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Self Drive Tours
21 Day - New Zealand Explorer |
Today's Price
$3,761NZD
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Brief Description
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Price listed is per person on a 2 Adult basis. This tour covers many of the must see destinations in New Zealand and also more off the beaten track locations. Visit both North and South Islands with all accommodation, transport and activities arranged for your arrival. This itinerary delves into a vastness of landscapes, culture and adventures. New Zealand is full surprises and this tour takes you to many of them.
Please enquire about our single person, child and extra person discount rates.
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Day to Day Locations
NORTH ISLAND
Day 1. Auckland
Day 2. Waitomo Caves - Rotorua
Day 3. Rotorua
Day 4. Rotorua
Day 5. Rotorua
Day 6. Taupo
Day 7. Taupo
Day 8. Wellington
|  | SOUTH ISLAND
Day 9. Kaikoura
Day 10. Kaikoura
Day 11. Lake Tekapo
Day 12. Queenstown
Day 13. Queenstown
Day 14. Milford Sound
Day 15. Queenstown
Day 16. Queenstown
Day 17. Wanaka
Day 18. Franz Josef Glacier
Day 19. Barry Town
Day 20. Christchurch
Day 21. Christchurch |  |
What is included
- Sky Tower admission
- 21 nights accommodation
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Maori Cultural experiences (Hangi and Concert)
- Ferry between North and South island
- Tranz Alpine Ticket
- Your choice of Swimming with dolphins or Whale watching tour
- 19 days car rental (Economy car)
Day 1: Auckland (drive time = 25 minutes, depending on traffic)
Upon arrival, your rental car will be ready and waiting for you at Auckland Airport. Transfer to your accommodation in downtown Auckland situated right next door to the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, Auckland's Sky Tower. Your handy location gives you plenty of options for today and tonight. The remainder of the day is free to explore Auckland and unwind from your flight. Complementary Sky Tower admission included today.
Accommodation: SKYCITY Hotel Auckland or Similar
Day 2: Auckland - Waitomo Caves - Rotorua 5 hours
Drive to Waitomo through some of New Zealand's most lush farming country. Waitomo is one of New Zealand's most popular adventure destinations and is known for its Caving and Black Water Rafting. A Waitomo Caving experience is a must do while in this area and there is caving adventure to suit everyone. After you have done your choice of activities in Waitomo, will head to Rotorua.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua or Similar
Day 3: Rotorua - 2 hours 20 minutes
Today explore Rotorua, one of the World's most active volcanic zones. For over 150,000 years, powerful volcanic activity has formed this region in to the awe inspiring state that it is today. Rotorua is a feast of natures surprises and an adventure play ground for all ages. The remainder of the day is free for you to discover Rotorua. A great option for the evening is a trip to the Polynesian Spa or Hells Gate Thermal Spa resorts for a bit of self pampering.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua or Similar
Day 4: Rotorua
There truly is an activity for everyone on offer today. Wet or dry, Scenic Splendor or Adrenaline filled adventures, you choose (please ask for advice). Some suggested activities include Whakarewarewa thermal village and wonderland, the Agrodome, Rainbow Springs, ride the luge at Skyline, thermal pools, take a trip to Lake Tarawera and the Buried Village, shop for cultural souvenirs, Walk the lake shore, Visit the museum.....the list goes on. Tonight Enjoy an evening of entertainment by local Maori with a famous Hangi (Dinner) and Concert.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua or Similar
Day 5: Rotorua
Explore Rotorua at your own leisure. (please ask for advice).
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua or Similar
Day 6: Rotorua - Taupo - 1 hour
Travel along the Thermal Highway to Taupo. Taupo offers fantastic shopping, dining, activities and views to die for. If you have a taste for fish, there is great fishing to be had on New Zealand’s largest lake. If you are a golfer, Taupo has Wairakei international Golf Course, rated by prestigious U.S golf digest magazine to be in the top 20 golf courses in the World. A must do for golfers. Taupo is also an extremely thermally active area with more opportunities to enjoy thermal hot pools to unwind your day.
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel Taupo or Similar
Day 7: Taupo
Explore Taupo at your own leisure. (please ask for advice).
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel Taupo or Similar
Day 8: Taupo - Wellington - 4 hours 30 minutes
Start your day with a drive around the Lake, across the desert and past majestic Mt Ruapehu. Small town New Zealand is dotted along the way to Wellington with such towns as Turangi, the trout fishing capital of New Zealand. The War Memorial Museum town of Waiouru, Taihape (the Gumboot throwing capital of the World), Antique Mecca towns of Bulls, Foxton Otaki and Levin. Kapiti famous for its gourmet cheeses and Car Museum and many more. Arrive in Wellington, New Zealand’s Arts and Parliamentary Capital. A host of Cafe's, Clubs, Restaurants and Museums awaits you on Wellington’s compact streets.
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel - Oriental Bay - Wellington or Similar
Day 9: Wellington - Kaikoura 2 or 3 hour ferry and 2 hours Drive
This morning travel by ferry from North to South Island, sailing through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Take a drive through Marlborough's famous Wine Country, with many wineries open for tours. Continue on to your accommodation in Kaikoura. Once you hit the Coast enjoy the smell of the ocean with a breath taking Southern Alps backdrop. Kaikoura is a great place to enjoy some of the local wine with a meal of Kai-moana (Food from the Sea).
