Highlights of New Zealand self-drive tour

You can take a taxi or walk to collect your hire car this morning from the central depot and head south out of the busy city. You’ll drive toward the lush green fields of the Waikato region, where you’re likely to see more sheep than people. Stopping among the rolling hills of Matamata, explore the filming site of the Lord of the Rings, Hobbiton. You’ll be transported into a fantasy world as you peek into the small doors and walk through the lush pastures of the Shire. From here, continue onto Rotorua, and you’ll see the old volcanic fields rise on the horizon. This is the most active geothermal field in New Zealand and provides a smelly but colorful adventure into the Pacific Rim of Fire.

Rotorua boasts geothermal wonders like boiling pools and mud baths. But that’s not all — explore lush forests and immerse yourself in Māori culture today. You’ll visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the youngest geothermal valley, walking through the native vegetation and sites such as Frying Pan Lake before cruising around the peaceful Lake Rotomahana. This evening, immerse yourself in Māori culture as you witness a traditional performance, listen to music, and taste a three-course hangi dinner.

Drive to the airport and drop off the car before taking a flight to the capital city of New Zealand, Wellington, where you can spend time peeking into the eccentric art galleries, smelling the hydrangea gardens, or absorbing Māori culture and history at the National Museum of Te Papa. As night descends on the city, head to the Zealandia eco-sanctuary to venture around to spot the elusive but adorable kiwi, New Zealand’s iconic national flightless bird.

Spend the morning traveling between the North and South Island of New Zealand on a ferry that travels through the Marlborough Sounds, where you can see dusky dolphins playing off the bow of the ferry, and into the small sailing town of Picton. Here, you’ll hear the water lapping the side of the boats, buoys clanging, and foghorns blasting as you wait to collect your hire car. Leave this quaint town behind as you drive into the fertile wine region of Marlborough. The foggy but warm climate of the winelands produces an intense, strong, and acidic expression.

You can browse the various artisan food outlets and craft shops around the town before spending part of the day visiting several wineries in Blenheim, the most well-known wine region of New Zealand, to further explore local food and wine culture. Learn about the Marlborough wine area as you walk among the vines for the rest of the afternoon.

This morning, wake up early to enjoy the sunrise over the vineyards before traveling south along the Pacific coastline to the town of Kaikoura, where the mountains almost reach the ocean. We recommend frequent stops to take pictures of the beautiful drive and try to spot seals or even dolphins off the coast. Once you’ve arrived in Kaikoura, you’ll board a boat and head out to sea to spot dolphins, and have the chance to go swimming with them. This area of the ocean is where you’ll find sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins feeding in the nutrient-rich waters.

There is a great deal of history in this small seaside township of Kaikoura, ranging from the archaeological remains of Māori hunters to the whaling industry that attracted Western settlers to the area in the 1800s. We recommend walking along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway for a chance to spot New Zealand fur seal colonies, and learn about the history, geology, and wildlife of the region.

Depart Kaikoura this morning and drive three hours through the Greta Valley to Christchurch. If you want to take a detour, you can stop at a winery for lunch near the Waipara wine region. Arrive at the ‘Garden City’ in the afternoon and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens, or relaxing at your accommodation.

This morning you’ll board the TranzAlpine train and travel west across the agricultural land of the Canterbury Plains to Arthur’s Pass. Here you’ll disembark and explore the area by foot, navigating through native beech forest and the alpine landscape.

After breakfast, you’ll travel toward Lake Tekapo, part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, where you’ll spend the next couple of nights. You’ll have the rest of the day to admire the snow-dusted mountains and turquoise blue lakes of the area, and this evening you’ll navigate the southern night sky with the use of a laser and a high-powered telescope.

Spend the day exploring Lake Tekapo and the Mackenzie region in your own time. We recommend visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd at sunrise if you don’t mind an early start, or driving to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and walking one of the short walks in the area to wonder at Australasia’s tallest peak.

Travel south from Tekapo this morning toward the self-proclaimed ‘adventure capital of the world’, Queenstown. As you travel along the Lindis Pass you’ll see the transition from Canterbury high country to Otago’s tawny tussock landscapes. Spend the rest of the day soaking up the city’s vibrant restaurant and bar atmosphere, or relaxing at your accommodation.

Today you’ll meet your group and be driven to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Milford Sound by your guide who will share knowledge along the way. You’ll board a boat and begin the cruise down the Milford Sound, viewing cascading waterfalls, the breathtaking fjord, and temperate rainforest surrounding you. If you are lucky you will get to see seals, dolphins or Fiordland crested penguins. After the cruise, and if weather conditions permit, you’ll soar over the mountains in a light aircraft allowing you to witness a variety of glaciers and peaks from a different angle. Land back in Queenstown and rest this evening.

On your final day in New Zealand, you can choose from a plethora of activities like jetboat rides, mountain hikes, Victorian-era steamboats, and some wine tasting in Otago’s finest vineyards, or you can relax and explore the food and drink scene of Queenstown. Then end the day with a relaxing soak in a cedar hot tub enjoying panoramic views over the Remarkable Mountains.