10 Day The Classic Coast & Country ‘Premium’ Tour 

Welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival you will be picked up for your private transfer from Auckland International Airport to your hotel.

AUCKLAND / TAMAKI MAKAURAU – an exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city’s many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach. The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand’s biggest city, and the population mix of European, Māori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World.

This morning you will pick up your Intermediate SUV Budget Rental Car and head south. This popular route is a perfect way to experience a cross-section of the North Island’s unique landscapes and attractions. Your journey begins in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, before heading south into the picturesque Waikato region, known for its rolling green hills and fertile farmland. The first major stop is the world-famous Waitomo Caves, where you can take a guided tour to see ancient limestone formations and glide silently by boat under a ceiling illuminated by thousands of twinkling glowworms. After your subterranean adventure, the route continues into the heart of the Central North Island. As you approach your final destination, the landscape changes dramatically, revealing the powerful geothermal activity that defines Rotorua, with its bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers, and rich Māori culture. This trip seamlessly connects three of New Zealand’s top attractions, providing a day of stunning scenery and unforgettable experiences.

Today you will stop at CaveWorld and join their amazing Private Footwhistle Glowworm Cave Tour. The Footwhistle Cave, also known as Te Anaroa Cave, is one of the largest in Waitomo and supports some of the best glowworm displays, yet every tour feels like an intimate trip where you can discover this cave as if for the first time. Your experienced guide will share with you the rich history of the surroundings, and stories of the cave formation and the titiwai, the glow worm that lives in the cave. The solar-powered lights are kept low so you can appreciate the magnificent glow worm displays at their best, some only inches away. Marvel at the fantastic limestone formations of stalactites and stalagmites and view the remains of one of New Zealand’s lost treasures, the ancient Moa. Complete the tour by enjoying a complimentary Kawakawa tea whilst you relax in our ponga hut nestled in the native forest.

Today, you will join Elite Adventures for their Private Eco Thermal Park Tour. This private tour is a fantastic way to explore Rotorua’s unique volcanic environment. Your expert local guide will pick you up and take you to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to see the Lady Knox Geyser eruption. You’ll also visit the impressive Waimangu Volcanic Valley, with your guide providing insights into the area’s geology and history throughout the journey.

This evening you will visit Te Pa Tu for their renowned Evening Experience. This is an unforgettable evening that celebrates Māori culture and tradition. You’ll be welcomed with a traditional pōwhiri (welcome), and your guide will lead you on a journey through a reconstructed village. The experience includes stories, songs, and demonstrations of Māori life, followed by a powerful cultural performance and a delicious five-course feast. It is an intimate and engaging way to learn about the Māori world.

Today, you’ll depart Rotorua and travel through Kaingaroa Forest and the landscapes of a volcanic plateau to Lake Taupo. At Taupo, consider fueling your body with a little adrenalin on the Huka Falls Jet! The route then crosses the Kaweka Ranges, with its winding mountain roads, before descending into Hawke’s Bay. You’ll pass through beautiful orchards and vineyards before arriving in Napier, a city known for its stunning Art Deco architecture.

NAPIER/AHURIRI – the largest city in the Hawke’s Bay, whose port handles the province’s huge volumes of produce, spreads around the wedge of Bluff Hill, sometimes still referred to as “Scinde Island.” Napier was almost completely surrounded by water before the severe 1931 earthquake flattened the city but uplifted vast areas of the surrounding seabed. As a result of the disaster, the city was almost completely rebuilt during the 1930’s, giving it an Art Deco style of architecture, unique to a New Zealand city.

Today you are in for a treat as you join the wonderful team at Prinsy’s Tours for their Exclusive Panoramic Country with a Taste of Wine Tour. Your half day exclusive wine tour will take you on a journey through gorgeous countryside and into the most famous wine growing regions of Hawke’s Bay. We’ll visit four internationally recognised wineries, where you’ll take part in a series of comprehensive wine tastings, with plain English explanations from your tour guide. The tour will visit four of the following wineries: Mission Estate, Church Road, Trinity Hill, Ashridge, Abbey Cellars, Ngatarawa Wines, Paritua, Selini, Black Barn, Craggy Range, Elephant Hill, Te Mata Estate, Askerne, Clearview, Beach house, Te Awanga Estate, Esk Valley and Linden Estate.

