The rental company will pick you up at the airport. You’ll go to pick up your car and sign the rental contract. Please keep the map and driving instructions that will be handed to you, you will need them to drop off your vehicle. AUCKLAND, the "Big Little City" has so much to offer, don't just consider it your stage of arrival or departure. HIGHLIGHTS - SKY TOWER, allows stunning perspectives on the city, you will be surprised by the omnipresence of greenery in the most populated city of the country. For the more adventurous, do not hesitate to try the Sky Walk which is a walk of 192 meters high. - BRITOMART is the name of the station but also of the new district which is just behind. There you will find bars, restaurants, designer shops. - WINEYARD QUARTER, specially renovated for the Rugby World Cup, this area has been given a makeover to make way for a panel of bars and restaurants with terraces. A pleasant place to stroll or you can even take a stroll at the Fish Market (open daily from 7 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.). A unique opportunity to discover the local species, to taste the kiwi oysters, to taste a real Fish & Chip or to discover the famous green mussels of New Zealand. - PONSONBY is THE most lively and trendy district of Auckland! You will find many restaurants, bars but also dozens of small designer boutiques. Cradle of youth in the 60s and 70s, Ponsonby has kept this multi-cultural imprint which makes it a highlight. - PONSONBY CENTRAL, this is where you have to go to soak up the kiwi atmosphere! A few shops but above all a multitude of small restaurants, including a tiny pizzeria which offers only 3 choices of pizzas but definitely remains one of the best addresses we have tested! - MT EDEN, this sleeping volcano is the highest point of the city with 196 meters in height. With its splendid views you can see the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea as well as all the volcanoes in the city.

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: The Hotel Britomart

Follow SH1 towards Hamilton. A few kilometers after Huntly, at the roundabout, turn left towards Cambridge via the SH1B and then follow the direction of Rotorua. ON YOUR WAY- BLUE SPRING PUTARURU and TE WAIHOU WALKWAY, an easy walk along the Waihou river. It’s pure and crystal-clear waters in shades of green, blue and turquoise will take your breath away! A peaceful and relaxing ride with two options, a 3-hour round trip or a shorter 30 min option from Leslie Rd. This river provides 60% of New Zealand bottled water, it is strictly forbidden to bathe there. ROTORUA, world renowned for its geothermal energy, you will be amazed! Indeed, this city is also known for its very particular smell of sulfur. Geysers, fumaroles, hot springs, mud pools, lakes ... Rotorua has a lot to offer.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Rotorua Views B&B/Apartment

We advise you to devote this day to geothermal energy in the south of Rotorua with the Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu Volcanic Valley parks which are the most impressive in the region. Both require you to manage your time so you don't miss anything. ONCE UPON A TRIP’S TOUCH- WAIKITE VALLEY, before going to Waimangu, if you have time, go and relax in the natural hot pools of Waikite Valley Thermal Pool open until 9:00 p.m.- KEROSENE CREEK, a natural pool of hot (or even very hot) water that allows you to swim even during the coldest months. In addition, it is in the middle of nowhere! How to get there: Between Waimangu and Rotorua, turn right at the Kerosene Creek sign. Continue on the unpaved road for approximately 2km. On foot, then follow the path along the river to reach the basin. duration 00:50 hrs. Wai O Tapu : Please note : Last admission at 3.45pmAt 10.15 am each day there is the opportunity to learn the history and mechanics of the Lady Knox Geyser during a presentation by an informed guide in the natural amphitheatre. It provides a unique opportunity to see a geyser in eruption to heights of 10 to 20 metres.The Lady Knox Geyser is located in a separate area from the Visitor Centre (a 3 minute drive in your own vehicle) where there is also plenty of parking. Directions to her location are given when tickets are purchased from the Visitor Centre.Sculptured out of volcanic activity and thousands of years in the making, Wai-O-Tapu is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction. You are introduced to a uniquely different natural landscape – the key to what you see lies below the surface – one of the most extensive geothermal systems in New Zealand.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Rotorua Views B&B/Apartment

ON YOUR WAY - LAKE ROTOITI / ROTOEHU / ROTOMA, those three lakes will give you good photo opportunities, soon after leaving Rotorua. - WAIOTAHE, stop at the beach carpark to watch and take a photo of volcanic White Island in the distance. - WAIOEKA GORGE, after Opotiki, stop at the beautiful Waioeka Gorge, you’ll get a good shot from Tauranga Bridge. Gisborne is the first city in NZ to see the sun rise every morning. The region is renowned for its food, wine, beautiful surf beaches, but also its strong Maori heritage. If you’re interested in this culture, Gisborne is an ideal basecamp to immerse in Maori traditions and history. HIGHLIGHTS - KAITI BEACH is where English circumnavigator James Cook first set foot in NZ on 9 October 1769. The local marae (traditional Maori meeting house) Te Poho O Rawiri is just nearby. - TITIRANGI (KAITI) HILL. According to a local legend, this is where Horouta, the first waka (traditional canoe) brought Maori people of the area. - WAKA TAIRAWHITI, for an authentic Maori experience, go and discover the region’s history on board the Tairawhiti, a traditional sail boat used by the first inhabitants of the area.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Portside Hotel

