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Auckland, New Zealand
3 nights
My Plan:
Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country. Auckland has a population of 1,454,300 - 32 percent of New Zealand's population. It is part of the wider Auckland Region, which includes the rural areas and towns north and south of the urban area, plus the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, resulting in a total population of 1,570,500 that is governed by the Auckland Council. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. In Maori, Auckland's name is Tamaki Makaurau and the adaptation of Auckland, to suit Maori phonetic rules, is Akarana.
Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country. Auckland has a population of 1,454,300 - 32 percent of New Zealand's population. It is part of the wider Auckland Region, which includes the rural areas and towns north and south of the urban area, plus the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, resulting in a total population of 1,570,500 that is governed by the Auckland Council. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. In Maori, Auckland's name is Tamaki Makaurau and the adaptation of Auckland, to suit Maori phonetic rules, is Akarana.
Auckland
Free cancellation
Sights on the way 225.85 km | 3 hrs 5 mins
Paihia is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the historic towns of Russell and Kerikeri, 60 kilometres north of Whangarei. Missionary Henry Williams named the mission station Marsden's Vale and eventually the Paihia became the accepted name of the settlement. Nearby to the north is the historic settlement of Waitangi, and the residential and commercial area of Haruru Falls is to the west. The port and township of Opua, and the small settlement of Te Haumi, lie to the south. The population of Paihia was 1770 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 69 from 2001.
Paihia is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the historic towns of Russell and Kerikeri, 60 kilometres north of Whangarei. Missionary Henry Williams named the mission station Marsden's Vale and eventually the Paihia became the accepted name of the settlement. Nearby to the north is the historic settlement of Waitangi, and the residential and commercial area of Haruru Falls is to the west. The port and township of Opua, and the small settlement of Te Haumi, lie to the south. The population of Paihia was 1770 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 69 from 2001.
Paihia
Free cancellation
Sights on the way 451.91 km | 6 hrs 36 mins
Rotorua, ("The second great lake of Kahumatamomoe") is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists; the tourism industry is by far the largest industry in the district. It is known for its geothermal activity, and features geysers – notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools. This thermal activity is sourced to the Rotorua caldera, on which the town lies. Rotorua is home to the Waiariki Institute of Technology. The Lakes of Rotorua are a collection of many lakes surrounding Rotorua.
Rotorua, ("The second great lake of Kahumatamomoe") is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists; the tourism industry is by far the largest industry in the district. It is known for its geothermal activity, and features geysers – notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools. This thermal activity is sourced to the Rotorua caldera, on which the town lies. Rotorua is home to the Waiariki Institute of Technology. The Lakes of Rotorua are a collection of many lakes surrounding Rotorua.
Rotorua
Free cancellation
Sights on the way 220.26 km | 2 hrs 56 mins
Napier is a popular tourist city, with a unique concentration of 1930s Art Deco architecture, built after much of the city was razed in the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake. It also has one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the country, a statue on Marine Parade called Pania of the Reef. Thousands of people flock to Napier every February for the Tremains Art Deco Weekend event, a celebration of its Art Deco heritage and history. Other notable tourist events attracting many outsiders to the region annually include F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic events, and the Mission Estate Concert at Mission Estate and Winery in the suburb of Taradale.
Napier is a popular tourist city, with a unique concentration of 1930s Art Deco architecture, built after much of the city was razed in the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake. It also has one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the country, a statue on Marine Parade called Pania of the Reef. Thousands of people flock to Napier every February for the Tremains Art Deco Weekend event, a celebration of its Art Deco heritage and history. Other notable tourist events attracting many outsiders to the region annually include F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic events, and the Mission Estate Concert at Mission Estate and Winery in the suburb of Taradale.
Napier
Free cancellation
Sights on the way 316.85 km | 4 hrs 6 mins
Wellington is the capital city and second most populous urban area of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, and is the world's southernmost capital city of a sovereign state. Wellington is marketed as the 'coolest little capital in the world' and its popular tourist attractions include Museum of Wellington Museum, Wellington Zoo, Zealandia and Wellington Cable Car. Cruise tourism is experiencing a major boom in line with nationwide development. Cafe culture is prominent and restaurants offer cuisines including from Europe, Asia and Polynesia.
Wellington is the capital city and second most populous urban area of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, and is the world's southernmost capital city of a sovereign state. Wellington is marketed as the 'coolest little capital in the world' and its popular tourist attractions include Museum of Wellington Museum, Wellington Zoo, Zealandia and Wellington Cable Car. Cruise tourism is experiencing a major boom in line with nationwide development. Cafe culture is prominent and restaurants offer cuisines including from Europe, Asia and Polynesia.
Wellington
Free cancellation
Sights on the way 453.27 km | 9 hrs 16 mins
Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast region in the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the Grey District Council. The town is located at the mouth of the Grey River, on a narrow coastal plain close to the foot of the Southern Alps. In clear weather, Aoraki / Mount Cook can be clearly seen to the south from near the town. The mouth of the river divides the town into three areas: Blaketown, close to the river's mouth on the south bank; Karoro, to the southeast, separated from Blaketown by a series of small estuarine lakes; and Cobden, formerly a separate town, on the river's north bank.
Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast region in the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the Grey District Council. The town is located at the mouth of the Grey River, on a narrow coastal plain close to the foot of the Southern Alps. In clear weather, Aoraki / Mount Cook can be clearly seen to the south from near the town. The mouth of the river divides the town into three areas: Blaketown, close to the river's mouth on the south bank; Karoro, to the southeast, separated from Blaketown by a series of small estuarine lakes; and Cobden, formerly a separate town, on the river's north bank.
