New Zealand Grand Explorer: North to South
A comprehensive 30-day journey spanning both islands. Experience the subtropical North, volcanic heartlands, and the dramatic Southern Alps, concluding with the majestic fjords and coastal wonders of the South Island.
- Sky Tower
- Paihia Waterfront
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Cape Reinga Lighthouse
- Tane Mahuta
- Auckland CBD
- Cathedral Cove Trailhead
- Hobbiton Movie Set
Arrival in the City of Sails
Auckland CBD
Auckland CBD, Auckland, Auckland, NZ
Sky Tower
Sky Tower, Auckland, Auckland, NZ
Northward to the Bay of Islands
Whangarei Falls
Whangarei Falls, Whangarei, Northland, NZ
Paihia Waterfront
Paihia Waterfront, Paihia, Northland, NZ
History and Islands of the North
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Waitangi, Northland, NZ
Russell Village
Russell Village, Russell, Northland, NZ
The Top of the North Island
Cape Reinga Lighthouse
Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Cape Reinga, Northland, NZ
Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes
Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes, Te Paki, Northland, NZ
Ancient Forests and Giant Kauri
Tane Mahuta
Tane Mahuta, Waipoua Forest, Northland, NZ
Opononi
Opononi, Opononi, Northland, NZ
Return to Auckland via West Coast
Muriwai Gannet Colony
Muriwai Gannet Colony, Muriwai, Auckland, NZ
Auckland CBD
Auckland CBD, Auckland, Auckland, NZ
Coromandel Coastal Wonders
Cathedral Cove Trailhead
Cathedral Cove Trailhead, Hahei, Waikato, NZ
Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach, Whitianga, Waikato, NZ
Middle-earth and Glowworm Caves
Hobbiton Movie Set
Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata, Waikato, NZ
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Waitomo, Waikato, NZ
Geothermal Wonders of Rotorua
Te Puia
Te Puia, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, NZ
Redwoods Treewalk
Redwoods Treewalk, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, NZ
Volcanic Valleys and Great Lakes
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, NZ
Huka Falls
Huka Falls, Taupo, Waikato, NZ
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo, Taupo, Waikato, NZ
The Volcanic Plateau
Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre
Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre, Whakapapa, Manawatu-Wanganui, NZ
Ohakune
Ohakune, Ohakune, Manawatu-Wanganui, NZ
Art Deco and Wine Country
Napier Marine Parade
Napier Marine Parade, Napier, Hawke's Bay, NZ
Te Mata Peak
Te Mata Peak, Havelock North, Hawke's Bay, NZ
Journey to the Capital
Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
Pukaha National Wildlife Centre, Mount Bruce, Wairarapa, NZ
Wellington Waterfront
Wellington Waterfront, Wellington, Wellington, NZ
Culture and Cinema in Wellington
Te Papa Tongarewa
Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, Wellington, NZ
Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop, Wellington, Wellington, NZ
Crossing to the South Island
Interislander Ferry Terminal
Interislander Ferry Terminal, Wellington, Wellington, NZ
Picton Foreshore
Picton Foreshore, Picton, Marlborough, NZ
Golden Sands of Abel Tasman
Kaiteriteri Beach
Kaiteriteri Beach, Kaiteriteri, Tasman, NZ
Marahau
Marahau, Marahau, Tasman, NZ
Wild West Coast Drive
Buller Gorge Swing Bridge
Buller Gorge Swing Bridge, Murchison, West Coast, NZ
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, Punakaiki, West Coast, NZ
Glacier Country Exploration
Hokitika Gorge
Hokitika Gorge, Hokitika, West Coast, NZ
Franz Josef Glacier Village
Franz Josef Glacier Village, Franz Josef, West Coast, NZ
Reflections and Mountain Passes
Lake Matheson
Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier, West Coast, NZ
Haast Pass Lookout
Haast Pass Lookout, Haast, West Coast, NZ
Wanaka Lakefront
Wanaka Lakefront, Wanaka, Otago, NZ
Wanaka Peaks and Valleys
Roys Peak Track Parking
Roys Peak Track Parking, Wanaka, Otago, NZ
That Wanaka Tree
That Wanaka Tree, Wanaka, Otago, NZ
Adventure Capital Queenstown
Arrowtown Historic District
Arrowtown Historic District, Arrowtown, Otago, NZ
Skyline Queenstown
Skyline Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago, NZ
Queenstown Leisure and Thrills
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
Kawarau Bridge Bungy, Gibbston, Otago, NZ
Queenstown Gardens
Queenstown Gardens, Queenstown, Otago, NZ
The Road to Glenorchy
Glenorchy Wharf
Glenorchy Wharf, Glenorchy, Otago, NZ
Queenstown CBD
Queenstown CBD, Queenstown, Otago, NZ
Gateway to Fiordland
Lake Te Anau
Lake Te Anau, Te Anau, Southland, NZ
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Te Anau Glowworm Caves, Te Anau, Southland, NZ
The Majestic Milford Sound
Eglinton Valley
Eglinton Valley, Fiordland, Southland, NZ
Milford Sound
Milford Sound, Fiordland, Southland, NZ
Te Anau
Te Anau, Te Anau, Southland, NZ
Southern Coast and Catlins
Nugget Point Lighthouse
Nugget Point Lighthouse, Ahuriri Flat, Otago, NZ
Dunedin Octagon
Dunedin Octagon, Dunedin, Otago, NZ
Wildlife and Boulders
Moeraki Boulders
Moeraki Boulders, Moeraki, Otago, NZ
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, Oamaru, Otago, NZ
The Southern Alps and Mt Cook
Lake Pukaki Viewpoint
Lake Pukaki Viewpoint, Lake Pukaki, Canterbury, NZ
Aoraki / Mount Cook Village
Aoraki / Mount Cook Village, Mount Cook, Canterbury, NZ
Turquoise Lakes and Starry Skies
Hooker Valley Track
Hooker Valley Track, Mount Cook, Canterbury, NZ
Church of the Good Shepherd
Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo, Canterbury, NZ
Garden City Finale
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch, Canterbury, NZ
Christchurch City Centre
Christchurch City Centre, Christchurch, Canterbury, NZ
- Book the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry well in advance if traveling with a vehicle.
- Check the NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) website for real-time road closures and alpine conditions.
- Many popular trailheads and Great Walks require pre-booked parking or shuttle transfers.
- Weather can change rapidly; always carry layers and waterproof gear regardless of the season.