Itinerary Details:

• Collect your Motorhome in Christchurch and depart for Mt Cook
• Stop for food supplies in Ashburton and at the Geraldine bakery
• Lake Tekapo is a good spot for a late lunch by the lake- visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
• At Glentanner Park, near Mt Cook, take a flight with Air Safaris over the National Park and Glaciers
• Camping facilities are available at Glentanner Park and Tekapo. We like Falstone Camp on the shores of Lake Benmore
• Driving time: 4 hours

Day 2.

• Drive to Queenstown via Cromwell where you can stock up on fruit at the roadside stalls and buy wine from the wineries between Cromwell and Queenstown
• Camp for 3 nights in Queenstown - recommended is Creeksyde Camp in central Queenstown
• From here you can walk and explore the town and gardens and join many organised tours and activities
• Recommended is Queenstown Rafting and Shotover Jet
• Driving Time: 3 hours

Day 3.

• Take a flight into Milford Sound and a cruise on the Fiord with Real Journeys, returning to Queenstown late morning
• Drive up to Glenorchy or join Dart River Safaris for a trip on the Dart River or a horse trek

Day 4.

• Take a drive to Arrowtown and back via Lake Hayes
• Make a lunch stop at Amisfield Winery

Day 5.

• Drive to Wanaka via the Crown Range, stopping at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a lunch stop
• For a central camp spot, try Aspiring Campervan Park
• Take in a walk this afternoon - the Diamond Loop track, Mt Iron or the Rob Roy Glacier walk are excellent
• The town has some excellent restaurants and a good supermarket - stock up here before your drive up the West Coast
• Driving time: 1 hour

Day 6.

• Drive from Wanaka to Fox Glacier via Lake Hawea and the Haast Pass
• Allow plenty of time for stops to enjoy the scenic drive
• Stop at the Blue Pools Walk just north of Makarora
• If the weather is clear when you arrive in Fox Glacier, arrange a flight or helihike onto the glacier this evening or first thing tomorrow morning
• There are 2 camping grounds available in Fox Glacier, another 3 in Franz Josef and smaller DOC camps at the lakes along the way such as Lake Paringa
• Driving time: 3.5 hours

Day 7.

• Drive from Fox Glacier to Punakaiki via Hokitika and Greymouth
• Take a walk along the beach at Hokitika and see Jade carvers at work
• At Punakaiki, see the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, best at high tide and walk down the Truman Track to the beach
• Stay at Punakaiki Beach Camp
• Driving time: 3.5 hours

Day 8.

• Drive to Nelson 
• Stop at Charleston and take a trip up the Nile River and a Caving Tour
• Visit the Bayhouse cafe at Cape Foulwind
• Visit the WOW Museum near Nelson airport
• There are plenty of camping facilities in the Nelson and Tasman Bay region
• Driving time: 3.5 hours

Day 9.

• Use today to explore the Abel Tasman area including Motueka, Kiateriteri and Marahau
• Good camp sites are available at Marahau and in Kiateriteri but these will be busy around Christmas and January - we like the small and quiet Kina Beach Camp or the banks of the Motueka River
• Go sea kayaking with Abel Tasman Wilson's Experience

Day 10.

• Drive Nelson to Picton via Havelock and Blenheim
• Stop at the Pelorus River for a swim
• Include a lunch stop at one of the wineries in Rapaura Road
• The camp ground at Waikawa Bay, 5 minutes from Picton, is recommended
• Driving Time: 1.5 hours

Day 11.

• Join the Interisland Ferry from Picton to Wellington, a 3 hour journey
• Arriving in Wellington, we recommend you drive off the ferry and North to Upper Hutt or onto the highly recommended Martinborough Camp, 1 hour North of Wellington
• Hire a bike here and ride through the vineyards, take a swim in the river and dinner in a cafe in Martinborough Square
• Driving time: 1 hour

Day 12.

• Drive to Hawkes Bay today, recommended is Havelock North, a wine growing area with a beautiful mountain backdrop
• The Tukituki River is great for a swim and trout fishing
• Stock up on fresh fruit at the road stalls in the area
• Camp at Havelock, Hastings, Te Awanga or in Napier
• Driving time: 3.5 hours

Day 13.

• Drive Napier to Taupo 
• Depending on the level of facilities you require, there are several camping options here - some have thermal swimming pools
• Taupo is a great place to join a fishing guide for a day's fishing on the lake
• Take a walk along the banks of the Huka River
• Driving time: 2 hours

Day 14.

• Drive to Rotorua and stop at the Wai-o-Tapu thermal reserve - you need to be there by 10.00am to see the Lady Knox Geyser in action
• Recommended is the Waikite Valley thermal pools, turning off the road just after the Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Area signs. You can camp here in a small rural camping area next to the hotpools and if staying, you can use the pools free of charge. There is a good cafe and a wonderful walk through the bush to a hot river spring where bubbling water comes straight out of the ground
• Driving time: 1 hour

Day 15.

• Recommended is the Waiteti Trout Stream Holiday Park at Ngongataha on the west side of Lake Rotorua - ask for a site beside the stream
• A fish smoker is available if you do catch a trout here!
• The stream is full of trout and a short walk along the bank or a kayak trip will take you to the lake
• Take a drive up the road to Haumana and a short walk through the Redwood trees to a stunning fresh water spring where you can fill your water bottles straight from the spring - delicious!
• The Rotorua Museum in the Government gardens is well worth a visit
• We also enjoy the Skyline gondola and luge - great fun for all ages!

Day 16.

• Drive to the Coromandel Peninsula
• Aim for Hahei or Cooks Beach for a 2 night stay, both great bases for exploring the beaches and walks in the area
• Other places to stay include Whangamata, Whitianga, Pauanui and Tairua
• Driving time: 2.5 hours

Day 17.

• Visit Hotwater Beach where you can dig a hole in the sand and find your own hotwater spring for a spa on the beach
• Take the short ferry ride from Flaxmill Bay ( there is a very nice campground here) across to Whitianga
• Go sea kayaking from Hahei with Cathedral Cove Kayaking

Day 18.

• Drive to Auckland via Miranda and return your motorhome to Auckland airport before departing
• Call into the Miranda Hot Springs for swimming
• Driving time: 2.5 hours

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