Day 1
On your arrival in Auckland you take over the Rental car. You then make your way into Downtown Auckland to rest in the largest city in New Zealand.

Day 2
The Marina, the Skytower, Mission Bay or by Boat to the North Shore and Waiheke Island will give you lots to do for your first Full day in Down Under.

Day 3
You drive north towards the Bay of Islands, start early in the morning to make the most of the day. In Whangarei we recommend to rest at the Marina, have a look at the scenic Whangarei Falls before continuing towards the Bay of Islands. In Kawakawa you should have a look at the Hundertwasser Toilets.

Day 4
We recommend the Cream Trip around the Bay of Islands. See and go through the Hole in the Rock. On your way back from the trip enjoy historic Russel, before making your way back to Pahia. In the afternoon we recommend to have a look at the Treaty House of Waitangi and have a stroll through the Mangrove Forest close by.

Day 5
Early in the morning you leave towards Kaitaia. Stop at the Kauri Kingdom, where 30.000 to 50.000 year old tree stumps have been dragged from swamps are fashioned into furniture and woodcraft products. We recommend to leave your car behind and continue your journey with a bus, which will bring you along the Ninety Mile Beach to the great dunes of Te Paki. From there it is a short hop towards the northern Tip of the North Island, Cape Reinga. Close by at Tapotupotu Bay you will have a picnic lunch before taking the Inland road back to Kaitaia. At the Kauri Kingdom you will be change back into the car and continue a few kilometres of travel until you reach your destination Kaitaia.

Day 6
You leave Kaitaia behind and travel south via the Ferry in Rawene over the Hokianga Harbour until you reach the Waipoua Forest. Here you find the massive Kauri Trees, the biggest one - 'Tane Mahuta' - is only five minutes from the car park. Stop at Matakohe, where you can get closer to the history at the local Kauri museum. At Waiwera we recommend to enjoy the 'Hot Pools'. From here it is only a short hop to Auckland.

Day 7
Leave Auckland behind and travel to the Coromandel Peninsula. 30km north of Thames you come to a small place with the name of Tapu, here you turn east. Enjoy the splendid Rapaura water gardens, before driving the unsealed road until we reach the coast again at the Cathedral Cove. The walk to the cove is worthwhile; it is one of the most beautiful beaches on earth. Nor far from here you find 'Hot Water Beach'. Not far from here is Tairoa where you stay overnight.

Day 8
Drive towards Tauranga and Mt. Maunganui; at Mt. Maunganui have a rest and enjoy a walk out onto the peninsula or have a swim in the Hot Pools. From here it is a 30minute drive until you reach Te Puke. Here you can get a good insight into our Kiwi production at 'Kiwi world'. Next-door a museum of old cars may be of interest for you. Another 40minutes further on and you are in Rotorua. In the evening visit one of the Hot Pools.

Day 9
At 8.00am drive out towards Wai-O-Tapu, a Thermal area with the Champagne Pools in the heart of the park. At 10.15 you can observe a geyser erupting nearby. Back in Rotorua we recommend to visit the 'Whakarewarewa Village. In the evening we have booked a Maori concert and Hangi.

Day 10
Follow the road south until you reach the Huka Falls, from here it is only a few kilometres to the largest lake in New Zealand, Lake Taupo. Have a break in Taupo before following around the lake until you reach the so called 'Desert Road', on a good day you can see the Volcanic plateau and the largest volcanoes of the North Island in full splendour. After you leave the plateau behind you will reach a Farm at which you stay for two nights.

Day 11
The farmer will show you around and you will have the opportunity to walk over one of the oldest swing bridges of New Zealand. There are ample opportunities to enjoy this day.

Day 12
Leave the farm behind and drive south until you reach the capital, Wellington. Have a look at the National museum, the 'Te Papa'. Visit Mt. Victoria to get a good view from the top and enjoy a cup of tea at the Chocolate Fish Café.

Day 13
We have booked the Ferry for you to the South Island, once arrived follow the road towards the Nelson region, stop at Pelorus bridge for a swim before getting to Nelson. This region has a fantastic climate and great wineries. Continue you r trip until you reach Motueka, where you stay overnight for two nights.