HIGHLIGHTS: - TATAPOURI BAY, a shallow bay where you can dive with rays. - SURF, the area is considered as one of the best for surfing in NZ. Feel free to rent out a board, or if you’re a beginner you can take a lesson with a local surf school. - GISBORNE WINERIES, « NZ’s Chardonnay Capital » boasts excellent wineries. Among them we recommend Bridge Estate, Matawhero Wines and Milton Vineyard which serve great food on top of producing high quality wine. - EASTWOODHILL ARBORETUM, located in the back country 30 min from Gisborne, NZ’s national arboretum is a magical place for all nature lovers. Via kilometres of walking tracks, discover the largest collection of trees, shrubs and plants in the Southern Hemisphere. - GISBORNE RAILBIKE, immerse in the region’s wonderful landscapes by rail bike. It’s very easy and accessible for all level of fitness. - STARGAZING, Tekapo is far from being the only place to gaze at the stars in NZ. You’ll have an amazing experience in Gisborne thanks to its dark and clear skies. You can do it with one the most respected amateur astronomers in the country.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Portside Hotel

Head South on SH2 to Napier. NAPIER, on the way to the sunniest of cities on the North Island. Napier is a real journey back in time since its reconstruction in the Art Deco style following the earthquake of 1931. It is also an excellent wine and gastronomic region in general. HIGHLIGHTS - NAPIER ART DECO CITY, the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world. Current from Europe from the 1920s to 1940 following the Exhibition of Art and Decorative and Industrial in Paris in 1925. - HASTINGS SPANISH MISSION, the Spanish influence was this time chosen by Hastings for its reconstruction following the 1931 earthquake. - BLUFF HILL WALKWAY, a 3.4 km ride on the heights of Napier. - TE MATA PEAK, a road leads you to the summit at 399m. In clear weather, you can see the Mahia peninsula and even Mt Ruapehu in the distance! From below, the view is also very pretty and if you have a little imagination you can see the mountain as the sleeping giant on his back, according to Maori legend. - HAWKE'S BAY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, a fascinating little museum about the 1931 earthquake which gave Napier its Art Deco architecture today, a collection of Art Deco objects and several exhibitions including one on miniature objects that should interest young and old. - BEACHES, meeting at Ocean beach & Waimarama (30 min from Havelock North) - MARINE PARADE, a nice stroll by the sea in a Croisette and Promenade style, you will find the aquarium there. - NATIONAL AQUARIUM OF NEW ZEALAND, it is small enough not to tire but full at the same time. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the animals' meal times are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can also swim with sharks, but avoid meal times! - HAVELOCK NORTH, a small country town with good local products. Delicious restaurants and small boutique hotels.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Cobden Garden Bed and Breakfast

It's a long drive so it is worth considering making the following stops : NORSEWOOD - Settled in the 1870's by Scandinavian migrants Norsewood retains a unique character; children learn Scandinavian dance at school, Norway's Constitution Day is celebrated by the locals and many of the local attractions give insight into the past. Even the street names reflect Norsewood's unusual heritage! DANNEVIRKE - The town was founded in 1872 by Danish, Norwegian and Swedish settlers. PUKAHA MOUNT BRUCE - Nationally and internationally recognised captive breeding facility for a number of threatened bird species. It was the first place in New Zealand to use captive breeding as a conservation method. Martinborough is nice little village in the Wairarapa region, nestled among the vineyards. HIGHLIGHTS MARTINBOROUGH - The town’s residents enjoy a relaxed country lifestyle and an involved, friendly community. It is a lovely tiny village surrounded by 35 vineyards, amongst them Palliser Estate, Tirohana, Ata Rangi, Escarpment, Craggy range, Alana Estate and Te Kairanga. Many kiwis from Wellington own a country house in Martinborough which is just over an hour’s drive from the Capital. BIKING - A good option if you want to a wine tour. The company March Hare, located at the I-Site can also provide picnic lunches. POPPIES MARTINBOROUGH for lunch or wine tasting with platter

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: The Martinborough Hotel

HIGHLIGHTS GREYTOWN - A nice little village close to Martinborough with a lot of Victorian style, small craft boutiques, lovely gardens and, our favourite, the fabulous chocolate factory Schoc Chocolates who produce 85 flavours from classic caramel to chilli lime or smoked tea. You can savour a multitude of traditional and unusual flavours.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: The Martinborough Hotel

A short step which allows you, if you wish, to make a detour by two quite remarkable sites. ON YOUR WAY - CAPE PALLISER, located 1-hour drive from Martinborough, it is the last lighthouse on the North Island, the landscapes are splendid, a colony of seals has even established its quarters there! Be careful, however, not to be surprised by the tide by venturing out on the rocks. - PUTANGIRUA PINNACLES, located on the Cape Palliser road, 13km after leaving the road which leads to Lake Ferry. You will discover the locations of several scenes from the third part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it is also an excellent hiking spot. Plan the day to enjoy it as well as food and drink, there is no restaurant, convenience store or cafe nearby, the only one being at Lake Ferry before Martinborough. WELLINGTON, the political capital of New Zealand, is a very pleasant and lively city. All too often sloppy due to lack of time, it has a lot to offer. It was recognized as the most “pleasant little capital” in the world by the Lonely Planet in its 2011 selection of the Top 10 cities to discover. And New York is the city with the most cafes / bars per capita!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Bolton Hotel

Drop your car off at Wellington airport. End of your journey.

Meals: Breakfast