12-Day North & South Island Highlights

Explore both North and South Islands on a 12-day self-drive from Auckland to Rotorua, then on to Franz Josef, Queenstown, and Aoraki/Mt Cook. Enjoy Hobbiton, geothermal wonders, Māori culture, glacier country, and alpine adventure at your own pace.

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PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details

Day 1

Welcome to Auckland

Arrive in Auckland, the City of Sails, collect your rental car, and check in. Spend the afternoon exploring Viaduct Harbour, browsing boutique shops, or relaxing after your journey.

Overnight in Auckland.
Day 2

Auckland → Waitomo → Rotorua

Breakfast at hotel. Travel south to Waitomo for a small-group eco-tour through glowworm-lit limestone caves with expert guides. Continue to Rotorua, known for bubbling geothermal pools and rich Māori culture.

Drive: 330 km / 4.5 hrs

Included: Down to Earth Glowworm Eco Tour

Overnight in Rotorua.
Day 3

Rotorua → Hobbiton → Rotorua

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a guided Hobbiton Movie Set Tour, exploring Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and Middle-earth landscapes before returning to Rotorua for an afternoon at leisure.

Drive: 120 km / 2 hrs

Included: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Overnight in Rotorua.
Day 4

Rotorua → Picton → Kaikōura → Christchurch

Breakfast at hotel. Drive past Lake Taupō and Tongariro’s volcanic plateau to Wellington. Sail on the Interislander Ferry across Cook Strait, then continue through Blenheim and Kaikōura to Christchurch.

Drive: 650 km / 9 hrs incl. ferry

Included: Interislander Ferry

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 5

Christchurch → Franz Josef (West Coast Drive)

Breakfast at hotel. Cross Arthur’s Pass with its dramatic alpine scenery, then descend to the rugged West Coast. Continue through Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier village.

Drive: 380 km / 5.5 hrs

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 6

Franz Josef at Leisure

Breakfast at hotel. Spend the day exploring Glacier Country—walk rainforest trails, visit Lake Matheson, or choose an optional helicopter flight over the Southern Alps.

Optional: Twin Glacier Scenic Helicopter

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 7

Franz Josef → Queenstown

Breakfast at hotel. Drive south through Haast Pass with its waterfalls and alpine valleys, then past Lakes Hawea and Wānaka to Queenstown beside Lake Wakatipu.

Drive: 350 km / 5.5 hrs

Included: Kiwi Birdlife Park Entry

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 8

Queenstown at Leisure

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy Queenstown at your own pace—wine tasting in Gibbston Valley, exploring Arrowtown, or relaxing by the lake.

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 9

Queenstown → Mount Cook

Breakfast at hotel. Drive north into Mackenzie Country where turquoise Lake Pukaki frames the peaks of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Drive: 260 km / 4 hrs

Overnight in Mt Cook.
Day 10

Explore Mount Cook National Park

Breakfast not included. Spend the day exploring alpine trails, visiting the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or joining an optional scenic helicopter flight over the Southern Alps with a snow landing.

Optional: 55-min Mt Cook & Glaciers Flight

Overnight in Mt Cook.
Day 11

Mount Cook → Lake Tekapo → Christchurch

Breakfast not included. Drive through the Mackenzie Basin, stop at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, then continue across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Drive: 330 km / 4.5 hrs

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 12

Christchurch Departure

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a relaxed morning before returning your rental car at Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.

Drive: 15 km / 20 mins

Tour Highlights

Arrive in the City of Sails and settle into your hotel.

Explore Viaduct Harbour’s waterfront boardwalks and dining spots.

Browse boutique shops or unwind after your flight.

Enjoy a relaxed first evening in New Zealand’s largest city.
Drive through lush Waikato farmland toward the Waitomo caves.

Join an eco-guided glowworm tour through ancient limestone caverns.

Learn geology and conservation insights from expert local guides.

