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Suggested Itineries

14 DAYS AUCKLAND TO CHRISTCHURCH


14 days/13 nights - enjoy the natural and cultural wonders of the North and South Islands.

Days 1-2:
Fly from London Heathrow to Auckland (via Los Angeles) with Air New Zealand, arriving 2 days later.

Day 3: Arrive Auckland
After your overnight flight, you will be transferred to the Mercure Auckland for the night. You'll be given all your tour documentation including maps and driving instructions.

Day 4: Auckland to Rotorua (235km)
This morning, collect your rental car and set off for Rotorua, that amazing land of bubbling geysers and fizzing thermal pools. Check in to the Lake Plaza Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 5: Rotorua
You have a full day at your leisure - time to explore this thermal wonderland. Tonight, how about a traditional Maori 'hangi' feast and concert?

Day 6: Rotorua to Napier (225km)
Hit the road again today, heading for Napier, famous for its parks, gardens and shoreline. 2 nights at the Te Pania Hotel.

Day 7: Napier
A full day free at leisure - time to explore this lovely place. A visit to one of the top-class wineries will surely be a highlight. Day 8: Napier to Wellington (330km) Make your way to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, where you stay overnight at the Mercure Wellington.

Day 9: Wellington to Picton/Blenheim (30km)
This morning, return your rental car to the Ferry Terminal Depot and board the Interlander Ferry for your journey from North Island to South Island, across Cook Strait to Picton. Collect your rental car and drive to Blenheim where you will stay 1 night at the Scenic Circle.

Day 10: Blenheim, Kaikoura to Christchurch (250km)
Drive down the coast past the towns of Kaikoura (famous for whale watching) and Cheviot before arriving in historic Christchurch. Overnight at the Copthorne Durham St.

Day 11: Christchurch to Mt Cook (330km)
Set off today for Mount Cook, where time is available to take an optional scenic ski-plane or helicopter flight over the Tasman Glacier. Overnight at the Godley Resort.

day 12: Mt Cook to Queenstown (330km)
Journey to Queenstown and stay 2 nights at the Copthorne Lakefront Resort.

Day 13: Queenstown
Today enjoy a full day at leisure. Select your optional sightseeing: a thrilling jet boat ride, a vintage steamer lake cruise, a visit to the high country sheep stations, a mountain gondola ride - the list is endless, and you also have time to relax and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery.

day 14: Queenstown to Dunedin (285km)
Today you drive to Dunedin - the 'Edinburgh of the South'. This afternoon you are free to explore - you may like to visit the Otago Peninsula - home of the Royal Albatross Colony and the Yellow-eyed penguins - or historic Larnach Castle. Overnight at the Scenic Circle City.

Day 15: Dunedin to Christchurch (360km)
Make your way back to Christchurch with some fantastic memories to savour. Overnight at the Copthorne Durham St.

Day 16: Christchurch
Your amazing tour is over. Return your rental car to the airport to connect with your overnight Air New Zealand flight back to London. Where necessary we reserve the right to substitute hotels for one of a similar standard.


11 DAY NORTH ISLAND ITINERY


DAY 1 - AUCKLAND - WHITIANGA (214km/133miles, 4hours)

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway to Coromandel Peninsula driving in your Campervan. The Peninsula has kilometres of spectacular coastline. On the West Coast there is a never-ending parade of beaches, coves and harbours lined with pohutukawa trees (a red-flowering native of New Zealand).

Stop in Thames, known as the gateway to Coromandel Peninsula, for a break mid-morning and learn about the goldmining and kauri logging history of the region. Visit Thames Goldmine and Stamper Battery to take an underground tour of a working mine, or Thames School of Mines and Museum to visit a mineralogical museum.

Other activities and attractions in Thames include:

Drive in your Motorhome up the west side of the Peninsula through secluded bays and coastal villages offering locally made art and craft. Stop at Rapaura Watergardens, located half an hour north of Thames. Home to water lilies, waterfalls and fishponds, this extensive watergarden of native and exotic plants is surrounded by a native forest park.

