Itinerary
Day 1: arrive Auckland
Transfer to your hotel in the city centre for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Auckland-Rotorua (234km)
Collect your hire car and take leisurely drive through farming country to Rotorua for a two-night stay. We recommend a detour en route to the fabulous glow-worm caves at Waitomo.
Day 3: exploring Rotorua
A full day free to explore New Zealand’s best know geothermal area, with its geysers, volcanoes, lakes and Maori culture. Optional traditional Maori feast, ‘hangi’, in the evening (at additional cost).
Day 4: Rotorua-Whakatane (85km)
Make your way to Whakatane, situated on the Bay of Plenty.
Day 5: Whakatane
Explore the area, perhaps taking an optional boat trip to New Zealand’s only active marine volcano, White Island, where it is possible to swim with wild dolphins (at additional cost).
Day 6: Whakatane-Te Kaha (130km)
Enjoy the short drive to Te Kaha where you can enjoy your overnight accommodation on the rural East Cape. Dinner and breakfast are included here.
Day 7: Te Kaha-Gisborne (255km)
Follow the Pacific Coast Highway around East Cape. Sights include the East Cape lighthouse, Cooks Cove Walkway, New Zealand’s longest pier at Tolaga Bay and the settlement of Whangara where the Whale Rider was set and filmed. Breakfast is included here.
Day 8: Gisborne
Spend the day exploring New Zealand’s most easterly city.
Day 9: Gisborne-Napier (216km)
Continue south to the wine-producing region of Hawkes Bay. Overnight in Napier, renowned for its Art Deco architecture.
Day 10: Napier-Wellington (334km)
Travel through sheep farming country Wellington for a two-night stay.
Day 11: Wellington
Explore New Zealand’s vibrant capital city.
Day 12: Wellington-Picton-Kaikoura (157km)
Return your rental vehicle at the ferry terminal depot before boarding the InterIslander ferry across the scenic Cook Strait. On arrival in Picton collect another rental vehicle and drive to Kaikoura, where you can join an optional whale watching trip (at additional cost).
Day 13: Kaikoura
Make your way to Whakatane, situated on the Bay of Plenty.
Day 5: Whakatane
Explore the area, perhaps taking an optional boat trip to New Zealand’s only active marine volcano, White Island, where it is possible to swim with wild dolphins (at additional cost).
Day 6: Whakatane-Te Kaha (130km)
Enjoy the short drive to Te Kaha where you can enjoy your overnight accommodation on the rural East Cape. Dinner and breakfast are included here.
Day 7: Te Kaha-Gisborne (255km)
Follow the Pacific Coast Highway around East Cape. Sights include the East Cape lighthouse, Cooks Cove Walkway, New Zealand’s longest pier at Tolaga Bay and the settlement of Whangara where the Whale Rider was set and filmed. Breakfast is included here.
Day 8: Gisborne
Spend the day exploring New Zealand’s most easterly city.
Day 9: Gisborne-Napier (216km)
Continue south to the wine-producing region of Hawkes Bay. Overnight in Napier, renowned for its Art Deco architecture.
Day 10: Napier-Wellington (334km)
Travel through sheep farming country Wellington for a two-night stay.
Day 11: Wellington
Explore New Zealand’s vibrant capital city.
Day 12: Wellington-Picton-Kaikoura (157km)
Return your rental vehicle at the ferry terminal depot before boarding the InterIslander ferry across the scenic Cook Strait. On arrival in Picton collect another rental vehicle and drive to Kaikoura, where you can join an optional whale watching trip (at additional cost).
Day 13: Kaikoura
Today spend a full day at leisure.
Day 14: Kaikoura-Nelson (245km)
Drive to Nelson today and return rental vehicle to the airport depot prior to your departure.
Day 14: Kaikoura-Nelson (245km)
Drive to Nelson today and return rental vehicle to the airport depot prior to your departure.
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