Cox and Kings Aotearoa: Land of the Long White Cloud

– 3- & 4-star accommodation
– Arrival and departure transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
– 17 days’ car hire in a Group C compact automatic car
– Selected Meals: 6 breakfasts and 1 dinner

– Overnight cruise through Milford Sound
– Travel through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train
– Get close to the Franz Josef glacier
– Whale watching cruise off Kairkoura

Day 1 – Auckland

On arrival, transfer to either the SKYCITY Hotel or M Social Auckland for 2 nights.
(No meals)

Day 2 – Auckland

Explore Auckland at leisure or take an optional excursion
(Breakfast)

Day 3 – Bay of Islands

Collect your hire car and drive north to the Bay of Islands. On arrival, stay 2 nights at Copthorne Hotel. Suggest excursions include a cruise out on the Bay of Islands to stop dolphins. Alternatively, visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds or the historic town of Russell.
(Breakfast)

Day 4 – Bay of Islands

Explore the Bay of Islands at leisure.
(Breakfast)

Day 5 – Rotorua

Drive south to the volcanic town of Rotorua and stay 2 nights at the Millennium Rotorua for 2 nights. You can break up this journey with a stop in Cambridge or Matamata, home of the Hobbiton film set. Alternatively, spend a night in Auckland.
(No meals)

Day 6 – Rotorua

Day at leisure to explore Rotorua.
(No meals)

Day 7 – Wellington

Drive south to Wellington and stay at the Copthorne Hotel Wellington for 2 nights.
(No meals)

Day 8 – Wellington

Explore New Zealand’s capital at your leisure, with time to visit the National Museum Te Papa or join a guided walking tour.
(No meals)

Day 9 – Blenheim

Drop off your hire car and board the Interislander ferry for the journey to South Island. On arrival in Picton, collect a new car and drive south through the Marlborough wine-growing region to Blenheim. Stay overnight at the Scenic Hotel Marlborough.
(No meals)

Day 10 – Kaikoura

Continue south this morning along the beautiful east coast to Kaikoura. Stay 1 night at The White Morph. Afternoon whale watching cruise off Kaikoura coast.
(No meals)

Day 11 – Christchurch

Drive south to Christchurch and stay 2 nights at the Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square.
(No meals)

Day 12 – Christchurch

Explore Christchurch at leisure.
(No meals)

Day 13 – Mount Cook National Park

Drive to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and stay overnight at the Hermitage Aoraki Mount Cook Hotel. Spend the afternoon walking in the park or visiting the Sir Edmund Hilary Alpine Centre.
(No meals)

Day 14 – Te Anau

Drive to the lakeside town of Te Anau and stay overnight at Distinction Luxmore.
(No meals)

Day 15 – Milford Sound

Drive to Milford Sound, where you will board the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise.
(Dinner)

Day 16 – Queenstown

Drive to Queenstown and stay at the Millennium Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights.
(Breakfast)

Day 17 – Queenstown

Explore Christchurch at leisure.
(Breakfast)

Day 18 – Franz Josef

Drive north through the Mount Aspiring National Park to the town of Franz Josef. Stay 1 night at the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef. Optional guided walk to the face of the Franz Josef glacier or take a scenic flight for an aerial view.
(No meals)

Day 19 – Christchurch

Drive north to Greymouth, where you’ll drop off your hire car and board the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch. On arrival transfer to the Sudima Christchurch Airport Hotel for 1 night.
(Breakfast)

Day 20 – Onward Travel

Transfer to the airport to fly home or continue your holiday.
(No meals) 

For a quote based on alternative accommodation standards, to discuss flight options or to tailor this itinerary, please call on 0808 258 4739 or enquire

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0808 258 4739 for more departure dates available and a quote.