Ultimate New Zealand

Days 1 - 4: UK - Auckland

Welcome to Auckland, the City of Sails! Enjoy this harbour side city at your leisure. Take in panoramic views from the top of the Sky tower or take a boat trip across the harbour to one of the neighbouring islands.

Day 5: Pākiri
Distance: 142 km / 88 miles

After collecting your motorhome, head northwards to Pākiri for an overnight stay by the beach. Spend your first night enjoying the kiwi outdoors lifestyle whilst settling into your new home on wheels.

Days 6-7: Russell (Bay of Islands)
Distance: 182 km / 113 miles

Onto the Bay of Islands, a National Maritime Park. The scenic Bay of Islands is home to 144 islands and is the perfect place to relax, go swimming or sailing. Learn about the history of the region and the signing of the British and Māori treaty at Waitangi.

Day 8: Red Beach (Greater Auckland)
Distance: 202 km / 125 miles

Return southbound to Red Beach situated on the Hibiscus Coast. Spend one night next to a beautiful 2km stretch of beach.

Day 9: Waitomo
Distance: 225 km / 140 miles

Waitomo is known for its labyrinth of limestone caves where you can walk or take a boat ride to see the incredible natural spectacle of the glowworms which illuminate the caves in their thousands. Nearby is the Otorohanga Kiwi House which shelters several rare species of the native kiwi.

Days 10-11: New Plymouth
Distance: 170 km / 105 miles

Continuing south you will pass through idyllic lush countryside dotted with dairy farms, picturesque towns and views towards Mt Taranaki. To get closer to Mt Taranaki, take a hike along one of the walking trails on its lower slopes.

New Plymouth is an interesting place with its Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre, an impressive contemporary gallery housing one of the artist’s most famous kinetic sculptures.

Day 12: Whanganui 
Distance: 188 km / 117 miles

In Whanganui take a river cruise on the Steamer Waimarie or visit Whanganui National Park to the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. Hike or cycle to this picturesque valley which provided farms for soldiers returning from World War I in 1919.

Days 13-14: Picton
Distance: 196 km / 122 miles

Travel along the Kapiti coast to Wellington where you will board the ferry to the South Island. Passing through the Marlborough Sounds, this is a truly scenic crossing into the harbour town of Picton. Explore the bays around Picton with a cruise and track day where you can walk a section of the Queen Charlotte Track and take in the stunning views.

Days 15-17: Kaiteriteri (Abel Tasman)
Distance: 168 km / 105 miles

It is a very scenic drive along coastal roads and twisting mountain passes to the gorgeous Abel Tasman National Park. Kaiteriteri is a great place for picking up kayaks and taking a paddle around the headland. Why not join a guided excursion to the incredible Split Apple Rock formation sitting in shallow waters.

Day 18: Carters Beach (Westport)
Distance: 250 km / 155 miles

Leaving the fertile orchards and forested slopes of South Island’s north coast, head towards the winding roads of the west coast. In Westport, check out the art deco buildings rebuilt after an earthquake in 1929 or hike the nearby Cape Foulwind Walkway.

Days 19-20: Franz Josef
Distance: 275 km / 170 miles

Driving south on the spectacular Great Coast Road and stop at Punakaiki along the way to see the impressive Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Spend the next two nights in Franz Josef for your glacier adventure. See the glaciers with a valley walk to the base or take a heli-hike to grasp the beauty of this mighty glacier.

Day 21: Wanaka
Distance: 289 km / 180 miles

View incredible scenery as you travel through diverse landscapes from rugged coastline to mountains. Travel through Haast which sits within the Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Overnight in Wanaka to relax and enjoy its breath-taking mountains and lake views.

Days 22-23: Queenstown
Distance: 56 km / 34 miles

With a shorter distance to your next campsite, take your time and stop in Arrowtown, a historic gold mining town worth exploring.

On day 23, board the TSS Earnslaw on an included tour to Walter Peak Farm. Enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience with a farm demonstration and a BBQ buffet dinner.

Days 22-23: Queenstown
Distance: 56 km / 34 miles

With a shorter distance to your next campsite, take your time and stop in Arrowtown, a historic goldmining town worth exploring.

On day 23, board the TSS Earnslaw on an included tour to Walter Peak Farm. Enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience with a farm demonstration and a BBQ buffet dinner.

Days 24-25: Te Anau
Distance: 180 / 112 miles

Skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu as you make your way to Te Anau, the gateway to the Fiordland National Park. Nestled on the edge of a lake, this picturesque town is the perfect location to explore the area.

On day 25, soak up the remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound with its rugged peaks and verdant rainforest. During your cruise, listen to knowledgeable nature guides and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Days 26-27: Invercargill
Distance: 152 km / 94 miles

Travel along the Southern Scenic Route as you make your way to Invercargill, fondly dubbed the ‘City of Water and Light’ due to its long summer daylight hours. No visit is complete without a stop at Bill Richardson’s Transport World to see the largest motoring collection of its kind in the world.

