DAY 1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Take a tour to Waiheke Island or browse the shops and have lunch in the Viaduct Basin area (own expense). Overnight: Auckland, Mercure Auckland (standard), CityLife Auckland (first class) or Aachen House (B&B)

DAY 2: AUCKLAND-BAY OF ISLANDS (144 miles/3 hrs)

Pick up your rental car from the central city depot and drive north over the Auckland Harbor Bridge through to Whangarei. Stop en route to see the Whangarei Falls then on to the seaside town of Paihia. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight: Bay of Islands, Copthorne Hotel & Resort - Gardenview Room (standard), Seaview Room (first class) or Ounuwhao Harding House (B&B) for 2 nights

DAY 3: BAY OF ISLANDS AT LEISURE

Today is at leisure to explore this amazing region.

DAY 4: PAIHIA-AUCKLAND (225 miles/41/2 hrs)

Return to Auckland via Hokianga Harbor. Travel south through the Waipoua forest, stopping at the Dargaville Maritime Museum before heading to Matakohe. Another popular stop in this area is The Kauri Museum. Then continue via Waiwera back to Auckland. Overnight: Auckland, Mercure Auckland (standard), CityLife Auckland (first class) or Aachen House (B&B)

DAY 5: AUCKLAND-WAITOMO-ROTORUA (228 miles/41/2 hrs)

Depart Auckland and travel south through the rich farmland area of Waikato and the city of Hamilton to the Waitomo Caves. Travel by boat through caves lit by thousands of tiny Glow Worms. From here, continue your journey to Rotorua. Overnight: Rotorua, Novotel Lakeside (standard), Millennium Rotorua (first class) or The Springs (B&B) for 2 nights

DAY 6: ROTORUA ATTRACTIONS PASS

Take in the amazing sites of Rotorua with a full day of sightseeing by self drive. Includes entrance to Te Puia Thermal Reserve, the Agrodome sheep show, Rainbow Springs, Skyline Gondola and the Polynesian Spa. Tonight, enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and concert. (D)

DAY 7: ROTORUA-CHRISTCHURCH

This morning drop off your rental car at Rotorua Airport, and fly to Christchurch (flight not included). On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Christchurch, Copthorne Hotel Durham Street (standard), George Hotel (first class) or The Charlotte Jane (B&B)

DAY 8: CHRISTCHURCH-GREYMOUTH-FOX GLACIER (125 miles/21/2 hrs)

You will be transferred to Christchurch railway station where you will board the TranzAlpine train to Greymouth. On arrival, pick up your rental car from the railway station and drive through Hokitika to Fox Glacier. Overnight: Fox Glacier, Scenic Circle Glacier Country Hotel (standard) or Te Weheka Inn (first class and B&B)

DAY 9: FOX GLACIER-QUEENSTOWN (200 miles/5 hrs)

Depart Fox Glacier and travel through the remote township of Haast, Hawea and Lake Wanaka, via Cromwell to Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown, Copthorne Lakefront (standard) Heritage Hotel Queenstown (first class) or Queenstown House (B&B) for 2 nights

DAY 10: QUEENSTOWN AT LEISURE

Today is free to enjoy the many activities available in Queenstown. Take a cruise aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu. A gondola ride to Bob's Peak offers majestic views over Queenstown, the surrounding mountains and Lake Wakatipu (activities own expense).

DAY 11: QUEENSTOWN-TE ANAU (125 miles/3 hrs)

Depart Queenstown, skirting Lake Wakatipu, Kingston and Lumsden to Te Anau. Continue to Manapouri to board your tour to beautiful Doubtful Sound before your return to Te Anau. Overnight: Te Anau, Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau (standard), Te Anau Hotel & Villas (first class) or Fiordland Lodge (B&B)

DAY 12: TE ANAU-DUNEDIN (180 miles/4 hrs)

Drive via Lumsden through Gore and Balclutha into Dunedin. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take a guided tour of Larnarch Castle or a rail trip through the Taieri Gorge (own expense). Overnight: Dunedin, Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin (standard), Southern Cross Hotel (first class) or Elgin House (B&B)

DAY 13: DUNEDIN-CHRISTCHURCH (225 miles/5 hrs)

Depart Dunedin via Oamaru and Timaru through to Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch, Copthorne Hotel Durham Street (standard), George Hotel (first class) or The Charlotte Jane (B&B)

DAY 14: DEPART CHRISTCHURCH

Return your rental car at Christchurch Airport and board your onward flight (flight own expense).