12-Day Auckland to Christchurch Highlights

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This morning, you'll collect your rental car and head out of the city to Rotorua. On the way, you can stop and visit the Hobbiton Movie Set. Here, you'll become immersed in The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. In the heard of the lush Waikato farming region, your tour will begin with a drive through a picturesque sheep farm. Upon arrival in Rotorua, you'll settle into your hotel. In the evening, you'll have the option to visit the Mitai Maori village for an introduction to this culture.

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Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the worlds most active volcanic regions. Home to several prominent Maori tribes, a visit to one of the Maori Villages should be high on your agenda. You can spike your adrenaline at Velocity Valley Adventure Park on stomach-dropping attractions such as static skydiving. Alternatively, you can head to Rainbow Springs and National Kiwi Hatchery to see New Zealand's national animal.

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The drive from Rotorua to Wellington takes you via the township of Taupo, home to New Zealand's largest lake. Following the lakeshore, you'll pass Turani and then ascend the central plateau onto the high country the Rangipo Desert. Skirting the edge of Tongariro National Park, you'll descend through rich farmland and rural towns to arrive at your destination, Wellington. In the evening, you'll have the option to do the Zealandia by night wildlife sanctuary tour!

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Today you'll cross the Cook Strait on the Interislander Ferry. Approaching Picton, you'll cruise through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds. The journey between Wellington and Picton takes around three hours and has been described as 'one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world'. Enjoy spectacular views of the Kaikoura Ranges and the stunning Marlborough Sounds. You'll then pick up your rental car on the other side and drive to your accommodation in Picton.

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From Picton, you'll cross the dry hills of the Marlborough ranges as you head towards one of the most spectacular of the South Island, the Kaikoura Coast. The road hugs the shore for around 50 kilometres and offers many chances to see native wildlife such as seabirds and New Zealand fur seals. The drive from Kaikoura to Christchurch continues to follow the spectacular coastline before heading inland and through North Canterbury's major wine region, the Waipara Valley to arrive into Christchurch.

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Today you'll enjoy a scenic drive through Canterbury and the MacKenzie Country to Mt Cook National Park. You'll catch your breath in Geraldine before continuing through Fairlie and ascending Burkes Pass, you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo. Follow the road and take in the view of Aoraki Mt Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier-fed turquoise blue colour.

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Leaving the alpine region of Mount Cook behind, you'll travel over the Lindis Pass, one of New Zealand's highest roads with a summit of 971 metres. Approaching Queenstown, the Remarkables Mountain Range comes into new as you arrive into the capital of adventure in New Zealand. For the rest of the day, you'll be free to explore Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, whichever way you wish!

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Although celebrated as New Zealand's ‘adventure capital’, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders. You have the option to go on a wonderful art and wine tour today and in the evening, you'll enjoy a gourmet BBQ dinner on the TSS Earnslaw Cruise!

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Today you will journey across New Zealand's highest sealed road from Queenstown over the Crown Range to Wanaka. From there, journey west to the wondrous West Coast of South Island. Crossing the Haast River you are now truly in the wild west - a 600-kilometre stretch of bush, rainforest and podocarp forest. You'll continue on to arrive in Fox Glacier, your destination for the night, home to the largest glacier on the west coast.

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Your drive today takes you north through the historic gold mining region of Hokitika, a seaside town dating back to the 1860s. Take in the sea views before moving on to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and the starting point of the next leg of your journey. You'll drop your rental car at Greymouth Station and board one of the most spectacular trains in the world to Christchurch, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your accommodation.