Welcome Back 14 Days
Gisborne
Napier and the Hawks Bay
Auckland
Oamaru
Wānaka
Coromandel
Christchurch and Akaroa
Omarama
Welcome Back 14 days
North and South Island
This tour is for travelers who have already experienced New Zealand and want to try different locations and unique activities
Travel Style: Private driver I Self-drive
Accommodation Style: Motel I Hotel I Boutique Lodges
Talk to us today about planning all the details.
Day 1: Auckland
Suggested activities for Auckland
Explore: Auckland
New Zealand's self-proclaimed "City of Sails" is the country's largest metro area. Resting between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, this urban paradise has something for everyone. Surrounded by native bush, rainforests, and an abundance of beaches, Auckland is a playground for both the city savvy and those with an eye for adventure. Central museums and galleries are easy to explore on foot.
Adventure: Sail an America's Cup yacht
A unique opportunity to participate as crew on an actual America’s Cup yacht. Usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional sailors, we offer everyone the opportunity to sail these grand-prix racing machines – no experience necessary. With guidance from a professional crew, you will become part of the team sailing this authentic race vessel. Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or sit back, relax and enjoy the action as you sail the beautiful Waitemata Harbour.
Day 2: Auckland to Coromandel
Suggested activity
Nature: Driving Creek Railway
Nestled amongst regenerating native forest near Coromandel Town is Driving Creek Railway, a narrow-gorge mountain trail lined with unique and colourful pottery. It’s all aboard as you enjoy a scenic one-hour train ride up to the aptly named ‘Eyefull Tower’, where spectacular views stretch out over the Hauraki Gulf and Islands.
Day 3: Coromandel
Suggested activity
Adventure: Cycle the Hauraki Rail Trail
Following old railway lines between Thames and Te Aroha, the Hauraki Rail Trail is an easy ride dotted with gold mining history, rolling countryside, and charming kiwi towns. Pedal alongside the Ohinemuri River and through the Karangahake Gorge to admire the stunning Owharoa Falls and photogenic gold mining sites. E-Bikes available
World Famous: Dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach
Deep within the earth, a natural spring runs beneath Hot Water Beach, bubbling up to emerge through the sand in the form of naturally heated mineral water. At the southern end of the beach, it’s possible to dig your own hot pool in the sand at low tide. Relaxing in your own spa pool metres from the Pacific Ocean is a very unique feeling!
Day 4: Coromandel to Gisborne
Suggested activity
Adventure: Flyover White Island
For a truly unique adventure, the destination must be Whakaari (White Island), one of the world's few accessible live volcanoes. En route to White Island, we will fly over farmland, white sand beaches, and offshore islands. Dolphins and large schools of fish are also often seen. Once over White Island, you'll be awed by the alien landscape and power of this rumbling giant.
Day 5: Gisborne
Suggested activities
Culture: Sunrise at Maunga Hikurangi
Maunga Hikurangi is the sacred mountain of the Ngāti Porou people and the first place in the world to see the sunrise. Stand in awe before nine breathtaking carvings, each with their own story to tell and Māori legends to remember.
Nature: Get up close to stingrays on the Tatapouri reef
Under the watchful eye of the expert guides from Dive Tatapouri, you can head to the shallow reef at low tide and observe stingrays and eagle rays up close. The stingrays are wild but their inquisitive nature brings them close to the shore.
Day 6: Gisborne to Napier
Suggested activity
Nature: Get up close to gannets at Cape Kidnappers
Sweeping views, dramatic cliffs, and Australasia's largest mainland gannet colony – this visit to the impressive sandstone headland and home to over 20,000 gannets is invigorating. The tour takes you along the cliff tops on Cape Kidnappers Station land, where you can enjoy views of the Cape Kidnappers walking track below as you head out to the gannets. The walking track is accessible along the beach and only during low tide.
Day 7: Napier
Suggested activities for Napier
Explore: Napier
Explore Napier and the Hawke's Bay. With its Mediterranean climate and Art Deco style, Hawke's Bay is a stylish and unique holiday location. As the nation's first winemaking region, a visit to one of its 30 wineries is a must. For the true enthusiast, head out on a tour of the vines. Those into Gatsby can enjoy the chance to view prominent Art Deco landmarks on a 1930s Vintage Car Tour.
