3 Week New Zealand Wide Private Itinerary

When you touch down in New Zealand you will be met at the airport by Your Private Driver/Guide. 

Our guides have been with us for a long time and are seasoned professionals. Our aim is to give ‘you’ our guests a memorable experience of New Zealand and its stunning scenery. With years of experience in tourism in New Zealand, we guarantee that you will receive a first-class service!

The best part about our guides is that they are local and chances are they have their go-to destinations that only locals know about. Whether it’s a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, a favourite local pub, or a fantastic attraction that most tourists overlook, our guides can help recommend authentic experiences that you may not discover on your own.

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand

Relax - you are on holiday and everything has been taken care of. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your central city luxury accommodation. Make the most of some free leisure time in the 'City of Sails' - simply relax or take this opportunity to explore the many sights of Auckland. This evening we suggest you head down to the viaduct for dinner.

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night

Heading north, follow the shoreline of the Kaipara Harbour, soaking up the views as we drive on to the fascinating Matakohe Kauri Museum. Later, we arrive at the ancient Waipoua Forest where we join Footprints Waipoua for a uniquely spiritual tour through the towering Kauri trees. Included is a visit to 51-meter tall Tane Mahuta, the God of the Forest; a natural giant with an impressive girth of 13.8 metres. Tonight, we enjoy a delicious meal on the edge of the harbour.  

Approximate Distance: 271 kms | 168 miles Total Driving Time: 3 hours 45 mins

Accommodation Hokianga - 1 night

Your day starts with a unique cultural immersion into te ao Māori, the Māori world, with our guided journey. Begin at our cultural and heritage center on Hokianga Harbour's shores, where warmth and tradition await. Engage in a 75-minute multisensory tour blending guided storytelling with art, taonga, film, performance, digital interaction, and the beauty of Hokianga's natural landscape.

Later take a across the harbour for a walk along the deserted beach and for the adventurous, the chance to try sandboarding!

Later we will take a short drive across Northland, one of the narrowest spots in the whole North Island, which makes for an easy day from the Hokianga to the Bay of Islands, on the ‘other side’. We’re in no rush, so there’s time for plenty of stops along the way, like the famous Stone Store in Kerikeri, New Zealand’s oldest stone building. We’re now in the beautiful Bay of Islands, where we continue onto our home for the next 2 nights, Paihia. Visit the Waitangi Treaty House for a guided tour.   You’re standing on the spot where, In 1840, Maori chiefs and Queen Victoria’s representatives signed the treaty which gave birth to the nation of New Zealand.

Approximate Distance: 70 kms | 43 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour

Accommodation Bay of Islands - 2 nights

Hole in the Rock is the most popular dolphin watching cruise in the Bay of Islands, and for good reason! Board your cruise in Paihia or Russell and take in the stunning views as we glide out through the islands and along the Rakaumangamanga Peninsula to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island/Motukōkako, or as it is popularly known the 'Hole in the Rock'. This four-hour cruise includes an island stopover, dolphin viewing and the Hole in the Rock. Morning cruises depart daily and afternoon cruises are give you the chance to relax or explore at leisure during the afternoon.

Your fun on the water finishes at the quaint seaside town of Russell around 1 pm, you’ll be able to soak up the settlement’s colourful history before we drive up to Flagstaff Hill for stunning views of the coast. We return to Paihia for the night via the vehicular ferry at Opua.

Today’s another chance to get off the beaten track, one of the real advantages of travelling private.  Our first port of call is the Kawiti Glowworm Caves, a one-two punch of scenic beauty and Maori history.  The caves are named after the famous Maori chief of the area, Kawiti, and still belong to his family, after great-grandson Te Tawai Kawiti showed the first visitors through the caves in the 1950s.  Our guide through the caves will be one of the descendants of Kawiti too.

Glowworms are something most Kiwis grew up with, but are surprised to learn that they’re extremely rare in other countries.  In the glowworm world, New Zealand is the centre of the universe! The ancient limestone caves are home to millions of twinkling glowworms including the famous Milky Way cavern, you’ll learn all about them from your friendly guide.

This afternoon we’ll head back to Auckland for the night, right in the heart of it all in the viaduct.

Approximate Distance: 228 kms | 142 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 15 mins

Accommodation Auckland - 1 night

An exciting day awaits this morning. Journey to the emerald pastures and rolling hills of The Shire, where Hobbiton was brought to life on a private farm in Matamata. This idyllic village blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Set to the scale of a 3ft Hobbit you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a magical world of smoking chimneys, bluebells, and the Green Dragon Inn. Visit Bag End as well as the other 43 Hobbit Holes on this fully guided 2.5hr Hobbiton tour. Learn about the production of the movies – how did they make Gandalf appear so tall? Why was this exact site chosen to build Hobbiton? The passion and knowledge gleaned from your guide brings this authentic Middle-earth experience to life.

