New Zealand - Itinerary…
New Zealand - 30 Jan - 28 Feb 2026
Manchester – Dubai – Sydney – Christchurch – Greymouth – Franz Josef – Arrowtown – Queenstown – Te Anau – Milford Sound – Twizel – Kaikōura – Blenheim – Picton – Wellington – Ohakune – Napier – Rotorua – Paihia – Auckland – Manchester
At the end of January, Kay and I set off on what feels like a proper adventure: four weeks in New Zealand and a 2,500 mile road trip that will take us from the South Island to the North, winding through mountains, glaciers, coastline and vineyards.
The journey begins at Manchester, flying with Emirates to Dubai and then on to Sydney for refuelling before the final leg to Christchurch. After a day and a half in the air, we arrive on the far side of the world, 13 hours ahead of home, slightly bleary-eyed, but buzzing with anticipation and excitement.
We spend a couple of nights in Christchurch to get our bearings and adjust to the time difference before boarding the TranzAlpine train. The journey across the Southern Alps, threading through Arthur’s Pass, feels like a gentle introduction to the landscapes to come. In Greymouth we collect our car, the real freedom begins here and drive south to Franz Josef for a two-night stay beneath the glaciers.
From Franz Josef we continue on to Fox Glacier and Haast, then cross the mountains again via Roys Peak, eventually reaching Arrowtown before settling into Queenstown for three nights. It’s a place we’re keen to linger — dramatic scenery, good food and a chance to slow the pace slightly.
The route then takes us to Te Anau and out to Milford Sound, before heading north through Twizel and along the coast to Kaikōura. From there it’s on to Blenheim and Picton, where we cross Cook Strait by ferry to the North Island and spend two nights in Wellington.
Heading north, we follow some of the country’s most scenic roads through Ohakune, Napier, Rotorua and Paihia, before finally reaching Auckland four weeks after we first set off. After a couple of nights exploring the city, it’s time to point ourselves back towards home.
Along the way, we’ve booked a handful of experiences we didn’t want to miss: a 45-minute helicopter flight over the Great Glacier, a boat trip through Milford Sound, whale watching in Kaikōura, and cycling with wine tasting in Marlborough. In Rotorua, we’ve booked the Te Rā + Haka Combo for a deeper cultural experience. A few restaurants are reserved well in advance, but for much of the trip we’ll eat casually and see where the road and our appetites take us.