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Aotearoa: Land of the Long White Cloud

Private Travel | Self-drive 20 Days & 19 Nights Lead-in price: £3,695 Current prices from: £3,695
This extensive itinerary is an ideal introduction to New Zealand for firsttime visitors looking to explore the country at their own pace. Travel the length of New Zealand to visit the main sights, with plenty of opportunities to explore each area further and excursions that can be tailored to your own preferences.

The Cox & Kings signature experiences

  • Overnight cruise through Milford Sound, allowing you to experience this spectacular fiord when all the crowds are gone
  • Travel through the breathtaking scenery of the Southern Alps on board the TranzAlpine train
  • Opportunities to get up close to the face of the Franz Josef glacier
  • Whale-watching cruise off the dramatic Kaikoura coastline
  • Stay in 4- & 5-star accommodation

Auckland

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2373 2475 2272 2068 1763 1559 1457 1559 1661 1864 2068 2272
Min temp (C)(F) 1559 1661 1559 1254 1050 846 745 846 948 1152 1254 1457
Sunshine hours 7 7 6 5 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 7
Daylight hours 14 13 12 11 10 10 10 11 12 13 14 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 753 803 924 1024 1114 1305 1335 1245 1004 863 863 894
Rainy Days 11 9 12 14 17 19 19 19 18 15 14 13
Humidity N N N N N N N N N N N N
UV 11+/E 11/E 8/VH 5/M 3/M 2/L 2/L 3/M 5/M 7/H 9/VH 11/E
Sea temp (C)(F) 2068 2170 2068 1966 1864 1763 1661 1559 1559 1661 1763 1966

Blenheim

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2373 2373 2170 1864 1559 1355 1355 1355 1559 1763 1966 2170
Min temp (C)(F) 1355 1254 1254 948 643 439 337 439 643 846 1050 1254
Sunshine hours 8 8 6 6 5 4 5 5 6 7 7 7
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 10 11 12 13 15 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 542 351 542 622 663 552 703 703 542 602 502 512
Rainy Days 7 7 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 11 11
Humidity E VH H M L L L L M H VH VH
UV 11/E 10/VH 7/H 4/M 2/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 4/M 6/H 8/VH 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) 1763 1864 1763 1661 1559 1457 1355 1355 1355 1355 1457 1661

Coromandel

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2475 2475 2272 2068 1763 1559 1457 1559 1661 1864 2068 2272
Min temp (C)(F) 1457 1457 1355 1152 846 643 541 643 846 948 1152 1355
Sunshine hours 7 7 5 5 4 4 4 4 5 6 6 7
Daylight hours 14 13 12 11 10 10 10 11 12 13 14 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 1466 1506 2189 1897 1948 25610 2369 24910 2008 1556 1486 1546
Rainy Days 10 11 15 14 15 17 18 18 18 15 14 12
Humidity E E VH M M L L M M H VH E
UV 11+/E 11/E 8/VH 5/M 3/M 2/L 2/L 3/M 5/M 7/H 9/VH 11/E
Sea temp (C)(F) 2068 2170 2170 2068 1864 1763 1661 1559 1559 1661 1763 1966

Franz Josef

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 1864 1966 1763 1355 948 745 643 745 1050 1254 1559 1763
Min temp (C)(F) 846 846 745 439 134 -130 -228 -130 134 337 541 643
Sunshine hours 6 6 5 4 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 6
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 9 10 12 13 15 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 2319 1496 2249 2108 2289 2008 1988 2199 25810 26911 24310 2379
Rainy Days 15 12 15 15 16 14 16 15 17 17 16 18
Humidity E VH H M L L L L M H VH VH
UV 11/E 9/VH 6/H 4/M 2/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 4/M 6/H 8/VH 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A

Hamilton

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2475 2475 2373 2068 1763 1457 1457 1559 1661 1864 2068 2272
Min temp (C)(F) 1355 1457 1355 1050 846 643 541 643 745 948 1152 1254
Sunshine hours 7 7 6 5 4 3 4 4 5 6 6 7
Daylight hours 14 14 12 11 10 10 10 11 12 13 14 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 873 803 934 934 1114 1285 1305 1235 1104 1024 974 1054
Rainy Days 11 9 12 13 15 17 17 18 19 17 14 14
Humidity E VH VH M M L L M M H VH E
UV 11/E 10/VH 8/VH 5/M 3/M 2/L 2/L 3/M 5/M 7/H 9/VH 11/E
Sea temp (C)(F) N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A

