12-Day New Zealand Panorama – Chauffeur Discovery

Discover North and South Island highlights with a private chauffeur on this 12 day journey. Explore Auckland, Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waitomo before reaching Wellington for the Interislander Ferry. Continue down the West Coast to Glacier Country, stay in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and enjoy Queenstown with included Kiwi Birdlife Park entry, all with flexible touring.

Trusted by 10,000+
Luxury Travelers

Rated 4.9/5 on Google
& Trip Advisor

Tailored Adventure
for Over 10 Years

PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details

Day 1

Welcome to Auckland

Arrive in Auckland and meet your chauffeur for a smooth transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring at your pace—Viaduct Harbour, boutique shops or a relaxing waterfront café.

Overnight in Auckland.
Day 2

Auckland → Waitomo → Rotorua

Travel through Waikato to Waitomo for your guided glowworm cave tour, then continue to Rotorua’s geothermal landscapes. Steam vents and bubbling pools mark your arrival.

Overnight in Rotorua.
Day 3

Rotorua → Hobbiton → Rotorua

Visit Hobbiton for a guided tour of the Shire, including Hobbit Holes and the Green Dragon Inn. Return to Rotorua for an afternoon of geothermal parks, hot pools or lakefront walks.

Overnight in Rotorua.
Day 4

Rotorua → Picton → Kaikōura → Christchurch

Travel to Wellington, board the Interislander Ferry with your chauffeur, and cruise through the Marlborough Sounds. Continue via Blenheim and Kaikōura to Christchurch.

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 5

Christchurch → Franz Josef (West Coast Drive)

Cross Arthur’s Pass with alpine peaks, viaducts and waterfalls before descending to the West Coast. Continue via Greymouth and Hokitika to Franz Josef, surrounded by rainforest and glaciers.

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 6

Franz Josef at Leisure

Enjoy a full day exploring Glacier Country with chauffeur support. Visit rainforest tracks, glacier viewpoints or Lake Matheson. Optional helicopter flights offer glacier and snowfield views.

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 7

Franz Josef → Queenstown

Drive south along the West Coast, then through Haast Pass’s waterfalls and forest. Continue past Lakes Hawea and Wānaka before arriving in Queenstown. Includes Kiwi Birdlife Park entry.

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 8

Queenstown at Leisure

A relaxed day with chauffeur support. Explore Arrowtown, taste wines in Gibbston Valley, ride the Skyline Gondola or enjoy lakeside cafés. Your day, your pace.

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 9

Queenstown → Mount Cook

Travel north into the Mackenzie Basin, passing Cromwell and hydro lakes. Follow Lake Pukaki toward Aoraki Mount Cook for dramatic alpine scenery.

Overnight in Mount Cook Village.
Day 10

Explore Mount Cook National Park

Spend the day exploring trails and alpine viewpoints with chauffeur transfers. Optional helicopter flight with snow landing adds a spectacular highlight.

Overnight in Mount Cook.
Day 11

Mount Cook → Lake Tekapo → Christchurch

Return through the Mackenzie Basin, stopping at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 12

Christchurch Departure

Enjoy a relaxed morning before your chauffeur transfers you to Christchurch Airport. A final chance to stroll the gardens or visit Riverside Market before departure.

Tour Highlights

Meet your private chauffeur at Auckland Airport for a smooth, comfortable transfer to your hotel.

Stroll around Viaduct Harbour, browse boutique shops, or enjoy a relaxed first evening by the water.

Explore the vibrant cafés and restaurants lining Auckland’s waterfront precincts.

Unwind at your hotel after your journey and settle into the City of Sails.
Travel south with your chauffeur through the rolling green landscapes of the Waikato region.

Join your included Down to Earth Waitomo Eco Tour, walking glowworm-lit caves with expert guides.

Continue to Rotorua, where rising steam and geothermal scents signal the region’s volcanic activity.

Arrive at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing or exploring at your own pace.

Driving distance: 330 km / 205 miles (4.5 hours)

Included: Waitomo Glowworm Eco Tour
Drive with your chauffeur to Matamata for your included Hobbiton Movie Set Tour.

Wander through The Shire’s Hobbit Holes, the Mill and the Party Tree, ending with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.

Return to Rotorua for a relaxed afternoon exploring geothermal parks, hot pools or lakeside paths.

Enjoy a peaceful evening in this cultural and volcanic heartland.

Driving distance: 120 km / 75 miles (2 hours)

Included: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Travel south past Lake Taupō and through Tongariro National Park toward Wellington Harbour.

Board the Interislander Ferry with your chauffeur and vehicle for a scenic 3-hour sailing to Picton.

Drive south through Marlborough vineyards and Kaikōura’s rugged coastlines toward Christchurch.

Arrive in the city by evening and settle into your hotel after this epic North–South journey.

Driving distance: 650 km / 404 miles total (approx. 9 hours including ferry)

Included: Interislander Ferry Crossing
Begin your alpine journey across Arthur’s Pass with dramatic peaks, viaducts and cascading waterfalls.

Descend to the rugged West Coast and continue through Greymouth and artisan-rich Hokitika.

