From the North Island’s rich Maori culture and modern cosmopolitan cities you’ll venture south crossing the Cook Strait to the picturesque Marlborough Sounds and wildlife mecca of Kaikoura. With time to explore the major centres, this tour is also flexible enough to add additional days onto if you have extra time.

Day 1:  Arrive in Auckland
On arrival, you will be met by a private driver and transferred to your hotel.  A detailed tour pack will be handed to you.
Accommodation:  Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland City x 2 nights

Day 2:  Pick up your rental vehicle and explore Auckland City
Perched on the edge of a large natural harbour, New Zealand's ‘City of Sails’ offers the best of both worlds. Sandy beaches, native bush and lush rainforests give way to a vibrant urban culture, humming with life. Spend time in the Viaduct Harbour - try your hand at sailing an America’s Cup yacht - or take the ferry to nearby Waiheke Island for a gourmet food and wine experience. Walk (if you're that way inclined) to the top of Auckland's highest volcano, Mt Eden, and take in soaring views of the gulf. Pack a picnic lunch and lose yourself in one of the 800 regional national parks on offer or grab a book and relax on a deserted beach. Head up the Sky Tower, standing at just over 300m tall (about 1,000 feet) and have a meal in the 360 degree revolving restaurant. Scale the outermost perimeter of the Harbour Bridge - or test your stomach and bungy off both. To end your day, catch a cab to Ponsonby Road and sample some upmarket culinary delights.

Day 3:  Auckland to Rotorua
The drive south from Auckland takes you past the Bombay Hills and into the rolling farmland and rich dairy pastures of the Waikato. The Bombay Hills mark the outer boundary of greater Auckland area and it's here you turn inland to central Waikato. You’ll soon go through the town of Matamata where you can visit the fully intact Hobbiton film set used in the shooting of the Lord of The Rings and Hobbit trilogies. Continuing on, you’ll pass several small farming communities before telltale signs of steam and other geothermal activity signal your arrival into Rotorua.
Accommodation:  Sudima Lake Rotorua x 2 nights

Day 4:  Explore Rotorua
Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the worlds most active volcanic
regions. Geothermal landmarks aside, this city of sulphur has a rich indigenous history. Home to several prominent Maori tribes, a visit
to one of the Maori Villages should be high on your agenda, as should an excursion to the Polynesian Spa for an invigorating soak in its
natural mineral hot springs.
Spike your adrenaline at Velocity Valley Adventure Park on stomach-dropping attractions such as static skydiving, or a giant swing
reaching 130 km per hour. Alternatively, head up the Rotorua Gondola for soaring lake views, and ride the luge at night for an extra thrill.
Fans of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit should drive to nearby Matamata and experience the actual movie set
‘Hobbiton’. Make the most of your time in Rotorua with an excursion through the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, one
of the area’s most colourful volcanic attractions.

Day 5:  Rotorua - Wellington
The drive from Rotorua to Wellington takes you via the township of Taupo home to New Zealand’s largest lake. Following the
lakeshore South you’ll pass Turani and then ascend the central plateau onto the high country Rangipo Desert. Skirting the edge of
Tongariro National Park, you’ll reach the military town of Waiouru before descending through rich farmland and the rural towns
of Taihape And Mangaweka. Follow the coast through Paraparaumu, Paekakariki and Plimmerton to arrive at your destination,
Wellington.
Accommodation:  Distinction Wellington Century City Hotel

Day 6:  Welington - Picton - Blenheim
The 92 km ferry journey between Wellington and Picton takes around 3 hours and has been described as 'one of the most beautiful ferry rides
in the world'. Leaving Wellington Harbour you pass many interesting points such as Pencarrow Head on top of which is New Zealand's
oldest lighthouse (1859). Red Rocks is home to a seal colony and Oterangi Bay is the site which recorded the country's highest ever wind
speed of 268 kph (167 mph).
From the Cook Strait spectacular views of the Kaikoura Ranges on the South Island can be enjoyed and dolphins and many sea birds are
often seen. Around one hour of the cruise takes you through the Marlborough Sounds and this region of bush covered mountains, small
islands, crystal clear waters and secluded bays offer remarkable photographic opportunities. The final leg of your cruise travels through
Queen Charlotte Sound before coming to an end in the picturesque town of Picton.  Collect your rental car here.
Only short 30 minute drive, you’ll follow the valley south to arrive in Blenheim, located in the heart of Marlborough - New
Zealand’s largest wine producing region. Go through acres of leafy green vines and marvel at the magnificent ‘dry
hills’ of Marlborough in the distance.
Accommodation: Chateau Marlborough

Day 7:  Blenheim - Kaikoura
Cross the 'dry hills' of Marlborough and head towards one of the most spectacular coastlines of the South Island, the Kaikoura Coast. The
road hugs the shore for around 50 kilometres and offers many chances to view native wildlife. To the east is the South Pacific Ocean and
to the west the towering Kaikoura Ranges. Kaikoura Township is a bustling little place with many cafes, restaurants and shops - but the
main reason for visiting here is the wildlife - and it's one of the only places in New Zealand you can see whales year round.

Day 8:  Kaikoura - Christchurch
Today you travel down the coast before heading inland through the North Canterbury wine region - the Waipara Valley. As you drive
through this area you’ll be greeted by one of New Zealand's most notorious animals, the sheep. If you’ve time on your
hands we recommend taking a detour to Hanmer Springs for relaxing dip in its thermal pools. Arriving into Christchurch you'll see a new
and improved city, steadily rising from the ruins of the 2011 earthquake.
Accommodation:  Heartland Hotel Cotswold

Day 9:  Explore Christchurch City
Following the 2011 earthquake that razed its centre and much of the outlying suburbs, Christchurch is well into a billion-dollar makeover.
In the middle of the Canterbury Plains, bordering the pacific ocean, New Zealand’s newest city is an ideal gateway to exploring
the middle of the South. Go punting on the Avon River, take a historic tram ride, catch the gondola to the rim of an extinct volcano or do
all three! See the world's only Cardboard Cathedral and for nature enthusiasts - wander the renowned Christchurch Botanic
Gardens.  Drive an hour in any direction to ski, mountain bike, wine taste, whale-watch, bungy jump or play golf. Visit the
International Antarctic Centre or take a day to go on safari at Orana Wildlife Park. Take the winding Port Hills road to the French
settlement of Akaroa and tour the vines in Waipara for a authentic New Zealand wine-tasting experience.

Day 10:  Depart Christchurch today
Explore more of Christchurch before dropping your rental car at the airport depot and continuing your onward journey.

• 9 nights hotel accommodation
• 9 breakfasts
• Late model rental car
• Fully inclusive rental car insurance (excess may apply)
• Unlimited kms
• GPS navigation
• Airport & ferry terminal rental car fees
• Additional drivers
• Comprehensive tour pack (detailed itinerary, driving instructions, map/guidebooks, brochures)
• Private airport transfers
• Interislander ferry crossing