Road Trip New Zealand's North & South Islands - 15 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland, Explore

Welcome to Auckland! Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the city. Auckland's urban paradise between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea is a playground for city lovers and adventure-seekers. Known as the "City of Sails," Auckland boasts more than 500,000 sailboats and yachts in various sizes, anchored and moored at marinas within the city. Relax at your hotel while adjusting to the time change, or shake off the jet lag by heading to the Sky Tower. Its panoramic views make it an excellent place to explore New Zealand's metropolis.

To appreciate more of the North Island city's scenery, stroll around Waitemata Harbour. Roughly translated to "sparkling waters" in the Māori language, the harbor is a starting point for sailing, cruising, and whale watching excursions. It also connects the main port of the city and Auckland Waterfront to the Pacific Ocean. Here, keep a close lookout for the orcas and bottlenose dolphins that regularly visit the waters close to the town, or visit the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park for up-close viewings of whales, dolphins, and sea birds.

Day 2: Transfer to Rotorua via Waitomo, Te Pā Tū Māori Feast & Performance

A driver will be waiting to take you south into rolling farmland to reach the limestone hills of Waitomo's countryside, home to the glowworm caves. Optional activities are a boat trip under a canopy of glowworms, taking the longest underground walking tour in Ruakuri Cave, or, for a thrilling adventure, trying black-water rafting or an underground caving trip. When you arrive, board a scenic shuttle to the Footwhistle Glowworm Cave while your guide tells Waitomo's history. Explore the cave to see glowworms and interesting cave formations.

Before leaving, you'll check out a highlight of the cave's formations, like Footwhistle's Cathedral, and then return to the car and head to Rotorua, noting the geothermal activity en route. Rotorua is known for gurgling mud pools, geysers, and hot springs and showcasing Māori culture. Once checked in at your hotel, explore this geothermal area during your free afternoon. The town also has several prominent Māori tribes, and traditional villages welcome visitors.

Tonight, you're invited as a manuhiri (guest) at Te Pā Tū (Tamaki Māori Village) for a dinner and celebration of dancing, music, and storytelling. An opening ceremony kicks off the festivities while you're served kai horotai (appetizers). Listen to stories and songs and watch dance performances in the forest amphitheater, then follow your Māori guide to your three-course hākari (feast) of hāngī, a traditional Māori method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit oven, called an umu, and used on special occasions.

Day 5: Drive to Wellington, City Highlights & Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary

Today's drive brings you through the rolling countryside and some of the richest farmland in the Manawatu region before ushering you into the Wairarapa as you venture south to Wellington (about four hours). Stop at Martinborough, home to dozens of boutique wineries, for lunch, then carry on to Wellington over the Rimutaka Ranges and along the beautiful natural harbor.

Enjoy a tour of New Zealand's capital once you've checked in at your hotel. A great place to start is to visit Mount Victoria for panoramas of the city and harbor. Then, drive along the rugged coastline, now a marine reserve, stopping to taste Wellington's coffee. Return to the city and continue through the quirky Cuba Street district along Lambton Quay, the main shopping street, and if you have the time, ride the popular and iconic Wellington Cable Car.

Tonight, visit one of New Zealand's top conservation attractions, Zealandia. Located just outside Wellington, the 555-acre (225 ha) reserve is a haven for some of the country's rarest animals. These include native birds, reptiles, and insects re-released into the park. Your tour begins with an interactive exhibition and a guided, torch-lit walk through the bush. You may spot tuatara hunting for food, Maud Island frogs, parrots, and glowworms lighting the night. Zealandia is also one of the best places to see kiwis in a wild environment. With over 100 living here, look out for these adorable, flightless birds.

Day 7: Drive to Christchurch via Kaikōura Whale Watching Tour

Leaving Blenheim today, you'll set sail on the South Pacific Ocean on a catamaran designed for whale watching. Drive to the dock in Kaikōura for a 3.5-hour tour and look for giant sperm whales, fur seals, and friendly dolphins leaping through the waves while albatross swoop overhead. Seasonal sightings may include southern right, pilot, or blue whales and if lucky, migrating humpbacks. After your whale watching trip, get back in the car and continue driving south for 2.5 hours to Christchurch, where you'll stay for the night.

Day 9: Drive to Te Anau, Visit Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Get an early start this morning as you hop in the car for a five-hour drive southwest to Te Anau. Along the way, there are various stops that you might like to consider. You'll take Lindis Pass, one of New Zealand's highest roads, with the summit reaching 3,200 feet (971 m). The tussock-covered hills offer a unique contrast as you leave the Mackenzie Basin into Central Otago. You'll find Tarras Village, which has several boutique stores and a lovely café. A short drive farther is the historic and scenic Bendigo Reserve, one of Otago's original gold mining settlements worth checking out.

