10 Day The Classic Coast & Country 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.

Today you will pick up your Compact SUV Rental Car and head south from Auckland, traveling through the lush, green hills of the Waikato region. You’ll pass plenty of farms, it’s the heart of dairy country! As you get closer to Rotorua, you’ll start to notice the unique, sulphur-rich air. It’s the city’s signature scent and a sign that you’ve arrived in a place full of bubbling mud pools and incredible Māori culture.

On route you can choose to detour and take one of our optional tours at the Waitomo Caves or Hobbiton!

ROTORUA – located on a volcanic plateau, and formerly a spa town, Rotorua is most famous for its geothermal activity. Rotorua is the main place in New Zealand where aspects of Maori traditions can be seen, from wood carvings, and meeting houses, to a Hangi Dinner and Maori dances. Native and introduced tree species abound locally and combined with several picturesque lakes, Rotorua is a fascinating mix of culture and nature.

Today, you will join Elite Adventures for their popular and fantastic Eco Thermal Park Half Day Tour. This small-group 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 Puia and take part in their Te Po combo Tour (Guided experience + Indigenous Evening). This is a perfect way to experience Māori culture and the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. The tour begins with a guided walk, where you’ll see the famous Pōhutu Geyser at dusk. You’ll then be welcomed into the Marae (meeting house) with a pōwhiri (traditional welcome), followed by a cultural performance and a delicious hāngī feast. The experience concludes with a hot chocolate at the geyser under the stars.

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 thew wonderful team at Prinsys Tours for their Panoramic Country with a Taste of Wine Tour. This tour is a fun and flexible way to experience the heart of Hawke’s Bay. Your passionate local guide will take you on a journey through the region, showcasing its beautiful country landscapes. The tour includes a stop at some of the area’s best wineries for a tasting, combining an education on local wines with an intriguing insight into rural New Zealand.

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 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 today with your rental car from Wellington to Picton. This is a spectacular journey, often described as one of the most scenic ferry crossings in the world. As you depart Wellington’s harbor, you’ll enter the Cook Strait, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. The highlight of the trip is the cruise through the tranquil Marlborough Sounds, with its secluded bays, lush forests, and rugged coastline. Onboard, you can relax in comfort, enjoy local cuisine and drinks, or simply take in the incredible views from the observation decks.

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 Maori 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.

Pack your togs as before heading to Christchurch today you will join Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura to swim with the dolphins! This will be a highlight of your journey joining their Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura Tour – Swim. The dusky dolphins inhabit the coastal waters off Kaikoura all year round, making Kaikoura a unique place in the world where, weather permitting, wild dolphins can typically be encountered every day. It is something incredibly special that these wild animals choose to stop and engage one on one with swimmers in the water. Dusky dolphins are probably the most interactive dolphin species and snorkeling with the pod will leave you with lasting magical memories.

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.