New Zealand travel information

A month in New Zealand

New Zealand

Itinerary:
There are no motorways so don't expect to get anywhere fast, but the roads are good, and the scenery is fantastic.

Days 1-3: Auckland, Quality Inn, Parnell.
·      Day trip to Devonport: walk to the top of Mt Victoria, an extinct volcano, for magnificent panoramic views,
·      Wander the trendy streets of Parnell, Newmarket and Ponsonby.

Days 4, 5: Coromandel, Anchor Lodge Motel.
·      Experience the hot sands and springs at Hot Water Beach, nr Hahei; walk the Cathedral Cove track to the beach; drive the 309 road, a well-maintained but steep gravel road (watch out for wild pigs).
·      Drive to Waitomo Caves to see the glow worms.

Days 6, 7: Rotorua, Cedarwood Lakeside Holiday Resort.
·      Visit to the Wai-o-Tapu thermal wonderland. Don’t be put off by its commercial name – the sight are so awe-inspiring, words hardly do justice.
·      Wander around town through the Kuirau Park and along the lake to see steam rising from every crevice.

Day 8, 9: Rotorua, drive on to Napier. Mission B&B www.missionbnb.co.nz
·      Bath in the hot springs at Waikite Valley Thermal Pools.
·      Wander the Art Deco buildings in Napier. Visit the Art Deco Centre on the corner of Herschell Street and Tennyson Street for guidance and tours.
·      Head down the coast to the vineyards towards Te Awanga.
·      Drive to the top of Te Mata Park, 16km from Havelock North.
·      Dine at the birthplace of New Zealand wine at the Mission Estate Winery, Taradale, Napier.

Day 10, 11: Head to the south island, Blenhiem. Dry Olive B&B www.dryolive.com
·      Get up early to tackle the four and a half hour drive to Wellington, to get a ferry over to the south island. You’ll need to book in advance.
·      Visit the Marlborough vineyards.

Day 12: Kaikoura: Austin Heights B&B www.austinheights.co.nz
·      Drive to Kaikoura to see the sperm whales – three hour boat trip. Book in advance.

Day 13: Oamaru: Windhaven B&B www.windhaven.co.nz
·      Long drive but beautiful countryside.
·      Visit Riverstone Kitchen for dinner

Day 14, 15: Drive to Te Anau: Kepler Oaks chalet www.teanaunz.com www.facebook.com/keplaroakschalet
·      Drive to Te Anau via Frankton.
·      Day trip to Milford Sound, organised through Real Journeys. Book in advance.

Day 16, 17: Drive to Wanaka: Alphine Resort, Wanaka
·      Drive via lunch in Queenstown
·      Hire bicycles and pedal around the lake, walk to the top of Mount Iron, take your brains to the gym for a workout at Puzzle World.

Day 18,19: Drive to Franz Fox and Franz Josef
·      Take a helicopter to the top of the glaciers with Helicopter Glacier Tours: Alpine Adventures, www.scenic-flights.co.nz
·      Kayaking: we joined Glacier Country Kayaks www.glacierkayaks.com
·      Visit the Glacier hot pools: www.glacierhotpools.co.nz
For wild life visit the West Coast Wildlife Centre to see kiwis www.wildkiwi.co.nz  or take a tour to see the White Heron Sanctuary
·      For culture visit the Maori Cultural Experience by Puawai: a new live performance of traditional songs and dance. Be prepared for some participation and fun. www.maoriculturalcentre.co.nz
· Stay at Glenfern villas, just 6km from Franz Josef (www.glenfern.co.nz) or 58 on Cron motel, which is within walking distance of Franz Josef’s restaurants and bars. (www.58oncron.co.nz)

Day 20: Drive to Hokitika
·      Walk along the beach, which is littered with fantastic driftwood
·      Visit the glow worm dell.
·      Get your walking boots on: Click here for more details
·      Stay at the Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation. The chalets back straight on to the beach and are opposite a glow worm dell. www.shiningstar.co.nz

Day 21: Drive to Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass
·      Signs and cracks of the 2011 earthquake, which killed 185 people, are still very much evident. Just wandering around the town you’ll get a glimpse of how life has changed from the shopping area and the cathedral.

Day 23: fly back to Auckland

Good reading:
·      Lonely Planet’s guide to New Zealand
·      There are plenty of free guides and maps to pick up enroute. Look out for information from Jasons.co.nz and the AA (Automobile Association, aatravel.co.nz)

Free travel sights

If you'd like to receive our Travel Insights in an downloadable document, please contact us and sign up to our newsletter.

Free top tips guide

If you'd like to receive our Jigsaw Pieces in a downloadable document, please click here.

travel advice

New Zealand pictures

Milford Sound

Coromandel

Hokitika