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.
New Zealand is best known for its volcanic landscapes, snow-capped mountains, ancient forests and friendly locals. However, it is also renowned for its natural spectacles and extraordinary wildlife encounters. Before humans arrived in New Zealand, the country was ruled by birds. On this journey, you will have the opportunity to learn more about New Zealand’s rare flora and fauna, natural heritage and history.
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 2-3 nights at each location
- The average drive between each accommodation is 3.5 to 5 hours
- Stay with locals at 10 locations, away from the crowds
- Choose from a diverse mix of small-group activities with locals
- Collect and return your rental car in Christchurch
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)
![The best way to explore Christchurch is on foot](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=7b6f18768364089cdb6b0c46990caa43 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=7bdf09da9d68d7d0ca3887d9ee3c5ea1 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=7311f8c8adf61a3af32198be6fde9e64 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=0279fa42b3d0e900433231642e7e402d 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)
![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)
![Have a close encounter with wildlife on the Otago Peninsula](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-south-sea-lion-otago-peninsula-new-zealand.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=432ca558bb3fc06f10ba315c46a31755 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-south-sea-lion-otago-peninsula-new-zealand.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=e03d164fd6a07dbd839e004dd3ce4237 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-south-sea-lion-otago-peninsula-new-zealand.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9082ffe82a063b21d46556b51d9f696a 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-south-sea-lion-otago-peninsula-new-zealand.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=f2666885ca8b034667806f8a1d2a4a29 400w)
![Explore an untouched, rugged corner of New Zealand](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-catlins-rolling-hills-barton-matthews3-discoverpage-detail-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=eefb9cee4e48a136cac890ece255d385 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-catlins-rolling-hills-barton-matthews3-discoverpage-detail-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=6ef1f61180122f90df416bf820b1422f 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-catlins-rolling-hills-barton-matthews3-discoverpage-detail-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=321feeab563453930d1840ed5354037a 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-catlins-rolling-hills-barton-matthews3-discoverpage-detail-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=0bd87c50bdda72bbd0d37043382b91dc 400w)
![Have a close encounter with Kiwi on Stewart Island](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpg-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=ca24ed0e8dd7d3a4eabe6e82282a30e4 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpg-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=a9740f1df4b65e9c4de59c0e668f68c6 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpg-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=77e7149a82c855e3d8c06b72838c4b13 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpg-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=c25ea00b2a36d61ff5d3d16487ae24eb 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)
![Enjoy a day trip to the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu by jet boat](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=b3914f2ff4ec544b97e18eaa21db90ed 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=4f577347b4bf14549ac69b355367fb64 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9e117cd2f1d94a215c1fd98c2d61dc60 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=85c483f5306a278c0779b73f230d90f7 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)
![Don't miss out on a picture-perfect moment at The Church of the Good Shepherd](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=f1cc1c859995c002a27e63c703ee293f 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=25b5550e1f183b8fc06e70f251de2e97 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=43b3c4220312eec4db5572c03b414e64 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=55fe9610cd2d09621fac0f4945bd0b3b 400w)
![The best way to explore Christchurch is on foot](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=7b6f18768364089cdb6b0c46990caa43 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=7bdf09da9d68d7d0ca3887d9ee3c5ea1 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=7311f8c8adf61a3af32198be6fde9e64 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=0279fa42b3d0e900433231642e7e402d 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.