Self-drive adventure package - Auckland to Christchurch - 20 days

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 - Auckland to Tutukaka

Drive north to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, launching point for the first of your 2 dives. This afternoon you dive the infamous wreck of the Rainbow Warrior, a Greenpeace vessel fatally wounded by French bombers in the Auckland Harbour, and later sunk as an artificial reef. In the late afternoon take a short drive to Tutukaka

Day 2 - Tutukaka

Dive the Poor Knights Marine Reserve, named by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 dive locations in the world. The warm currents here originate in the Coral Sea, so the water temperature is higher and visibility greater than that of nearby coastal waters. Born from volcanic activity, tropical and sub-tropical life abounds in this unique underwater environment. Caves, tunnels and archways are all home to great schools of friendly colourful fish - great photography!

Day 3 - Tutukaka to Auckland

After a short drive to Auckland you are going to "conquer the Sky Tower". This is the latest tourism adventure activity to hit Auckland. The vertigo adventurer climbs to a crow's nest platform a dizzy 300 metres above sea level, braving the heights to experience Auckland's ultimate panorama. It is a fully-guided two-hour climb up the heart of the Sky Tower's mast to the highest open air viewing platform, the Sky Deck, revealing unsurpassed views only comparable to a scenic flight over the city. While you're up there you may take the opportunity to bungy jump off! After lunch you might like to have a leisurely canoe to Rangitoto Island bird sanctuary for a refreshing native bush walk before returning to experience Auckland's night life.

Day 4 - Auckland to Whakatane

After a drive to the Waikato region you are going to go to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. There are two options here - you can take a boat ride on a river running through one of the larger caves, or take the seriously adventurous option and head 'down under' for some serious caving. Either option is fine with us - caving is very exciting, but it's not for everyone. If you're taking the seriously adventurous option, you'll don a wetsuit, helmet and headlamp to explore the system of underground caves. You'll float down a stream, jump off waterfalls, and lie on your back with your headlamp off to admire the glowworms.
Five hours of adventuring will leave you looking forward to a scenic drive to Whakatane - launch spot to dive a volcano the following day.

Day 5 - Whakatane

There are very few places where you can dive a live volcano site, but White Island, which has been steaming away for centuries, is something absolutely unique. Climb to the crater's edge of this active volcano in the interval between diving where huge Kingfish, Stingrays and Blue Maomao abound, along with some huge crayfish. But what makes this place truly unique are the bubbling underwater fissures creating an underwater Jacuzzi. Warmer currents also mean nudibranches like those of the Poor Knights abound, and visibility of generally 20 metres plus is the norm.

Day 6 - Whakatane to Rotorua

Enjoy the volcanic wonderland and experience boiling mud, steaming geysers and geothermal activity. Venture into the nearby forests to explore the mountain by horse, then mountain bike through the giant Californian redwood trees in Whakarewarewa Forest. Or you could round off the afternoon with the excitement of a tandem skydive with 45 seconds of freefall from 12,000 feet. In the evening enjoy the cultural experience of traditional Maori-tanga (culture) at a concert and feast.

Day 7 - Rotorua to Auckland or Rotorua Tongariro

Today if you are on the 7 day itinerary you are having a leisurely drive via the beautiful Coromandel back to Auckland. The 10 day or Twin Island Adventure proceeds to Tongariro National Park, with a relaxing day enjoying the fantastic scenery of this World Heritage site, with its three volcanoes. Dining at The Hermitage that evening.

Day 8 - Tongariro

Today you tramp the famous Tongariro crossing. Often described as the best one day walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing is a challenging walk taking 7-8 hours covering a distance of 17km one way (we also have a selection of walks to suit any level of fitness).
The Tongariro Crossing is exceptional. From lava strewn valleys to active volcanic vents and boiling springs, crystal lakes, lunar-like landscapes mixed with thick podocarp forest - this walk has some amazing and diverse beauty. The steep climb from the Mangaetepopo saddle between Mt Ngauruhoe is rewarded by views of Tongariro and on a clear day, Mt Taranaki to the west. The Tongariro Crossing provides an opportunity to experience some of the most scenic volcanically active areas of the park.

Day 9 - Tongariro to Napier

Having made your way to Napier you can relax and be spoilt, spend the day touring vineyards, Hawkes Bay is the oldest established winegrowing region in New Zealand and contains some of the countries most famous vineyards
Early morning we will venture out to Te Mata Peak and take in the fantastic views of the area followed by a walk through an olive grove and the opportunity to taste local olives and oils. For lunch we will dine at Clearview Estate and have the opportunity of tasting their range of hand crafted single vineyard wines. In the afternoon we will visit the largest mainland Gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers

Day 10 - Napier to Wellington or for 17 or 20 day Itinerary Napier to Picton

On the way to Wellington you travel down through the market gardens of the Kapiti Coast area and follow the highway down the coast to Wellington.
On the way you have a Fly By Wire ride where visitors are the pilot of the world's first adventure ride that offers full pilot control of a high-speed, tethered plane. Suspension from overhead wires spanning the valley is the only constraint as passengers experience the thrill of flying at speeds of up to 120 km per hour! Arriving in Wellington to take the 1730 Interisland ferry to Picton or to conclude your trip.

Day 11 - Picton to Nelson

Waikoropupu Springs, Riwaka Caverns and Fish Creek
Today is a day of huge contrasts. Start with an entry level cave dive with full technical equipment into the Riwaka Caverns, before a river drift dive at Fish Creek, then on to Waikoropupu Springs to dive reputedly the clearest fresh water in the world - a massive 62m visibility. Truly an inspirational days diving. In the late afternoon relax in the beautiful town of Nelson, famous for its wide variety of arts crafts and wine.