Continue your journey to the geothermal city of Rotorua.

Approximate Distance: 252 km | 157 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 15 mins

Accommodation Rotorua - 2 nights

At Okawa Bay on the shores of beautiful Lake Rotoiti, board "Tiua", a 53ft catamaran for a relaxing sail on serene Lake to secluded coves and natural hot pools reached only by boat - a memorable journey.

This afternoon, travel past the Blue & Green Lakes to the famous buried village of Te Wairoa. This is New Zealand's most visited Archaeological Site, where stories of the 1886 Mt Tarawera Eruption come to life. Te Wairoa was established by the Christian missionary in 1848 as a model village, however Te Wairoa survived for fewer than 40 years before it, and the nearby Pink and White Terraces were obliterated by the eruption of Mt Tarawera.

This evening, enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance.

Today we visit the surreal, geothermal reserve, Wai-O-Tapu. The bubbling mud pools and incredibly colourful silica terraces are unforgettable. 

On the road to Lake Taupo we view the turbulent Huka Falls where the Waikato River thunders through a narrow chasm. From Taupo there are magnificent views across the lake to the three active volcanoes - Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu (2,797 metres), the highest mountain in the North Island.These mountains of the volcanic plateau are our next destination, the World Heritage Tongariro National Park. Take a walk in the park this afternoon.

Approximate Distance: 179 kms | 111 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 20 mins

Accommodation National Park - 1 Night

Our day starts in style, with breakfast at the historic Chateau Tongariro nestled at the base of the mountains. This is the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, from this volcanic plateau we make our way across the high country and down to our capital Wellington. 

We stay two nights in Wellington as we reckon you can’t miss "the coolest little capital in the world". We’ll check out the city's sights and head up Mt Victoria for the stunning views over the harbour before getting settled for the night. We’re right in the heart of Wellington's vibrant hub of museums, theatres, galleries, boutiques and cafes. Looking for some local flavour? Ask for one of Wellington’s trendy craft beers with your dinner (our pick – Tuatara).

Approximate Distance: 336 kms | 209 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 20 mins

Accommodation Wellington - 2 nights

The day is yours to enjoy, you are at the heart of all the action at The Bolton Hotel, a short walk to the waterfront, Te Papa National Museum and all the eateries and boutique breweries that Wellington is famous for.

Wellington is also the spiritual home of "The Lord of Rings" where you can visit Weta Workshop and see how all the props are made or drop into the Embassy theatre which hosted the world premier back in 2003.

Here are some sight seeing and activity suggestions while in Wellington:

Loading up the car and heading across to ‘the mainland’ is what we all used to do on holiday as kids, it’s a Kiwi rite of passage! We cruise on the Interislander ferry for three hours across Cook Strait and into beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton to plant our feet firmly on “Te Waka a Maui”, the South Island. Our first port of call is Forrest vineyard for wine tasting and lunch, right in the heart of the world famous Marlborough sauvignon blanc region.

From wine country we head to through the heart of Marlborough toward Nelson, the sunshine capital of New Zealand and gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. Along the way we cross the Pelorus River bridge, scene of the Barrel Run scene from the Hobbit movies. In Nelson relax and unpack, this is home for 2 nights.

Approximate Distance: 133 kms | 83 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 50 mins

Accommodation Nelson - 2 Nights

Today you have a choice of a full scenic cruise or a cruise and walk from Marahau along the stunning Abel Tasman coastline. Abel Tasman National Park is our country's smallest national park. It protects 23,000 hectares of the most natural stretch of easily accessible coastline in New Zealand. The coastline is characterised by islands just offshore, sheltered waters, estuaries and golden, sandy beaches. Lie on a beach, or even go for a swim if the weather is warm. The park is sheltered from ocean swells, and enjoys a mild climate. After your cruise or walk we return to Nelson.

From Nelson we drive to Pelorus Bridge, Havelock and Blenheim then down the spectacular Kaikoura coastline where big seas pound the rocks. Kaikoura is a small hamlet beside the ocean and beneath the towering Kaikoura Mountains. Seafood, especially crayfish, is a specialty. We stay right on the waterfront. This afternoon take a scenic flight to view whales and stroll along the coastline for encounters with the cheeky fur seals that live here.

Approximate Distance: 243 kms | 151 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation Kaikoura - 1 night

This morning we continue south, winding inland over the Hunderlee Hills and dropping down to the patchwork beauty of the Canterbury Plains. Drive past stunning alpine lakes and fields of golden tussock before arriving at our accommodation in the foothills of the Southern Alps, and into the World Heritage and breathtaking Mt Cook National Park where you stay in the shadow of New Zealand's tallest Mountain. 