Stop in Coromandel Town to soak up some of the small-town atmosphere. Coromandel was visited in 1820 by the HMS Coromandel, which called in to the harbour for kauri spars. The ship brought the town, and the Peninsula, its name from the Madras coast of India. In 1852 the discovery of gold at Driving Creek brought a boom to Coromandel Town. A lot of history dating from that time is still evident in the Town today: old buildings, artefacts and atmosphere.

Take State Highway 25 to Whitianga. Arrive in Whitianga late afternoon and overnight at one of the waterfront lodgings. Whitianga is a great beach holiday spot and the relatively sheltered waters of the bay are great for all water sports. In the evening dine out and indulge in a seafood fest at one of Whitianga's restaurants.

For more information on the Coromandel Peninsula visit www.thecoromandel.com

DAY 2 - WHITIANGA - TAURANGA (167km/104miles, 2hours 30mins)

Spend the morning and early afternoon in the Whitianga area - activities and attractions include:

For those visitors able to stay additional days in the Whitianga area, activities and attractions include:

For more information on Whitianga visit www.whitianga.co.nz

In the afternoon drive your Campervan through the beach towns of Tairua and Whangamata and then on to Waihi. Visitors can choose to stop at these seaside resorts or detour to Pauanui, another beachside township.

Tairua and Pauanui are twin harbour towns situated on the Coromandel Peninsula's east coast. Both have a superb setting beside the Pacific Ocean. Tairua is the older town, originally a milling and farming community. Across the water is the holiday home town of Pauanui, a purpose-built community.

Activities and attractions in the area include:

Whangamata has a unique combination of beach and rainforest. Its spectacular ocean beach provides some of the best surfing breaks, yet very safe swimming.

Activities and attractions in the area include:

Continue south to Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty. This region seems to have it all - a mild, sunny climate, some of the country's most popular beaches and an abundance of orchards, especially kiwifruit, avocado and citrus.

In the afternoon visitors can choose from the following activities:

OR take a trip to Te Puke where activities include:

Overnight in Tauranga where there is a wide range of accommodation choices. Dine at a waterfront restaurant or cafe.

For those visitors able to stay additional days in the Bay of Plenty region, options include:

For more information on the Bay of Plenty region visit www.nztauranga.co.nz

DAY 3 - TAURANGA - ROTORUA (86km/53miles, 1hour 30mins)

Take State Highway 33 to Rotorua in your Campervan, leaving the Pacific Coast Highway touring route behind. Spend the remainder of Day Three in Rotorua.

Rotorua is one of the most famous tourist destinations in New Zealand, and has a long history of welcoming visitors. From the moment people arrive in Rotorua they know they're somewhere quite different. There is a scent of sulphur in the air, and at nearby geothermal hotspots there are spouting geysers, mud pools bubbling and belching, and warm geothermal pools and ponds that create a kaleidoscope of colour.

Activities and attractions in Rotorua include:

Geothermal Attractions

Flightseeing

Parks/Walking Tracks

On the Water

Shows/Tours

Heritage and Culture

Other activities and attractions

In the evening, discover the customs of the Maori people at one of the Maori concerts and traditional hangi meals staged daily

For those visitors able to stay in Rotorua additional days, activities and attractions include:

For more information on Rotorua visit www.rotoruanz.com

DAY 4 - ROTORUA - GISBORNE

There are two options to get to Gisborne from Rotorua in your Motorhome. The first is the coastal route (Pacific Coast Highway) from Whakatane around the East Cape to Gisborne. If visitors choose to do this it is recommended they extend this itinerary by one day and overnight in the East Cape area. The second is the inland road from Whakatane to Gisborne.

OPTION ONE

ROTORUA - HICKS BAY, EAST CAPE (290km/180miles, 5hours 35mins)

Depart in your Motorhome from Rotorua on State Highway 30 for Whakatane. Stop at expansive Ohope Beach for a break and then continue to Hicks Bay on the East Cape. The journey of about three hours takes in azure-coloured bays and beaches and New Zealand's native pohutukawa trees abound. Break the journey at Whanarua Bay, one of the prettiest bays on the coast for a swim, a picnic, or a bush walk and then boil up the kettle in your Camper for a nice cup of tea.

Find accommodation in the area. Suggestions include Hicks Bay or Lottin Point - camping and motor home facilities are available as well as motel accommodation.

