A suggested 31 day itinerary for the free and independent traveller
Day One
Arrive Auckland International Airport.Pick up rental car or van and make your way to accommodation.We suggest that after a long international flight you do not drive too far.One hour maximum is recommended.
Day Two
A relaxing three and half hour drive to Paihia,the main centre of the sub-
Day Three
Drive to the other coast (Tasman) to Opononi (via Kaikohe). You will be surprised how little traffic there is on our roads. If you have children with you visit the statue of Opo the friendly dolphin who inspired the famous children’s story. Marvel at the massive sand hills opposite. Suggest a leisurely lunch at Omapere and then on to the Kauri forest. A stop at Tane Mahuta (the father of the forest) is a must. Then drive on to Whangarei. On a decent day perhaps a trip to Whale Bay is called for.
Day Four
Two and a half hours will see you back in Auckland. This could be a good time to visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Adventure and Undersea World before heading off for a further ninety minute drive to Hamilton.
Day Five
A drive of one hour this morning will see you at Waitomo Caves. Admire the stalagmites and stalactites.(But which are which?) Waitomo Caves are World famous for their glow worms which you will see during a short boat ride through the caves. In the afternoon drive on to Wanganui via the historic Parapara Road, windy as it may be.
Day Six
Drive to the inter island ferry terminal in Wellington then a three hour trip across Cook Strait. If you are taking a vehicle across it is important to book. (Delays of up to ten days have been known!!!!). We strongly recommend that you hand one car in at the North Island terminal and have another one waiting for you at Picton.
One hour to leave Wellington Harbour
One hour in open water
One hour cruising through the Queen Charlotte Sound.
Look out for dolphins and orcas.... They are often seen.
Day Seven
You have a chance to really spoil yourself today with a short drive to Nelson.
Day Eight
A good drive today with first stop at Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks). Allow yourself at least one hour for a wonderful seascape walk and wonder at the power and might of the sea. If the blowholes are “playing” you will get wet but consider it a bonus. It is in this region where much of “Walking with Dinosaurs” was filmed. Another hour will see you in Greymouth another provincial town and just south you will see signs to “Shantytown” Well worth a visit but don’t get caught in the town jail! A further thirty minutes south is Hokitika another friendly West Coast Town and “gateway” to the glacier region.
Day Nine
Continue south and in a small town called Whataroa the White Heron Sanctuary is an absolute must at certain times of the year. (Usually October until April) It pay to check out their website closer the time of the proposed visit. After this it is a pleasant drive to first Franz Josef and just a short way further on Fox Glacier. A short drive inland from Fox township is the beautiful Lake Matheson and its views of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman often reflected in the waters of the lake.