New Zealand Self Drive - 18 days

Combines the very best nature watching of both the North and South Islands, this tour includes a cruise across Cook Strait and scenic drive through the beautiful wine producing region of Marlborough.

Day 1:  Tiritiri Matangi Island
Travel by ferry across the Hauraki Gulf to this unique Conservation Island, where many of New Zealand’s rare and endangered birds now live, free from predators which forced them to extinction on the mainland. Return to Auckland for the night.

Day 2: Auckland to Rotorua
Visit the Waitakere Forest Park on the outskirts of Auckland city then drive south to Miranda on the Firth of Thames where the extensive intertidal zone supports a large number of trans-equatorial and local wading birds.  Travel onto Rotorua where you can enjoy a special cultural evening.

Day 3: Rotorua to Tongariro National Park
Head off to the Western Taupo Forest for the dawn chorus which may include among others the very rare North Island kokako.  Discover beautiful Lake Taupo at your leisure before travelling onto the Tongariro World Heritage Park, New Zealand’s first National Park.

Day 4: Tongariro to Napier
Explore the National Park this morning. There are a number of short walks close to your accommodation that lead into the heart of volcanic wonderland. This afternoon drive to Napier along the very scenic Taupo to Napier Highway.  Napier is the art –deco capital of New Zealand.

Day 5: Napier and environs
Today visit the Australian Gannet colony and sanctuary at Cape Kidnappers then explore some of the vineyards and taste the wines for which the region is renowned. Spend  tonight in a special farmstay where your hosts will introduce you to farming lifestyle.

Day 6: Wairarapa to Wellington
This morning enroute to Wellington visit the Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre which is an institute for studying the breeding and feeding habits of rare and endangered native birds. On arrival in Wellington  visit  Te Papa our National Museum.

Day 7: Wellington to Kaikoura
Take the inter island ferry from Wellington to Picton, this is a great opportunity to look for pelagic species and enjoy the picturesque Marlborough Sounds.  From Picton, drive south to Kaikoura, an attractive seaside fishing village, famous for its marine mammals. After checking into your accommodation enjoy a leisurely walk around the  Kaikoura Peninsula a spectacular coastal walk.

Day 8: Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs
Join a special early morning whale watch excursion, this is also an excellent way to see pelagic birds including albatross’s, petrels and prions. This afternoon drive through to Hanmer Thermal Resort and relax in the hot thermal pools or enjoy a walk in the nearby forest. 

Day 9: Hanmer Springs to Greymouth
Drive across the Southern Alps via the Lewis Pass.  Enjoy a walk in the beech forest in the Lewis Pass National Reserve before travelling through the west coast rain forest to the coastal township of Greymouth where you stay overnight.

Day 10: Greymouth to Fox Glacier  
Today become acquainted with the Westland National Park and the awe inspiring Franz and Fox glaciers.  This is also an opportunity to visit the white heron colony at Okaitro. At Fox Glacier, enjoy a relatively easy walk to the terminal face of the glacier. 

Day 11: Fox Glacier to Wanaka
Continue south along the coast enjoying some magnificent coastal scenery and a number of easier walks, search for the endemic Fiordland Crested Penguin.  Then travel via the Haast Pass to Wanaka choosing from a number of the short Rainforest walks along this unique highway.

Day 12: Wanaka to Te Anau   
Visit the popular resort town of Queenstown en route to Te Anau where you can either indulge in some shopping or just enjoy the scenery. On arrival in Te Anau  you should definitely stop in at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and the adjacent Wildlife Park.  This evening you will join a special excursion to the world famous glowworm caves  across lake Te Anau.

Day 13: Te Anau to Milford Sound to Te Anau
Drive to Milford Sound via the Eglington Valley, which is one of the best birding spots in New Zealand. You can see numerous different species including the bush robin, redcrowned parakeets and if you are lucky the rare yellowhead.  The road continues on through the Hollyford Valley where you can enjoy spectacular alpine flora. In Milford Sound, join a cruise on this world renowned fiord before returning to  Te Anau.  

Day 14: Te Anau to Stewart Island
Travel to Invercargill, New Zealand’s southern most city then take the ferry to Stewart Island. On arrival check to see whether the Kiwi watch excursion is running that evening, if not take a walk this evening to see little blue penguins and sooty shearwaters at nearby Ackers Point.

Day 15: Stewart Island 
A boat will ferry you across to the Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary. Take you lunch and spend the day on this predator free Island. It is an excellent place to bird and botanize.  Look out for many of our rare NZ native birds, including the South Island Saddleback and the cheeky weka. This evening join the Kiwi watch if it didn’t go last night.

Day 16: Stewart Island to Dunedin
Catch the morning ferry back to Invercargill and pick up your car then drive North to Dunedin.  Make sure you arrive in plenty of time as this is the Wildlife Capital of NZ. On the Otago Peninsula only a few minutes drive from the city you can visit the Albatross Colony and see Yellow-eyed Penguins and many other bird species.

Day 17: Dunedin to Mount Cook
Your journey to the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park will take you through the McKenzie Basin. On arrival at the Park be sure to visit the park headquarters and enjoy one of the many walks here which will give you spectacular views of the mountains and the alpine vegetation. 

Day 18: Mount Cook to Christchurch
Before heading north to Christchurch spend some time searching for the rare Black stilt, which is only found in this high country region of New Zealand. The road north to Christchurch travels through the rolling South Canterbury foothills and across the  fertile Canterbury Plains.  On arrival in Christchurch drop off your rental vehicle and either connect with International flights or continue with your own arrangements.