Day 12 - Nelson to Kaikoura

Diving with or viewing seals in the shallow waters of Kaikoura's rocky coastline is not only fun, but relaxing. Enjoy the company of the cheeky and inquisitive New Zealand Fur Seals by joining them in the water and experience their antics below the surface. You will be enthralled by the closeness of this adventure, amazed by their natural abilities as they show off and delight you by their innocent curiosity. Here you also have a wonderful chance to view whales and dive with Dolphins.

Day 13 - Kaikoura to Christchurch

Situated 136 km, North of Christchurch, Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve offers a large outdoor complex including natural geothermal pools (created by under ground fault lines and fractures). It's a welcome relief for the aching bones.

Hammer is set amongst a beautiful backdrop of mountains and valleys and is a wonderful place for outdoor activities. These include horse trekking, 4 wheel drive tours, white water rafting, kayaking adventures, skiing, golf, mountain biking, jet boat rides and many beautiful walks. Spend the day relaxing, an hour and a half away from the hustle and bustle of Christchurch.

Day 14 - Christchurch to Greymouth

The TranzAlpine is world renowned as 'The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure', crossing the vast, fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. The TranzAlpine winds its way over a massive viaduct, through spectacular gorges and river valleys, before tracking slowly across the country's greatest mountain range, the Southern Alps. Following rivers and skirting lakes, it descends through lush beech forest to the Tasman Sea and the town of Greymouth..
Pick up your car and take an afternoon excursion to Punakaiki to observe the Pancake Rocks and their famous blowholes. This area is part of Paparoa National Park and there is a range of short unguided walks for visitors to experience its natural environment.

Day 15 - Greymouth to Queenstown

Depart Greymouth for Franz Josef Glacier. En route stop in Hokitika, the third largest centre on the West Coast and have a scenic lunch before heading to the Glacier for a Helihike. The Helihike includes a superb scenic flight over the icefalls of the Franz Josef Glacier, which is a prelude to a 2 hour guided trip around the ice pinnacles of the middle glacier. This guided glacier trip explores spectacular icefall terrain, normally only seen by experienced mountaineers. The scenery on this trip is amazing with great panoramas. Don't forget your camera so you can bring home those unforgettable views into the snow caves.
Depart the Glaciers and continue south through Haast Pass to Queenstown. On the drive south to Haast, don't miss Lake Matheson's reflection of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman.

Day 16 - Queenstown

Getting Wild in Queenstown: This is New Zealand's adrenaline capital, where else can you prove how adventurous you are, in some many action packed ways? There are more daredevil stunts per square inch here than anywhere else in the country. Nothing you have experienced will have prepared you for the excitement of your Shotover Jet ride.
Speeding through the towering, rocky canyons of the South Island's river of gold, experiencing the famous "Shotover Jet turn" - how your boat spins through a full 360 degrees in its own length.
"Roller coaster" is the only way to describe your thrilling helicopter flight up river to Skippers Canyon. This trip will take your breath away as you discover the stunning views at break neck speeds winding and ducking up the gorge to the start of your next Challenge for today.
Step across this great frontier and meet the challenge of rafting the Shotover River, experience the rugged beauty and unspoilt grandeur of the breathtaking scenery as you conquer this wild and untamed river. Tackle six rapids then raft through the darkness of the 170 metre Oxenbridge Tunnel and shoot the Cascade Rapid to complete the challenge.

Day 17 - Queenstown to Milford Sound

Before breakfast today, to get your appetite working you are going to launch yourself from A.J.Hackets ultimate 134 metre bungy jump. Driving through some of New Zealand's stunning alpine country, through the Homer Tunnel, stopping at the Chasm before arriving at Milford Sounds Te Anau.

Day 18 - Milford Sound

Milford Sound, rated as the 8th wonder of the world by Rudyard Kipling, is a beautiful place. Sheer rock walls plunge thousands of feet to the sea, surrounded by snow capped mountains, and seals and dolphins are very friendly and eager to visit! The vast majority of people see Milford Sound from the deck of a ship, cruising out to the sea and back again. We've got a better way, today we dive the stunning Milford sounds visiting two very unique locations with a scenic boat tour in between dives while you off-gas. Fish life is abundant hosting a variety of 160 species of fish including Blue Sharks, Dog Sharks Pilot Whales, Fur Seals, Dolphins and the famous spiny Sea Dragon. Because the water is surprising subtropical, Black and Red Coral is found. This captures the unique dive environment of mixed waters - fresh and salt water creating spectacular views.

Day 19 - Te Anau to Dunedin

After leaving the splendour of Fiordland you cross the fertile Southland Plains, viewing some of New Zealand's finest stock country. Pass through the rural towns of Lumsden, Gore & Balclutha. Drive around the Otago Peninsula to view the albatross colony at Taiaroa Heads. View the endangered Yellow Eyed Penguin, which is part of an action plan to see its survival in the wild, in the Conservation Reserve. Enter Dunedin the Edinburgh of the Antipodes, where gothic & modern buildings are present in this southern-most University dominated city. Accommodation at Dunedin.

Day 20 - Dunedin to Christchurch

Leaving Dunedin you head north out of the city stopping for morning tea at Moeraki, there is time to take a walk on the beach for a close up view of the amazing Moeraki Boulders. Continuing up the east coast, you'll get another view of the majestic Southern Alps as you journey across the sprawling Canterbury Plains arriving in Christchurch late afternoon.

Enquire about departure dates and pricing here.

Extras/options:

• All diving equipment hire - including technical equipment for cave dive - $425
• Non-diving companion from $1,425
• Learn to dive prior to commencing this tour (4 days)
• Upgrade to lodge or boutique hotel accommodation