World Famous: Te Mata Peak
Admire the incredible 360-degree views of Hawke's Bay from the summit of Te Mata Peak. Walk through the majestic hundred-year-old giant redwoods and discover the deep cultural relevance of this special place. You can also bike or drive to the top and marvel at the views and the hang-gliders soaring high above the Heretaunga Plains.
Day 8: Napier to Christchurch
Take a domestic flight to Christchurch
Suggested activities for Christchurch
Explore: Christchurch
New Zealand's garden city is steadily being transformed into a vibrant urban destination. Encompassing a large green belt, it is known for its wide tree-lined avenues and lush gardens. A great way to explore is to take the double-decker hop on/hop off bus for an easy way to see the sights. Or for a wider scenic view, head a little out of town for a zip line or gondola experience.
Day 9: Christchurch
Suggested activities
Relax: Visit Akaroa
Just 1.5 hours’ drive from Christchurch, along the incredibly scenic Banks Peninsula, Akaroa is a picturesque little town with unique French heritage. Take in Akaroa's historic cottages and sample fine French cuisine.
World Famous: Swim with Hector's Dolphins (or just watch)
Experience New Zealand’s true eco-tourism adventure as you cruise out into the majestic surroundings of Akaroa Harbour and naturally encounter wild Hector’s dolphins on their terms, in their place. Please note we do not touch any dolphins, this is a pure natural encounter where we enter and respect Hector’s dolphins' environment and behavior..
Day 10: Christchurch to Oamaru
Suggested activities for Oamaru
Explore: Oamaru
A visit to the Oamaru Victorian Precinct is an entertaining day out exploring the world as it appeared in Victorian times. Attractions include art galleries, artist studios, the curiosity shop, car museum, cafes, restaurants, and heritage architecture. There's even a fully immersive option to hire Victorian costumes, and if you dare - to try and ride a penny farthing cycle! Fast fact for movie buffs: Oamaru has been a film set for many movies and TV shows.
Nature: Blue Penguin Colony
No trip to Oamaru is complete without a visit to the blue penguin colony. These little penguins live around the harbour, and you can take up a seat in the viewing stands to witness these little creatures returning from sea to their nests at night.
Day 11: Oamaru to Omarama
Suggested activities for Omarama
Adventure: Glide in Waitaki
Take to the skies and enjoy the unique environment of the Southern Alps. Experience crystal clear air and stunning vistas as you enjoy an introduction to the sport of gliding with a trial flight in a modern high-performance sailplane with a fully qualified instructor.
Relax: Hot Tubs Omarama
Hot Tubs Omarama is a blissful and healthy spa and sauna destination offering private landscaped sites. Soak in pure mountain water year-round among beautiful views of the upper Waitaki/Mackenzie country.
Day 12: Omarama to Wanaka
Suggested activity
Adventure: Highlands Motorsports
For the ultimate speed thrill, visit Highlands Motorsport Park. Sit alongside a professional race driver on a ‘Supercar Fast Dash’ in a Ferrari 488 GTB capable of reaching 100km/h in just three seconds. This is one adrenaline rush that can’t be missed.
Day 13: Wānaka
Suggested activities for Wānaka
Explore: Wānaka
Wānaka is a magnet for those seeking adventure, spectacular scenery and a relaxed atmosphere. The gateway to the Mt Aspiring National Park, it's a walker's paradise of remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful river valleys. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, try skydiving, rock-climbing, jet boating or choose a scenic flight over Wānaka in a historic Tiger Moth aeroplane.
Nature: Lake Wānaka Cruise and Island Walk
Lying close to the centre of Lake Wānaka is Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve. A unique glacial remnant of the last ice age, the island is also the historic site of early shipbuilding and was a stopping place for the steamers and log rafts that once plied the lake. A well-formed track leads from the landing and climbs steadily through native bush to near the top of Tyrwhitt Peak. Just before the top, is Arethusa Pool, a small lake on the island with small islands in it – very intriguing! From the top, enjoy a sweeping 360-degree view of Lake Wanaka.
Adventure: U-Fly (fly a small plane)
There’s no better way to see the Southern Alps than from the air. Take off from Wānaka airport, ringed by the mountains of the Southern Alps, on a scenic trial flight. It will take you out over Lake Wānaka, circle around the mighty peak of Mount Aspiring, then land safely back at Wānaka airport. While you take in the amazing mountain views, you’ll also take your first steps in handling a plane – all under the expert guidance of professional, friendly, flight instructors.
Day 14: Queenstown
It’s time to leave your New Zealand vacation.