Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
New Zealand – Auckland – Taupo – New Plymouth – Kapiti Island – Marlborough Sounds – Twizel – The Catlins – Glenorchy
100% customisable for you
Head to the airport, stock up on long-haul snacks and spend some time relaxing in the lounge: your off-the-beaten-track tour of New Zealand begins today with a connecting flight to Auckland. Including a quick stopover at a hub airport, the journey takes between 25 and 30 hours, arriving two days later (it’s worth it, we promise).
When you arrive, you’ll be met and privately transferred to your centrally located hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. You’ll likely be tired after all that travelling, so depending on what time you arrive, either spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing or head straight to bed for a good night’s sleep – the real adventure begins tomorrow.
We’ve left your first full day in this captivating city free for you to explore at your own pace.
Fancy a day in the great outdoors after all that flying? Visit the Auckland Domain, a pretty park in the city centre. Wander through the park’s green pastures and head to the Domain Wintergardens, a complex of gardens boasting two impressive greenhouses.
If that’s not quite enough nature, lace up your walking boots and hike Mount Victoria for a bird’s-eye view over the city, or head to the beaches surrounding Waitemata Harbour for a spot of sunbathing in the salty sea air.
Prefer culture to countryside? Visit the New Zealand Maritime Museum for an insight into the country’s nautical history, soak up the bohemian atmosphere of Karangahape Road and Ponsonby or catch a rugby match at Eden Park.
Come evening, don your gladrags and beeline for the city centre, where you’ll find a number of trendy bars and restaurants along the waterfront.
After a whirlwind stop in Auckland, it’s time for the road trip to begin. This morning, pick up your trusty hire car and set off on the three-hour drive to Taupo, cruising past the rolling Bombay Hills and sprawling open spaces along the way.
When you arrive, check in for three nights in a local guesthouse and spend the rest of the afternoon settling in, whether you’d rather stroll through the gardens or get stuck into your holiday read.
Come evening, enjoy a taste of local cuisine at the hotel restaurant, accompanied by a crisp glass of New Zealand Sauvignon. Cheers…
Taupo isn’t just any old town – it’s set within the sprawling Taupo Volcanic Zone, an active geological region which extends over 200 miles from the Ruapehu Volcano to the White Island. This might sound scary, but don’t worry: the volcano is heavily monitored by local authorities, so you can take in the rugged scenery at ease.
The town’s main attraction is Lake Taupo, formed over 26,000 years ago by a significant eruption. Your day is dedicated to exploring the site, so lace up your walking boots and hike along the water’s edge, snapping postcard-perfect shots as you go. If you’d like to come a little closer to the action, hop aboard a boat and approach Mine Bay to see the giant Ngatoroirangi rock carvings, engraved by local Maoris in the 1970s to protect against eruptions.
As evening falls, head back to the hotel for a nightcap in front of the crackling fire – you’ve earned it after all that walking.
On the agenda today? Orakei Korako, also known as the Hidden Valley. Set just north of Taupo, this geothermal wonder boasts spouting geysers, steaming hot springs and colourful silica terraces. To speed things up, we’ve secured your tickets in advance, so hop aboard a boat for a short crossing before setting off to explore.
Wander through this colourful paradise, which ranges from emerald green and lemon yellow to royal blue and onyx black. Along the way, be sure to stop at the Diamond Geyser, which intermittently shoots water up to 30ft in the air, and Ruatapu Cave, the only geothermal cave in the country. Cameras at the ready…
This morning, wave goodbye to Taupo and set the sat nav for New Plymouth, just under four hours away. This might sound like a long drive, but don’t worry: the route skirts Lake Taupo and Tongariro Park before joining the scenic Forgotten World Highway, renowned for its lush vegetation and sprawling vistas.
When you arrive at your hotel, check in, freshen up and spend the rest of the afternoon however you please. If you’d like to stretch your legs after the journey, hike or bike along the shore – if you’d rather chill, simply wander to the beach for an afternoon snooze in the sun.