Day 14
We have booked a trip with a Water taxi from the Parks beginning at Kaiteriteri to get a close look of the Abel Tasman National park, enjoy a walk in this most popular park, before coming to Motueka, where you started to explore the park.

Day 15
Leave the National Park behind and drive towards the West Coast, make a break in Murchison, before continuing along the Buller gorge until you reach the 'West Coast'. Have a look at the Pancake Rocks before making your way towards Greymouth.

Day 16
Not far from Greymouth you find 'Shantytown' an old gold mining town. Further south you reach Hokitika, centre of the Jade industry and many more Arts and Crafts Artisans. Continue your journey until you reach the Franz Josef glacier, go for a walk onto Sentinel Rock, from where you have a marvellous view over the glacier. At the Fox glacier we recommend to do the Minehaha walk through ancient rain forest. Drive up to the end of the road from where you can walk to the Fox glacier. We highly recommend going for a helicopter ride from here over Mt. Cook and the glaciers.

Day 17
On a good day it is worthwhile to see the reflections at Lake Matheson. Follow the road south along Bruce Bay until you reach Haast. Not far from here a two-hour jet boat trip can bring you along the Waiatoto River. Drive to the road end, with a bit of luck you may find a Fiord land Crested Penguin sitting on the road!

Day 18
There are ample opportunities to make small walks until you reach Wanaka; from here we recommend to drive over the Crown range, which will bring you to Queenstown. If you still have the time a small De Tour will bring you to the Bungee Bridge. Make your way into the action capital of New Zealand, Queenstown.

Day 19
We recommend driving out to Glenorchy, beautiful scenery and nice ´walks are waiting for you. Back in Queenstown, you have lots of choices; go for a stroll through Down Town Queenstown, enjoy a trip with an old steamship or go up to the top of the Gondola. In the evening we recommend to visit Arrowtown, an old Gold mining town, where you also have lots of choices to have Dinner.

Day 20
An early morning start will bring you along Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, park your car at the hotel and change into a bus, which will bring you to Milford Sound. You will be able to enjoy the scenery much more in a bus than in your car and it is not an easy road. This trip will bring you into the heart of Fiord land and out on a small ship in the Milford Sound, one of the great wonders on earth. You stay overnight in Te Anau.

Day 21
Drive towards Invercargill; you should have a look at the Southland museum and the park just behind the museum. Sub Antarctic Islands and the famous 'Tuatara' can be found in the museum. From here it is another hour until you reach the Catlins region. The Fossil Forest, the Dolphins at Porpoise Bay and further more the beach at Surat Bay where you can find Sea Lions and again a few kilometres further on the Rocks going into the sea at Nugget Point are just some of the most features which make this region famous. Continue your journey until you reach Balclutha, at the edge of the Catlins region.

Day 22
An hour north of Balclutha you reach the University City of Dunedin, go first to your hotel before driving out to the Peninsula. Albatrosses can be found at Taiaroa Head, we highly recommend a tour of the albatross colony. Back in town have a look at the old train station building and at the famous University building.

Day 23
Spend a few more hours in town before driving north. Look at the strange Moeraki Boulders before coming to Oamaru. Unique houses build out of white stone can be found here. In the evening hours we have booked places for you to see the penguins coming ashore.

Day 24
Follow the Inland Road until you reach Omarama, have a close look at the unique Clay cliffs before driving towards Mt. Cook. You can walk to glaciers or simply enjoy the view at Mt. Cook village. You stay overnight at the edge of the Mt. Cook area, in Twizel.

Day 25
This day will bring you along the mountains to Christchurch. Stop in Geraldine on the way to enjoy the famous cheese coming from there. In Christchurch we recommend to have a look at the Arts Centre, the Art Gallery, the Cathedral and the Cathedral Square and the famous Botanical Gardens.

Day 26
Drive north to Kaikoura and go Whale watching, a stunning experience. But even on a bad weather day, Kaikoura has lots to offer, have a look at the seals and go for a walk at the peninsula or enjoy a few mussels.

Day 27
From here it is only a two hours drive to Hanmer Springs. This Thermal area gives you lots of opportunities to relax before you making your way back to Christchurch.

Day 28
You can drop off your car at the airport. We hope you had a very good time in New Zealand and hope you come back soon.