New Zealand Coastal Discovery

27 days

Indicative cost incl. flights:

 

 

A typical 4* holiday costs from

£7,580 per person

 

(Based on two people travelling. Low season can be a lot cheaper, and peak season or 5* hotels can be substantially more expensive.)

 

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or add this holiday to your online quote

Day 1
Today you will begin your travels to New Zealand.
Day 2
Today you will be in flight. You might like to consider a stopover to break the journey, there are many options around the world for a stopover.
Day 3
Today you will arrive in Auckland and take a connecting flight to Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands. On arrival collect a hire car and drive the short distance to nearby Paihia where you will be staying.
Day 4
Start your time in New Zealand with a fantastic bay cruise that takes you to the famous Hole in the Rock as well as some other local icons. You may also spot some wildlife along the way! This afternoon enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the Bay.
Day 5
Start your journey south today, stopping for a night in, or somewhere close to Auckland. You might like to spend the afternoon exploring Auckland city.
Day 6
Today you will continue your journey along the scenic drive to the Coromandel Peninsula. You have two options of roads to take, one is a scenic road around the Peninsula and one is a more direct route.
Day 7
You have a day at leisure today. Enjoy a walk to Cathedral Cove, stopping to view the lovely coastal scenery along the way. Hahei Beach is also a great place for walking or swimming. This evening make your way to Hot Water beach to dig your own private hot spa pool on the beach!
Day 8
Make your way along the coastline to Tauranga, on the Bay of Plenty today. You might like to visit Mount Maunganui this afternoon.
Day 9
Today you have time to enjoy the fabulous beaches here during the day then later on head to Lake McLaren for a gentle kayak tour to see the famous New Zealand glow-worms.
Day 10
Start driving eastwards along the coast then head south to Gisborne, on Poverty Bay.
Day 11
A free day in Gisborne. Visit Tairawhiti Museum and Art Gallery to learn about the history of the area, and Cooks Landing Site for great views of the Bay. You might like to try your hand at surfing from one of the beaches!
Day 12
Head along the coast to the Bay of Plenty, and the art deco capital of Napier. Visit the Mahia Peninsula en route to see beautiful beaches and a great lunch stop.
Day 13
This morning you will join a Gannet safari tour, giving you the opportunity to see the birds up close. This afternoon, spend the afternoon exploring the art deco architecture of Napier, a guided tour can be arranged.
Day 14
Today you will take two short connecting flights to Dunedin. This afternoon explore the city. You might like to visit the steepest street in the world, Baldwin street.
Day 15
Today you will join a wildlife tour on the Otago Peninsula to see penguins in their natural habitat and learn about other wildlife such as sealions and the magnificent Royal Albatross. This afternoon you might like to visit Larnach Castle.
Day 16
Start your journey along the south coast to the Catlins. This drive is part of the Southern Scenic route and winds its way along the beautiful rugged coastline of the South of New Zealand.
Day 17
Spend a day exploring the hidden gems of the Catlins – waterfalls, native forest and a glorious coastline. Keep your eyes peeled for Little Blue penguins and sealions on the beach.
Day 18
Continue west to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. You will be driving down the Southern Scenic route today so take your time. The Fiordland national park is arguably some of the best scenery in New Zealand.
Day 19
Today you will join a full day trip to Doubtful Sound, first crossing Lake Manapouri then cruising along the magnificent Sound. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, penguins and if you are very lucky whales have been spotted at times.
Day 20
Today you will drive to Wanaka, in the heart of the Southern Lakes region. The mountain scenery surrounding Lake Wanaka makes for beautiful viewing, so order a glass of wine and take it all in.
Day 21
Today you will join a fantastic jet boat tour across Lake Wanaka and in to the Matukituku River Valley where you take a short walk surrounded by ancient beech forest.
Day 22
Make your way through the impressive Haast Pass to the west coast today. This is a stunning drive with many photo opportunities along the way. Wind your way up to the glaciers in time for dinner.
Day 23
Enjoy a fabulous scenic flight this morning which will give you splendid views of the mountains and coastline and weather permitting a snow landing. Later on take a walk around Lake Matheson or if you want more time at the glaciers enjoy a stroll along the valley floor.
Day 24
Continue your journey up the coast to Punakaiki. View the famous Pancake Rocks, shaped by the ocean this afternoon before enjoying a leisurely evening.
Day 25
Make your way north via Murchison and the pretty Motueka Valley to Abel Tasman National Park.
Day 26
Enjoy a day in the spectacular area of the Abel Tasman national park. Walk along part of the Abel Tasman track, rent kayaks or simply enjoy the wonderful scenery here.
Day 27
Today you will head to Nelson airport for your short domestic flight to Auckland in time for your overnight flight back to the UK. Your New Zealand adventure ends here.

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

Being a relatively long and thin country New Zealand is blessed with an extensive and beautiful coastline. From the delightful little coves of the Bay of Islands and Northland to the rugged outcrops of Southland, as you travel around you will stumble upon very varied coastal scenery. This self-drive itinerary includes highlights such as the now famous movie backdrop of Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula and the glorious Fiordland scenery of Doubtful Sound. Along the way there is plenty of opportunity to see a host of wildlife, both in the ocean and flying gracefully above it.

3 nights Bay of Islands – 2 nights Coromandel – 2 nights Tauranga – 2 nights Gisborne – 2 nights Napier – 2 nights Dunedin – 2 nights Catlins – 2 nights Te Anau – 2 nights Wanaka – 2 nights Fox or Franz Josef Glacier – 1 night Punakaiki – 2 nights Nelson/Abel Tasman National Park


Where you'll go

What you'll do

Where you'll stay

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