Stop at Kawarau Gorge to visit the historic old town, then continue through the cliffs of the gorge as they lead you into the Gibbston Valley, one of New Zealand's premier wine-growing regions. If you're up for an adventure, stop at the famous historic Kawarau Bridge for a bungee jump, or sit back and enjoy the drama as visitors hurtle off the bridge. As you approach Queenstown, you'll see The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu; following the lake will bring you to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Check into your hotel and then discover the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. This tour starts with a cruise across Lake Te Anau on a catamaran to the western side, where you'll disembark and enter the caves through Cavern House. Take time to learn the story of this 12,000-year-old underground cave network. Next, your guide will take you along a limestone pathway, pointing out whirlpools, intricate rock formations, and a staggering underground waterfall. Board a small boat to glide through the darkness, surrounded by the blue-white pinpricks of thousands of glowworms on the cave walls and ceiling. 

Day 10: Day Trip to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi & Cruise

Make the two-hour drive to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi today, an area abundant with postcard-perfect scenes, from crystal clear lakes and towering mountains to lush glacier-formed meadows. Stretch your legs on the Chasm Walk by taking a short stroll through the beech forest to see several beautiful waterfalls. In Fiordland National Park, Milford is the only fjord accessible by road. As you reach this small village, you'll be greeted with an excellent view of Mitre Peak, then once at Milford Wharf, board a cruise ship to explore the length of the fjord.

See marine mammals such as dolphins and seals and get soaked under waterfalls. After lunch onboard, stop to visit the Milford Sound / Piopiotahi Underwater Observatory. Here, you'll learn about the marine reserve's natural history, geology, and conservation efforts. Then, descend 32 feet (10 m) beneath the water into a spacious viewing chamber with uninterrupted 360-degree views of the undersea world to see rare black coral and colorful sea creatures. After your visit, you'll return to Milford Wharf and drive back to Te Anau.

Day 12: Full-Day Routeburn Trail Hike

Lace up your hiking boots and be sure to have a copious breakfast as a full day of hiking awaits you. Rated one of the world's "Top Ten Classic Hikes," the Routeburn Trail offers stunning scenery. On this 9.5-hour tour, explore the valley and be rewarded with spectacular views and a picnic lunch, surrounded by the sounds of rivers, waterfalls, and native birds.

Day 13: Drive to Franz Josef Glacier, Explore & Optional Heli-Hike

Leave Queenstown and cross the Crown Range, following the highest sealed road in New Zealand, to arrive in the alpine town of Wānaka. Skirt the shores of Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea to reach the small village of Makarora. Stop at the Blue Pools for a one-hour roundtrip walk through beech forests to a glacier-fed swimming hole. Afterward, get back on the road, and once you see the seaside settlement of Haast, you'll follow along the west coast, visiting Fox Glacier first before arriving at Franz Josef / Waiau.

This small town settled on the Waiho River among rainforests and the mountains of the Southern Alps, is known for the 7-mile-long (12 km) Franz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere walk. Once settled at your hotel, get back in your car and head to the glacier's edge, just 3 miles (5 km) from the town, making it an easy visit.

The best way to discover Franz Josef Glacier is to take a heli-hike. You'll fly over all three of the glacier's icefalls, landing for a two-hour guided trek through this icy landscape. A guide will take you through ice caves, where you'll spot frozen pinnacles and learn the geology and history of the glacier. You'll receive a waterproof jacket, rain pants, glacier boots, ice crampons, and wool socks for the trip.

Say goodbye to Franz Josef / Waiau as you return to Christchurch today. But first, you'll drive through old gold mining towns near the west coast before reaching Arthur's Pass Township, a base for activities centered around Arthur's Pass National Park. You'll drop off your rental car, and a driver will take you to the train station to board the TranzAlpine Train. From Arthur's Pass, the train slowly descends through the Waimakariri River's spectacular gorges and river valleys. It then crosses the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, the South Island's largest city.

Upon arrival in Christchurch, a driver will meet you at the train station and take you to your hotel. Tonight, you can enjoy an elegant dinner in a historic colonial-style tram that makes the rounds of central Christchurch's top attractions. Known as the Garden City, sit back and relax as you take in the views of the Botanic Gardens, the Canterbury Museum, and the Avon River / Ōtākaro from your window-side table. Enjoy a gourmet meal on the final night of your trip. 

Day 15: Depart Christchurch

It's time to say goodbye to New Zealand! A driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight home at the appointed time.