Windows onto New Zealand
| From Auckland to Christchurch |
24 days |
View Prices |
Highlights:
- The Far North's historic Bay of Islands & Kauri Coast
- Rotorua's mud pools, geysers, Maori culture
- Art deco Napier & the Hawkes Bay wine region
- Spectacular coast & mountains on the TranzCoastal &
TranzAlpine train journeys
- Franz Josef and Fox glaciers
- Queenstown & Wanaka, NZ's premier alpine regions
- Optional country farmstay on a traditional sheep farm
- Iconic Milford or Doubtful Sounds
- Viewing wildlife on Dunedin's Otago Peninsula
- Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch
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Your tour will be organised over the dates you require.
All tour itineraries may be amended for any duration to suit you.
Tours are suitable for 1-4 persons and children 12 years and over.
We will help you have the best self drive vacation possible!
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive Auckland
Welcome to the 'City of Sails'.
You will be met by our representative on arrival and receive your travel documents before transferring to your central city accommodation.
New Zealand's largest city is spread around 48 dormant volcanoes. With its scenic harbours and beaches, Auckland is host to a huge range of water sports especially around the islands of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park.
Relax on a harbour cruise or ferry ride to delightful Devonport, visit eclectic Viaduct Basin site of the America's Cup village, enjoy the amazing views and Auckland skyline from atop the Sky Tower.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2 - Auckland - Bay of Islands
(approx 4:15 hours driving time)
Your rental vehicle will be delivered this morning.
Begin your journey travelling to the beautiful Bay of Islands one of our most popular holiday regions with its bush clad islands, transparent waters and white sandy beaches.
This is the cradle of European settlement in New Zealand. You can visit many fine historic buildings and sites including the Treaty House and Kerikeri's famous old stone store.
Take a cruise out through the famous Hole in the Rock or experience the thrill of swimming with dolphins in this stunning maritime playground.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 3 - Bay of Islands
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 4 - Bay of Islands - Waipoua Kauri Forest - Auckland
(approx 5:00 hours driving time)
Return down the Kauri Coast passing the long indented Hokianga Harbour with its turbulent bar which has claimed many a vessel.
Follow the Wairoa River from Dargaville to Kaipara Harbour, our largest harbour and once the busiest waterway in the country shipping out kauri timber and gum. See New Zealand's largest living trees in the Waipoua Forest and visit the Kauri Museum at Matakohe to learn about the gum-diggers.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5 - Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua
(approx 6:00 hours driving time)
Continue your journey south to Rotorua New Zealand’s cultural capital, via the Waitomo Caves where you can take a subterranean boat excursion to see the glowworms amongst the sculpted limestone caves.
In Rotorua you can stand on active volcanoes, massive craters, see boiling mud pools, exploding geysers, a traditional Maori village buried by volcanic ash and the sacred green and blue lakes, as well as experience traditional Maori culture and entertainment.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 6 - Rotorua
Activity: Evening Maori Cultural Experience including Hangi (Dinner)
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 7 - Rotorua - Taupo - Napier
(approx 4:00 hours driving time)
Travel through expansive exotic forests and pass enthralling thermal activity before arriving at Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake.
Relax and enjoy the scenic views of live smoking volcanoes in the Tongariro National Park , before your leisurely journey into the heart of the Hawkes Bay wine growing district and the city of Napier with its classic and colourful art deco architecture. Follow the wine trails, sample award-winning vintages or visit Cape Kidnappers gannet colony.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 8 - Napier
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 9 - Napier - Wellington
(approx 5:00 hours driving time)
You will pass through some of New Zealand's most substantial agricultural areas before arriving in Wellington.