Kaikoura

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2068 2068 1864 1559 1152 846 745 846 1152 1457 1661 1864
Min temp (C)(F) 846 846 745 439 236 –32 -130 –32 134 337 541 745
Sunshine hours 7 7 5 5 4 3 3 4 5 6 6 6
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 9 10 12 13 15 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 663 542 853 843 934 894 1124 1074 783 833 703 763
Rainy Days 9 9 10 9 11 10 10 12 11 10 10 10
Humidity N N N N N N N N N N N N
UV 11/E 10/VH 7/H 4/M 2/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 4/M 6/H 8/VH 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) 1661 1661 1661 1457 1355 1254 1152 1152 1152 1254 1355 1457

Martinborough

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2373 2373 2170 1864 1559 1355 1254 1355 1559 1763 1966 2170
Min temp (C)(F) 1355 1254 1152 948 745 541 439 541 745 846 948 1152
Sunshine hours 7 7 6 5 4 3 3 4 5 6 7 7
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 10 11 12 13 15 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 482 432 683 683 873 974 1034 964 703 592 542 663
Rainy Days 11 11 14 13 17 19 19 19 18 17 15 14
Humidity E VH H M L L L L M H VH VH
UV 11/E 10/VH 7/H 4/M 2/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 4/M 6/H 8/VH 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A

Milford Sound

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 1864 1864 1661 1254 846 541 541 745 948 1254 1457 1661
Min temp (C)(F) 745 745 643 439 134 -130 -228 -130 134 236 439 643
Sunshine hours 6 6 5 4 2 2 2 3 4 5 6 6
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 9 10 12 13 15 16
Rainfall (mm)(in) 28411 1968 29312 25010 25910 2219 2058 2179 27911 30212 25610 28111
Rainy Days 14 11 13 13 15 13 14 12 15 17 14 15
Humidity N N N N N N N N N N N N
UV 10/VH 9/VH 6/H 3/M 2/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 3/M 5/M 8/VH 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) 1661 1661 1661 1559 1457 1355 1254 1254 1254 1254 1355 1457

Napier

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2475 2475 2373 2068 1763 1457 1457 1457 1661 1966 2170 2373
Min temp (C)(F) 1355 1355 1254 948 643 439 337 439 643 846 1050 1254
Sunshine hours 8 7 6 6 5 4 4 5 6 7 7 7
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 472 582 793 683 653 924 863 803 643 492 452 683
Rainy Days 7 8 10 9 10 12 12 13 12 11 8 9
Humidity N N N N N N N N N N N N
UV 11/E 10/VH 7/H 4/M 2/L 1/L 2/L 2/L 4/M 6/H 8/VH 11/E
Sea temp (C)(F) 1966 2068 1966 1864 1763 1559 1457 1457 1457 1457 1661 1763

Nelson

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2272 2272 2170 1864 1559 1254 1254 1254 1457 1661 1864 2068
Min temp (C)(F) 1254 1254 1152 846 541 236 134 337 541 745 948 1152
Sunshine hours 8 8 6 6 5 5 5 5 6 7 7 8
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 974 773 1084 1255 1285 1104 1215 1335 1104 1275 1195 1044
Rainy Days 9 8 10 9 10 10 11 12 13 12 12 11
Humidity E VH H M L L L L M H VH VH
UV 11/E 10/VH 7/H 4/M 2/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 4/M 6/H 8/VH 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) 1864 1966 1864 1763 1559 1355 1254 1152 1254 1457 1661 1763

Paihia

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2475 2475 2373 2170 1864 1661 1559 1559 1763 1864 2068 2272
Min temp (C)(F) 1355 1457 1457 1152 948 745 643 745 846 948 1050 1254
Sunshine hours 7 6 5 5 5 4 4 5 5 6 6 7
Daylight hours 14 13 12 11 10 10 10 11 12 13 14 14
Rainfall (mm)(in) 994 1155 1325 1325 1345 1887 1687 1777 1355 1155 984 954
Rainy Days 9 9 12 12 13 15 17 16 15 13 10 10
Humidity N L N N N N N N N N N N
UV 11+/E 11/E 8/VH 5/M 3/M 2/L 2/L 3/M 5/M 7/H 10/VH 11+/E
Sea temp (C)(F) 2170 2170 2170 2068 1864 1763 1661 1661 1661 1661 1864 1966

Picton

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2170 2170 2068 1763 1457 1152 1152 1152 1355 1559 1763 1966
Min temp (C)(F) 1152 1152 1050 846 541 337 236 337 541 745 846 1050
Sunshine hours 8 8 6 5 5 4 4 5 5 7 7 7
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 10 11 12 13 15 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 974 663 1004 1195 1295 1215 1436 1436 1155 1265 1094 1024
Rainy Days 8 8 11 11 12 14 13 15 14 14 12 11
Humidity E VH H M L L L L M H VH VH
UV 11/E 10/VH 7/H 4/M 2/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 4/M 6/H 8/VH 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) 1763 1864 1763 1661 1559 1457 1355 1355 1355 1355 1457 1661