Activities and attractions in the area include:

HICKS BAY - GISBORNE (180km/112miles, 3hours 40mins)

Journey to Gisborne, stopping at numerous points of interest on the way including:

Overnight in Gisborne. This is the main centre of the East Coast region and there is a range of accommodation to choose from. Dine at a local restaurant and sample the locally produced Chardonnay wine.

See Gisborne activities below.

OPTION TWO

Take State Highway 30 in your Campervan to Whakatane and then turn inland and take State Highway 2 to Gisborne. This road is known as the Waioeka Scenic Highway, a magnificent drive that winds through native forest. The Waioeka Scenic Reserve is a great environment for fishing, river swimming and rafting.

Blue waters, white sands, lush forested hills, park your Campervan up, take in the big surf and sheltered coves, sun, wine, seafood and a blend of history and culture aptly describes the Eastland region. Mt Hikurangi, which is the first mainland place in the world to see the sun, is steeped in Maori history. As Captain Cook sailed around the point of land now named Young Nicks Head in 1769, he landed at Kaiti Beach, Gisborne, where he was the first European to set foot on New Zealand. Today, this region attracts holidaymakers and surfers from all over the world.

On arrival into Gisborne, activities and attractions include:

Local History

Sightseeing

Gisborne is well known for its Chardonnay wines, so spend time in the afternoon tasting some award-winning wines from the region.

Visitors able to stay additional days in the Eastland region can choose from the following attractions and activities:

For more information on the Eastland region visit www.gisbornenz.com

DAY 5 - GISBORNE - NAPIER (216km/134miles, 3hours 25mins)

Continue the journey on the Pacific Coast Highway touring route (State Highway 2) to Napier traveling in your Camper. Stop en route at Mahia Peninsula Scenic Reserve and beach - a great spot for fishing, surfing, swimming and diving.

Basking in a Mediterranean climate, the Hawke's Bay region is known for its wine, food and fabulous scenery. Over 30 vineyards offer visitors a wine tasting and indoor/outdoor dining experience. Napier and Hastings, the two main centres in the region, have a high concentration of Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture. Following a major earthquake in 1931, the towns were rebuilt in these unique styles.

Visitors can choose from the following activities to fill their afternoon in the Hawke's Bay region:

Overnight in Napier. Dining options could include visiting one of the many vineyards offering evening meals.

For those people with extra days to spare, attractions and activities include:

For more information on the Hawke's Bay region visit www.hawkesbaynz.com

DAY 6 - NAPIER - TAUPO - NAPIER (143km/ 89miles, 2hours - one way)

Drive in your Campervan north from Napier on State Highway 2 and turn left at the Napier/Taupo intersection onto State Highway 5. Travellers will now find themselves on the Thermal Explorer Highway touring route to Lake Taupo.

Lake Taupo, created from a major volcanic eruption and New Zealand's largest lake, is one of the North Island's most popular holiday destinations both in summer and in winter.

Taupo's attractions and activities include:

Return to Napier for the night.

For more information on the Taupo region visit www.laketauponz.com

DAY 7 & 8 - NAPIER - WELLINGTON via State Highway 2 (335km/208miles, 5hours)

There are two alternative routes for visitors to chose from.

Option One

In your Motorhome travel State Highway 2 heads south through the Wairarapa and arrives into Wellington over the Rimutaka Hill and through the Hutt Valley. Options include stopping at the small country towns of Carterton, Greytown, Featherston and Martinborough in the Wairarapa on the way through.

Carterton

Carterton is the ideal base for outdoor activities and excursions to Waiohine Gorge and the Tararua Forest Park. An additional day in the area would be required to:

Greytown

Historic Greytown is New Zealand's first inland town, and has retained its delightful colonial village character with wooden Victorian buildings. A leisurely stroll reveals a superb range of specialty shopping, from antiques to crafts, gift shops and galleries. Take a break at one of Greytown's cafes and restaurants.