Accommodation: Awatea Country B&B or Similar
Day 10: Kaikoura
Kaikoura has been described as a place for life changing experiences. Today you have fantastic options to get in touch with nature with either a Swim with the local Dolphins or an encounter with the Whales. Kaikoura’s unique coast line boasts some of the best Sea Mammal viewing in the World. After you day at sea enjoy the some time on the Coast taking in views from Mountains to Sea.
Accommodation: Awatea Country B&B or Similar
Day 11: Kaikoura - Lake Tekapo - 5 hours 30 minutes
Travel down the dramatic East coast hugging the beginning of the Southern alps while the surf breaks on your left. Continue on to the colourful Canterbury Plains, through Mountains and into Central South Islands Lake Lands districts. Arrive this afternoon to the surreal sight that is Lake Tekapo with views over the turquoise Lake and to New Zealand's Highest Mountain, Mt Cook.
Accommodation: Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort or Similar
Day 12: Lake Tekapo - Queenstown - 4 hours 30 minutes
This is one of the highlights of your travel time. The drive past Lake Pukaki and Twizel is a well recognized feature in Lord of the Rings. The scenery gets more and more superb while on this road. This afternoon you will arrive in Queenstown. Surrounded by some of the world's most spectacular scenery Queenstown is truly and adventure playground and has been referred to as the adventure capital of the world. The birth place of bungy jumping is one good reason to partake in such activities as jumping off bridges out of planes and whitewater rafting and a host of other activities.
Accommodation: Garden Court Apartments or Similar
Day 13: Queenstown
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world and is the birth place of Bungy Jumping. There are many adventure options in Queenstown if you are interested. For the not so adventurous there is also an endless amount of things to do here. A trip up the Gondola is highly recommended and there are more site seeing options than you can poke a stick at. Queenstown offers fantastic shopping and dining with world class restaurants to indulge in. The local wineries are excellent and well worth a visit. A trip to nearby Arrowtown is a historical must see.
Accommodation: Garden Court Apartments or Similar
Day 14: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Overnight cruise - 5 hours by coach
Milford Sound is without a doubt one of the most Heavenly places on the face of the Earth and often referred to as the ninth wonder of the World. The drive to get to Milford Sound is simply stunning and well worth the distance. A round trip, which involves a guided luxury coach tour and overnight cruise is a unforgettable way to visit this destination and gives you a break from driving and a chance to enjoy the breath taking scenery. Then step on board the "Milford Mariner" for your scenic cruise and overnight stay in the Fiord.
Accommodation: Milford Mariner (Dinner and Breakfast included)
Day 15: Queenstown.
Return to Queenstown (Scenic flight return available - advanced booking required). The remainder of day is free to take in Queenstown at your own leisure.
Accommodation: Garden Court Apartments or Similar
Day 16: Queenstown
Explore Queenstown at your own leisure. (please ask for advice).
Accommodation: Garden Court Apartments or Similar
Day 17:Queenstown - Wanaka - 1.5 hours
Head in the direction of Wanaka. There is some great stop off points along the way today including Historic Arrowtown, the Cardrona Pub. And the legendary Cardrona Monster Mountain Rally an unforgettable Rally Car ride that will set the adrenalin running for days. This afternoon arrive in the tranquil town of Wanaka.
Accommodation: Edgewater Resort or Similar
Day 18: Wanaka - Franz Josef - 4 hours 30 minutes
Spend the day driving to Franz Josef Glacier, a spectacular drive past Lakes, over Mountains, along coastline and past Glaciers. Few sights equal the grandeur of Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers as they grind down through temperate rainforest to just 250 meters above sea level (this is the only place outside Argentina where this occurs).
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Country Retreat or Similar
Day 19: Franz Josef - Barrytown - 3 hrs
An early start to the day will see you at the base of the Franz Josef Glacier to marvel at this constantly changing wonder. Suggested activities include: Guided Glacier Hikes, Scenic and Ice Landing Heli Tours, Bush Walks. (Please ask for advice) Continue on to Barrytown for a night of Beachside seclusion. Drift off to sleep to the sound of Crashing waves.
Accommodation: Beach Hide Away Barrytown or Similar
Day 20: Barrytown - Christchurch 20 min Drive 4 hours and 20 minutes by train
Drop off your rental car this afternoon and travel by Train on an unforgettable journey. The World famous Tranz Alpine Train is rated as one of the world's top six train journeys. Travel across the fertile farmland of the Canterbury Plains, wind through the spectacular Waimakariri Gorge, cross over massive viaducts and through the lush forests of the Arthur's Pass National Park. Arrive this afternoon in Christchurch (the Garden City), New Zealand's second largest city.
Accommodation: Eliza's Manor or Similar
Day 21: Christchurch
Finish your trip off on a high! Christchurch is highly regarded as one of the best places in the World to Hot Air Balloon and this is an unforgettable way to end your trip. This experience offers spectacular views from Mountains to Sea. Your trip finishes by mid day and gives you the remainder of the day to spend at your own leisure. There is plenty of additional activities and shopping on offer in Christchurch. If you are after New Zealand souvenirs, you will have no problem in finding them within the city center. If you find that you have extra spending money in your pocket, you could always try your luck at the casino. Who knows you might be able to stay for another 21 days!
Accommodation: Eliza's Manor or Similar
| Please Note:
All products listed in this itinerary are subject to availability and price changes. If products are not available similar options will be offered which may alter this package price. This itinerary may also be altered to suite your needs. Please enquire for further information on our services. |
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