14 day private tour

14 Day North & South Island Discovery

From Auckland's harbours and Rotorua's geothermal heart to the Cook Strait, Kaikōura's coast, West Coast glaciers and Queenstown's alpine lakes.

Tour overview

Fourteen days from the North Island to the South, shaped around your own pace. Start in Auckland before heading for Rotorua's geothermal landscapes and Māori cultural experiences, then travel beside Lake Taupō to the capital. After a free day in Wellington, sail across the Cook Strait to Picton and follow the coast to Kaikōura. Continue through Christchurch and across the Southern Alps to Franz Josef, then take the Haast Pass to Wānaka and finish among Queenstown's peaks. Your private driver guide handles the road and logistics; you choose which optional experiences to add.

Best for: First-time visitors wanting both islands at an unhurried pace

Christchurch, New Zealand — Christchurch

Highlights

Hamilton Gardens
Kairau Park Mud Pools
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Hobbiton
Mitai Maori Village
Te Puia
Kaitiaki Rafting
Agrodome
Skyline Rotorua
Redwoods Treewalk

What's included

Private driver guide and vehicle throughout the tour
13 nights of accommodation at your chosen level
Cook Strait passenger ferry tickets from Wellington to Picton
All planned road transfers, fuel and parking
Your driver guide's accommodation and costs
Time for free sightseeing and walks along the route

Not included

Flights into Auckland and out of Queenstown
Meals and drinks unless added to your tour
Paid activities and excursions unless selected
Travel insurance

Full itinerary

Pick an exact start date in the booking panel to see real dates here.

Arrive in Auckland, where your private New Zealand journey begins. Meet your driver guide and settle in by the waterfront. Depending on your arrival time, take an easy stroll around the Viaduct or relax before the road trip starts tomorrow.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Auckland
Leave Auckland for Rotorua through the rolling Waikato countryside. There is time for a stop along the way before the landscape changes to lakes, steaming earth and redwood forest. Spend your first evening exploring Rotorua's lakefront or a geothermal valley.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Rotorua
A full day to explore Rotorua your way: walk beneath the towering redwoods, visit bubbling geothermal landscapes, or add a guided cultural experience. Adventure options range from lake cruises to rafting; your driver guide can shape the day around your interests.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Rotorua
Travel south to Taupō, with opportunities to stop at geothermal sights and the mighty Huka Falls. The broad blue lake and volcanic peaks mark a shift in the landscape. Spend the afternoon beside the water or choose an optional lake experience.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Taupo
Follow the route from Taupō to Wellington, watching the volcanic plateau give way to farmland and then the hills around the capital. Arrive with time to enjoy the waterfront and the city's cafés and restaurants.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Wellington
Spend an unhurried day in Wellington. Explore Te Papa, ride the cable car for city views, wander the waterfront or discover the cafés and creative neighbourhoods. Keep the day flexible for whatever catches your eye.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Wellington
Cross the Cook Strait by ferry from Wellington to Picton, travelling through the Marlborough Sounds before heading down the South Island's eastern coast. The drive to Kaikōura brings mountain and ocean scenery together. Your passenger ferry tickets are included in the estimate.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Kaikoura
Enjoy Kaikōura's dramatic coastal setting before heading south to Christchurch. Wildlife cruises and marine encounters can be added if timing allows. Arrive in the Garden City with an evening free to explore its revived centre.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Christchurch
Climb from Christchurch into the Southern Alps over Arthur's Pass. Stop for alpine viewpoints, waterfalls and native forest before descending through the West Coast rainforest to Franz Josef, your base for two nights.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Franz Josef
A free day in glacier country. Explore the valley walks and rainforest at your own pace, or add a scenic flight or guided glacier experience if conditions permit. Nearby Lake Matheson is especially striking when the mountain reflections are clear.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Franz Josef
Head south through West Coast forest and cross the Haast Pass. Waterfalls, rivers and mountain viewpoints break up the journey before the road opens onto the shores of Lake Wānaka. Enjoy the evening in this relaxed lakeside town.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Wanaka
Travel from Wānaka to Queenstown by the Crown Range or the Kawarau Gorge, with time for views and stops along the way. Settle beside Lake Wakatipu with two nights in Queenstown ahead.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Queenstown
A full free day in Queenstown. Choose a lake cruise, a trip towards Glenorchy, a walk, a winery visit or an adventure activity — or simply take the day slowly with the mountains as a backdrop.
Accommodation: Motels (3 star) in Queenstown
Enjoy your last morning in Queenstown before your onward journey. Your private tour finishes here today; no accommodation is charged for tonight.
Your tour ends today