New Zealand : New Zealand's 'Small Five'

Day 1 Auckland-Tiritiri Matangi-Auckland Visit the nature reserve of Tiritiri Matangi Island, out in the Hauraki Gulf. This native bird sanctuary is home to the takahe, bellbird and kokako, among many other endemic species. Tuataras, the most ancient of all living reptiles, have also been reintroduced to the island. Overnight in Auckland.

Day 2 Auckland-Rotorua (241 km) Drive to the Waitakere Ranges and follow the Arataki Nature Trail to view giant kauri trees. Head south to Miranda on the Firth of Thames where the inter-tidal zone attracts many trans-equatorial and local wading birds. Continue to your accommodation in Rotorua.

Day 3 Rotorua-Tongariro National Park (180 km) Keen birdwatchers can opt for an early morning walk in Western Taupo Forest, where the dawn chorus of the very rare Kokako may be heard. Explore Lake Taupo then travel south to Tongariro National Park for an overnight stay.

Day 4 Tongariro National Park-Napier (240 km) Explore the striking volcanic landscapes of the park on a choice of short walks before continuing along the scenic highway to Napier, New Zealand’s Art Deco capital for an overnight stay.

Day 5 Napier-Wairarapa (230 km) Join a morning overland safari to the Gannet Sanctuary at Cape Kidnappers and explore some of the vineyards for which the area is renowned. Later make your way south and spend the night on a farm.

Day 6 Wairarapa-Wellington (103 km) Visit the Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre, a research institute for studying the breeding and feeding habits of rare and endangered native birds. Continue to Wellington for an overnight stay and visit the national museum, Te Papa.

Day 7 Wellington-Picton-Kaikoura (157 km) Drop off your vehicle at Wellington’s ferry terminal and board the InterIslander Ferry for the scenic cruise across the Cook Strait. On arrival in Picton, collect your second rental vehicle and follow the coast road to Kaikoura for one night.

Day 8 Kaikoura-Hanmer Springs (160 km) Join a morning whale watch to see sperm whales, which congregate in the deep water just offshore. You may also spot dusky dolphins and other marine species. Drive into the mountains to Hanmer Springs, where you can relax in a thermal pool or take one of several nature walks in the area. Overnight.

Day 9 Hanmer Springs-Greymouth (136 km) Drive to Lewis Pass National Reserve. Walk through the beech forest before continuing to the West Coast and the mining town of Greymouth for an overnight stay.

Day 10 Greymouth-Fox Glacier (200 km) Drive south into Westland National Park, where fragile rainforests survive on a narrow strip of land between the Southern Alps and Tasman Sea. Between November and February you will visit the white heron colony on Okarito Lagoon. Walk to the snout of the Fox Glacier then stroll around stunning Lake Matheson, with the summits of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman mirrored in its tranquil waters. Stay overnight in the area.

Day 11 Fox Glacier-Wanaka (260 km) Continue south along the West Coast, stopping off to explore Munro’s Beach, a breeding site for Fiordland Crested Penguins. Ship’s Creek and Thunder Creek Falls are among the many other secrets of this stunning region. Continue over Haast Pass to Lake Wanaka. Homestay.

Day 12 Wanaka-Te Anau (273 km) Drive to the celebrated resort town of Queenstown overlooking Lake Wakatipu en route to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Visit the information centre and wildlife park and join a special excursion to the glow worm caves in the evening. Homestay.

Day 13 Te Anau-Milford Sound-Te Anau Take the spectacular drive through the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys to Milford Sound. Join a cruise along the length of the Sound to the Tasman Sea, admiring waterfalls, seals and the distinctive Mitre Peak. Return to Te Anau for the night.

Day 14 Te Anau-Stewart Island (157 km) Follow the Waiau Valley to the south coast. Leaving your vehicle at the port of Bluff, take the ferry to Stewart Island, a must for naturalists. Recommended is the walk to Ackers Point to see little blue penguins and sooty shearwaters (between November and February). Stay for two nights.

Day 15 Stewart Island Take a boat transfer to Ulva Island Nature Reserve, where you may see weka, and yellow and red crowned parakeets. In the evening join an excursion to see the brown kiwi – this is the only place in New Zealand where these timid nocturnal birds are reliably seen in the wild.

Day 16 Stewart Island-Dunedin (217 km) Catch the morning ferry back to the mainland and drive along the spectacular Catlins Coast to Dunedin. This is a major wildlife area and on the nearby Otago Peninsula you can see yellow-eyed penguins, royal albatrosses, cormorants and seals. Overnight in Dunedin.

Day 17 Dunedin-Mt Cook region (331 km) Follow the coast road to the Moeraki Boulders then continue to Oamaru and its penguin colonies. Look out for Hector’s dolphins, which can be observed from the shore, before heading inland through the McKenzie Basin to Mt Cook National Park. Stay overnight in the area.

Day 18 Mt Cook region-Christchurch (331 km) You may catch sight of an extremely rare black stilt as you drive north to the Canterbury Plains and city of Christchurch. Return your rental vehicle and depart.

Extend Your Stay
Why not personalise your holiday by taking advantage of one or more of three great add-on packages in the Bay of Islands, the Coromandel and the Marlborough region. Alternatively you can simply add on an extra night each in Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch to create a fabulous 21-day itinerary. Please contact our team for a further details