Living in the Moment
+64 21 123 4567 Enquire
A still lake edged with forest at dusk

Journeys / Both islands

The Long Way South

Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Marlborough, Aoraki, Queenstown

Duration
10 days
Region
Both islands
Pace
3 of 5
Group
Private, 2 to 6
From, for two, all in
NZ$19,600
Enquire about this journeyCheck dates

Ten days is the shortest honest way to see both islands without spending the whole time in a vehicle. Anything less and you are collecting photographs rather than seeing a country.

We take the ferry rather than fly, because Cook Strait on a good day is one of the best things here and it costs an afternoon.

The order changes with the weather. I would rather move a day than take you to Aoraki in cloud.

The days

  1. Day 1

    Auckland to Rotorua

    South through the Waikato, with the afternoon in the geothermal country.

    Tonight, Rotorua

  2. Day 2

    Rotorua to Taupō

    The lake, the river, and the mountains coming into view.

    Tonight, Taupō

  3. Day 3

    Down the Desert Road

    Tongariro on the right all afternoon, if the mountain is out.

    Tonight, Whanganui

  4. Day 4

    Into Wellington

    The coast road and the capital by evening. Te Papa in the morning if you would like it.

    Tonight, Wellington

  5. Day 5

    Across Cook Strait

    The ferry through the Sounds, which is the point of doing it this way.

    Tonight, Marlborough

  6. Day 6

    Marlborough

    The wine country at a sensible pace, and the Sounds from the water.

    Tonight, Marlborough

  7. Day 7

    Down the coast

    Kaikōura and the whales, sea state permitting, then inland.

    Tonight, Christchurch

  8. Day 8

    To the Mackenzie

    The turquoise lakes and Aoraki at the end of the valley.

    Tonight, Aoraki Mount Cook

  9. Day 9

    Aoraki

    A morning in the valley. The Lindis in the afternoon.

    Tonight, Wanaka

  10. Day 10

    Into Queenstown

    The Crown Range if it is open, and I hand you back.

Pace and mobility

  • 1Gentle
  • 2Easy
  • 3Moderate
  • 4Active
  • 5Demanding
Walking across a day
Up to 6 km on the walking days, less on the driving days
Longest continuous walk
3 km, some gradient, formed track
Longest stretch in the vehicle
Two to three hours on transit days, broken up
Step-free alternative
Most days, but not the Hooker Valley
How the scale works

What's included

  • Guiding, every day you are with me
  • Airport and hotel transfers, and the inter-island ferry
  • Nine nights' accommodation
  • All meals and dining
  • Every excursion, entry and charter
  • Vehicle, fuel and parking

What's not

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance, which is required
  • Anything you buy for yourself

What it costs

NZ$19,600 to NZ$26,400

for two people, everything included. Where you land in that range depends on the season, how many of you there are, and where you would like to sleep.

It is a range, not a quote. Once I have your dates the number I send you is the number you pay.

How pricing works

Talk to me about this journey

Tell me roughly when, and how you like to move. I come back within one business day, from New Zealand.

Start the conversation
Call Dale Enquire