National Parks

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AUCKLAND

Auckland, still known as the “city of sails”, 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 us not forget that it was in the port of Auckland that the America’s 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.
• Transfer by shuttle to your hotel.
• Rest of the day at your convenience to discover the city.

AUCKLAND – WAITOMO – TONGARIRO 352 KM – 4H45

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Take charge of your vehicle at the renter’s office in the city centre. Rental in unlimited mileage and basic insurance.
• Drive south towards the green hills of Bombay and further from Waikato, the richest farming region of New Zealand.
• Arrival at Waitomo and guided tour of the limestone caves which follow the course of the underground river and are occupied by thousands of glow-worms that illuminate the vaults like a starry sky underground.
• Continue to Tongariro National Park, consisting of 3 active volcanoes whose ski slopes are covered with snow in winter.
• Night in Whakapapa Village, at the foot of Ruapehu volcano.

Fun Fact

The volcanoes of the Tongariro Plateau were made known worldwide by the films of the Lord of the Rings which were filmed there.

DAY 3

TONGARIRO – ROTORUA 180 KM – 2H30

Located near the lake of the same name, one of the 16 lakes of volcanic origin that are scattered around, the city of Rotorua is in the heart of one of the most active volcanic regions of the planet. The numerous parks and thermal valleys abound with volcanic phenomena and other natural wonders. Rotorua is also a high place of Maori culture, ubiquitous with cultural shows, craft shops and traditional villages.

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Road north to Lake Taupo, the largest in the country that occupies a crater of 600 km2 and further towards the town of Rotorua with its pronounced odor of sulphur.
• Make a stop to see the falls of Huka Falls on the Waikato River.
• A walking tour of the volcanic valley of Waimangu, one of the youngest ecosystems on the planet, born of the volcanic eruption Tarawera in 1886.
• Observe the hot springs, colored acid ponds and vapors that rise among the vegetation.
• Arrival in Rotorua and transfer to hotel for 2 nights.

DAY 4

 ROTORUA

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Visit the Maori village of Te Whakarewarewa where typical small houses are built in an active thermal valley.
• Find out how the local tribe has made the most of the geothermal environment.
• Free time to enjoy numerous attractions of the area.
• In the evening, go for a folklore show in traditional costume at the Te Puia cultural centre, followed by a feast “hangi”.
• An introduction to the customs and legends of the Maori people, and have the opportunity after dinner to admire the illuminated geysers of the thermal valley of Te Whakarewarewa.

Suggestions:

• Discover the old Rotorua and the Maori district of Ohinemutu, visit the Government Gardens and the Rotorua Museum.
• Relaxation at the Spa of the Polynesian Spa.
• Rainbow Springs and Kiwi Encounter to learn more about the fauna and flora of the country.
• Fly over the region by seaplane or helicopter to see geothermal and volcanic activity,
• Walk or mountain bike in the Redwoods forest among the magnificent copies of century-old redwoods.

ROTORUA – CHRISTCHURCH 1H50 BY PLANE

Known as the “Garden City”, Christchurch is one of the oldest cities in the country but the devastating earthquakes of 2011 have severely damaged the historical heritage. The city is famous for its beautiful gardens, parks and museums. The city centre is currently under reconstruction according to an urban plan of “city in a garden” with green spaces laid out and an innovative architecture.

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Meeting at Rotorua airport or return the rental car before flying to Christchurch (flight not included).
• A new rental car will be provided upon arrival.
• Settle at your hotel in the city centre.
• Rest of the day free to visit the city.

Suggestions:

• International Antarctic Center (Christchurch is still the starting point for many expeditions on the continent of ice).
• Arts Center (former University of Christchurch – currently closed for earthquake works), New Art Gallery, Canterbury Museum.
• Botanical Gardens
• Shopping at the Re-start Mall or design shops occupy colorful containers.

CHRISTCHURCH – WANAKA 430 KM – 6H

Wanaka is a charming town between lake and mountains. The setting is peaceful and energizing, the proximity to the Mt Aspiring National Park and the Cardrona ski slopes offers many opportunities for lovers of wide open spaces.

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Road 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.
• Make a Stop at Tekapo and Pukaki Lakes with turquoise waters, for view towards Mt Cook, the highest peak of the country, before heading for Wanaka.

