Adventures in Aotearoa

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AUCKLAND

Still known as the “city of sails”, Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, with 1.5 million inhabitants (one-third of New Zealand’s population). It is the only city in the world to be bordered by two distinct seas: the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, and 48 extinct volcanoes are scattered around the agglomeration. The quality of life is incomparable and the city enjoys a long cultural and sporting heritage. Let’s not forget that it was in the port of Auckland that the America Cups took place in 1999 and 2003 and at the Eden Park stadium the finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

• Arrival at Auckland Airport and transfer to your hotel.
• Rest of the day at your convenience to discover the city.

AUCKLAND

• 09h00: take charge of your vehicle. Go to the Budget office in the city center to pick up your car.
• Free day to explore Auckland and region.

Suggestions:

• The beaches to the east and the residential neighborhoods of Mission Beach and St Heliers, along Tamaki Drive.
• The colonial villages of Parnell, Ponsonby and Devonport.
• The Auckland Domain Park located in an old crater.
• The museum for introduction to Maori and Polynesian culture and the natural history of New Zealand.
• Mount Eden, extinct volcano with beautiful views of the city.
• Climb to “Sky Tower”, the largest tower in the Southern Hemisphere.
• The black sand beaches of the West Coast the primary forest of the Waitakere Ranges.
• Discover the island of Waiheke and its famous vineyards.

AUCKLAND – ROTORUA 235 KMS – 3H20

Rotorua is undoubtedly one of the most touristic areas of the North Island. Located in the heart of one of the most active volcanic zones of the planet, it is known for its thermal activities, its lake, and its numerous tourist attractions but also for its smell of very strong sulphur. Rotorua is also the heart of the Maori culture as reflected by the many cultural shows, craft shops and traditional villages.

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• En route to Rororua.

Suggestions:

• Stroll through the “Government Gardens” and visit the museum.
• Discover the Village of Whakarewarewa, with its fumaroles and boiling mud.
• Visit of the reserve of Te Puia, its geysers, and the institute of arts and crafts Maori.
• Relaxation in Polynesian baths.
• Rainbow Springs and The Kiwi Encounter to learn more about the fauna and flora of the country.

DAY 4

ROTORUA

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Free day to explore the attractions of the area.
• In the evening, Maori Cultural Performance and Hangi Dinner (typical feast with stewed cooking on hot stones) at Tamaki Village (Included).

Suggestions:

• Stroll through the Government Gardens and visit the museum.
• Discover the Village of Whakarewarewa, with its fumaroles and boiling mud.
• Visit of the reserve of Te Puia, its geysers, and the institute of arts and crafts Maori.
• Relaxation in Polynesian baths.
• Rainbow Springs and The Kiwi Encounter to learn more about the fauna and flora of the country.

DAY 5

ROTORUA – NAPIER 220 KMS – 3H10

Napier, the main city, was destroyed in 1931 by an earthquake, and almost entirely rebuilt in the Art Deco style in vogue at the time. Many buildings in town and in the neighboring village of Hastings are a vibrant legacy of this era.

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• En route to south to Lake Taupo, the largest lake in the country that occupies a 600 km2 crater.
• Continue to Napier and the Hawke’s Bay area renowned for its sunny climate and numerous vineyards.
• Free afternoon to discover Napier.

DAY 6

NAPIER – WELLINGTON 319 KMS – 4H35

Capital of New Zealand, Wellington is built as an amphitheatre facing the huge bay overlooking the Cook Strait and the South Island. Its colorful wooden houses add an air of holiday. With more than 50 museums and galleries, 3 professional theatres, the seat of the Royal Ballet and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Wellington can also boast to be the capital of Art and Culture in New Zealand.

• Breakfast at your accommodation
• Head to Wellington via the wine-growing region of Wairarapa and Greytown, the first settlement settled by settlers in the 19^th
• En route you will be able to stop at

“Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu”, the longest name in the world.

Suggestions:

• Visit the National Museum Te Papa, the very pretty church “Old St Paul Cathedral” decorated with woodwork and the buildings of the Parliament of New Zealand.
• Stroll through the old Thorndon neighborhood to the old Victorian buildings.
• Take the funicular to the botanical gardens on the heights of the city.

DAY 7

WELLINGTON – PICTON – BLENHEIM 3H FERRY + 28 KMS / 0H30

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Today, go to the Budget counter located at the ferry terminal in Wellington to make your rental car with gas.
• Embark on the Interislander ferry crossing the Cook Strait between North Island and South Island. The crossing takes about 3 hours.
• Arrival in Picton, take your second rental car at the Budget counter from the ferry.
• En route to Blenheim, the city of sunshine, flowers and wine.
• Rest of the day free.

DAY 8

BLENHEIM – KAITERITERI 175 KMS / 2H30

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• En route to Nelson, the sunniest city in the country and one of the oldest cities in the country. It has numerous art galleries, painters, potters, glass blowers, jewelers and other artisans.
• Continue to Kaiteriteri and Abel Tasman National Park, one of the most popular destinations in the country for its beautiful golden sandy beaches with crystal clear waters.

ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

• Continental breakfast at your hotel.
• Today, discover the Abel Tasman National Park. Hardly accessible, this coastline was able to retain Abel Tasman and Thomas Cook in the distance who approached it without being able to dock.
• Discover the beautiful scenery: virgin forest, beaches, and mountains.

Suggestions:

• Walking
• Sea kayaking
• Cruise along the coast.

KAITERITERI – GREYMOUTH 330 KMS – 4H50

• Continental breakfast at your hotel.
• En route to the West Coast along the Buller Gorge.
• Stop at Westport to observe the sea lion colony at Cape Foulwind and Punakaiki to see the amazing limestone formations of the Pancake Rocks and the Blowholes, where the powerful jets created by the waves flow into the interstices of the rock.

GREYMOUTH – FOX GLACIER 203 KMS – 3 HOURS

• American breakfast.
• Continue to south along the seaside road to breathtaking landscapes, passing through Hokitika, which at the time of colonization was the capital of the province of Westland. Several craftsmen still work in New Zealand jade.
• Continue to the glacier region. There are some 360 glaciers in the Southern Alps and among the largest are Franz Josef (11 km) and Fox (13.5 km), the only glaciers in the world to mix ice, subtropical vegetation and temperate ocean.
• Arrival at Fox Glacier.

FOX GLACIER – QUEENSTOWN 332 KMS – 4H50

Queenstown attracts numerous tourists both summer and winter. International destination number 1 for adventure sports and outdoor activities, it remains the preferred destination for skiers and snowboarders of the country. Located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by majestic mountains, the Capital of the Southern Alps is a magnificent city that offers multiple choices of activities, rafting and jet-boat in steamboat cruises, vineyards, hiking And nature safaris.

• American breakfast.
• En route to Queenstown via the Haast Pass and its countless waterfalls in the beech forests. You will walk along the lakes of Hawea and Wanaka, with a unique purity and clarity.
• Opportunity to visit the Arrowtow, pioneer village on the road from the gold rush in the 1860s.
• Arrival in Queenstown in the afternoon.

QUEENSTOWN

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Free day in Queenstown to enjoy the beautiful city of Queenstown and many attractions and activities proposed.

Suggestions:

• Cable car to the summit of Bob’s Peak to admire the view (possibility of a toboggan ride at the summit or dinner at the panoramic restaurant)
• Bungee jumping, jet boat, rafting, parachute jumping…
• Visit the vineyards of the region.
• Cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard a 1912 steamship.
• Excursion to the Walter Peak farm.
• Excursion to Dart River and Mt Aspiring National Park.

QUEENSTOWN – MILFORD SOUND (290 KMS / 4H15) – TE ANAU (117 KMS / 1H45)

• American breakfast.
• Day of discovery of the Fiordland National Park, composed of mountains often snow covered and covered with dense virgin forests which shelter many threatened animal species.
• Departure to Te Anau in the morning, then in the afternoon go to Milford Sound for your 2h15 cruise on the fjord. Penguins, seals and sometimes dolphins are at your disposal during the cruise.
• You will sail under the falls, at the foot of the cliffs of basalt sinking deep into the dark waters.
• After the cruise, return to Te Anau.

 TE ANAU – DUNEDIN 300 KMS – 4H20

Dunedin is renowned for its classical architecture of the 19^th century and famous for its university. It is also the starting point for excursions to the Otago peninsula, a paradise of eco-tourism, a refuge for endemic animal species, where one can admire extraordinary panoramic views.

American breakfast.

This morning, drive to Dunedin, a city with a strong Scottish footprint.

DUNEDIN – LAKE TEKAPO (300 KM – 4 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES)

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• You will follow the coastal road for a few hours before heading to the snow-capped Alps of New Zealand.
• Stop at Moeraki to see the “boulders”, these geological formations on the beach such as giant marbles and take time to visit Oamaru, a charming little historic town (possibility to observe blue pygmy penguins).
• Arrival at Lake Tekapo in the afternoon.

TEKAPO – CHRISTCHURCH (230 KMS – 3H20)

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island and was before the devastating earthquakes of February and June 2011 the 2nd largest city in the country. The city is known for its beautiful gardens, parks, museums and restaurants. Cultural events and sporting activities are numerous in the region. The city centre is still under reconstruction.

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• En route to the highlands of Mackenzie Country, a breeding area with sumptuous alpine landscapes where wild lupins and tall grasses line the valleys while lakes with turquoise waters and majestic mountains form the backdrop before heading for the plains of Canterbury, the most fertile agricultural region in the country.
• Arrival in Christchurch in the afternoon.

Suggestions:

• International Antarctic Center (Christchurch is still the starting point for many expeditions on the continent of ice)
• Arts Center (former University of Christchurch), new gallery of arts,
• Canterbury Museum.
• Botanical Gardens
• Cruise on Lyttelton Bay with dolphins

DEPARTURE FROM CHRISTCHURCH

• American breakfast.
• Go to the airport to return the rental car and take your flight.

This is the end of your unforgettable stay in New Zealand.