Rotorua

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2373 2373 2170 1864 1559 1254 1254 1355 1457 1763 1966 2170
Min temp (C)(F) 1254 1254 1254 948 643 439 337 439 643 745 948 1152
Sunshine hours 7 7 6 6 4 4 4 4 5 6 6 7
Daylight hours 14 14 12 11 10 10 10 11 12 13 14 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 1255 1305 1767 1355 1526 1877 1727 1988 1737 1516 1456 1667
Rainy Days 10 9 11 11 12 14 14 15 15 14 12 13
Humidity N N N N N N N N N N N N
UV 11+/E 10/VH 8/VH 5/M 3/M 2/L 2/L 3/M 5/M 7/H 9/VH 11/E
Sea temp (C)(F) N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A

Te Anau

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2068 2068 1864 1457 1254 846 846 1050 1254 1457 1661 1864
Min temp (C)(F) 948 846 643 541 337 –32 -130 –32 236 439 541 745
Sunshine hours 6 6 5 4 3 2 2 4 5 5 6 6
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 9 9 9 10 12 13 15 16
Rainfall (mm)(in) 1134 743 1104 924 1014 984 813 813 1094 1175 944 1044
Rainy Days 15 12 14 14 16 14 15 14 15 17 14 16
Humidity VH VH H M L L L L M M H VH
UV 10/VH 9/VH 6/H 3/M 1/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 3/M 5/M 7/H 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A

Tekapo

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2272 2272 1966 1559 1152 745 643 948 1254 1559 1763 2068
Min temp (C)(F) 948 948 745 439 134 -228 -228 -130 236 439 643 846
Sunshine hours 8 8 6 6 4 4 4 5 6 7 8 8
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 9 10 12 13 15 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 622 412 602 552 572 532 572 622 592 632 542 592
Rainy Days 6 6 7 7 8 7 7 8 7 8 7 9
Humidity VH VH H M L L L L M M VH VH
UV 10/VH 9/VH 6/H 3/M 2/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 3/M 5/M 8/VH 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A

Wanaka

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2272 2272 2068 1661 1254 846 846 1050 1355 1661 1864 2068
Min temp (C)(F) 1050 1050 846 541 337 –32 -130 –32 337 541 745 948
Sunshine hours 7 7 6 5 3 3 3 4 5 6 7 7
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 9 10 12 13 15 16
Rainfall (mm)(in) 612 422 703 562 632 592 582 612 673 723 542 602
Rainy Days 9 8 9 9 10 8 9 9 10 11 9 11
Humidity VH VH H M L L L L M M VH VH
UV 10/VH 9/VH 6/H 3/M 2/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 3/M 5/M 8/VH 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A

Wellington

  J F M A M J J A S O N D
Max temp (C)(F) 2068 2068 1966 1763 1457 1254 1152 1254 1355 1559 1763 1966
Min temp (C)(F) 1355 1355 1254 1050 846 643 643 643 745 948 1050 1254
Sunshine hours 8 7 6 5 4 3 4 4 5 6 7 7
Daylight hours 15 14 12 11 10 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Rainfall (mm)(in) 803 622 964 1074 1255 1395 1446 1365 1044 1034 954 944
Rainy Days 9 9 12 11 14 17 16 18 15 14 12 12
Humidity E VH H M L L L L M H VH VH
UV 11/E 10/VH 7/H 4/M 2/L 1/L 1/L 2/L 4/M 6/H 8/VH 10/VH
Sea temp (C)(F) 1661 1763 1661 1559 1457 1355 1254 1254 1254 1355 1457 1559
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Tour variations

Superior Private Tour in brief

Days 1-2: Auckland

On arrival, transfer to the M Social Auckland for 2 nights. Following day at leisure or take an optional excursion. (N) (B)

Days 3-4: Bay of Islands

Collect your hire car and drive north to the Bay of Islands. On arrival, stay 2 nights at Arcadia Lodge in Russell. Suggested excursions include a cruise out on the Bay of Islands to spot dolphins or visits to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the historic town of Russell. (B) (N)

Day 5: Rotorua

Drive south to the volcanic town of Rotorua and stay 2 nights at the Peppers on the Point. This long journey can be broken up with a stop for lunch in the pleasant town of Cambridge, with tree-lined streets and many well-preserved heritage buildings, or Matamata, home of the Hobbiton film set. Alternatively, shorten your day’s drive by taking an overnight stay in Auckland, which is approximately the halfway point of this journey. (N)

Day 6: Rotorua

Day at leisure to explore the volcanic attractions of Rotorua. (N)

Days 7-8: Wellington

Drive south to Wellington and stay at the Bolton Hotel for 2 nights. Following day at leisure to explore New Zealand’s capital city, with time to visit the National Museum Te Papa or join a guided walking tour. (N)