Featherston

The town is close to Lake Wairarapa, the biggest wetland area in the lower North Island and a significant area in New Zealand for native and migratory birds. Stop to visit the:

Martinborough

A detour off State Highway 2 to Martinborough in your Tui Campervan is worth the effort for the range of vineyards in the area - there are 26 vineyards in and around Martinborough village. This area also offers a large amount of Bed & Breakfast accommodation and self-catering cottages for rent, ideal for a relaxing night. www.martinborough.com

For more information on the Wairarapa visit www.wairarapanz.com

Option Two

The other route is to turn off at Woodville, onto State Highway 3 then join State Highway 57 in Palmerston North, then join State Highway 1 at Levin. Palmerston North is the main centre of the Manawatu region and visitors may wish to stop in the town to take in some of the activities and attractions:

Visit one of the nearby gardens:

Travel down through the market gardens of the Kapiti Coast area and follow the highway down the coast to Wellington.

Activities in the Kapiti Coast region include:

For those with additional time in the Kapiti Coast area:


Visitors must pre-arrange a permit and transport to the Island from the Kapiti Coast Visitor Information Centre. Contact the Kapiti Coast Visitor Information Centre for more information; fax +64 6 364 7630 or email kapiti.info@clear.net.nz

Arrive in Wellington late afternoon in your Motorhome, and overnight. Wellington is the nation's capital and the political headquarters for the country. It is also home to Te Papa - the interactive Museum of New Zealand - numerous art galleries and national treasures such as the original Treaty of Waitangi and Katherine Mansfield's birthplace. The performing arts, ballet and symphony orchestra are also based here and a diverse range of cafes and restaurants supports the city's vibrant nightlife. This is a compact city nestled between an expansive harbour and bush-clad hills. The downtown area is ideal for walking around, with all shopping, cafes, transport, accommodation and the city's attractions within close proximity

WELLINGTON

Spend the day in New Zealand's capital city.

Suggested activities include:

For those wanting to explore the city more extensively, Wellington offers:

Overnight in Wellington.

For more information on Wellington visit www.wellingtonnz.com

DAY 9 - WELLINGTON - NEW PLYMOUTH (355km/220miles, 5hours 10mins)

This morning in your Motorhome drive out of Wellington on State Highway 1 to New Plymouth, in the Taranaki region.

En route travellers will pass through Wanganui city. A break in this attractive city is recommended for lunch at one of the many cafes, or a heritage or scenic walk through the well kept parks, gardens and reserves. The famous Whanganui River flows from one of New Zealand's highest volcanoes, Mt Tongariro, through the spectacular Whanganui National Park, to the coast of the Tasman Sea, and Wanganui city.

For those visitors able to stay in the Wanganui region additional days, activities and attractions include:

For more information visit www.rivernz.com

En route to New Plymouth in the Taranaki region are a number of attractions to consider:

The Taranaki region is dominated by Mt Taranaki and the surrounding Egmont National Park. The region is well known for its silver sand surfing beaches and glorious parks and gardens, particularly the dazzling array of rhododendrons and azaleas on display in spring. Many of the area's magnificent private gardens are open for public viewing year round.

Visitors can choose from the following activities in the Taranaki region:

Visitors able to stay additional days in the Taranaki region can choose from the following activities and attractions:

o Tramp to the top of Mt Taranaki/Egmont with a professional guide. Organised summit climbs run throughout February. Visitors can enjoy the invigoration of a 2518 metre/8255 foot climb above sea level with views to the three North Island mountains
o Mt Taranaki has more than 300 km/186 miles of walking tracks, ranging from 10-minute nature walks or four hours over the Pouakai Ranges, to a 3-day, 55 km/34 mile trek around the mountain. www.doc.govt.nz click on Recreation then National Parks
For more information on the Taranaki region visit www.taranaki.org.nz

DAY 10 - NEW PLYMOUTH - WAITOMO CAVES (173km/107miles, 3hours 30mins)

Depart in your Campervan from New Plymouth on State Highway 3 travelling north to Te Kuiti. This drive will take visitors through the scenic Awakino Gorge. If time permits, stop in Mokau for a river cruise - reservations are essential.

From Te Kuiti continue north for 10 minutes. Signage will indicate the turn-off to the Waitomo Caves village.

Spend the afternoon exploring the unique attractions of Waitomo. Options include:

Visitors able to stay additional days in the area can choose from the following activities:

The Waitomo district is an ideal area for experiencing a farmstay with a family from the local farming community, and there is a wide range of other accommodation options.

