New Zealand Highlights by Motorhome

Day 1-2 : Auckland

Arrive in Auckland and explore at leisure. The hundreds of sailing boats in Auckland harbour are an amazing sight and have gained New Zealand’s largest city the nickname “City of Sails”. But there’s much more to Auckland than its fantastic harbourfront; you’ll find shopping galore, restaurants that serve food to die for and a thriving night-scene too; Jump on a ferry to Waiheke Island, explore the Auckland War Memorial Museum or check out the views from the Sky Tower - perhaps even abseil off the side! No wonder it’s one of the best places to live in the world. Hotel for 2 nights: Copthorne Hotel

Day 3 : Auckland – Rotorua (228km)

Pick-up your motorhome and head to Rotorua, the geothermal capital of New Zealand. Stop at the Hobbiton film set featured in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Take a look at Bag End, where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures began. Get lost among the hobbit holes and visit the Green Dragon Inn, the mill and the Party Tree. Listen to spell-binding tales of how Hobbiton came to be. Afterwards, continue on to Rotorua.

Day 4 : Rotorua

Today is free for you to explore the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Why not take a guided tour of Te Puia and the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute to see roaring geysers and boiling mud pools; perhaps visit Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park or the Agrodome Leisure Park, famous for its entertaining sheep show. In the afternoon, you may want to take a ride on the gondola for magnificent views or relax in the Polynesian Spa with its natural hot spring pools. This evening attend a traditional Maori Hangi meal and Cultural Show set in a replica Maori village.

Day 5 : Rotorua - Taupo (83km)

Enjoy a leisurely start before the short drive to Lake Taupo. Relax in this beautiful setting and perhaps try some watersports on the lake.

Day 6 : Taupo – Wellington (370km)

Drive south along highway 1 taking in views of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro in the national park. You can experience one of New Zealand’s greatest day hikes, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. You can do the route in a day if you fancy a serious hike, or perhaps, enjoy a sunset guided hike that offers a 45 min walk with a glass of wine whilst enjoying the sun set. Please ask for details as you will need an extra night before arriving in Wellington.

Day 7 : Wellington

Today is free to enjoy New Zealand’s capital. Perhaps you’ll relax at Oriental Bay, Wellington’s golden-sand inner-city beach and delve into the many museums, art galleries and theatre shows that make up the city’s pulsing cultural scene. If you’re into the outdoors, Wellington has action-packed adventure activities like mountain biking and sea-water kayaking, as well as beautiful walks around the harbour and surrounding hills. Try the visually stunning Makara Peak track, as well as the City to Sea walk where you can experience the best of Wellington’s waterfront. Ride the cable car up the hill to Kelburn for amazing views over the city and enjoy an ice cream at the top. Or you may wish to visit Te Papa (the museum of New Zealand) or perhaps visit the Parliament Building.

Day 8 : Wellington – Abel Tasman National Park (Interislander Ferry) (275km)

Board the Interislander ferry with your motorhome and relax as you set sail for the Marlborough Sound. Enjoy the views as you travel through en route to Picton. Disembark and drive the 200 km to the spectacular Abel Tasman National Park. Please ask for details of booking your motorhome onto the ferry. Costs vary and we recommend you book early to ensure availability.

Day 9 : Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its world-famous coastal walking track, golden sandy beaches, granite cliffs and mild climate. Why not explore by kayak and see Split Apple Rock or hike the coastal path and return by water taxi seeing the park from the perspective of the water.

Day 10 : Abel Tasman National Park – Fox Glacier (500km)

The west coast of New Zealand is strewn with long, empty sandy beaches, wild coastal views of the Tasman Seas and small towns offering insights into local life. It’s a long a drive to Fox Glacier. so head south early to ensure that you can stop as you please.

Day 11 : Fox Glacier

Today is free for you to relax and enjoy the scenery or participate in the many activities available in this glacial wonderland. In Glacier Country, it takes a while to make a West Coast ice cube - about 10,000 years or so. The Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are among the most accessible glaciers in the world and Glacier Country offers a wealth of adventure activities. Take a guided glacier hike, ride a quad bike, fly in a helicopter or sightseeing plane or even do a tandem sky dive. Wildlife attractions include the kiwi breeding programme in Franz Josef, the White Heron Sanctuary in Whataroa and kiwi in the wild at Okarito. After your busy day, soak in lovely hot pools. Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier provides stunning reflections and views of Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Day 12 : Fox Glacier – Queenstown (328km)

Follow the Haast River along sweeping valleys and peaks either side towards Queenstown. Idyllically located on the shores of Lake Wakitipu, Queenstown is the the country’s adrenaline capital but also offers plenty of more relaxing ways to enjoy the stunning scenery. Take an exhilarating jet boat ride, take the gondola up to Bob’s Peak for the views and head down by luge (you can always take the gondola back down!).

Day 13 : Milford Sound (287km)

Start early for the long drive to Milford Sound, but the views are worth it. Nestled in the Fiordland National Park and described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Breathtaking in any weather, the fiord’s cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards from as high as 1000 metres. One of the best ways to explore the sound is by taking a cruise. Taking in the beauty at water level and perhaps see the local pod of dolphins along the way.

Day 14 : Queenstown – Mt Cook (265km)

Depart Queenstown via the Kawarau Gorge and traverse the Lindis Pass before reaching the MacKenzie Country with its vast expanses of tussock, bordered by the snow capped Southern Alps. Follow the shores of Lake Pukaki into the heartland of the Mount Cook National Park, which encompasses 15 peaks, all towering over 3,000m

Day 15 : Mt Cook – Christchurch (330km)

Stop at Lake Tekapo and admire its turquoise waters, be sure to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of the lake before heading onwards to Christchurch. Drive over Burkes Pass to the small farming towns of Fairlie and Geraldine. Cross the Rangitata River and the Canterbury Plains. On through Ashburton, across the Rakaia River and your next stop will be Christchurch. Spend the rest of the day exploring this city at leisure.

Day 16 : Christchurch

Drop off your motorhome in the morning before your onward flight or perhaps stay longer in Christchurch and explore more of the local region.