Leave Napier and climb the Remutaka Hill Road into the Wairarapa. You will travel through towns including Featherston, Carterton, and Masterton, across fertile farmland. The journey then continues northeast across rolling farmland and orchards. Your trip concludes as you arrive in Wellington, a city on the Pacific coast known for its Art Deco architecture.

WELLINGTON/TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA – the Capital city of New Zealand since 1865, is situated around Wellington harbour, its houses clinging precipitously to the steep hillsides. Wellington is renowned for its wind which is channelled through the Cook Strait, and causes the wind to blow most days. A clever blend of buildings, old and new, beautiful vistas of the city and harbour, and a cosmopolitan mix of culture and arts give Wellington its heart, and vibrant atmosphere.

This afternoon you will visit Te Papa Museum of New Zealand which is always a highlight. This one-hour guided tour is an excellent way to get the most out of your visit to Te Papa. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the museum, sharing captivating stories and providing a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s rich history, art, and culture, from its unique geological past to its indigenous Māori traditions.

This is a scenic ferry journey that takes you across the Cook Strait. The ride is famous for the stunning views you get as you leave Wellington Harbour and as you enter the tranquil Marlborough Sounds before arriving in the port town of Picton.

Travel on the Interislander Ferry in Plus class today with your rental car from Wellington to Picton. This journey is often called one of the most beautiful ferry trips in the world. Your crossing starts in Wellington Harbour, and as you leave the city behind, you’ll be greeted by the dramatic cliffs of the Cook Strait. The true highlight is the last part of the journey as the ship glides through the tranquil, fjord-like channels of the Marlborough Sounds. The “Plus” experience elevates your trip with access to the exclusive, child-free Premium Lounge. Here, you’ll find comfortable seating, complimentary food and a selection of premium New Zealand wines and craft beers, ensuring a peaceful and luxurious passage with some of the best views on the ship.

PICTON/WAITOHI – is a busy seaside town, situated at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound. The town is the South Island Terminal for the Cook Strait Ferry, with people and car numbers, rising and falling according to the Ferry Timetable. Picton has wonderful views of Mabel Island, at the Harbour entrance, along with green/blue bush clad ranges that appear to drop into the sea.

This is a fantastic journey that takes you south along the coast with the ocean on your left. The route is known for its incredible views, and you’ll often see seals and other marine life on the rocks right next to the road. It’s a great way to start your South Island adventure.

KAIKOURA/TE TAUMANU O TE WAKA A MAUI – means “to eat crayfish”, from the Māori words “Kai” meaning food, and Koura meaning crayfish. You can savour crayfish here in Kaikoura, view whales and dolphins at play, or visit local galleries and craft shops, or take a walk along the Peninsula Walkway. If you travel out onto the Kaikoura Peninsula and look back towards the mountains, an amazing tableau will appear before you. The seaward Kaikoura Range appears to rise from the sea, with the snow-capped Southern Alps as a backdrop.

A very popular trip that takes you south along the stunning coastline. The route hugs the Pacific Ocean, offering incredible views, and it’s a great place to spot seals basking on the rocks right next to the highway. You’ll leave the dramatic coastal scenery behind as you approach the city of Christchurch, a perfect way to end a coastal adventure.

Before you go though you will join Whale Watch Kaikoura for a trip of a lifetime on their renowned Whale Watching Tour in the Ocean Cabin. This is a fantastic boat tour with a high success rate for spotting whales. You’ll be on a modern catamaran designed for whale watching, with an enclosed cabin and large outdoor decks. Your expert guides will use specialized equipment to locate giant sperm whales, the stars of the show and year-round residents, and you might also see dolphins, seals, and a variety of seabirds.

CHRISTCHURCH/OTAUTAHI -Located on a level plain, Christchurch is defined by its historic past and vibrant future. The willow and oak-lined River Avon meanders through its heart, where you can enjoy a punt ride or explore the sprawling Botanic Gardens. Much of the city’s unique charm comes from its blend of old and new; elegant stone buildings sit alongside striking contemporary architecture. Following a series of earthquakes, the city has been thoughtfully and creatively rebuilt, resulting in innovative new spaces like the Transitional Cathedral and Margaret Mahy Playground. This spirit of renewal makes Christchurch an exciting hub for arts, culture, and dining, while its proximity to both the stunning Canterbury Plains and the volcanic Port Hills offers easy access to outdoor adventures.

Head to Christchurch Airport today to return your car and leave New Zealand ready to share your extraordinary memories and hopefully plan your next trip down to see us.