New Plymouth is built for exploring – literally, with its dedicated pedestrian and cyclist paths and bridges – so we’ve left today free for you to explore, either on two feet or two wheels.
Along the way, be sure to stop at Len Lye’s iconic Wind Wand, a kinetic sculpture installed in 1999 on the shores of the Tasman Sea, and the nearby Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre, where you can discover local artwork and learn more about this celebrated artist.
Fancy a little more nature? Pedal to Pukekura Park, where native flora and fauna rub shoulders with sports fields and fairytale lakes. Alternatively, head south to Mount Taranaki in Egmont National Park, where the beautiful Pukeiti Garden boasts scores of blooming rhododendrons.
Come evening, embrace New Plymouth’s social scene in the city’s buzzing restaurants and cafés, where you can try a range of dishes from across the globe.
Rise bright and early this morning for the four-hour drive to Paraparaumu. Here, board a ferry straight from the sand for the 15-minute crossing to Kapiti Island, a pretty island nature reserve known for its wonderful wildlife and rugged scenery.
When you arrive, check in for the night and head out to explore. While much of New Zealand’s native wildlife has sadly suffered from the introduction of foreign species, Kapiti is a hidden haven full of indigenous flora and fauna, making this island well worth a visit.
The rest of the day is dedicated to spotting this wonderful wildlife with an expert guide. Keep a particular eye out for beautiful birdlife, including North Island kakas and kokakos, paradise shelducks and royal spoonbills.
Come evening, it’s time for the star of the show to emerge. This is, of course, the iconic New Zealand kiwi, a nocturnal bird protected by local Maori communities. Yet another thing ticked off the bucket list…
?This morning, hop back aboard the ferry for the speedy 15-minute return crossing to the mainland. Then, set off on the 40-minute drive to Wellington, gazing out at the Tasman Sea on one side and the lush Akatarawa forest on the other.
When you arrive, return your rental car and check into a quiet hotel for the night. Spend a few hours settling in – perhaps with a dip in the pool or stint in the sauna – before heading out to explore.
Travelling with a humanities buff? Don’t miss Te Papa Tongarewa (or ‘treasure box’, in Maori), New Zealand’s national museum. Set overlooking the sea, this incredible museum documents the country’s history, geography and geology, complete with floors dedicated to Maori communities and traditions, the world's largest squid specimen and life-size reconstructions of earthquakes or lava flows.
After 11 days of exploring the North Island, it’s time for New Zealand’s South Island to shine. This morning, you’ll be privately transferred to Wellington Port, where you’ll board the three-and-a-half-hour ferry to Picton, the gateway to the islands of the Marlborough Sounds.
When you arrive on the other side of the Cook Strait, swap one boat for another as you hop aboard a one-and-a-half-hour water taxi to your hotel on Endeavour Inlet.
You’ll likely be tired after all that time at sea, so check in and spend the rest of the afternoon however you wish. Come evening, tuck into a tasty meal at the hotel restaurant, which showcases the region’s delicacies and, naturally, its incredible local wines.
A maze of valleys punctuated by the sparkling waters that connect the North Island to the South Island, the Marlborough Sounds are New Zealand’s answer to an island getaway. We’ve left today free for you to explore at your own pace, so fuel up with a tasty breakfast overlooking the bay and head out.
Picked up a penchant for birdwatching on Kapiti Island? Head to Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary, a predator-free environment home to yellow-crowned parakeets, South Island saddlebacks and, of course, the Okarito brown kiwi.
For a little more flora and fauna, set off on a cruise across the heart of the Sounds in search of a playful bottlenose dolphin, or hike or bike around the spectacular Queen Charlotte Track, which offers fantastic coastal views, lush forest and hidden waterfalls.
Come evening, make a beeline for the beach for an evening sundowner overlooking the water.
After one last waterfront breakfast, return to Picton by water taxi, a one-and-a-half-hour crossing. From here, board the Coastal Pacific train, which weaves between the shimmering Pacific, the towering Kaikoura mountains and the vineyards of Blenheim on the five-and-a-half-hour journey to Christchurch.