Our capital city is set on a magnificent harbour ringed by hills. Take in the views from the top of the Cable Car, visit Te Papa Tongarewa the spectacular national museum, and see Parliament Buildings with its unique 'Beehive'. This is a vibrant cosmopolitan city offering a myriad of restaurants, bars, entertainment and shopping.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 10 - Wellington
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 11 - Wellington – Picton – Christchurch
(approx 8:20 hours ferry & train)
Drop off your rental vehicle at the ferry terminal and board your cruise to the South Island, across Cook Strait and through the beautiful bush-clad inlets of the Marlborough Sounds.
At the bustling port of Picton, take your seat on the TranzCoastal for your train excursion along the Kaikoura coastline, dramatically positioned between high peaks and the edge of the surging Pacific Ocean with its abundant sea life. Watch out for playful seals on the rocky shores.
Arriving in Christchurch you will be transferred to your central city accommodation.
The South Island's largest city is exceptionally beautiful with its stunning parks and gardens, the Avon River meandering through the city centre and its dramatic harbour within the flooded crater of an extinct volcano.
Take a punt ride, enjoy walks around the city, visit the Arts Centre boutique craft shops, experience life on the southern continent at the International Antarctic Centre and be entertained at the Court Theatre or brilliant Art Gallery.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 12 - Christchurch
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 13 - Christchurch – Greymouth - Hokitika
(approx 5:00 hours train & driving time)
This morning following your transfer to the railway station, your adventure continues on the TranzAlpine train journey.
Regarded as ‘one of the top six rail journeys in the world’ the TranzAlpine rises almost imperceptibly across the fertile Canterbury Plains before crossing impressive viaducts over river gorges and carving through canyons and tunnels high into New Zealand’s southern alps.
There's a brief stop at the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass before descending through the long Otira mountain tunnel, to emerge in the verdant West Coast rainforest.
On arrival in Greymouth pick up your rental vehicle for the short drive to Hokitika.
Formerly an 1860's gold rush settlement, Hokitika still has the feel of a frontier town, where you can find your own treasures of gold and jewellery in the cheerful shops.
Prior to travelling to Hokitika, you may wish to make a short detour north to explore the pancake rocks and blow holes at Punakaiki.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 14 - Hokitika - Glacier Country
(approx 3:00 hours driving time)
The scenery is dramatic and ever changing as you travel south through primeval forests, across racing torrents and past serene, bush clad lakes.
Nestled between the sea and the high alps, remnants of the ice-age, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, descend right into the forests allowing you to take a guided walk or helicopter landing flight on the rivers of ice.
Nearby at Lake Matheson, you may experience the classical reflections of New Zealand's two highest peaks, Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, in the mirrored waters.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 15 - Glacier Country - Wanaka
(approx 4:00 hours driving time)
Your journey continues through the South Westland World Heritage Area, a place of incredible beauty and natural value, over Haast Pass to Wanaka, popular for fishing and boating and snow sports in winter.
Explore Mount Aspiring National Park, enjoy a lake cruise, visit the famous Wanaka Warbirds Museum or challenge yourself at Puzzling World. Wanaka offers an appealing mix of outdoor activities, family fun and fine living.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 16 - Wanaka
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 17 - Wanaka - Queenstown
(approx 1:45 hours driving time)
Pass picturesque Lake Dunstan developed for hydro generation and recreation, before travelling through the Kawarau Gorge with remnants of its 1860s gold rush. Enroute stop at the boutique vineyards famous for their pinot noir wine.
Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown on the shore of Lake Wakatipu is a vibrant ski town in winter and a buzzing summer adventure playground.
The amazing range of attractions includes canyon jet boat rides, mountain biking, bungy jumping, helicopter flights, horse treks and 4WD expeditions.
There are also more passive pastimes - wilderness safaris, historic steamer lake cruises, gondola cableway, superb golf courses and gardens as well as uncovering gold-mining artifacts in the quaint gold-mining town of Arrowtown.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 18 - Queenstown
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 19 - Queenstown - optional Country Farmstay or Te Anau
(approx 3:00 hours driving time)
Take in the magnificent landscape enroute to your optional country farmstay or the township of Te Anau, picturesquely sited on Lake Te Anau.
