Journey to the Heart of Nouvelle-Zélande

Departure for the Coromandel Peninsula, a blend of lush forests, spectacular coastlines and golden sand beaches. From Thames, a former gold mining village, you'll drive along the winding coast to the picturesque Coromandel village. In December and January, you can admire the blooming pohutukawa flowers, nicknamed the "Christmas trees"*.

Continue to Whitianga, located by the ocean. From there, embark on a 2-hour cruise along the stunning coastline, leading to the famous Cathedral Cove beach, with its impressive rock near the shore.

Overnight in Whitianga.

After a stop at the Katikati village, known for its murals on the theme of colonization, continue along the scenic route to Rotorua, a thermal city and Maori cultural center. You will have some free time for shopping or, if you wish, a scenic flight over the volcanic region by seaplane or helicopter (supplementary charge).

In the late afternoon, enjoy a walk on the Redwoods trail in Whakarewarewa forest, surrounded by impressive century-old redwoods.

In the evening, experience a traditional experience with Maori songs and dances, including the famous haka, followed by a Hangi dinner.

Night in Rotorua.

This morning, visit the Wai-o-Tapu sacred waters site, famous for its boiling pools, its geyser that erupts at 10:15 am sharp, and its fascinating palette of colors. Next, stop at the Huka Falls, on the Waikato River, the longest in the country. These falls are impressive for their turquoise blue color and their flow rate of 200m³/s (which would fill an Olympic swimming pool in just 10 seconds!).

Continue on to Lake Taupo, the largest in the country, similar in size to Lake Geneva. This lake is actually the crater of a huge volcano, which last erupted less than 2000 years ago. The explosion was so powerful (40 times that of Mount Saint Helens in 1980) that it was observed as far away as distant China!

In the afternoon, drive to Napier, famous for its Art Deco architecture. In the evening, enjoy a tasting of local wines followed by dinner.

Night in Napier.

In the morning, departure by bus to Cape Kidnappers, where one of the world's largest gannet colonies is located, perched at the top of immense cliffs.

Continuing towards Wellington, the world's southernmost capital and the country's cultural centre.

Climb Mount Victoria to enjoy a splendid viewpoint over the bay, followed by a city tour.

Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Wellington.

Morning dedicated to continuing your visit of the city, including the national museum Te Papa.

Early afternoon, board a comfortable ferry for a crossing of Cook Strait to the South Island (3h15). The strait is named after the great English navigator James Cook, who mapped the coasts of Nouvelle-Zélande during his three voyages to the country, with remarkable precision for the time.

Enjoy stunning views of the Marlborough Sounds before disembarking in the charming village of Picton.

Continuation of your journey through the South Island, heading to the country's largest wine region, Marlborough.

Night in Blenheim.

The circuit heads to the West Coast, passing by the Nelson Lakes National Park and following the Buller River and gorges to Westport.

In the afternoon, enjoy observing a seal colony at Cape Foulwind (Tauranga Bay), nicknamed the "cape of terrible wind" due to the memorable storm that Captain Cook experienced there. Today, these seals live peacefully at the foot of the cliffs. After nearly disappearing in the 19th century due to hunting for their fur, their numbers increase steadily each year.

Continue to Punakaiki to admire the famous Pancake Rocks, rock formations that, thanks to the permanent erosion of the Tasman Sea, resemble stacked pancakes. When conditions are right, the sea rushes into the cracks in the rock and shoots out water jets.

Night in Greymouth.

Start with a visit to ShantyTown, a reconstructed gold prospector village in Greymouth, which immerses you in the atmosphere of pioneers in a Wild West setting!

Continue on to Hokitika, a small town renowned for its jade crafting workshops. Take advantage of some free time to go shopping.

Next, head to the Fox Glacier, with its twin Franz Josef, both unique in the world for being the glaciers closest to the sea at this latitude. Due to climate change and associated rockslides, glacier melting has become increasingly visible in recent years. Nevertheless, the West Coast landscapes remain spectacular and unmissable!

At the end of the day, you will have the opportunity to fly over the glaciers by helicopter, with landing (additional cost).

Night in Fox Glacier.

It is one of the most beautiful roads in the country! In just a few hours, the landscape changes dramatically: panoramic views of high mountains, the road runs along the Tasman Sea before entering the rainforest of Mt Aspiring National Park. On the other side of Haast Pass, vast plains gradually give way to glacial lakes surrounded by mountains.

Stop in the charming small town of Wanaka and its lake, before continuing to Queenstown, the adventure capital! You will discover another lake, S-shaped: the Lake Wakatipu, framed by the Remarkables mountain range.

Arrival in Queenstown at the end of the day, cable car ride up to the altitude restaurant for a buffet dinner with spectacular views of the lake and mountains.
Stay for two nights in Queenstown.

The road runs along theLake Wakatipu through the Southland plains, where thousands of sheep graze, before arriving at Te Anau, on the shore of the lake of the same name.

You then enter the wild Fiordland region and take the scenic route leading to Milford Sound, the country's most famous fjord.

Embark on a 1h45 cruise (picnic lunch included) to discover all the splendour of Milford Sound, with its waterfalls, imposing cliffs and sea lions, all in a grandiose setting.

Return to Te Anau at the end of the day.

Night in Te Anau.

Departure for the city of Dunedin, with Scottish style, famous for its architecture and its university, the oldest in the country. Located on the waterfront, it was founded following the discovery of gold in 1861, which made it the most prosperous city in the country. Today, it is the 20,000 students who bring the city to life and actively participate in its local economy.

Nicknamed the "nature capital" of Nouvelle-Zélande, Dunedin is surrounded by a peninsula that is home, just minutes from the city centre, to colonies of sea lions, fur seals, penguins and albatrosses.

To discover this amazing wildlife, embark on a 1-hour cruise aboard the Monarch, in Otago Bay, a boat that is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year!

Return to the city centre in late afternoon. Dinner on your own.

Night in Dunedin.

Traveling up the coast with a stop at Moeraki, famous for its imposing semi-spherical boulders scattered on the beach.

Continue towards Oamaru, which has managed to preserve its Victorian-style district, where some people still stroll around in period costumes. You will also find a small opera house and the Steampunk Museum.

Then leave the coast to venture inland, passing through Omarama, renowned for its glider flights.

You reach Twizel, in the Mackenzie Country region, known for its sheep farming and landscapes, notably the scenes from The Lord of the Rings films that were filmed there. Make a short detour to Lake Pukaki, with a stunning view of Mount Cook, the highest peak in the country.

Night in Twizel.

In the morning, drive to Lake Tekapo, famous for its striking turquoise lake and small chapel, with the majestic Southern Alps as a backdrop.
You must have come across them during your stay… Sheep! This morning, you will discover everything about this iconic animal of New Zealand by attending a sheep shearing demonstration.

Continue driving towards the east coast with a stop in Geraldine before reaching Christchurch, the most British of New Zealand cities, nicknamed the "Garden City" due to its many green spaces.

In the late afternoon, you will have the choice between visiting the Canterbury Museum or a stroll through the botanical garden.

Farewell dinner.

Night in Christchurch.