This 31 day tour starts in Auckland and finishes in Christchurch.

Itinerary summary for: Ultimate Explorer Tour of New Zealand

Day 1: Arrive into Auckland City
Accommodation: Nesuto Stadium Hotel and Apartments

Day 2: Explore Auckland the 'City of Sails'
Accommodation: Nesuto Stadium Hotel and Apartments

Day 3: Cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge, then venture north to the balmy Bay of Islands
Accommodation: Sea Spray Suites

Day 4: Take a spectacular scenic flight to the top of New Zealand
Accommodation: Sea Spray Suites

Day 5: Cross Northland following the aqua blue waters of the Hokianga before travelling down the Kauri Coast
Accommodation: Snells Beach Motel

Day 6: Pass through Auckland and the Hauraki Plains before the coastal climb to Coromandel
Accommodation: Aotearoa Lodge

Day 7: Explore the Coromandel Peninsula and the marine sanctuary at cathedral cove
Accommodation: Aotearoa Lodge

Day 8: Travel along the Bay of Plenty before turning inland towards the lakes of Rotorua
Accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Day 9: Experience the Maori culture at Te Puia and in the afternoon take a thrilling zipline forest tour
Accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Day 10: First head to Lake Taupo before travelling east to the Hawke's Bay
Accommodation: The Dome

Day 11: Discover the wineries of the Hawkes Bay, home of New Zealand's oldest vineyards
Accommodation: The Dome

Day 12: Journey from one wine region to another
Accommodation: Parehua Resort Martinborough

Day 13: Explore the Martinborough wine region at your own pace, or join a wine tour
Accommodation: Parehua Resort Martinborough

Day 14: Travel over the Rimutaka Ranges to Wellington
Accommodation: Adina CityLife Wellington [Formerly Heritage CityLife Wellington]

Day 15: Today you'll cross the Cook Strait on the Interislander Ferry. Approaching Picton you'll cruise through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds
Accommodation: Ocean View Chalets

Day 16: Explore Abel Tasman National Park with a magical cruise on the aqua waters
Accommodation: Ocean View Chalets

Day 17: Pass through the Nelson Lakes region and onto the seaside town of Kaikoura
Accommodation: The White Morph, Kaikōura

Day 18: Explore Kaikoura home to an abundance of marine wildlife
Accommodation: The White Morph, Kaikōura

Day 19: It's a short drive south to the ever-changing city of Christchurch
Accommodation: Terra Vive Luxury Suites and Apartments

Day 20: Explore Christchurch City and take a gondola ride to the Port Hills Crater Rim for amazing views
Accommodation: Terra Vive Luxury Suites and Apartments

Day 21: Today you'll enjoy a scenic drive through Canterbury and the MacKenzie Country to Mt Cook National Park
Accommodation: Mt Cook Motel

Day 22: Leaving the MacKenzie Country you'll follow the Waitaki River to the coast, where you'll turn south for Dunedin
Accommodation: Motel on York

Day 23: Explore Dunedin and the surrounding natural wonders of Otago
Accommodation: Motel on York

Day 24: Travel through the rich farmland of South Otago and Southland to reach Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland
Accommodation: Lakefront Lodge

Day 25: Journey along the magnificent Milford Road to Milford Sound for your cruise
Accommodation: Lakefront Lodge

Day 26: Travel through rolling Southland countryside then follow Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown
Accommodation: Garden Court Suites and Apartments

Day 27: The day is yours to discover all the scenic spots and fun activities on offer in Queenstown
Accommodation: Garden Court Suites and Apartments

Day 28: Take the Crown Range Road to Wanaka before travelling the spectacular Haast Pass to the West Coast
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat

Day 29: Explore Franz Josef Glacier with a scenic flight and glacier walk
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat

Day 30: Drive north along the stunning West Coast Road and take the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch
Accommodation: Terra Vive Luxury Suites and Apartments

Day 31: Depart Christchurch today