Itinerary Details:

• Arrive in Auckland and transfer to your accommodation for the next 2 nights at Mollies Boutique Hotel located in Ponsonby
• Take a walk around the waterfront and yacht marina and a boat trip across to Devonport
• Dinner Recommendations: The French Cafe, Symonds St, Soul Bar and Restaurant, Viaduct Basin or Cibo in Parnell

Day 2.

• Catch the ferry to Waiheke island, a 30 minute trip away. Famous for wine, art and a laid back atmosphere, Waiheke has hundreds of safe, sheltered beaches for swimming and snorkelling. You can visit for a couple of hours or spend the day here and then catch the ferry back to downtown Auckland

Day 3.

• Fly to Gisborne with Air New Zealand pick up your rental car at Gisborne airport. Flight time 1 hour
• Stay for 2 nights at One Orange or Opou Country House
• Visit some of the many vineyards around the Gisborne area this afternoon and take a walk along Wainui Beach this evening

Day 4.

• Pack a picnic lunch and take a drive up the East Coast to Tolaga Bay, 45 minutes North and over the hill from here to Anaura Bay, both beautiful sandy beaches. Hire a sea kayak at Tolaga Bay, go fishing off the wharf or walk 5 km Cooks Cove Walkway
• Visit Eastwoodhill Arboretum to see New Zealand's largest range of exotic trees.
• Visit a marae, or meeting house, to gain an understanding of Maori history and geneology of the area

Day 5.

• Drive to Hastings - good stops include the Morere Hot Springs, Mahia Beach and Napier
• Stay at Te Awanga Cottages, Hastings, for the next 2 nights
• Dinner recommendation: The Black Barn Vineyard at Havelock North or Sileni Estate in Hastings
• Total driving time today: allow 3.5 hours

Day 6.

• Join Grape Escape Tours for a full day personalised wine and food tour of the Hawkes Bay region or a half day afternoon tour
• Drive to Cape Kidnappers or to Ocean or Waimarama Beaches
• Swim in the Tukituki River
• Take your own tour of the vineyards and speciality food growers shops around the Hastings and Havelock North area 

Day 7.

• Fly from Napier airport to Blenheim, via Wellington and pick up your rental car at Blenheim airport (total travel time 2 hours, 20 minutes)
• Stay for the next 2 nights at The Straw Lodge
• Enjoy an evening meal at one of Blenheim's many wineries, recommended are Alan Scott Winery and Herzog

Day 8

• Join Marlborough Travel for a wine and food tour of the area - either a personalised or group tour. Be sure to try Green Lip Mussels fresh from the shell and local seafood such as fresh blue cod and the olive oils produced locally
• Take the short drive to Picton, a pretty seaside town in the Marlborough Sounds where you can take a sea kayaking trip, a boat cruise or just enjoy the bush and beaches

Day 9.

• Drive to Christchurch today, but along the way, make the Kekerengu Store your first stop for a stunning seaside cafe break and then at Kaikoura join a Whalewatch tour after lunch.
• Continue your drive to Christchurch along a stunning coastline via the Waipara Valley
• Stay tonight at The George Hotel, centrally located and an easy walk to the Arts Centre, botanical gardens and city centre
• Total driving time today: 4.5 hours

Day 10.

• Drive Christchurch to Dunedin today
• Include a stop in Oamaru at the Whitestone Cheese factory and shop and at Fleur's Place in Moeraki for one of the most unique dining experiences in the country!
• Stay at Hyland House for the next 2 nights
• Total Driving time : allow 5 hours

Day 11.

• This morning join Nature Guides Otago for the Sunrise Penguin Walk
• Join Monarch Wildlife Cruises for a half day tour of the peninsula, rich in bird and sea life including the Royal Albatross and yellow eyed penguin
• Dinner Recommendation tonight: Bell Pepper Blues in Princes Street.

Day 12.

• Drive from Dunedin to Queenstown via Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell
• Stay at Bellini's near Arrowtown for the next 2 nights
• Dinner recommendation tonight: Saffron, The Postmasters House in Arrowtown or Amisfield Bistro
• Total driving time: allow 4 hours

Day 13.

• Join Appellation Wine Tours for a full or half day personal or group food and wine tour of the Otago region
• Take a flight to Milford and return including a cruise on the Milford Sound
• Explore Queenstown this evening with a trip up the gondola and dinner on the lake front

Day 14.

• Drive Queenstown to Christchurch today (or fly if you prefer, flight time 1 hour)
• At Mt Cook, join Air Safaris for a flight over Mt Cook and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers
• Stop at Lake Tekapo for lunch by the lake and again Geraldine before driving onto Christchurch
• Stay for the next 2 nights at either the The George Hotel or The Worcester
• Total Driving time: allow 6 hours

Day 15.

• Relax and explore Christchurch city before departing from Christchurch airport

Contact us to Plan Your New Zealand Journey