North & South Islands
Auckland to Glenorchy in 15 nights, 8 stops.
Start in Auckland and Rotorua, then fly to Wellington and take the ferry through the Marlborough Sounds. From Blenheim’s vineyards, drive down the coast to Kaikōura and Christchurch, then inland to Lake Pukaki below Aoraki Mount Cook. The longest drive is around 3 and a half hours, Christchurch to Lake Pukaki, and the trip ends at Blanket Bay near Glenorchy.
Day 1
One night. A driver meets you at the airport, and you pick up the car on day 2.
1 nightStart of the route
Where you stay
A Qualmark 5 Star Gold hotel on the brick laneways of Britomart in central Auckland, with rooms that look out over the harbour.
Days 2 to 3
Two nights at Solitaire Lodge on Lake Tarawera, outside Rotorua, so you drive yourself to each trip. Walk down through Waimangu's steaming valley to a boat on Lake Rotomahana, then spend the evening at Te Pā Tū.
2 nightsAround 3 hours on the road
Where you stay
Nine suites on a point in Lake Tarawera, below Mount Tarawera itself, with every meal included.
Day 4
Leave the car at Rotorua Airport and fly to Wellington. A guided tour of Te Papa in the afternoon, then a night walk at Zealandia, where little spotted kiwi live in the wild.
1 nightFly from Rotorua
Where you stay
An art-filled Qualmark 5 Star Gold hotel on Wellington's waterfront, with harbour views from the upper rooms.
Days 5 to 6
Cross Cook Strait on the Interislander with the Premium Plus lounge, pick up a new car in Picton, then cycle between cellar doors in Marlborough.
2 nightsFerry from Wellington, then 18 minutes' drive
Where you stay
A ten-room lodge in a white villa among the Rapaura vineyards, with a pool and its own restaurant, Harvest.
Days 7 to 8
Drive down the coast road to two nights in a tree house at Hapuku Lodge, with dinner both nights, and swim with dolphins on the second day.
2 nightsAround 1 hour on the road
Where you stay
Tree houses in the canopy at a Qualmark 5 Star Gold lodge below the Kaikōura mountains.
Days 9 to 10
Come down through the Waipara Valley to two nights at Otahuna Lodge, with dinner both nights, then a day on the TranzAlpine to Arthur's Pass.
2 nightsAround 3 hours on the road
Where you stay
A Victorian country house at Tai Tapu, south of Christchurch, with seven suites, big gardens and every meal included.
Days 11 to 12
Cross the Canterbury Plains and pass Lake Tekapo to two nights on the shore of Lake Pukaki, with dinner both nights and a day for the walks below Aoraki Mount Cook.
2 nightsAround 3 hours on the road
Where you stay
Villas and a homestead on the shore of Lake Pūkaki, looking straight up the lake to Aoraki Mount Cook.
Days 13 to 15
Drive over the Lindis Pass and through Queenstown to three nights at Blanket Bay near Glenorchy, 45 minutes from town, with dinner each night. The helicopter flight over Fiordland leaves from Glenorchy, and you leave the car at Queenstown Airport when you fly out.
3 nightsAround 3 hours on the road
Where you stay
A stone and timber lodge on Lake Wakatipu near Glenorchy, with dinner, breakfast and drinks before dinner included.
Around 3 and a half hours, Christchurch to Lake Pukaki. Stop in Geraldine or at Lake Tekapo on the way.
Yes. Rotorua to Wellington is a flight, and Wellington to Picton is the Interislander ferry.
Yes. Add a night, drop a stop, swap a lodge or do the route in reverse.
December to March is summer and the warmest. Spring and autumn are milder and quieter. February is the busiest month at the lodges, so book early for it.
Each route is a starting point. The stops, nights and pace can all change.
Opens in a new tab
Chat
