Auckland›Bay of Islands›Penisola di Coromandel›Rotorua›Tongariro›Wellington›Picton›Nelson›Greymouth›Franz Josef›Wanaka›Queenstown›Milford Sound›Te Anau›Lake Tekapo›Kaikoura›Christchurch
Starts from
22 days / 21 nights - from Auckland to Christchurch.
Abstract
A self-drive travel proposal that allows you to choose the hotels, car, and services you prefer. No services are included: you can also modify the duration of the stops as you wish. The hotels mentioned in the itinerary are just a suggestion.
Characteristics
Itinerary
Giorno 1 — Auckland
Arrive at Auckland. The 'City of Sails' is not the state capital (which is Wellington instead), but with around one million inhabitants, of which at least two hundred thousand are of Polynesian origin, it contains one third of the entire New Zealand population. It is the largest city in New Zealand, located on the North Island. The city is known for its spectacular landscapes, with dormant volcanoes, breathtaking beaches and natural parks. Auckland is also an important urban and cultural centre, with a vibrant arts scene, fine restaurants and a variety of outdoor activities. The Sky Tower, an iconic 328-metre-high structure, dominates the cityscape and offers panoramic views of the city and beyond.
Giorno 2 — Auckland
Free day.
Auto
Giorno 3 — Auckland → Bay of Islands
Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills. La Bay of Islands è una regione costiera situata nel Nord dell'Isola del Nord, nota per la sua bellezza naturale, le acque cristalline e la ricca storia. É caratterizzata da oltre 140 isole più piccole e insenature pittoresche. Acque azzurre e spiagge di sabbia bianca contribuiscono a creare paesaggi marini straordinari. Ha una ricca storia legata all'arrivo degli europei in Nuova Zelanda e all'interazione con le popolazioni maori locali. Le città di Russell e Paihia sono tra i principali centri della Bay of Islands, offrendo una gamma di servizi, ristoranti, e un'atmosfera rilassata.
Giorno 4 — Bay of Islands
Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills. Free day. It is recommended to visit the Cape Reinga. The "city of sails" is not the capital of the country (which is Wellington instead), but with about one million inhabitants, of which at least two hundred thousand are of Polynesian origin, it gathers a third of the entire New Zealand population. The city center is located on an 11 km isthmus that separates two bays, Waitemata and Manukau, and is a true paradise for sailors. In the spectacular Hauraki Gulf, where the last edition of the America's Cup was held in 2000, there are more than fifty islands with inactive volcanoes, beaches, sea caves, vineyards, and wildlife refuges. Beyond the historic center, the city is vast, with one or two-story wooden houses surrounded by large gardens. A dense subtropical forest covers the hills, which are actually extinct volcano cones.
Auto
Giorno 5 — Bay of Islands → Auckland
Approximately 4.5 hours - 250 km You can drive south on secondary roads along the east coast, passing beautiful beaches and bays until you reach Auckland.
Auto
Giorno 6 — Auckland → Penisola di Coromandel
Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills. The "city of sails" is not the capital of the country (which is Wellington instead), but with about one million inhabitants, of which at least two hundred thousand are of Polynesian origin, it gathers a third of the entire New Zealand population. The city center is located on an 11 km isthmus that separates two bays, Waitemata and Manukau, and is a true paradise for sailors. In the spectacular Hauraki Gulf, where the last edition of the America's Cup was held in 2000, there are more than fifty islands with inactive volcanoes, beaches, sea caves, vineyards, and wildlife refuges. Beyond the historic center, the city is vast, with one or two-story wooden houses surrounded by large gardens. A dense subtropical forest covers the hills, which are actually extinct volcano cones.
Auto
Giorno 7 — Penisola di Coromandel → Rotorua
Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills. Rotorua is renowned for its geothermal and cultural activities. It offers a unique landscape of hot springs, spectacular geysers, and bubbling mud pools. In addition to its geothermal wonders, Rotorua is a Māori cultural hub, offering authentic experiences at places like Te Puia Thermal Reserve. A must-see is a Māori cultural performance, followed by a traditional Hangi dinner in the evening.
Giorno 8 — Rotorua
Free day.
Auto
Giorno 9 — Rotorua → Tongariro
Free day. The "city of sails" is not the capital of the country (which is Wellington instead), but with about one million inhabitants, of which at least two hundred thousand are of Polynesian origin, it gathers a third of the entire New Zealand population. The city center is located on an 11 km isthmus that separates two bays, Waitemata and Manukau, and is a true paradise for sailors. In the spectacular Hauraki Gulf, where the last edition of the America's Cup was held in 2000, there are more than fifty islands with inactive volcanoes, beaches, sea caves, vineyards, and wildlife refuges. Beyond the historic center, the city is vast, with one or two-story wooden houses surrounded by large gardens. A dense subtropical forest covers the hills, which are actually extinct volcano cones.
