A Luxury 26-Day Family Adventure: Exploring New Zealand by Road
- Jane COUTTS
- Oct 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 30
When this wonderful family first reached out from the other side of the world, they dreamed of a once-in-a-lifetime journey that would bring together freedom, luxury, and authentic adventure across both islands of New Zealand. From our very first conversation, I could sense their excitement — a family ready to explore it all, from golden beaches and glacier lakes to alpine peaks and starry skies, in their own time and style. With three children aged 10, 12, and 15, they embraced every moment of their New Zealand adventure with curiosity, laughter, and a true spirit of discovery.
“From our first phone call, miles and oceans away, I felt like every word, thought, or desire was meaningful and being considered... Not only was the trip carefully built to our exact measures, we also felt safe, secure, and under your personal care 24/7 for the whole month.”— Noa Tamarkin, family traveller
A Luxury Self-Drive Journey Across Both Islands
Their bespoke 26-day luxury New Zealand self-drive itinerary was designed to capture the full essence of Aotearoa (New Zealand) from geothermal wonders and coastal lodges to alpine valleys and world-class lodgings.
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1–3 | Auckland → Rotorua
After landing in Auckland, the family set off south to Rotorua — immersing themselves in Māori culture, geothermal activity, and forest walks. Highlights included a floatplane flight to Mt Tarawera, the Redwoods Treewalk, and a relaxing soak in the Polynesian Spa.
Day 4 | Matamata (Hobbiton)
A magical stop at the Hobbiton Movie Set
Days 5–6 | Christchurch
In the Garden City they explored the Botanic Gardens, enjoyed punting on the Avon River, and discovered the vibrant Riverside Market before collecting their Land Rover Defender for the South Island leg.
Days 7–8 |Kaikoura
Two unforgettable nights at Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses, nestled between ocean and mountains. They joined a seal-colony walk, explored the coast, and soared through native forest on the Kaikōura EcoZip Adventure.
Days 9–12 | Nelson & Abel Tasman National Park
A highlight of the trip, a three-day Wilsons Abel Tasman Kayak & Walk combining golden beaches, turquoise lagoons, and eco-lodges at Torrent Bay and Awaroa Lodge. Days were filled with kayaking, short hikes, and beachside dining.
Days 13–15 | Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Heading south through alpine passes, the family arrived at The Hermitage to explore glacier valleys and snow-capped peaks. They walked the Hooker Valley Track, took the Glacier Explorers boat tour, and admired the stars in the Mackenzie Region’s dark skies.
Days 16–19 | Wanaka
Staying four nights at Marina Terrace Apartments, Wanaka provided space to unwind and adventure. They cycled lakeside trails, hiked to Rob Roy Glacier.
Days 20–22 | Queenstown
Queenstown delivered the perfect mix of adventure and indulgence. The family explored local wineries, took part in the Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat experience through spectacular glacier-fed valleys, and spent a snowy morning walking up to Lake Alta in The Remarkables — laughing, snowball fights included! Evenings were spent in their villa with sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding peak.
Days 23–25 | Fiordland – Te Anau, Doubtful & Dusky SoundsFiordland was nothing short of spectacular. Staying at Fiordland Lodge, they explored Te Anau’s lakeside trails, cruised Milford Sound, and then experienced the ultimate highlight, a private helicopter flight over Dusky and Doubtful Sounds. Soaring above mist-filled fjords and untouched wilderness, they landed on a remote alpine ridge for photos and quiet moments surrounded by absolute silence and grandeur.
Day 26 | Queenstown Finale
Returning to Queenstown for their final night, the family celebrated their month-long adventure with a farewell dinner and one last lakeside stroll before flying home the next morning.
A Journey Designed with Care
Every detail was handled from lodge reservations and scenic flights to ferry connections and activity timings. The Tamarkins travelled completely independently yet always with support just a call away. Their itinerary balanced freedom and flexibility with luxury and local insight, making each day smooth and memorable.
“You knew how to update NZ and ourselves in order to make our once-in-a-lifetime experience the best it could possibly be.”
What the Family Said
“WAWW what a journey. We could have never done that incredible adventure without you, Jane. With your sensitivity, professionalism, perfection, spontaneity, willingness, and wisdom. From our first phone call, miles and oceans away, I felt like every word, thought, or desire was meaningful and being considered. We felt that we were always on your mind — on each and every step of the way. You know NZ and what it has to offer so well. Combined with your care and attention, you understood our needs even better than us.Not only that… You knew how to update NZ and ourselves to make our once-in-a-lifetime experience the best it could possibly be. The trip was carefully built to our exact measures, and we felt safe and under your personal care 24/7 for the whole month. We thank you so much for your open mind, patience, and ability to update, reschedule, and change plans according to surprises along the way. I have no words but a huge thank you for all you did for us.I know that we will be back — and you will be the first to hear about it.Much love, from all of us. ♥️”— Noa Tamarkin, family traveller
Ready to Plan Your New Zealand Adventure? Let’s Plan It Together.
At Amazing New Zealand Itineraries, we specialise in personalised travel for international visitors whether it be couples, families, and small groups alike. Whether you prefer the freedom of a self-drive adventure, the ease of a chauffeur-guided journey, or a mix of both, we’ll help you choose the ideal time to visit and take care of every detail. From romantic escapes to family-friendly stays, group getaways, and seamless travel logistics, we’ll create a stress-free New Zealand holiday perfectly tailored to you.
We’re Based in New Zealand — and That Makes All the Difference
We’re proudly New Zealand-based, which means we have firsthand local knowledge, trusted relationships with top-tier providers, and the ability to respond quickly if plans need adjusting while you’re here. Our clients often tell us how reassuring it is to work with a team that’s truly local.
We make your journey completely seamless by taking care of every detail within New Zealand, including:
Car rental or private chauffeur services
Domestic travel like ferries, internal flights & train journeys
All accommodation bookings (4-star and above)
Excursions, sightseeing, and exclusive activities
Dining recommendations
Read some of our reviews from happy clients on Trip Advisor.
You’ll receive a detailed, easy-to-follow itinerary and on-the-ground support, so you can relax and enjoy your time here without a worry.
Let Us Start Planning Your New Zealand Journey Today
If you’re ready for a bespoke, comfortable, and enriching experience in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations, we’d love to help.
👉 Contact us today - Get in touch and let us help you create a holiday that’s fun, flexible, and full of unforgettable treasured moments.
Jane Coutts
Travel Specialist
Amazing New Zealand Itineraries
We know New Zealand - We live here!
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