Days 28-29: Dunedin
Distance: 208 km / 129 miles

Take the slightly longer worthwhile route continuing along the Southern Scenic Route (or the Catlins Coastal Heritage Trail) which takes you via the Catlins’ rugged coastline, hidden lakes, and magical waterfalls.

Dunedin is known as the wildlife capital of New Zealand so there will be an opportunity to spot world’s smallest penguins and the Royal Albatross amongst other native bird and marine life.

Day 30: Oamaru
Distance: 116 km / 70 miles

From Dunedin follow the coast northwards making sure you have time to visit the mysterious Moeraki Boulders. Oamaru is known for having some of the Southern Hemispheres most complete Victorian streetscapes and 19th century architecture.

Days 31-32: Lake Tekapo
Distance: 178 km / 110 miles

Leaving Oamaru, you will head across the Canterbury plains to the charming town of Lake Tekapo. Situated in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, you can join fellow stargazers at the Mount John Observatory.

If exploring New Zealand’s highest mountain is on your bucket list, head to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park where there’s a choice of hikes with impressive views.

Days 33-35: Christchurch
Distance: 232 km / 144 miles

Spend the next three nights in Christchurch to explore the city’s heritage and its surroundings. Listen to stories about the Canterbury earthquakes at the Quake City Museum or take a leisurely punt along the pretty Avon River.

On day 34, an included trip on the TranzAlpine train allows you to experience the stunning scenery of Arthur's Pass followed by a guided tour along the old stagecoach route back to Christchurch.

Days 36-37: Kaikoura
Distance: 176 km / 109 miles

At Kaikoura you’ll find a natural playground of aquatic mammals feeding in rich coastal waters. Whales and dolphins pass close to the shore and can sometimes be visible from the coastal walkway. A popular option is to join a whale watching cruise where you have a better chance of getting up close.

Days 38-39: Wellington
Distance: 156 km / 97 miles

Return to Picton for your ferry crossing to the North Island and the bustling city of Wellington. Explore the country’s capital with a visit to Te Papa Museum, the national museum of New Zealand, or take a trip up Mount Victoria for panoramic views over the city.

Day 40: Martinborough
Distance: 70 km / 43 miles

Depart Wellington for the quieter charm of Martinborough situated at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Known for its heritage buildings, Martinborough is ideally located to leave the motorhome behind for some wine tasting.

Days 41-42: Napier
Distance: 270 km / 167 miles

Heading north, visit historic Greytown with its restored Victorian buildings and make time for a cup of tea at one of its quaint cafes. Alternatively take a break in Masterton and visit The Wool Shed Museum to learn about sheep farming.

Continue through the Wairarapa region and, time permitting, make a stop in the Pūkaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre where you can see New Zealand’s native animals. Onto your destination for the day, you will be greeted with dairy farmland in the Manawatu Gorge before reaching the rolling countryside of Hawke's Bay and Napier.

Often referred to as the Art-Deco capital of the world, Napier is famous for its many vineyards that serve gourmet food to accompany award-winning wines. Take the opportunity to view the world’s largest mainland gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.

Days 43-44: Rotorua
Distance: 226 km / 140 miles

Next stop is the fascinating geothermal region of Rotorua, a key part of the Māori heartland. Take the cable car ‘gondola’ up Mount Ngongotaha and in return you will get amazing views. A highlight is the Thermal Reserve, featuring bubbling mud pools, colourful mineral pools and the famous Lady Knox geyser.

Join an included evening experience on day 44 for an evening’s cultural experience with stories shared through haka, song and drama before tasting a sumptuous traditional hangi dinner.

Days 45-47: Whitianga
Distance: 231 km / 144 miles

Welcome to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautifully rugged area fringed with dozens of attractive beaches. It is a place where many Kiwis choose to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and is home to arts, crafts and stunning scenery.

You can dig out your very own hot pool metres from the Pacific Ocean at world-famous Hot Water Beach, or head for Cathedral Cove where an arched cavern passes through the headland, joining up two secluded coves. Relax in the cafes and enjoy the art galleries or just taking in the wonderful scenery.

Day 48: Auckland
Distance: 181 km / 112 miles

Auckland is a harbour city, and the locals love nothing more than getting out on the water. The Sky Tower is unmissable and offers panoramic views of the city. A visit to Waiheke Island is an enjoyable experience which offers spectacular views of the city across the water.

Your Farewell Dinner is a chance to reflect on your Ultimate New Zealand adventure and share stories with your fellow travellers and tour hosts.

Days 49-50: Auckland - UK

Time to bid farewell to newfound friends and leave New Zealand with treasured memories that will last a lifetime.