland to the volcanic plateau, roughly five hours.

Excursion · Evening · Whakarewarewa Forest

The giant redwood canopy is magically lit up by designer David Trubridge lanterns.

Accommodation · Evening · Rotorua

Excursion · Morning · Rotorua

Arrive early to see the Tohutu geyser erupt without the large tour crowds.

Excursion · Afternoon · Whakarewarewa Forest

Order a local craft beer to be delivered directly to your cedar tub.

Accommodation · Evening · Rotorua

Excursion · Morning · Rotorua

The Artist's Palette pool displays incredible natural orange and green mineral rings.

Self-drive · Afternoon · Taupo

A short one-hour drive south along the thermal highway.

Excursion · Afternoon · Taupo

Walk the spa park trail to see the river narrow dramatically into blue foam.

Accommodation · Evening · Taupo

Self-drive · Morning · Wellington

A scenic five-hour drive past the volcanic peaks of Tongariro.

At leisure · Afternoon · Wellington

Grab a gelato from Kaffee Eis and watch the harbor ferries come in.

Accommodation · Evening · Wellington Central

Excursion · Morning · Wellington Central

The colossal squid exhibit and Gallipoli exhibition are absolute must-sees.

Excursion · Afternoon · Karori

Look out for the prehistoric Tuatara basking on the rocky path edges.

Accommodation · Evening · Wellington Central

Transfer · Morning · Marlborough Sounds

A stunning three-hour cruise across the Cook Strait.

Book the premium lounge for free food, drinks, and the best forward-facing views.

Self-drive · Afternoon · Abel Tasman

Drive three hours through Havelock and Nelson to Kaiteriteri.

Accommodation · Evening · Marahau

Marahau is the literal gateway to the national park coastal track.

Excursion · Morning · Abel Tasman National Park

Take the boat to Torrent Bay, then hike back to Marahau over swinging bridges.

At leisure · Afternoon · Abel Tasman National Park

The fine golden sand here is perfect for a lazy afternoon swim.

Accommodation · Evening · Marahau

Excursion · Morning · Kaiteriteri

Paddle close to the rock to spot tiny blue penguins nesting in the crevices.

At leisure · Afternoon · Mapua Wharf

The smokehouse at the wharf does incredible hot-smoked fish and cold cider.

Accommodation · Evening · Marahau

Self-drive · Morning · West Coast

Drive four and a half hours through the spectacular Buller Gorge.

Excursion · Afternoon · Hokitika

The intense turquoise color of the water here is completely real, no filters needed.

Accommodation · Evening · Hokitika

Walk down to Sunset Point beach to search for greenstone pebbles washed up.

Self-drive · Morning · Franz Josef

An easy two-hour drive south beneath the Southern Alps.

Excursion · Afternoon · Franz Josef

The Sentinel Rock walk offers the quickest elevation for a great glacier view.

Accommodation · Evening · Franz Josef

Excursion · Morning · Fox Glacier

Arrive at dawn for perfect reflections of Mount Cook in the dark water.

Excursion · Afternoon · Franz Josef

Nestled in lush rainforest, these public pools are perfect after a cold hike.

Accommodation · Evening · Franz Josef

Self-drive · Morning · Wanaka

Drive four hours along the dramatic coast and over the pass.

Excursion · Afternoon · Makarora

This deep forest walk leads to incredibly clear glacial river pools.

Accommodation · Evening · Wanaka

Excursion · Morning · Wanaka

A local favorite loop that delivers 360-degree views of the lake basin.

At leisure · Afternoon · Wanaka

The famous crooked willow tree is best photographed from the water's edge.

Accommodation · Evening · Wanaka

Self-drive · Morning · Queenstown

Drive one hour over the high Crown Range Road.

Excursion · Afternoon · Queenstown Central

The views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables range are spectacular from the top.

Accommodation · Evening · Queenstown Central

Excursion · Morning · Gibbston Valley

Mt Difficulty makes some of the finest Pinot Noir in the entire southern hemisphere.

At leisure · Afternoon · Arrowtown

Walk the historic Chinese Settlement along the Arrow River loop trail.

Accommodation · Evening · Queenstown Central

Self-drive · Morning · Te Anau

Drive two hours along the edge of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland.

Excursion · Afternoon · Lake Te Anau

A silent boat ride underground takes you right beneath thousands of glowing insects.

Accommodation · Evening · Te Anau

Self-drive · Morning · Milford Road

A stunning two-hour drive along the Milford Road alpine highway.

Excursion · Afternoon · Milford Sound

Stand on the front deck as the boat noses directly into Stirling Falls.

Self-drive · Afternoon · Te Anau

Return two-hour drive back to base camp.

Accommodation · Evening · Te Anau

Self-drive · Morning · Queenstown Airport

Final two-hour drive north to return your rental car.

Car hire · Morning · Queenstown Airport

Flight · Afternoon · Queenstown