Giorno 10 — Tongariro
Free day.
Auto
Giorno 11 — Tongariro → Wellington
Free day. Wellington è la capitale della Nuova Zelanda. La città si trova su una serie di colline che guardano il porto che è uno dei più grandi e attivi del paese. Conosciuta come la "Città del Vento", grazie ai forti venti che soffiano attraverso il porto. Questi venti hanno portato alla creazione di molte attrazioni turistiche uniche, tra cui il Wellington Cable Car, che offre un modo panoramico per esplorare la città, e il centro di surf a vento adiacente alla spiaggia di Lyall Bay. É inoltre centro di trasporto per i viaggiatori che si spostano tra l'Isola del Nord e l'Isola del Sud.
Auto
Giorno 12 — Wellington → Picton → Nelson
Free day. Ferry to Picton. Nelson è una città sulla costa settentrionale dell'Isola del Sud conosciuta per il suo clima soleggiato, è situata tra le colline e la costa del Tasman Bay. É anche un punto di partenza ideale per esplorare la regione vinicola circostante e il Parco Nazionale Abel Tasman.
Giorno 13 — Nelson
Free day. Nelson è una città sulla costa settentrionale dell'Isola del Sud conosciuta per il suo clima soleggiato, è situata tra le colline e la costa del Tasman Bay. É anche un punto di partenza ideale per esplorare la regione vinicola circostante e il Parco Nazionale Abel Tasman.
Auto
Giorno 14 — Nelson → Greymouth
Free day. Greymouth e Hokitika sono i centri della giada del Paese. Visitate un laboratorio e osservate gli intagliatori di giada mentre lavorano.
Auto
Giorno 15 — Greymouth → Franz Josef
Free day. The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are among the most interesting natural phenomena in New Zealand. It is the only place in the world, at this latitude, where glaciers come so close to the sea, real rivers of ice that flow downstream at an impressive speed, about one meter per day, with maximum peaks of five.
Auto
Giorno 16 — Franz Josef → Wanaka → Queenstown
Free day. Queenstown is the home of extreme sports: bungee jumping was born here, and thrilling tours along rivers on high-speed boats are organized here. You will find countless opportunities for rafting, paragliding, and any other sport, including less demanding ones like trekking, mountain biking, and skiing. The landscape is enchanting, nestled in a valley and overlooking the eponymous lake. Queenstown is the most cosmopolitan city in the South, with restaurants, shops, and pubs open until late at night.
Giorno 17 — Queenstown
Free day.
Auto
Giorno 18 — Queenstown → Milford Sound → Te Anau
Free day.
Auto
Giorno 19 — Te Anau → Lake Tekapo
Free day. Lake Tekapo è un lago situato ad un'altitudine di circa 710 metri sul livello del mare. É famoso per il suo colore azzurro intenso e per le splendide vedute panoramiche sulle Alpi del Sud. La zona intorno al lago è anche famosa per la sua osservazione delle stelle, grazie alla presenza del Mount John Observatory. Ci sono anche numerose sorgenti termali nella zona, tra cui le terme di Tekapo Springs, che offrono piscine termali, scivoli d'acqua e un'area spa. Lake Tekapo è anche famoso per la sua chiesa del Buon Pastore, una piccola chiesa di pietra costruita nel 1935, che si trova sulle rive del lago ed è una popolare attrazione turistica.
Auto
Giorno 20 — Lake Tekapo → Kaikoura
Free day. Kaikoura is a lively coastal community framed by mountains, with an ancient Maori history. The area was inhabited a thousand years ago and legend has it that the deity Maui fished the North Island from these waters. In the nineteenth century, European settlers joined the local tribes and engaged in whale and seal hunting. One of the reasons for the abundance of marine life in Kaikoura is the geology of the area: the peninsula allows for the convergence of two strong ocean currents, which meet in deep underwater canyons just a few kilometers off the coast. The result is a unique ecosystem. Here you can find the giant sperm whale, humpback whales, orcas, dolphins, seals.
Auto
Giorno 21 — Kaikoura → Christchurch
Free day. A fertile and vast plain is flanked by the beautiful chain of the Southern Alps. Here stands the main city of the South Island, Christchurch, "Garden City", built with local volcanic stone in a neo-Gothic style, which gives it a distinct English imprint.