DAY 1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND
On arrival in Auckland, you will be met by a local representative for either a private transfer to your hotel or collection of your rental car. Overnight at Auckland.

DAY 2: AUCKLAND - WAITOMO - ROTORUA
Travel south through the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves including an underground boat ride viewing the millions of glow worms on the cavern roof. On completion continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the `Thermal City of Rotorua. Overnight at Rotorua. (B)

DAY 3: ROTORUA
Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this visit Paradise Valley Springs to see New Zealand's trout, birds and wildlife before continuing to the Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (Feast) and Concert. Overnight at Rotorua. (B, D)

DAY 4: ROTORUA -WELLINGTON
Travel south to reach the popular lake resort of Taupo and along the shores of Lake Taupo to Turangi, before continuing on the Desert Road, dominated in the background by the three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Continue south through lush farmland before arriving in Wellington. Overnight at Wellington. (B)

DAY 5: WELLINGTON - PICTON - KAIKOURA
Journey across Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand, and into the Marlborough Sounds with its sparkling clear waters and lush forests, before arriving in Picton. Travel south through the town of Blenheim, before reaching Kaikoura, a town steeped in Maori history and legend. Overnight at Kaikoura. (B)

DAY 6: KAIKOURA - CHRISTCHURCH
Optional Whale Watch Cruise. Leave Kaikoura behind as you turn inland and travel through North Canterbury to reach the `Garden City' of Christchurch. Overnight at Christchurch. (B)


DAY 7: CHRISTCHURCH - MT COOK
Travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains before arriving at Lake Tekapo. Visit the `Church of the Good Shepherd' before continuing onto Mt Cook National Park. Overnight at Mt. Cook. (B, D)

DAY 8: MT COOK - QUEENSTOWN
Follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south to the small town of Twizel before continuing through the historic Central Otago region to Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown. Overnight at Queenstown. (B)

DAY 9: QUEENSTOWN
Day at leisure to explore this beautiful "Alpine Resort". Overnight at Queenstown. (B)

DAY 10: QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND - TE ANAU
Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the breathtaking man made Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Return to Te Anau. Overnight at Te Anau. (B)

DAY 11: TE ANAU - DUNEDIN
Cross the fertile Southland Plains through Gore and Balclutha to South Otago. Then travel north to the `Edinburgh of the South', Dunedin. The afternoon is free for optional activities. Overnight at Dunedin. (B)

DAY 12: DUNEDIN - CHRISTCHURCH
Travel north through lush farmland and a series of small farming communities to Christchurch. Overnight at Christchurch. (B)

DAY 13: DEPARTURE DAY
Your arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or the return of your rental car. (B)