2 couples, 4 travellersTokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto & Osaka
May 2026
10 nights · Tokyo → Mount Fuji → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka
New Zealand Self-Drive
Couple · February 2027 · 20 nights
Upcoming
A couple is planning three weeks of self-drive across both islands, with a separate hire car on each linked by a domestic flight. The North Island covers the Bay of Islands, Hobbiton and Rotorua; the South Island covers Milford Sound, four nights in Queenstown for the adventure activities, and the lakes of the Mackenzie basin. This is still being planned, and nothing is booked yet.
- Travellers
- Couple
- When
- February 2027
- Length
- 20 nights
- Route stops
- 9 stops
Auckland → Paihia → Rotorua → Queenstown → Te Anau → Wānaka → Twizel → Lake Tekapo → Christchurch
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive in Auckland
Transfer to a central hotel. An easy evening around the Viaduct Harbour.
Overnight in Auckland
Day 2: Coromandel and Cathedral Cove
A full day to Hahei and Cathedral Cove by pre-arranged transport. Access to the cove depends on track conditions at the time.
Overnight in Auckland
Day 3: North to Paihia
Collect the North Island car and drive to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Evening on the waterfront.
Overnight in Paihia
Day 4: Bay of Islands cruise
A cruise out to the Hole in the Rock, sea permitting. The afternoon free in Paihia.
Overnight in Paihia
Day 5: Back to Auckland
Drive south to Auckland. The evening is kept open before the Rotorua leg.
Overnight in Auckland
Day 6: Hobbiton to Rotorua
An early start for a pre-booked Hobbiton tour near Matamata. On to Rotorua; Blue Spring only if the tour time leaves daylight.
Overnight in Rotorua
Day 7: Te Puia
Geothermal valley and Māori cultural experience at Te Puia. Agrodome or a Rotorua spa after.
Overnight in Rotorua
Day 8: Rotorua choice day
One full-day trip, to be chosen from Waitomo glowworm caves, dolphin swimming at Tauranga, or Taupō and Huka Falls.
Overnight in Rotorua
Day 9: Fly to Queenstown
Drive to Auckland Airport, return the car and fly to Queenstown. Collect the South Island car.
Overnight in Queenstown
Day 10: Queenstown to Te Anau
Through Southland to Te Anau, the base for Milford Sound. An early night before the early start.
Overnight in Te Anau
Day 11: Milford Sound
The Milford Road and a pre-booked cruise on the sound. Back to Queenstown after, a long driving day.
Overnight in Queenstown
Day 12: Queenstown adventure day
The Nevis Swing or a 15,000-foot skydive, weather permitting. Evening on the lakefront.
Overnight in Queenstown
Day 13: Arrowtown and Glenorchy
Self-drive to Arrowtown, Glenorchy or the Devils Staircase viewpoints. Onsen hot pools in the evening.
Overnight in Queenstown
Day 14: Queenstown flex day
Kept free for whichever adventure activity the weather pushed back. Time in the town centre.
Overnight in Queenstown
Day 15: Queenstown to Wānaka
Through Cromwell and Central Otago to Wānaka. An unhurried evening by the lake.
Overnight in Wānaka
Day 16: Wānaka to Twizel
Through the Mackenzie Country with stops at the Lake Pukaki viewpoints.
Overnight in Twizel
Day 17: Aoraki / Mount Cook
The Hooker Valley Track from White Horse Hill. Back to Twizel, with time allowed for mountain weather.
Overnight in Twizel
Day 18: Lake Tekapo
The Church of the Good Shepherd and the lakeshore. Optional stargazing if the night is clear.
Overnight in Lake Tekapo
Day 19: A night in a PurePod
A glass-walled cabin in open country for one night, offered as an optional upgrade. Location still to be chosen.
Overnight in PurePod
Day 20: Drive to Christchurch
Into Christchurch for the Botanic Gardens, Riverside Market or punting on the Avon.
Overnight in Christchurch
Day 21: Depart from Christchurch
The International Antarctic Centre if flight timing allows. Return the car and fly out.
What we arranged
- Two self-drive cars, one per island, linked by an Auckland–Queenstown flight
- A night-by-night stay plan across 12 bases, 20 nights in total
- Road and track checks flagged for Milford Road, Cathedral Cove and Mount Cook
- A flex day in Queenstown so a weather-cancelled activity can move
- Hobbiton, the Bay of Islands cruise and Milford Sound cruise to be booked once dates lock
Shared with names, exact dates and prices removed.