Kiwi Therapy : green, green, green

Day 1 : Auckland

Exhausted or not, depending where do you arrive from… we have a good plan for you if you are not too excited to drive right away, I mean on the left, to your accommodation. Take our shuttle and get over gently from your jetlag.

Day 2 : Auckland

Auckland is a melting pot of European, South Pacific and Asian cultures and a strong indigenous Maori heritage. This diversity brings an abundance of unique dining and shopping experiences.

Auckland's temperate climate, easy access to the coast and variety of activities earn the city consistent top five rankings in international lifestyle surveys.

Day 3 : Auckland - Rotorua (250km - 3h10)

Drive to Rotorua to experience Maori culture, geothermal forces, spa treatments, thrills and adventure, or any of the other natural assets such as 16 lakes, some of the world's best mountain biking trails, fantastic trout fishing and myriad forest walking.

Day 4 : Rotorua

A full day in south of Rotorua to discover the 2 most amazing sites of geothermic activity: Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu Valley. Why not diving in Wakiti Valley Thermal pools at the end of your day.

Tip: what about a White Island landing helicopter tour? Allow 3 hours.

Day 5 : Rotorua - Taupo (80km - 1h)

Drive south to Taupo. On your way, stop at Hidden Valley called Orakei Korako, it is off the beaten track and it is worth it. If you are not done with sulphur smells, keep on visiting geothermal sites in Taupo or experience crazy adrenaline activities.

Day 6 : Taupo - Tongariro National Park (100km - 1h15)

Drive south to Tongariro National Park and take some information about the forecast for the following day.

Tip: we also suggest you a 30 to 45 min scenic flight over the area, it's awesome.

Day 7 : Tongariro National Park

If you feel like experiencing a big walk, Tongariro Crossing is waiting for you.The crossing spans the length of Mt Tongariro (18.5 km) and takes about 7-9 hours.  If the weather does not look too good, there are hundred different walks from 10 min to several hours in the area.

Day 8 : Tongariro National Park - Wellington (350km -4h20)

Drive south on SH1 to the capital. Wellington is set on a busy harbour surrounded by hills, visit the Te Papa National Museum, the Parliament House and the Beehive buildings or take a look at the different cosmopolitan quarters. If you are more interested by nature take the Cable car and come back trough botanical gardens.

Day 9 : Wellington - Picton (3h10 sailing) - Abel Tasman National Park (220km - 2h45)

Take one of the early morning ferry to Picton then drive to the Abel Tasman National Park. There is everything you might need on board as self-service restaurant, kids’ corner, cinema and video games. The second part of the journey in Queen Charlotte sound is very nice.

Day 10 : Abel Tasman National Park

A full day to enjoy the beach, walking along the coast in the park or kayaking in the sea.

Day 11 : Abel Tasman National Park - Punakaiki (300km - 3h45)

The Tasman Sea is getting a bit chilly while you discover the very unusual scenery of Pancakes Rocks. The famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes are just a 20 minute loop walk from where you park your vehicle on the main highway. Looking like giant pancakes the curious limestone formations are especially spectacular at high tide in a westerly sea.

Day 12 : Punakaiki - Glaciers (240km - 3h)

Along the west coast, you go south to the glaciers country. Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are cut through dramatic glacial valleys to flow into temperate rainforest. While many glaciers world-wide have been retreating, these glaciers still flow almost to sea level, making them unique relics of the last Ice Age.

Day 13 : Glaciers

Glacier Country is made up of the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier communities. The villages are about 25 minutes drive apart and both offer visitors their own unique West Coast flavour.  A full day to organize a guided walk on the glaciers, have a scenic flight over the ice area or take a walk in the rainforest.

Day 14 : Glaciers - Wanaka (260km - 3h30)

Through Haast Pass, drive to the Mount Aspiring National Park, the third largest park in New Zealand. It stretches from the dense rainforests of Fiordland, across braided river valleys and alpine meadows, to the heavily glaciated Southern Alps and Wanaka township provides some of the easiest access to the entire park.

Day 15 : Wanaka

The name Wanaka translates from Maori as “renewal of the soul”. The town is set on the southern shore of the lake across from Mount Aspiring, the centerpiece of Mount Aspiring National Park. The park features a multitude of different landforms: hanging valleys, lake basins and some 100 glaciers of different shapes and sizes. It offers innumerable possibilities for nature lovers and pioneers

Day 16 : Wanaka - Te Anau (230km - 3h00)

Drive to Fiordland renowned as the home of Mitre Peak, Milford and Doubtful Sounds, and for the many Great Walks (the Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler Tracks), within the Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks. The extraordinary scenic beauty has earned this region a reputation as a significant sightseeing and walking destination, and a 'must see' for anyone traveling to New Zealand

Day 17 : Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (230km - 3h30)

It is time for you to take The Milford Road and experience the cruise. One of the most incredible and frequently overlooked features of Milford Sound is the journey to get there. The Milford Road is a stunning alpine drive. Visitors need to allow plenty of time to stop at the numerous viewing points or short walking opportunities en route.

Day 18 : Te Anau - Queenstown (180 km - 2h15)

Drive north to the city of thrills. From the mild to the wild you'll find your adventure threshold here. The expansive natural physical environment offers air, water and land based activities. Go walking, sailing, hiking, climbing, fishing, cycling, golfing, off-roading, skiing or mountain biking.

Day 19 : Queenstown- Tekapo (250km - 3h00)

From a lake to another, enjoy the drive to the turquoise blue lake. On the shores of Lake Tekapo - the country’s highest large lake (710m above sea level) - is the Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935 as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country. The Church offers awe inspiring views of Lake Tekapo and mountains through the alter window and has been host to thousands of weddings since its dedication. 

Day 20 : Tekapo

In Lake Tekapo you can fly fish the lakes and rivers, ski and snowboard the pristine snow slopes in winter, enjoy a boat cruise, play a round of golf, ice skate in the winter months, relax in the hot pools and indulge in the health spa, take a horse trek around Mt John, enjoy off-road mountainbiking, take a scenic flight over the Mackenzie basin and Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and gaze at the skies above on a star watching tour at the world famous Mt John Observatory - there's something for everyone.

Tip: Two nights give you twice chances for star watching at Mt John Obervatory.

Day 21 : Tekapo - Christchurch (230km - 2h50)

It is time to go back to Christchurch to have a look at the most British city of the country. Christchurch has a lively entertainment scene, strong cultural heritage, gorgeous parks and gardens and good shopping. Among the 'must sees' are the weekend Arts Centre market, Christchurch Cathedral, Botanic Gardens and International Antarctic Centre.

Day 22 : Christchurch

Depending on your flight schedule, have a look at the International Antarctic Center before you drop off your car at the airport.