Part 1 is a new route through New Zealand. From Auckland we head north to Cape Reinga, driving around 90 kilometres along 90 Mile Beach at low tide. Then come the Coromandel, the surf coast at Raglan, the geysers of Rotorua and a 4×4 track on the flank of an active volcano, on the way to Art Deco Napier and Wellington.
The ferry takes us to the South Island: the whales of Kaikoura, a helicopter flight over the glaciers of Franz Josef, the Macetown track near Queenstown and a cruise on Milford Sound. The tracks around Lake Onslow and the Little Omarama Saddle lead to Lake Tekapo and the finish in Christchurch.
Drive your own car, shipped to Auckland, or a rental car. Hotels will be inspected and chosen for location and calm. The route is indicative until our inspection trip.
A capable 4×4 is required. Think Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Discovery, Toyota Hilux, or similar. Essential items include adequate ground clearance, underbody protection, quality all-terrain tires, two spare wheels, a compressor, and a VHF radio; helpful extras include a dual-battery system, a fridge, tablet mount, and additional USB power. All modifications are documented so any mechanic knows what sits where. Technical support will be on the road, border assistance is arranged, and the goal is simple: everyone reaches the finish.
We select and personally inspect hotels for location and calm before departure; dinners and breakfasts are included on driving days, and in larger stops you can dine independently with recommendations provided and costs reimbursed to keep the experience simple. Where the route enters very remote areas, expect a few simpler nights that trade luxury for access and atmosphere.
Part 2 runs from Hobart in Tasmania to Darwin in about five weeks, with the Daintree rainforest, Cape Tribulation and the far north of Cape York as fixed highlights.