Enter Glacier Country, where rainforest meets snowfields and steep valleys.

Arrive in Franz Josef village for a relaxing evening in this remarkable landscape.

Driving distance: 380 km / 236 miles (5.5 hours)
Explore Glacier Country at your own pace with chauffeured local transfers.

Visit glacier viewpoints, rainforest trails or the reflective waters of Lake Matheson.

Choose an optional helicopter flight to experience Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers from above.

Enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by alpine forest and glacier-carved valleys.

Optional: Twin Glacier Scenic Helicopter Flight
Travel south along the dramatic West Coast before turning inland through the stunning Haast Pass.

Pass turquoise lakes, river valleys and alpine peaks as you approach Central Otago.

Arrive in Queenstown and visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park, included in your package.

Settle into your hotel and enjoy Queenstown’s lakefront dining and lively alpine atmosphere.

Driving distance: 350 km / 217 miles (5.5 hours)

Included: Kiwi Birdlife Park Entry
Enjoy a relaxed or adventure-filled day with chauffeur transfers available throughout the region.

Visit historic Arrowtown, explore Gibbston Valley wineries or ride the Skyline Gondola.

Stroll the lakefront or enjoy coffee and wine bars overlooking Lake Wakatipu.

Shape the day to your interests while your chauffeur handles the driving and logistics.
Travel north into Mackenzie Country through Cromwell’s orchards and blue hydro lakes.

Follow the spectacular turquoise shoreline of Lake Pukaki toward Aoraki Mount Cook.

Enter Mount Cook Village, framed by glaciers, alpine peaks and vast night skies.

Spend the evening relaxing in one of New Zealand’s most dramatic mountain landscapes.

Driving distance: 260 km / 161 miles (4 hours)
Explore Mount Cook’s alpine trails, glacial viewpoints and heritage sites at your own pace.

Walk part of the Hooker Valley Track or visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.

Upgrade your day with an optional scenic helicopter flight and remote snow landing.

Enjoy a peaceful alpine evening beneath the stars of the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.

Optional: HLC4 Scenic Flight & Snow Landing
Travel through the Mackenzie Basin toward Lake Tekapo’s turquoise waters and mountain backdrop.

Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and enjoy final alpine photo stops.

Continue across the Canterbury Plains as the scenery transitions to farmland and braided rivers.

Arrive in Christchurch for your final night in New Zealand’s South Island.

Driving distance: 330 km / 205 miles (4.5 hours)
Enjoy a relaxed final morning with the option to stroll the Botanic Gardens or Riverside Market.

Meet your chauffeur for a comfortable transfer to Christchurch Airport.

Depart with lasting memories of coastlines, mountain ranges, glaciers and island-to-island travel.

Driving distance: 15 km / 9 miles (20 minutes)

Accommodations

1 night Auckland at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
1 night Christchurch at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights Rotorua at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights Franz Josef at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights Queenstown at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights Mount Cook at a 3 Star Hotel.
1 night Christchurch at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.

Guests may request to upgrade to 5 Star hotels. Upgrades are subject to availability and additional costs.

Package Includes

Chauffeur Service

Private chauffeur driven vehicle for 12 days.
Fuel, parking, tolls and driver expenses included.
Standard operational charges included.
Airport, hotel and activity pick up and drop off.

Exclusive Experiences

Interislander Ferry: North → South Island (Car + Chauffer On Board)
Waitomo Glowworm Caves with Spellbound.
Kiwi Birdlife Park
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour (Matamata).
Freedom to explore at your own pace with curated activity suggestions.
Accommodation in a 3 Star Hotel for 11 nights with Breakfast.

Disclaimer:
To comply with NZTA regulations, drivers are limited to 14 hours of duty per day (including required breaks) and must have a minimum 10-hour rest period each night. Driving times are approximate, and additional breaks may be required. Local driving within a region is charged additional cost per hour.

Enquire Now

Check availability and start your booking…

What Travelers Are Saying About Our Tours

Adrian L.

3 days ago

This North & South Island journey was incredible. From Hobbiton to the geothermal sights in Rotorua and the glacier region in Franz Josef, every day felt exciting. The itinerary was easy to follow and made the whole adventure stress-free.

See it on Google

Kara W.

1 week ago

I loved how seamlessly this trip blended culture, nature, and adventure. Queenstown was a standout, and the drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook was breathtaking. Everything was organised so well that I could focus on enjoying each stop.

See it on Google

Silas P.

2 days ago

The 12-day route was perfect for seeing the best of both islands. Māori culture in Rotorua, glacier country, and the alpine scenery near Mt Cook were all unforgettable. The pacing and planning made it a fantastic self-drive experience.

See it on Google

Stress-Free Payments with Our Simple Online Booking System

Planning a group trip should be fun, not stressful. Our easy-to-use payment system eliminates the hassle of chasing down payments from your group, making booking smooth and simple.

Discover More of New Zealand

Discover even more of New Zealand on our Exclusive Tours!

Private Chauffeur Tours

Discover even more of New Zealand on our Exclusive Tours!

Coach Tours

Discover even more of New Zealand on our Exclusive Tours!