When you arrive, meet your driver for the private transfer to your centrally located hotel. It’ll be evening by the time you arrive, so enjoy a delicious dinner in the dining room before heading up to bed, ready for more excitement tomorrow.
This morning, pick up another rental car, hit play on our destination-specific playlist and drive to Twizel, a three-and-a-half-hour journey.
Arrive, check in and settle into your home for the next two nights, a lodge overlooking the Southern Alps. This afternoon is entirely dedicated to relaxation, so simply soak up the scenery and indulge in an excellent glass of wine. It doesn’t come much better than this…
You’ve already seen some spectacular scenery on your New Zealand road trip, but Twizel offers even more. Think sprawling lakes bathed in sunlight on one side and the rugged mountains and lush forests of Mount Cook National Park on the other. Today, take advantage of your new surroundings on a visit to this renowned park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990.
Mount Cook is particularly perfect for walking, whether you’re an amateur ambler or a seasoned hiker. For a shorter stroll, meander along the Glencoe Trail or Governors Bush Loop, both of which lead you through verdant greenery.
If you’re after something a little more challenging, hike the Kea Point Trail to the Sealy Tarns Track and Mueller Refuge, which takes over five hours but offers incredible views over the park’s colourful flowers and towering mountains.
Leave Twizel behind this morning as you drive along Route 83 to Oamaru, keeping eyes peeled (and cameras poised) for views over the Blenmore and Aviemore lakes.
?After just over an hour and a half, you’ll arrive in Oamaru, your home for the night. The rest of the day is yours for the taking, whether you’d rather relax in the hotel or head out to explore – the city boasts a beautiful Victorian urban complex, which (perhaps contradictingly) houses Steampunk HQ, a museum and gallery dedicated to the science fiction genre.
Come evening, contact our trusty Concierge for some restaurant recommendations and head out for a delicious dinner.
Another day, another drive. This morning, set off for the Catlins, a coastal region set just over three hours away in the southeastern corner of the South Island.
When you arrive, check in for two nights and spend the rest of the day however you please. Set in the countryside, not far from the water, this is the perfect place to step away from your screens, so stroll through the gardens or dive into a good book, breathing in the salty sea air.
Rise bright and early this morning to meet your guide and set off on a tour of this famously beautiful region, which boasts a melting-pot landscape of rugged cliffs, long beaches and dense forest.
Along the way, your guide will point out the local flora and fauna, including several species of orchids and a wide variety of birds. You’ll also have the chance to search for yellow-eyed penguins, endemic to New Zealand, and spot cute sea lions and elephant seals lounging on the shore. Cue a chorus of ‘awws’ in three, two…
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast this morning before bundling back in the car for the four-hour-and-15-minute drive to Glenorchy, heading north past the majestic Alps.
Check into your lodge overlooking Lake Wakatipu and spend the rest of the afternoon soaking up the peace and quiet of your surroundings. Come evening, it’s straight to the hotel restaurant for dinner prepared with local and seasonal produce – yum.
Round off your trip with a bang with a day of horse riding in the Rees Valley. Whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced equestrian, saddle up and meet your private guide to clip-clop across this extraordinary region, crossing glacier-fed rivers and soaking up views over the lake and mountains along the way.
When looking out over the region from these heights, film fanatics might just recognise its fairytale-like landscape – this area was featured in several scenes from The Lord of the Rings saga, making the experience even more star-studded.
Come evening, contact our Concierge one last time – they’ll know the perfect spot for a fantastic final dinner.
It’s sadly time for your off-the-beaten-track adventure to come to an end. After one final breakfast overlooking the lake, drive to Queenstown Airport, return your hire car and catch the two-hour flight to Auckland.
From here, it’s time to begin the overnight journey home. With another speedy stopover – perfect for stretching your legs and stocking up on snacks – you’ll be in the air for around 28 hours, touching down in the UK the next day.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
