New Zealand's wildlife self-drive tour

On-board your international outbound flight to Auckland.

This morning, you join a dolphin cruise, which will take you out into the bay to look for dolphins. What a way to start your holiday!

Make your way south from the Bay of Islands to the international city of Auckland, where you will stay for two nights. This afternoon is at leisure to explore the city. We recommend stopping at the Viaduct Harbour region for a nice meal or at the Auckland War Memorial Museum to learn about New Zealand's war history.

Today, you'll be collected from your hotel in the morning and enjoy a full-day tour of the Tiritiri Matangi Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. This is an excellent chance to learn about the history and evolution of New Zealand's birds and animals. Along with time to independently explore, the day includes a guided walk through the native bush.

Make your way southeast to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula today. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the Coromandel Peninsula. We recommend going to Hot Water Beach to make your own hot water hole or head to the mining region of the peninsula.

You will be collected from your accommodation for a full-day tour of the Coromandel. You will tour around the entire peninsula, visiting the beautiful coastline and seemingly endless mountains. Your guide will teach you about the Coromandel's significant Māori cultural history. In terms of industrial history, you will visit an old gold mining site from the area's mining heyday. Your guide will also highlight the native kauri trees (New Zealand Redwoods), and the impressive Hot Water Beach, where you can have a hot spring experience like none other on Earth.

Make your way south to Rotorua, the thermal centre of New Zealand. Here, you can see bubbling mud pools, steaming lakes and impressive geysers. In the evening you will be collected from your accommodation and head to a local Māori cultural centre. Enjoy a traditional Māori Hangi meal and cultural experience at the Mitai Māori Village. You will learn about New Zealand's indigenous culture, be treated to a Haka performance, and walk through the sacred Fairy Springs, which is a renowned spot for glowworms. Finish the night by taking a trip into Rainbow Springs where you have the chance to see kiwi.

Today you will go on an adventure to see volcanoes and rainforests on a guided walk around the Rotorua area. You will also learn lots about the native birdlife on this trip.

Head out early today and make your way south to the capital city of Wellington. The remainder of the day is at leisure in Wellington. We recommend stopping at the famous Te Papa Museum, to learn all about the country's natural, Māori, and European history.

Spend the day at leisure exploring the capital city before taking a trip out to Zealandia tonight for a night tour — the reserve is home to plenty of native species which had originally been wiped out from the mainland. There is a great chance to see tuatara and kiwi birds here.

Journey across the Cook Strait and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds today. Cruise the tranquil waters, looking for dolphins and seals. Then, drive south to Kaikoura.

You will hopefully encounter the majestic sperm whales, dolphins, albatrosses, and seals that make these waters their home. The afternoon is open to exploring the mountain trails near Kaikoura.

This morning drive to Christchurch and spend the afternoon exploring the city.

Spend today at your leisure. Enjoy a walk through Hagley Park on your way to the Central Business District, where you'll find an abundance of shops and restaurants.

Make your way down to Dunedin today, and you might like to stop for a break at the fascinating Moeraki Boulders, just north of Palmerston.

You join a wildlife cruise today that will allow you to see the fantastic wildlife of this area in its natural environment. The trip includes a visit to the yellow-eyed penguin colony, an extremely rare species, where you can get very close to the penguins via some specially designed underground walkways.

Continue to make your way south to Invercargill in time for your short flight to Stewart Island, a pristine island that is mostly a national park. Here, you will stay for two nights.

Today you have a full-day tour of Ulva and Stewart Islands with a knowledgeable local guide, on which you will learn all about the resident fauna and flora.

You return to Invercargill by light aircraft today and continue onto Te Anau where you will stay for one night. In the evening, make your way down to the Real Journeys Visitor Centre for an evening excursion to the renowned Te Anau Glowworm Caves, one of the few places on Earth to see these bioluminescent creatures!

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and driven to Manapouri. Here you'll get a ferry across to the Manapouri Power Station and then board another coach, bringing you to the Doubtful Head via Wilmot Pass, allowing you to see the Sound from far above. You'll board the Fiordland Navigator for your overnight scenic cruise. There are a number of ways to experience the Sound, with its dominating peaks and cascading waterfalls, enjoy this magical place as you wish.

You will return from the cruise late this morning to collect your car and make your way to Queenstown for your last night's stay.

Today you will fly from Queenstown to Auckland to connect with your onward flight.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.