A country farmstay will allow you the opportunity to enjoy traditional New Zealand hospitality and experience life on a typical South Island farm.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 20 - optional Country Farmstay - Te Anau - Milford - Te Anau
(approx 5:30 hours driving time)
Te Anau is within easy reach of the delights of the Fiordland National Park.
Travel through the Eglinton Valley, the Homer Tunnel and down the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound deep in the Park, to board a cruise and view captivating wildlife surrounded by sheer mile-high mountain walls before returning to Te Anau.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 21 - Te Anau - Dunedin
(approx 4:15 hours driving time)
Savour the lush sheep and dairy lands of Southland and Otago before arriving in Dunedin, where you will experience the heritage of its Scottish founders.
Visit Dunedin Museum with its outstanding natural history displays, wander through the Victorian Railway Station with its Royal Doulton mosaic floors and discover colonial history at classical Olveston House and Larnach Castle high on the peninsula, before checking out the playful penguins and Royal Albatross Colony.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 22 - Dunedin
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 23 - Dunedin - Christchurch
(approx 5:00 hours driving time)
For the early part of the trip you will be accompanied by sweeping seascapes. Stop at Moeraki and see the large, smoothed rock spheres embedded on the beach.
Call into Oamaru and visit the old port quarter with its fascinating preserved colonial white stone buildings, before crossing the edge of the sun bleached Canterbury Plains with extensive farmlands and crop fields.
Christchurch is a delightful mix of Gothic, Victorian, Georgian and contemporary architecture set amongst superb public and private gardens and wide leafy avenues with its picturesque Avon River gently meandering through the business and residential districts.
Take a punt ride, enjoy walks around the city, visit the Arts Centre boutique craft shops, experience life on the southern continent at the International Antarctic Centre and be entertained at the Court Theatre or brilliant Art Gallery.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 24 - Christchurch
Spend your last day in 'The Garden City' shopping for those last minute gifts and unique New Zealand products before you return your rental vehicle and catch your departure flight.
Tour Price (per person)
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| Style |
Quality |
Superior |
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Share Twin
(NZ$) |
Single
(NZ$) |
Share Twin
(NZ$) |
Single
(NZ$) |
| Car - Compact |
POA |
$9472 |
POA |
$13859 |
| Car - Intermediate |
$5296 |
$9689 |
$7610 |
$14076 |
| Car - Full Size |
$5652 |
POA |
$7964 |
POA |
| 4WD - Intermediate |
$5714 |
POA |
$8026 |
POA |
Prices are valid to 31 May 2011.
Whats Included:
- Meet & Greet and transfer to hotel on arrival
- Automatic compact, intermediate, full size car or intermediate 4WD
- Quality style - Quality Bed & Breakfasts/mid-range hotels
- Superior style - Superior Bed & Breakfasts/superior class hotels
- Evening Maori cultural experience with hangi (dinner)
- Cook Strait ferry crossing
- TranzCoastal & TranzAlpine train journeys
- Transfers from and to railway station
- Optional country farmstay
- New Zealand touring information - distances, times and directions, map
Prices are in New Zealand dollars and include 15% GST (Government Goods & Services Tax). Click Here for an online currency converter to convert prices to your own currency (approximate only).
POA - Price on application.
Prices are available for three and four persons travelling together in an automatic full size car, intermediate 4WD or people mover/minivan. Please enquire.
A revision fee of NZ$40 per amended itinerary day is charged for any part of the itinerary which you require to be changed. Additional days in the arrival and departure cities do not incurr a revision fee.
Optional country farmstay dinner - NZ$60 per person, additional charge.
1 June 2011 - 31 May 2012 prices provided on request.
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View More Meet New Zealand Self Drive Tour Selections
North & South Island - Auckland to Christchurch
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Special Interest
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