DAY 7

WANAKA – TE ANAU 230 KM – 3H30

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Direction Queenstown.
• You can choose to follow the national road and pass through Cromwell which is known as the New Zealand orchard.
• Or take the ancient stagecoach route that takes place in the Crown Ranges, particularly spectacular and tortuous.
• The road then follows Wakatipu Lake to Kingston.
• Then continues into the hinterland of Southland between sheep farms and pioneer villages until Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park.
• Settle for 2 nights at your accommodation.
• Rest of the day free.

DAY 8

FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK AND MILFORD SOUND 232 KM – 4 HRS

Fiordland National Park is the largest national park in New Zealand and listed as a World Heritage Site. It is a superb road and uncontaminated landscape that will take you to Milford Fjord, crossing the Eglinton plain flanked by high mountains, beyond the Homer tunnel dug in the granite in the middle of the twentieth century and the valley From Cledau where you will have your first glimpse of the fjord.

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Route in the heart of the Fiordland National Park.
• Boarding for a cruise on the fjord during which you will sail under the waterfalls, at the foot of the cliffs of basalt sinking deep into the dark waters.
• You may be lucky enough to spot the sea lions on the rocks and sometimes dolphins and penguins in the water.
• After the cruise, return to Te Anau.

TE ANAU – QUEENSTOWN 173 KM – 2H30 

Queenstown attracts many tourists 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 St Moritz of the South is a magnificent city offering a wide range of activities, from rafting and jet-boating to steamboat cruises to vineyards, hiking and Nature safaris.

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Drive to Queenstown, the Capital of Adventure.
• Settle at your hotel.
• Rest of the day free to enjoy the decor.

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 steamboat from 1912.
• Visit the Arrowtown pioneer village born of the gold rush in the 1860s.

QUEENSTOWN – HAAST 207 KM – 3H45 

The west coast of New Zealand extends over 600 km of pebble beaches and natural forests. It is very little inhabited. The landscapes are, by contrast, among the most spectacular in New Zealand: mountains, rainforests, valleys, wild coast, glaciers and lakes.

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• A wonderful day trip to the west coast via the Lake District and the Mt Aspiring National Park with its centuries-old forests and numerous waterfalls.
• Arrival in Haast and check-in at the hotel for the night.

 HAAST – HOKITIKA 278 KM – 4H15 

Hokitika, at the time was the gold rush the liveliest city in New Zealand. There is still work on jade, a sacred stone for the Maori, which comes from the Arahura River.

• Breakfast at your lodging.
• Direction the glaciers of Westland National Park.
• Arrival in Franz Josef or hike with a mountain guide in the glacier valley.
• Possibility to complement with a flight of glaciers in helicopter (with supplement).
• Continue to Hokitika.
• Night in Hokitika.

HOKITIKA – KAITERITERI 340 KM – 5H15 

Nelson is one of the oldest cities in the country. It has numerous art galleries, painters, potters, glass blowers, jewelers and other artisans.

• Breakfast at your lodging.
• Depart to Punakaiki to see the amazing limestone formations of the Pancake Rocks and the Blowholes, or the powerful jets created by the waves engulfed in the interstices of the rock, and Westport to observe the colony of sea lions at Cape Foulwind.
• Continue towards Nelson along the Buller Gorge.
• 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.
• Settle for 2 nights.

ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK 

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Today, discover the Abel Tasman National Park. Difficult to access, 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 along the marked trails, beaches, lagoons and wooded reliefs during this excursion into the National Park which includes a cruise along the coast.
• Free time for a hike of your choice (between 1 and 4 hours of walking – or free time on the beach).

KAITERITERI – HANMER SPRINGS 314 KM – 4H30

• Breakfast at your accommodation
• Departure to the Southern Alps.
• After passing Murchison take the SH65.
• You will walk along the Tasman Lakes National Park, a region of wooded mountains and peaceful lakes before crossing the Lewis Pass and continue on the SH7 towards Hanmer Springs, a small alpine village renowned for its hot springs.
• Settle to your hotel for the night.
• Free time to enjoy the thermal baths in the open air, stroll around the village or relax.

HANMER SPRINGS – CHRISTCHURCH 133 KM – 2 HOURS

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Optionally, if the road is cleared and access to Kaikoura is open (the road is currently closed following the earthquake of November 2016), you have the option, as an option, to carry out a naturalist cruise at the approach of whales living offshore.
• Detour of 150 km by gravel road.
• Road to Christchurch, the end of your trip around New Zealand.

DEPARTURE FROM CHRISTCHURCH

• Breakfast at your accommodation.
• Go to the airport to return the rental vehicle with a full tank of gas and take your flight.

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