Arrive in Rotorua, land of bubbling mud pools and Māori culture.
Travel into peaceful Waikato countryside and rolling green farmland.

Explore Hobbit Holes, The Shire, and the Green Dragon Inn.

Hear filming stories on your guided Hobbiton Movie Set Tour.

Return to Rotorua for an afternoon of geothermal or cultural discovery.
Drive past Lake Taupō and across Tongariro’s volcanic plateau.

Sail the Interislander Ferry through Cook Strait and Marlborough Sounds.

Follow coastal roads past vineyards and Kaikōura’s dramatic seascapes.

Continue south to Christchurch for an evening at leisure.
Cross Arthur’s Pass with towering peaks, viaducts and waterfalls.

Descend to the rugged West Coast framed by wild beaches and rainforest.

Pause in Hokitika for jade carving workshops and artisan stores.

Arrive in Franz Josef Glacier village by evening.
Wander rainforest trails leading to glacier viewpoints.

Visit Lake Matheson for mirror reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Choose a scenic helicopter flight over twin glaciers.

Enjoy a peaceful evening in Glacier Country.
Drive through Haast Pass with alpine valleys and tumbling waterfalls.

Follow turquoise rivers past Lakes Hawea and Wānaka.

Arrive in Queenstown beside Lake Wakatipu’s sparkling shoreline.

Visit Kiwi Birdlife Park to encounter kiwi, tuatara and native birds.
Stroll the lakefront or relax with mountain views and a coffee.

Explore Arrowtown’s charming historic streets.

Venture into Gibbston Valley for world-class wine tasting.

Enjoy a free day in New Zealand’s adventure capital.
Travel north into Mackenzie Country’s vast high-country landscapes.

Stop at turquoise Lake Pukaki with views of Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Enter the national park framed by glaciers and soaring alpine peaks.

Settle into your accommodation among dramatic mountain scenery.
Walk scenic glacier trails beneath New Zealand’s highest peak.

Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre for mountaineering history.

Admire blue lakes and rugged ridgelines in every direction.

Choose a scenic helicopter flight with a remote snow landing.
Drive through the Mackenzie Basin’s golden tussock landscapes.

Stop at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Cross the vast Canterbury Plains toward Christchurch.

Enjoy a quiet final evening in the Garden City.
Spend a relaxed morning exploring Christchurch’s parks or cafés.

Return your rental car at the airport before departure.

Conclude your South Island journey with mountain and glacier memories.

Accommodations

1 night Auckland at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
1 night Christchurch at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights Rotorua at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights Franz Josef at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights Queenstown at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights Mount Cook at a 3 Star Hotel.
1 night Christchurch at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.

Guests may request to upgrade to 4-5 Star hotels. Upgrades are subject to availability and additional costs.

Package Includes

Self-Drive:

Premium rental car for 12 days
Unlimited kilometres included
GPS navigation included

Exclusive Experiences:

Interislander Ferry: North → South Island (car onboard)
Waitomo Glowworm Caves with Spellbound.
Kiwi Birdlife Park
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour (Matamata).
Accommodation in a 3 Star Hotel for 11 nights with Breakfast.

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What Travelers Are Saying About Our Tours

Adrian L.

3 days ago

This North & South Island journey was incredible. From Hobbiton to the geothermal sights in Rotorua and the glacier region in Franz Josef, every day felt exciting. The itinerary was easy to follow and made the whole adventure stress-free.

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Kara W.

1 week ago

I loved how seamlessly this trip blended culture, nature, and adventure. Queenstown was a standout, and the drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook was breathtaking. Everything was organised so well that I could focus on enjoying each stop.

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Silas P.

2 days ago

The 12-day route was perfect for seeing the best of both islands. Māori culture in Rotorua, glacier country, and the alpine scenery near Mt Cook were all unforgettable. The pacing and planning made it a fantastic self-drive experience.

See it on Google

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Discover even more of New Zealand on our Exclusive Tours!

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