All Bridge & Wickers holidays are tailor-made and no two are the same. We have made some accommodation suggestions, however we will tailor your quote to your preferred standard and style of accommodation.

Days 1 and 2 Auckland

Check into the Hilton, maritime hip in style with eyes-wide-open views of Waitemata harbour, and you’ll have an instant idea of what the ‘City of Sails’ is all about. Then drag yourself away from the window and explore the lively waterfront. You might also want to consider a day tour of Waiheke Island, an island of unique art galleries, vineyards and stylish cafés. Other options include a sail around the harbour.

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Days 3 and 4 The Coromandel

A perfect marriage of coast and native bush. We suggest you spend a day on a ‘Kiwi Dundee’ Adventure, which combines kauri forest walks with a visit to an 1890s gold mining town. You’ll see glow worms, and learn about the flora and fauna of this magical area and the contrasting coastline of beaches (including the famous thermal sand pools at Hot Water), cliffs and offshore islands. You’ll be staying at Brenton Lodge which offers three Ps of pleasure: peace, privacy and pampering. Accommodation is in individual cottages with sea views and there’s a gorgeous pool in its landscaped garden, as well as a chocolaterie.

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Days 5 and 6 Lake Taupo

Don’t linger too long over breakfast because the plan for the day is to break your journey at Rotorua to visit the bubbling thermal springs and Maori cultural centre. At Taupo you’ll be staying at the boutique Point View Lodge with sweeping views over the lake, mountains or bush reserve. The lodge has a library, a huge deck and, in fine weather, al fresco dining in the garden courtyard. Among the easily arranged Taupo experiences are helicopter flights to the steaming volcanic crater of Mount Ruapehu in the Tongariro World Heritage Park; a lake cruise; or the ‘Triple Whammy’ combo of floatplane into a thermal park with an exhilarating jet boat ride.

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Days 7 and 8 Hawke’s Bay

Your base for exploring the Hawke’s Bay vineyards is the boutique Breckenridge Lodge, nestled in the picturesque valley of Omarunui, with views of the vines and just a few minutes’ drive from Napier and Hastings. For a birds’ eye perspective on the vineyards you could drift with the early morning breeze in a hot air balloon. There are also half or full day wine tours, plus one that visits - by 4WD - Cape Kidnappers and the largest and most accessible gannet colony in the world.

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Day 9 Wellington

There’s just a night in New Zealand’s capital city, but time enough to visit the waterfront and the superb Te Papa museum. You’ll stay at the boutique Museum Hotel opposite Te Papa.  

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Days 10 and 11 Marlborough Sound

You’ll drop your car at the ferry port, sail across Cook Strait and be met on arrival and transferred by boat to your accommodation at the Bay of Many Coves. If, however, you’d prefer to save time and savour the Sound scenery from the air, you could fly by helicopter from Wellington straight to the property. Sitting right on the Sound, the experience of the Bay of Many Coves is bound to be a highlight of your holiday because of its tranquil setting, the sea views from your own apartment, terrific food (with lots of ingredients straight from the sea) and the option of sailing, fishing, walking or kayaking in such an unspoilt natural environment. The hotel can arrange for you to walk part of the famous Queen Charlotte Track, with water taxi transfers and a picnic lunch. The owners also have a luxury cruise boat (the Lady Karen) which can be chartered, with skipper. Or, of course, you can simply kick back and relax.

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Days 12 and 13 Kaikoura

The folks from the Bay of Many Coves will take you back by boat to Picton where you’ll collect a car and drive through the wineries of the Marlborough Sounds en route to Kaikoura. You’ll spend the next two nights in Hapuku Lodge, either in the Lodge itself or one of the stunning Treehouses, each with a spa bath, fireplace and balcony. During the day you’ll have time to enjoy whale watching, swimming with dolphins, a Maori cultural tour or quad biking.

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Day 14 Canterbury High Country

Today’s destination is Terrace Downs, a resort about 40mins south of Christchurch, although on your way south you might want to stop off at Amberley for lunch at one of the wineries, such as Pegasus Bay. Situated on the edge of Rakaia Gorge with its own riding stables, an 18-hole championship golf course - one of the top three in NZ - and a spa, plus lots of delightful walks, Terrace Downs makes an ideal place to break your journey.

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Days 15 and 16 Queenstown & Arrowtown

There’s a fairly full first day of driving but with so many changes in scenery – rich farmlands, the almost desert-like central Otago and awesome mountains - time will easily pass in a series of scenic distractions. Lake Tekapo, with views of Mount Cook, makes a useful half-way stop for lunch. In Queenstown the menu of activities would almost fill this entire brochure. One of the many options we recommend is a trip that includes a thrilling, knuckleblanching jetboat scenic ride on the Dart River, lunch at a historic Glenorchy pub, Coronet Peak, historic Arrowtown and Kawarau Bridge to watch the bungee jumpers, with a final stop at Amisfield Winery for tastings. Accommodation is at Arrowtown House in nearby Arrowtown, away from the crowds of Queenstown. The award-winning b&b has five guest rooms, spread over a collection of buildings, each equipped with its own washing machine and dryer (ideal for those who’ve been on the road for the last two weeks!)

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Day 17 Afloat on Doubtful Sound

A mini cruise on the Fiordland Navigator, with the prospect of Bottlenose dolphins for company, fur seals on the shores, occasional penguins and jaw-dropping fiord scenery. You’ll spend the night riding at anchor in this maritime wilderness, with use of kayaks and inflatables for more intimate encounters. NB This cruise does not operate between May and September - please ask us about alternative options.

Days 18 and 19 Wanaka

This lakeside town is like a cameo version of Queenstown, but more chilled out and arguably even more scenic. The local activities have more of a natural emphasis and feature a wide choice of walking trails. Your guest-house, Riverrun, sits on the side of a mountain with views of the lake and surrounding peaks. For a more intimate encounter with the nearby Mount Aspiring scenery, book a ‘Siberia Experience’, which includes a scenic flight over the mountains, a walk and a jetboat ride back to base.

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Day 20 Fox Glacier

Head north, with a long day’s drive over the Haast Pass and along the west coast, but a spectacular one with a Kodak moment at every bend. The final stretch of serpentine road will lead you to the small isolated town of Fox Glacier where you'll check in to Distinction Fox Glacier. You should have time to take a scenic flight over the glaciers and a walk - 2hrs or so – through native forest around Lake Matheson, known as Mirror Lake for its perfect upside-down perspective on Mount Cook.

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Day 21 Christchurch

Drive to Greymouth, arriving in time to drop off the car and catch the lunchtime departure of the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch. Your last night will be spent in the Huntley Lodge set amidst park-like gardens in a tranquil, secluded environment.

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You could turn the trip into a full ‘head to toe’ journey through New Zealand by starting in the Bay of Islands, which epitomises the ‘100% Pure New Zealand’ as seen on the posters. The best approach would be to fly straight from Auckland’s airport to Kerikeri (see our coast section). If you want to see more of the South Island, particularly the wildlife at the southern tip, see page our Scenery section.