For more information on the Waitomo area visit www.waitomo.govt.nz

DAY 11 - WAITOMO- AUCKLAND (200km/124miles, 3hours 10mins)

Spend the morning enjoying the activities in the Waitomo area before driving north in your Motorhome to Auckland on State Highway 3. Visit the Kiwi House in Otorohanga, a kiwi breeding sanctuary providing a unique opportunity to see New Zealand's national bird.

Rejoin State Highway 1 at Hamilton to arrive in Auckland late afternoon.

Aucklanders enjoy a warm, humid climate and an outdoor lifestyle. One of the best ways to get out and about is to escape to one of the many islands of the Hauraki Gulf and experience its beautiful scenery. Travelling no more than 40 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland, visitors can escape to an island experience - Waiheke, Motuihe, Rangitoto - or journey a little further to Tiritiri Matangi, Kawau or Great Barrier.

The Hauraki Gulf experience is complemented by a modern evolving city with restaurants and bars, theatre, art and fashion, a host of new luxury accommodation and a vibrant waterfront. With an infusion of new restaurants and bars, Auckland is a leader in Pacific Rim dining, a style unique to New Zealand - combining fresh seafood and meats with flavours borrowed from Europe, the Mediterranean, Polynesia and Thailand.

Evening attractions and activities include:

For those people able to stay in Auckland additional days, activities and attractions include:

A visit to one of the many islands in the area

On-the-water options

Outdoor activities

History

Arts and culture

For more information on Auckland visit www.aucklandnz.com


9 DAY ALTERNATIVE NORTH ISLAND ITINERY


DAY 1 - AUCKLAND - COROMANDEL TOWN (180km/112miles, 3hours)

Travel through the beautiful Clevedon Valley region of Auckland in your Motorhome, the beginning of the Pacific Coast Highway touring route. Clevedon Village is set in a quaint rural setting and provides a great opportunity for morning tea. Visit the Clevedon Woolshed, which offers locally made art and craft.

Follow the touring route signs along the Seabird Coast and across the Hauraki Plains before arriving in Thames, gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula. Continue on the Pacific Coast Highway up the west side of the Peninsula through secluded bays and coastal villages offering locally made art and craft.

Stop for lunch at the Rapaura Watergardens, a short detour inland at Tapu.

End the drive in Coromandel town, and spend the afternoon and next morning exploring the area.

Coromandel was visited in 1820 by the HMS Coromandel, which called in to the harbour for kauri spars. The ship brought the town, and the Peninsula, its name from the Madras coast of India. In 1852 the discovery of gold at Driving Creek brought a boom to Coromandel Town. A lot of history dating from that time is still evident in the Town today: old buildings, artefacts and atmosphere.

Activities and attractions in Coromandel include:

For those visitors able to stay additional days in the Coromandel area the following attraction and activity options include:

For more information on Coromandel town visit www.coromandeltown.co.nz

DAY 2 - COROMANDEL TOWN - WHITIANGA (46km/29 miles, 1hour)
Take State Highway 25 to Whitianga. Drive into the town from the north and divert to Whangapoua - a 20-minute walk takes visitors to New Chums Beach, one of the Peninsula's most beautiful, unspoiled golden sand beaches.

Whitianga is a great beach holiday spot, with fish to catch and shellfish to gather. The relatively sheltered waters of the bay are great for all water sports.

Spend the afternoon in the Whitianga area, where activities include:

A walk along Buffalo Beach is a perfect way to end the day in Whitianga. Overnight in Whitianga.

For more information on Whitianga visit www.whitianga.co.nz

For more information on Coromandel Peninsula visit www.thecoromandel.com

DAY 3 - WHITIANGA - TAURANGA (167km/104 miles, 3hours)

Depart Whitianga for Tauranga along the Pacific Coast Highway, passing through the coastal townships of Tairua and Whangamata with your Travelhome. Be sure to take in Whangamata's 'Ocean Beach' - mile after mile of white, sandy beach, complemented by the azure blue waters of the Pacific. Further south is Waihi, an historic goldmining town and one in which there is still a working mine sourcing both gold and silver.

