Luxurious New Zealand Road Trip
The ultimate 18 Day New Zealand road trip travelling from the North Island to the South Island. Stop and stay at New Zealand's best luxury lodges & private villas and soak up the stunning scenery.
Touch down in Auckland, New Zealand’s most populous city and is a multi-cultural hub of food, music, arts and culture. Also known as Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland sprawls over volcanic hills and around twin harbors', offering an exhilarating mix of natural wonders and urban adventures. This evening you'll stay at the stunning Hotel Britomart in the heart of the city. Downstairs from your luxurious Landing Suite, the historic warehouses of the Britomart neighborhood house some of the country’s best restaurants, bars and cafes, while plant-lined pedestrian streets and laneways are full of incredible shopping. Enjoy a day at leisure exploring your front doorstep.
Drive 3-hours from Auckland to Rotorua, enjoying the picturesque views along the way. From crystal-clear streams and magical forests, to epic biking trails and thermal mud pools, Rotorua has it all. The city offers a raft of attractions and experiences for everyone from adventure-seekers to those just looking to unwind. Your luxury accommodation for the night will be Peppers on the Point. This former 1930s mansion retains its distinct charm and design throughout offering a relaxed and tranquil ambiance, with lavish features and amazing views over the beautiful Mokoia Island. Stretch your leg after the drive and explore the famous Redwood Tree Walk. Suspended high above the forest floor, encounter 75-metre-tall redwoods as you walk across eco-suspended bridges and platforms intricately designed to honour and accentuate the stunning natural environment. *Insiders Tip: experience the Redwood Tree Walk at night for a truly memorable experience.
Enjoy a day at leisure exploring Rotorua. Renowned for its geothermal activity, age-old forests, and pristine lakes and rivers, an incredible range of things to see and experience awaits you. Choose from mountain biking, kayaking, a heli-hike to the top of Mt Tarawera, river rafting, or relax in the natural hot pools. Following your day at leisure, take the 1-hour, 10-minute drive to Taupo, arriving at Huka Lodge where you will stay for two nights.
A stay in the spectacular parklike surrounds of Huka Lodge at Taupō, places guests at the doorstep to a host of wonderful experiences of the destination, from the traditional fly fishing on the banks of the Waikato River to hiking, luxury cruising, golfing and more. Of course, the luxurious setting at Huka Lodge invites leisurely pursuits onsite, including tennis, pétanque and croquet, while the option to read a book on the riverbank, wander the garden paths or enjoy a drink on the terrace are equally appealing.
Rise and shine to your last morning at Huka Lodge. Today you will drive 2 hours, 40 minutes towards Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay. On the way, stop in the Art Deco Capital of New Zealand - Napier. Napier is home to many fine wineries, fabulous restaurants, bars and cafes. The boutique shops are a must visit and the beautifully transformed Marine Parade is well worth a stroll.
Experience all that Hawkes Bay has to offer over the next two days. Check into one of New Zealand's most prestigious luxury lodges, Cape Kidnappers. Guests can take in the picturesque cliffside and turquoise blue oceans that surround the lodge, and golf course. Tee-off on the world-famous Cape Kidnappers golf course in the morning, enjoy a leisurely hike in the afternoon, and relax in the spa come the evening. On your second day, take off in a private helicopter from the front lawn, soaring to the top of Te Mata Peak for a picnic lunch, then head back for a short round of golf in the afternoon.
Next stop on the road is glorious Lake Tekapo. Only a 3-hour drive from Christchurch, Lake Tekapo is picturesque by day and dazzling by night. A UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve makes Lake Tekapo the perfect spot for stargazing. Your accommodation for the night will be Peppers Bluewater Resort.
Only 1 hour, 15 minutes drive from Lake Tekapo lies New Zealands tallest peak - Aoraki, Mt Cook. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is an exceptionally beautiful place to visit, home of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers. It is alpine in the purest sense - with skyscraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields, all set under a star-studded sky. You don’t have to be a mountaineer to interact with the stunning scenery; enjoy one of the many surrounding walks or go above and beyond with a private heli and Tasman Glacier experience. Finish the day with a 2 hour, 30 minute drive to Wanaka, arriving at Whare Kea Lodge.
Rise and shine to stunning lake and mountain views from your private suite at Whare Kea Lodge on the edge of Lake Wanaka. Today is about discovering Mt Aspiring National Park - but how you do it is up to you! Choose from heli-skiing or cat-skiing in the winter months, or explore the stunning trails by bike, foot, horseback, or 4WD in summer. Wanaka is also the perfect location for those looking for a private hunting or fishing trip. Dinner this evening will be at Kika - a lively restaurant in the heart of Wanaka.