Greymouth
Free cancellation
Sights on the way 197.13 km | 2 hrs 52 mins
Fox Glacier township/Weheka, 6 km away from the glacier, functions mainly as a service centre for tourists, though it also services the local farming community, which had been its main focus until the 1990s (though tourism started as early as the late 1920s). The approximate township site had been gazetted as early as 1866. Bruce Bay is 46 km to the south-west of the township, and Franz Josef is 23 km north-east. State Highway 6 runs through the town.
Fox Glacier township/Weheka, 6 km away from the glacier, functions mainly as a service centre for tourists, though it also services the local farming community, which had been its main focus until the 1990s (though tourism started as early as the late 1920s). The approximate township site had been gazetted as early as 1866. Bruce Bay is 46 km to the south-west of the township, and Franz Josef is 23 km north-east. State Highway 6 runs through the town.
Fox Glacier Weheka
Free cancellation
Sights on the way 334.99 km | 4 hrs 53 mins
A resort town, Queenstown boasted 220 adventure tourism activities in 2012. Skiing and snowboarding, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, mountain biking, skateboarding, tramping, paragliding, sky diving and fly fishing are all popular. Queenstown is a major center for snow sports in New Zealand, with people from all over the country and many parts of the world travelling to ski at the four main mountain ski fields (Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone). Cross country skiing is also available at the Waiorau Snowfarm, near Cardrona village.
A resort town, Queenstown boasted 220 adventure tourism activities in 2012. Skiing and snowboarding, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, mountain biking, skateboarding, tramping, paragliding, sky diving and fly fishing are all popular. Queenstown is a major center for snow sports in New Zealand, with people from all over the country and many parts of the world travelling to ski at the four main mountain ski fields (Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone). Cross country skiing is also available at the Waiorau Snowfarm, near Cardrona village.
Queenstown
Free cancellation
Sights on the way 288.85 km | 3 hrs 51 mins
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. While Tauranga, Napier-Hastings and Hamilton have eclipsed the city in size of population in recent years to make it only the seventh-largest urban area in New Zealand, Dunedin is still considered one of the four main cities of New Zealand for historic, cultural and geographic reasons. Dunedin is a regular venue for touring ballet and dance companies, and also has multiple dance studios. Dunedin lends its name to the Dunedin Sound, a form of indie rock music which was created in the city in the 1980s.
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. While Tauranga, Napier-Hastings and Hamilton have eclipsed the city in size of population in recent years to make it only the seventh-largest urban area in New Zealand, Dunedin is still considered one of the four main cities of New Zealand for historic, cultural and geographic reasons. Dunedin is a regular venue for touring ballet and dance companies, and also has multiple dance studios. Dunedin lends its name to the Dunedin Sound, a form of indie rock music which was created in the city in the 1980s.
Dunedin
Free cancellation
Sights on the way 197.14 km | 2 hrs 37 mins
Timaru is a major port city in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand. Caroline Bay beach is a popular recreational area located close to Timaru's city centre, just to the north of the substantial port facilities. Timaru has been built on rolling hills created from the lava flows of the extinct Mt Horrible volcano, which last erupted many thousands of years ago. The result is that most of the main streets are undulating, a clear contrast with the flat landscape of the Canterbury Plains to the north. Its primary attractions include museums, parklands, brewery, and more. Timaru has many nightclubs, bars and restaurants with many of them open every night.
Timaru is a major port city in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand. Caroline Bay beach is a popular recreational area located close to Timaru's city centre, just to the north of the substantial port facilities. Timaru has been built on rolling hills created from the lava flows of the extinct Mt Horrible volcano, which last erupted many thousands of years ago. The result is that most of the main streets are undulating, a clear contrast with the flat landscape of the Canterbury Plains to the north. Its primary attractions include museums, parklands, brewery, and more. Timaru has many nightclubs, bars and restaurants with many of them open every night.
Timaru
Free cancellation
Sights on the way 163.59 km | 2 hrs 30 mins
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. The Christchurch urban area lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula. It is home to 381,800 residents, making it New Zealand's third most-populous urban area behind Auckland and Wellington. The river that flows through the center of the city (its banks now largely forming an urban park) was named Avon at the request of the pioneering Deans brothers after the Scottish River Avon, which rises in the Ayrshire hills near what was their grandfather's farm and flows into the Clyde.
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. The Christchurch urban area lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula. It is home to 381,800 residents, making it New Zealand's third most-populous urban area behind Auckland and Wellington. The river that flows through the center of the city (its banks now largely forming an urban park) was named Avon at the request of the pioneering Deans brothers after the Scottish River Avon, which rises in the Ayrshire hills near what was their grandfather's farm and flows into the Clyde.
Christchurch
Free cancellation
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Classic New Zealand Grand Tour
24 days
RoutePerfect YOUR ULTIMATE TRIP PLANNER
Go to your plan1
Auckland, New Zealand
3 nights
225.85 km | 3 hrs 5 mins
2
Paihia, New Zealand
2 nights
451.91 km | 6 hrs 36 mins
3
Rotorua, New Zealand
2 nights
220.26 km | 2 hrs 56 mins
4
Napier, New Zealand
1 nights
316.85 km | 4 hrs 6 mins
5
Wellington, New Zealand
1 nights
453.27 km | 9 hrs 16 mins
6
Greymouth, New Zealand
1 nights
197.13 km | 2 hrs 52 mins
7
Fox Glacier Weheka, New Zealand
3 nights
334.99 km | 4 hrs 53 mins
8
Queenstown, New Zealand
4 nights
288.85 km | 3 hrs 51 mins
9
Dunedin, New Zealand
3 nights
197.14 km | 2 hrs 37 mins
10
Timaru, New Zealand
1 nights
163.59 km | 2 hrs 30 mins
11
Christchurch, New Zealand
3 nights