Approximate Distance: 506 kms | 314 miles  Total Driving Time: 6 hours 42 mins

Accommodation Mt. Cook - 1 night

Always a memorable time on tour, your day in Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain and ‘home ground’ of the most famous Kiwi of all, Sir Edmund Hillary. Take your pick from exploring the dramatic landscape on one of the many easy walking tracks around the village, or make it an experience you’ll never forget with a boat cruise on the glacial lake, a scenic flight or a heli hike high up on the Tasman Glacier!

After lunch, we’ll head south, over the Lindis Pass and through the rugged scenery of the Kawarau Gorge onto Queenstown – the adventure capital of New Zealand. 

Tonight take your pick from the best of Queenstown's restaurants and bars, all an easy walk from your home for the next three nights!

Approximate Distance: 264 kms | 164 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 20 mins

Accommodation Queenstown - 3 nights

Today is one of the highlights of your holiday in New Zealand. We travel along the breath taking Milford Road; admiring the glacier-carved valleys, sky-scraping mountains and mirror lakes, and making plenty of photo stops along the way. Arriving in Milford Sound we board a boat and cruise the inky blue waters, spotting dolphins, penguins and seals with our onboard nature guide. We return to Queenstown on a scenic flight that showcases the beauty of Fiordland and Central Otago, rounding off an unforgettable day in New Zealand’s Great Outdoors.

Take a day to experience the beauty of Queenstown exactly as you want to. From relaxing vineyard tours or boat cruises to extreme adventure activities, Queenstown has it all. Your driver/guide will help you with your plans.

Recommended excursions in Queenstown:

The Botanic Gardens and lakeside walkways offer a myriad of opportunities for relaxing strolls, while the boutique shops offer kiwi shopping at its best. Queenstown’s stunning location means that however you choose to spend your day you’ll enjoy being surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery.

Today we explore the beauty of the Central Otago region. Gold mining heritage comes alive in the pretty village of Arrowtown, where miner’s huts are still visible today. Heading over the Crown Range we enjoy panoramic views of the Gibbston Valley before calling into the historic Cardrona Hotel. Relax for the afternoon – soak up the scenery on one of the many walking or biking trails.

Approximate Distance: 67 kms | 42 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 15 mins

Accommodation Wanaka - 1 night

The landscapes on show today are awe inspiring, diverse and dramatic. We follow the shore of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka, heading into the stunning scenery of Haast Pass and Mount Aspiring National Park. A short stroll along a well-maintained track reveals native beech forests, waterfalls and clear blue pools. We then visit the local Department of Conservation Centre where we learn more about the region’s history, flora and fauna. North-bound, we drive through the lush rainforests of Westland World Heritage Park, enjoying a stroll on the beach and through swampland forests at Ship Creek. Lake Matheson is known for its mirror-like reflections of the surrounding mountains, and we view the ancient glacier tumbling down to rainforest at Franz Josef.

Approximate Distance: 286 kms | 178 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Accommodation Franz Josef - 2 nights

Experience the trip of a lifetime. After an exhilarating scenic heli-flight, above the rugged terrain, you will land high up on Franz Josef Glacier ready to undertake a two hour guided hike amongst some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring glacier scenery available. Your experienced guide will lead you on to the glistening blue ice, with spectacular ice formations, towering peaks, crevasses, and accessible iridescent blue ice caves. There are plenty of photo opportunities, and the chance to learn more about this magnificent (constantly moving) glacier. 

Today discover more of the ‘wild’ west coast of the South Island, as you head north through countryside dotted with little lakes and boulder strewn rivers, all under the watchful eye of the mighty Southern Alps in the distance. 

Check out the famous Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki. Nowhere have the effects of Tasman Sea heaving swells had such a dramatic effect on the West Coast landscape than at the beautiful seaside village of Punakaiki. These rocks are a truly remarkable piece of natural sculpture that have been created when a series of stratified limestone stacks have been eroded over thousands of years to give the effect of large piles of stacked pancakes. Another prominent feature are the blowholes that at high tide force columns of spray high out of these holes with a bone shaking roar.

Approximate Distance: 217 kms | 135 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours

Accommodation Punakaiki - 1 night

This morning travel to Greymouth where you will board the Tranzalpine to Christchurch. The TranzAlpine Train,  is renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Descend through spectacular gorges, river valleys and over massive viaducts before completing your journey in Christchurch.

Approximate Distance: 173 kms | 107 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 14 mins

Accommodation Christchurch - 1 night

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We take care of your transfer to Christchurch Airport where you will board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand holiday.