Stop in Katikati to view the view the unique wall murals for which Katikati is renowned. www.katikati.co.nz

Arrive in the Bay of Plenty region early afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring Tauranga and surrounds. This region seems to have it all - a mild, sunny climate, some of the country's most popular beaches and an abundance of orchards, especially kiwifruit, avocado and citrus.

The clear pristine waters of the Bay of Plenty offer the ultimate marine encounter, the opportunity to swim with, or just observe, dolphins in their natural environment. Other oceanic based activities include diving, game fishing, underwater photography and surfing to name a few.

Afternoon activities and attractions in the Tauranga region include:

OR take a trip to Te Puke for the following activities and attractions:

Overnight in Tauranga.

For those visitors able to stay additional days in the Bay of Plenty region, options include:

For more information on the Bay of Plenty region visit www.nztauranga.co.nz

DAY 4 - TAURANGA - GISBORNE

There are two ways to get to Gisborne from Tauranga in your Motorhome. The first is the Pacific Coast Highway from Tauranga around the East Cape to Gisborne. If visitors choose to do this it is recommended they extend this itinerary by one day and overnight in the East Cape area. The second is the inland road from Whakatane to Gisborne.

OPTION ONE

TAURANGA - HICKS BAY, EAST CAPE (302km/188miles, 5hours 45mins)

Depart in your Motorhome from Tauranga on State Highway 2 for Whakatane. Stop at expansive Ohope Beach for a break and then continue to Hicks Bay on the East Cape. The journey of about three hours takes in azure-coloured bays and beaches and New Zealand's native pohutukawa trees abound. Break the journey at Whanarua Bay, one of the prettiest bays on the coast, for a swim, a picnic or a bush walk.

Find accommodation in the area. Suggestions include Hicks Bay or Lottin Point - camping and motor home facilities are available as well as motel accommodation.

Activities and attractions in the area include:


HICKS BAY - GISBORNE, EASTLAND (174km/108miles, 2hours 45mins)

Journey to Gisborne, stopping at numerous points of interest on the way including:

Overnight in Gisborne. This is the main centre of the East Coast region and there is a range of accommodation to choose from. Dine at a local restaurant and sample the locally produced Chardonnay wine.

See Gisborne activities below.

OPTION TWO

TAURANGA - GISBORNE VIA SH2 (296km/184miles, 5hours)

Take State Highway 30 in your Motorhome to Whakatane and then turn inland and take State Highway 2 to Gisborne. This road is known as the Waioeka Scenic Highway, a magnificent drive that winds through native forest. The Waioeka Scenic Reserve is a great environment for fishing, river swimming and rafting.

Blue waters, white sands, lush forested hills, big surf and sheltered coves, sun, wine, seafood and a blend of history and culture aptly describes the Eastland region. Mt Hikurangi, which is the first mainland place in the world to see the sun, is steeped in Maori history. As Captain Cook sailed around the point of land now named Young Nicks Head in 1769, he landed at Kaiti Beach, Gisborne, where he was the first European to set foot on New Zealand. Today, this region attracts holidaymakers and surfers from all over the world.

On arrival into Gisborne, activities and attractions include:

Local history

Sightseeing

Gisborne is well known for its Chardonnay wines, so spend time in the afternoon tasting some award-winning wines from the region.

Visitors able to stay additional days in the Gisborne region can choose from the following attractions and activities:

For more information on the Gisborne region visit www.gisbornenz.com

DAY 5 - GISBORNE - NAPIER (216km/134miles, 3hours 25mins)

Continue the journey on the Pacific Coast Highway touring route (State Highway 2) to Napier traveling in your Camper. Stop en route at Mahia Peninsula Scenic Reserve and beach - a great spot for fishing, surfing, swimming and diving.

Basking in a Mediterranean climate, the Hawke's Bay region is known for its wine, food and fabulous scenery. Over 30 vineyards offer visitors a wine tasting and indoor/outdoor dining experience. Napier and Hastings, the two main centres in the region, have a high concentration of Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture. Following a major earthquake in 1931, the towns were rebuilt in these unique styles.

Visitors can choose from the following activities to fill their afternoon in the Hawke's Bay region:

Overnight in Napier. Dining options could include visiting one of the many vineyards offering evening meals.

For those people with extra days to spare, attractions and activities include: