Stay : 1 month in New Zealand: the big tour!
To do a complete tour of this spectacular archipelago, 30 days is an ideal duration. You will be able to alternate between sports activities and contemplative walks, relaxing afternoons on the beach and discovering the Maori culture, but also the amazing New Zealand wildlife, of which the kiwi is the proud representative. FromAuckland to Christchurch, the road invites you to a perpetual escape
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
30 days
€€€ - Luxury
Detail of the stay : 1 month in New Zealand: the big tour! - 30 days
Day 1: Direction Northland: Bay of Islands
Steps: Auckland
Barely arrived in Auckland, no time out, heading for Northland. Heading due north along the east coast, following the Twin Coast Discovery Highway. The first stop is Bay of Islands to enjoy the superb scenery composed by this string of islands. A major tourist destination famous for its protected waters and fish, it is also the nation's cradle. Waitangi was the place where the treaty between the Maori people and the Crown of England was signed
Day 2: Cape Reinga
Steps: Cape Reinga
The following day, continue north to Cape Reinga. At the end of the world, Cape Reinga is a sacred place for Maori; it is also the meeting point between the turbulent waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasmanian Sea.
CAPE REINGA
Day 3: Waipoua Forest
Steps: Kohukohu, Rawene, Waipoua Forest
Going down south, pass through Ninety Mile Beach and walk or 4x4 through its miles of sand. If you feel like it, it's time to try surfing in Ahipara before continuing the trip along the west coast. After crossing Hokianga Harbour by ferry between Kohukohu and Rawene, enter the Waipoua Forest, home to the majestic giant kauri. Greet the guardian of the place, Tane Mahuta, "God of the forest", the greatest kauri in the world
Day 4: Coromandel Peninsula - Day 1
Heading east towards the Coromandel peninsula. On the program: visit the cliffs of Cathedral Cove, immerse yourself in a natural hot water pool at Hot Water Beach and discover the sublime panorama of the peninsula from the summit of Les Pinnacles. Allow yourself a night at Opoutere
Day 5: Coromandel Peninsula - Day 2
Quiet descent again along the peninsula in a southerly direction. Enjoy the scenery
Day 6: Bay of Plenty
The road continues on the beautiful Bay of Plenty beaches. Tauranga and Mount Maunganui offer excellent surf spots and there is abundant fishing. Catch a sunburn or do a nice catch?
Day 7: Auckland
Steps: Auckland
Allow 3 to 4 hours to drive to Auckland. Visit the beautiful Auckland War Memorial Museum, climb to the top of the Sky Tower for the best views in the region and dine in the heart of the lively Ponsonby district.
Day 8: Waitomo Cellars
Steps: Waitomo
South direction towards the Waitomo Cellars. In the programme: rappel, caving or simple boat ride under the vaulted vaults of vers worms.
WAITOMO MUSEUM OF CAVES
Day 9: Rotorua Rotorua
Steps: Rotorua
Take the road to Rotorua. Smell the first sulfur smells will produce geothermal phenomena so characteristic of the region. In the evening, dive in the warm waters of Polynesian Spa and attend a Maori show.
Day 10: From Waiotapu to Taupo
At Waiotapu, let us surprise ourselves with the colours of Champagne Pool and admire the awakening of Lady Knox Geyser. Before entering Taupo, jump to Huka Falls.
HUKA FALLS
Day 11: Hiking day - Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Steps: National Park Village, Turangi
Put on your walking shoes to do one of the most beautiful day treks in this country: the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. After 7 to 9 hours of walking through lunar and then lush landscapes, plan to spend the night in the peaceful village of Turangi
TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING
Day 12: Canoe on Wanganui river
Steps: Whanganui National Park, Whanganui
No time to blow! Cap to Wanganui for a canoe day over 330 km of the Wanganui River.
WHANGANUI RIVER
Day 13: Wellington
Steps: Wellington
Next step : Wellington, capital of New Zealand south of the North Island. Don't miss the visit to the famous Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, take a look at the Parliament and the Botanic Gardens, not to mention walking down the very alternative Cuba Street.
BOTANICAL GARDENS
Day 14: Crossing to the South Island - Marlborough Sounds
It takes 3h30 by ferry to reach the south island and the sublime Marlborough Sounds with its emerald waters, composed of a myriad of islands and inlets. Plan a day of relaxation by boat through the string of islands.
Day 15: Nelson
Steps: Nelson
Cape to the west, to Nelson, for a day in the city. Visit the numerous art galleries and stroll through the sunny streets of this pleasant urban centre.
Day 16: Abel Tasman National Park - Day 1
Steps: Nelson, Abel Tasman National Park
From Nelson, head west to Abel Tasman National Park. Famous for its coastal path, turquoise water coves and postcard landscapes, plan to alternate walking and kayaking through the park
Day 17: Abel Tasman National Park - Day 2
Second day in Abel Tasman Bay. Kayaking day if you have opted for walking the day before, and vice versa.
Day 18: Golden Bay
Steps: Collingwood, Motueka, Takaka
Continue the road to the west and immerse yourself in the Bohemian atmosphere of Golden Bay, navigate the market of Takaka or Motueka and leave yourself to Farewell Spit and Wharariki Beach.
WHARARIKI BEACH
Day 19: Buller Gorge
Steps: Westport
Westport, on the road passing through the Buller Gorge. It's an opportunity or never to get off the rapids!
Day 20: West Coast
Steps: Westport, Paparoa National Park
Get off the coast from Westport and enjoy a stop in Paparoa National Park to admire the famous Pancakes Rocks. For a day, relive the time of the Jurassic! With its hundreds of tree ferns and Nikau palm trees, the coast offers a unique spectacle
Day 21: Hokitika
Direction south, towards Hokitika, the Jade capital. Explore the wild beaches of the surrounding area where tons of float wood fail each year.
Day 22: Fox Glacier
Steps: Fox Glacier
Heading south towards the glaciers. Play the explorer: equipped with crampons and an ice axe, walk on the Fox Glacier
FOX GLACIER VALLEY WALK
Day 23: Queenstown - Day 1
Steps: Wanaka, Queenstown
Just after Wanaka, the world's adventure capital, Queenstown offers the thrill. Get high on adrenaline and try your hand at a thrill: bungee jumping, rafting, jet boat... In the evening, you can enjoy the city's attractions, which are lively in season
Day 24: Queenstown - Day 2
Steps: Queenstown
Second day in Queenstown and surrounding area for a day of hiking or relaxation, as desired.
Day 25: Doubtful Sound or Milford Sound
Steps: Fiordland National Park, Te Anau
Follow the road to Te Anau towards the famous fjords. Embark on an unforgettable day of cruising in the heart of Doubtful Sound or just a few hours in Milford Sound.
Day 26: Catlins Forest Park
Steps: Invercargill
After a stopover in Invercargill, direction the Catlins coast, full of surprises, and its sublime forest park, for a day of exploration.
Day 27: Dunedin
Steps: Dunedin
Return to civilization by rallying Dunedin, capital of Otago. The peninsula of the same name offers sublime walks and is home to many wild species: penguins, sea lions and albatrosses.
Day 28: Christchurch via the Moreaki Boulders
Steps: Christchurch, Oamaru
On the road to Christchurch. On the way, don't miss Oamaru and his colony of small blue penguins or the famous Moreaki Boulders. Evening in Christchurch.
Day 29: Christchurch
Steps: Christchurch
Visit to Christchurch. Stop by to see the city centre and how the reconstruction after the earthquake is progressing and then go shopping in Restart, the new shopping area
Day 30: Kaikoura or Akaroa
Steps: Auckland, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Akaroa
On this last day, the bravest will go to Kaikoura to observe the sperm whales, or to Akaroa to kayak among Hector's dolphins, before returning to Christchurch or Auckland (in this case plan an extra day's travel) for final preparations before departure.
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