At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Are you searching for an action-packed family holiday in New Zealand? Then this trip is perfect for you. This itinerary has been crafted for active travellers. With a galore of outdoor activities, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore New Zealand's unique flora and fauna. And get your spine-tingling together!
Quick facts about this sample itinerary
- This itinerary will be customised to suit your individual wishes
- Best travel time is October - November and March - April
- Relaxed travel pace with 2-4 nights at each location
- The average drive between each accommodation is 2 to 4 hours
- Stay with locals at 13 locations, away from the crowds
- Choose from a diverse mix of activities with locals
- Collect your rental car in Auckland and return in Christchurch
- Ferry crossing - Picton to Wellington
Below, you can discover our suggested locations. Feel free to adjust your comfort level, add activity packages along the route, and indicate whether you would like us to arrange your flights. The price indication is based on travel in high season, so shoulder season travel will often give you a price advantage.
Route and Impressions
![new-zealand](/img/maps/map-new-zealand-fc.png)
![Dig your own natural bath on Hot Water Beach](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/22-Hot-Water-Beach-Coromandel-Graeme-Murray-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=7a2e97d8372f3c97aa69123d01e5e574 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/22-Hot-Water-Beach-Coromandel-Graeme-Murray-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=2843dc0d4bbdaef963bd3039e1eaafdc 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/22-Hot-Water-Beach-Coromandel-Graeme-Murray-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=459e1c8edb332a76d8461486b6a78d10 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/22-Hot-Water-Beach-Coromandel-Graeme-Murray-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=3f0346a84a72f575155613efcc75e0a7 400w)
![Visit geothermal wonders with a local guide](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=f3770af42b7c8adc905be322c2396878 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=048b8d159dab334e7823b62356bfd8d3 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=892395b93eee518798aa390f8f76b3ed 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=99dfa345a356944f419383b1dc7e3fa3 400w)
![Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/tongariro_crossing_dag_wandeling_nieuw_zeeland_5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=b02ecaaf049510c4e892e7b09f40a5d8 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/tongariro_crossing_dag_wandeling_nieuw_zeeland_5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=06ba3b7a9231dcc200deec3201722888 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/tongariro_crossing_dag_wandeling_nieuw_zeeland_5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=752c17070dbbf4b440b32570c5eb30b5 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/tongariro_crossing_dag_wandeling_nieuw_zeeland_5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=56c5cb43d0b2acc4bc7ae4b9cd593bb6 400w)
![Savour Wellington city's assortment of culinary delights](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=25a30e8fc5ce26f1febeee345bec1b86 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=5b49b512d4196029a91f52023dc4e0b4 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=2829460728ee623e291b7b5ebdc27c2f 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/5466_Zest_Food_Tours_1587533043_MW_platter_Byrne_CR_ZEST.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=fe0b10c935bdfbdd66246c955da63a21 400w)
![Soak up the views over Blenheim](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/verblijf-op-een-borderij-zuider-eiland-nieuw-zeeland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=89deded2fe7ef65c28ad4c0a65c4a5e7 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/verblijf-op-een-borderij-zuider-eiland-nieuw-zeeland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=64f491ba302cc8db493c9db79baf2743 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/verblijf-op-een-borderij-zuider-eiland-nieuw-zeeland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=8ae0859f16d7b5d0b665ffcd73671a03 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/verblijf-op-een-borderij-zuider-eiland-nieuw-zeeland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=55c70645e91c4089ae50bd644b5ff0c6 400w)
![Discover the crystal waters of Abel Tasman](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/nz-south-Kajakken_in_Abel_Tasman.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=f804b4abbaac77bf03b3a4d24495ccc8 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/nz-south-Kajakken_in_Abel_Tasman.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=ecafaeaa59efdeb38d64a61c52c75b4e 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/nz-south-Kajakken_in_Abel_Tasman.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=3d8d7fcce8c2b920b9515cc805fbddf8 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/nz-south-Kajakken_in_Abel_Tasman.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=d990ed2d2c8a8a629fdcad3358d909d6 400w)
![Travel at a relaxed pace and find the hidden gems of the West Coast Route](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/cars-roadtrips/nz-west-coast-punakaiki-road-solo-compact-car.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=953b2e39f6a01b26f82151b3e1446f9e 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/cars-roadtrips/nz-west-coast-punakaiki-road-solo-compact-car.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=2477f6bca2c5b0e33344c60726e97058 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/cars-roadtrips/nz-west-coast-punakaiki-road-solo-compact-car.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=2d1d4b7e33ba40eadad13ba07d051105 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/cars-roadtrips/nz-west-coast-punakaiki-road-solo-compact-car.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=cd2842d34baa581ff38dc0cf8ec97716 400w)
![Lake Wanaka is the gateway to exploring the wilderness of Mount Aspiring National Park](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-aspiring-fly-fishing-2-friends-active.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=9fd2ce3449bcd5597b97ccdfeb3d9b62 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-aspiring-fly-fishing-2-friends-active.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=85d9d4334349746e9376caa6d6f467f7 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-aspiring-fly-fishing-2-friends-active.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9e53139cd88aecb182df580ab6df09a7 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-aspiring-fly-fishing-2-friends-active.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=d3172d49169fd252ab2d54cb2b0f6286 400w)
![Spot dolphins in Doubtful Sound](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-te-anau-accommodation-discoverpage-small-scale-stays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=8c55cb926055ab70583b2712b7e98228 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-te-anau-accommodation-discoverpage-small-scale-stays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=133fcab8840c80151c4c9cd86c942ca1 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-te-anau-accommodation-discoverpage-small-scale-stays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=e1b88046b80ab4b069951aa25acfdcfd 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-te-anau-accommodation-discoverpage-small-scale-stays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=7aec9d88be1819f1f127a106aef79492 400w)
![Cycle through New Zealand's spectacular landscapes](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/3101_Arrowtown_House24.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=b7190103802af9620b37dc53861df620 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/3101_Arrowtown_House24.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=9ff6e742173e62bbafbf68f563c920a6 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/3101_Arrowtown_House24.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9c1734fc06e1a50ef3d549569af5165e 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/3101_Arrowtown_House24.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=0dae644396a20afd06356b3a6ba5b176 400w)
![Canterbury is the largest region of New Zealand with diverse landscapes](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/canterbury-1666.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=1ce0195c09a519d6a78d7519785bee9a 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/canterbury-1666.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=57a2bd89b138d199977b2e7e14538988 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/canterbury-1666.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=bb825274b6758263de6b04d50e842b20 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/canterbury-1666.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=37dff154947b787515907be0cc41be1c 400w)
![Swim with Hector's dolphin](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/black_cat_cruises_dolfijnen_nieuw_zeeland_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=25d2088479e6579ddcac3f3ea7e89cec 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/black_cat_cruises_dolfijnen_nieuw_zeeland_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=daef915321f32b5e47b153f3f536c67b 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/black_cat_cruises_dolfijnen_nieuw_zeeland_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=72953f4ffd678c8507c1dc50d348c05d 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/black_cat_cruises_dolfijnen_nieuw_zeeland_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=0079aa500ca0ebc8613f419caeaebb8d 400w)
Price guide per person
and car change
During shoulder season you can enjoy significant price savings. Talk to a specialist now on 020 36 95 95 69
More sample itineraries
Ready for the holiday of a lifetime?
Discover a world beyond ordinary
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Contact us
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.