Day 9: Blenheim

Drop off your hire car and board the Interislander ferry for the journey to South Island. On arrival in Picton, collect a new car and drive south through the Marlborough wine-growing region to Blenheim. Stay overnight at the Chateau Marlborough. (N)

Day 10: Kaikoura

Continue south this morning along the beautiful east coast to Kaikoura. Stay 1 night at Fyffe Country Lodge. Afternoon whale-watching cruise off the Kaikoura coast. (N)

Days 11-12: Christchurch

Drive south to Christchurch and stay 2 nights at the The George. The following day is at leisure to explore Christchurch. (N)

Day 13: Aoraki / Mount Cook

Drive to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and stay overnight at the Hermitage Aoraki Mount Cook Hotel. Spend the afternoon walking in the park or visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Option to extend your stay and explore further. (N)

Day 14: Te Anau

Drive to the lakeside town of Te Anau and stay overnight at Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas (or similar). (N)

Day 15: Milford Sound

Drive to Milford Sound, where you will board the Milford Mariner† for an overnight cruise in this spectacular fiord. (D)

Days 16-17: Queenstown

Drive to Queenstown and stay at the QT Queenstown (or similar) for 2 nights. Following day is at leisure to enjoy one of the many outdoor activities available. (B, N)

Day 18: Franz Josef

Drive north through the Mount Aspiring National Park to the small town of Franz Josef. Stay 1 night at the Te Waonui Forest Retreat. Optional guided walk to the face of the Franz Josef glacier, or take a scenic flight for an aerial view. (N)

Day 19: Christchurch

Drive north up the rugged west coast to Greymouth, drop off your hire car and board the TranzAlpine train for a journey through the Southern Alps to Christchurch. On arrival, you will be transferred to the Sudima Christchurch Airport hotel for 1 night. (B)

Day 20: Onward travel

Transfer to the airport to fly home or continue your holiday. (N)

Meal basis

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information Superior tour

This tour is based in 4- and 5-star accommodation.

Flights

International flights are not included with this itinerary.

†The Milford Mariner

This cruise does not operate between mid-May and mid-September; however, we are able to tailor your itinerary should you wish to travel during this period.

Tailor-made travel

For a price quote based on alternative accommodation standards, to discuss flight options or to tailor this itinerary, please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.

Superior private tour accommodation

Superior private tour extensions
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Dates & prices

AOT2020

Guideline Prices

Low season from £3,695 per person

High season from £4,345 per person

 

Flexible Prices & Itineraries
For a quote based on alternative accommodation standards or flight options, or to tailor this itinerary, please call 020 7873 5000 or send an email enquiry

Additional Information

Please call 020 7873 5000 for more information or to make a booking.

Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication, may be subject to change, particularly as a result of variable flight costs. You will be informed of any such changes prior to booking.

 
  • • 4- & 5- star accommodation
    • Opportunity to upgrade to Superior accommodation
    • Arrival & departure transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
    • 17 days’ car hire in a Group C compact automatic car
    • Meals as specified

Destinations on this tour

    https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/new-zealand/south-island/blenheim

  • Blenheim

    Blenheim Blenheim is situated in the heart of wine-growing Marlborough. It is one of...

    Read more >
    • https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/new-zealand/south-island/kaikoura

  • Kaikoura

    Kaikoura is a base for wildlife experiences of all kinds. It is also a great...

    Read more >
    • https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/new-zealand/south-island/christchurch

  • Christchurch

    The South Island’s largest city, Christchurch is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The tranquil...

    Read more >
    • https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/new-zealand/south-island/milford-sound

  • Milford Sound

    Milford Sound The Milford Sound settlement exists solely to look after...

    Read more >
    • https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/new-zealand/south-island/mount-cook-village

  • Mount Cook Village

    Mount Cook Village Located at the base of Aoraki Mount Cook in Aoraki /...

    Read more >
    • https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/new-zealand/south-island/christchurch

  • Christchurch

    The South Island’s largest city, Christchurch is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The tranquil...

    Read more >
    • https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/new-zealand/north-island/auckland

  • Auckland

    Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, is poised between two large harbours...

    Read more >
    • https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/new-zealand/north-island/rotorua

  • Rotorua

    Rotorua Located on North Island's volcanic plateau, the town of Rotorua is the...

    Read more >
    • https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/wellington

  • Wellington

    Wellington New Zealand's capital city, Wellington is set on a magnificent harbour...

    Read more >
    • https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/new-zealand/south-island/queenstown

  • Queenstown

    The resort town of Queenstown is sophisticated and fantastically scenic. Its lake and mountain landscape is suited...

    Read more >
    • https://www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/australasia-pacific/new-zealand/south-island/franz-josef

  • Franz Josef

    The village is the gateway to the Franz Josef Glacier. This glacier was first documented by Abel Tasman in 1642...

    Read more >
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