New Zealand : The Real New Zealand 4x4

Day 1 arrive in Auckland
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation in the City of Sails.

Day 2 Auckland-Dargaville-Waipoua Forest-Omapere (320km)
This morning collect your 4x4 rental vehicle from the city depot and head north from Auckland to Muriwai beach, famed for its black sands and gannet colony. Continue to Matakohe and (optional) visit to the Kauri Museum. Stop to admire the kauri forests of Waipoua before reaching Omapere, at the entrance to Hokianga Harbour, where you stay overnight.

Day 3 Omapere-Kaitaia-Doubtless Bay-Kerikeri-Russell (250km)
Cross Hokianga Harbour and travel to the subtropical north.  Continue to the Bay of Islands, famous for its historical importance as well as its stunning scenery of beaches and islands. Next 2 nights in the historic village of Russell.

Day 4 Bay of Islands
A free day to explore the bay and its attractions. We recommend a boat trip (optional) to the Hole in the Rock, a day trip to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach, or a visit to the Waitangi Treaty House.

Day 5 Russell-Whangarei-Takapuna/Auckland (280km)
Head south on the east coast road, taking advantage of your four wheel drive to explore some of the lovely coves and beaches that lie off the main route and are accessed by unsealed roads. Overnight in Takapuna, a suburb of Auckland, with a nearby golden beach.

Day 6 Auckland-Coromandel Peninsula (280km)
Depart from the ‘City of Sails’ and head south to the old mining town of Thames, gateway to the lovely Coromandel Peninsula. Explore Whitianga, a fishing town on the east coast of the peninsula and visit Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, where you can dig yourself a natural hot pool in the sand. Overnight in the area.

Day 7 Coromandel Peninsula/Tairua-Rotorua (210km)
Drive through the main kiwi fruit growing region of New Zealand to Rotorua, and enjoy the Whakarewarera Village, Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve. Two nights in Rotorua area.

Day 8 Rotorua
A full day in Rotorua will give you the opportunity to experience all the attractions on offer. Acquaint yourself with the Maori culture by visiting some historical sights. Enjoy a Maori Hangi & Cultural Show in the evening.

Day 9 Rotorua-Lake Waikaremoana-Napier (340km)
For today’s drive you will appreciate the four wheel drive on your vehicle. The route traverses the heart of Urewera National Park, a sparsely inhabited region of extensive native forest and pretty lakes. Once you reach the coast, you are back on the main road and it is a short drive to Napier. This coastal town is situated in an important wine producing area and is famous for its art deco architecture, dating from when the city was rebuilt following an earthquake. Overnight in the area.

Day 10 Napier-Tongariro National Park (190km) 
Drive the historic Gentle Annie Road, which used to link the inland farms and the harbour of Napier. Horse drawn carriages used to struggle on the route, which remains a challenging reminder of the past. Once you reach the Desert Road, you are almost in sight of Mt. Ruapehu, a splendid snow-capped volcano and the highest peak on the North Island. Overnight in the area.

Day 11 Tongariro National Park-Wellington (310km)
Take the Old Post Road, which follows the scenic valley of the Whanganui River through superb scenery. At the coastal town of Whanganui, a welcome stretch of sealed road brings you to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital and a cultured city of museums, performing arts and lively cafes and pubs. We recommend an (optional) visit to Te Papa, the National Museum. Overnight in the city.

Day 12 Wellington-Picton-St. Arnaud (155km)
Drop off your rental vehicle at the ferry depot and take the early ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton on the South Island. Pick up your second rental vehicle and take the Queen Charlotte Drive for some stunning views of the Sound. Then head inland to St. Arnaud, where you stay overnight by Lake Rotoiti and the rugged Nelson Lakes National Park.

Day 13 St Arnaud-Murchison-Lewis Pass-Hanmer Springs (228km)
Take the Maruia Saddle Road, a splendid four wheel drive route which winds among sparkling streams and rainforest. Join the main road at Lewis Pass and head east to Hanmer Springs, famous for its thermal pools. Overnight in the area.

Day 14 Hanmer Springs-Kaikoura (127km)
Take the inland road to Kaikoura, where your can enjoy the freshest of seafood and take a whale watching trip to see sperm whales or swim with seals or dusky dolphins. Overnight in Kaikoura.

Day 15 Kaikoura-Christchurch-Canterbury Plains (270km)
Cross the Canterbury Plains to New Zealand's garden city, Christchurch, situated at the foot of the Southern Alps. Overnight on a working sheep farm, a great way to find out about the ‘Kiwi’ way of life.

Day 16 Mt Hutt-Lake Tekapo-Kurow (260km)
Leaving the Canterbury Plains, you’ll reach turquoise coloured Lake Tekapo. Take an optional scenic flight to the glaciers of Mt Cook before continuing the drive into Central Otago, where you stay overnight in an historic hotel.

Day 17 Kurow-Cromwell-Queenstown (250km)
This region of the South Island staged a great gold rush in the 19th century and people flocked here from all over the world. Though the gold and the people are long gone, the area is strewn with relics of the era. Drive via Clyde and Naseby to Queenstown, famed for its stunning location overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Range.

Day 18 free in Queenstown
Spend the day relaxing or try out one of the many activities on offer in New Zealand’s ‘Adventure Capital’ – rafting, jet boating, bungy jumping or perhaps a quiet lake cruise or gondola ride. It is also possible to take a day trip to the incredibly scenic Milford Sound either by car or on a scenic flight.

Day 19 Queenstown-Wanaka-Franz Josef Glacier (350km)
Take the track across the challenging Crown Range Pass, New Zealand’s highest, to reach Wanaka, another lovely lakeside town. Then head over the Haast Pass with views of Mt. Aspiring National Park, enroute to Franz Josef Glacier for overnight stay.

Day 20 Franz Josef Glacier-Hokitika/Greymouth (190km)
This is the wildest part of New Zealand, offering an irresistible combination of rainforest, mountains, glaciers and pounding sea. Hike to the Fox or Franz Josef Glacier, take a helicopter sightseeing flight or stroll around idyllic Lake Matheson, with the summits of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman reflected on its water. Drive to the mining town of Greymouth for your overnight stay.

Day 21 Hokitika/Greymouth-Arthur's Pass-Canterbury region (260km)
You have the option to drive north to the Pancake Rocks and blowholes of Punakaiki, before heading over Arthur’s Pass towards Christchurch, following the route of the TranzAlpine Railway. Overnight in the Canterbury region. 

Day 22 depart Christchurch
Drop off your rental vehicle and depart.

Note Should you wish to spend additional nights at any particular location, we would be pleased to arrange this for you.  Some roads on this itinerary are subject to weather conditions and your itinerary may change as a result.