New Zealand Self Drive
Exploring the North and South Islands
Explore New Zealand’s North and South Islands at your leisure on this self drive adventure that includes accommodation, interisland ferry crossing, admission to the West Coast Wildlife Centre, a gondola ride on Skyline Queenstown and more. Take in sights starting in Aukland, through Rotorua and Napier before departing for the South Island where you will take a cruise to Onetahuti and enjoy a walk on the famous Medlands Beach. The last few days take you to Queenstown and Dunedin before ending in Christchurch.
Pricing
Private tour starting at $3,059* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
16 Days – Auckland to Christchurch
Your package includes
- 15 night accommodation at 3* hotels in double occupancy
- 2 dinners
- Car rental for a duration of 16 days with Budget Rent A Car or similar
- One way Interisland ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton
- A Te Pō Hangi and concert in Te Puia
- View of the spectacular lighting of the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley
- Cruise to Onetahuti
- Admission to West Coast Wildlife Centre
- Skyline Queenstown, Gondola ride
- Scenic cruise from Queenstown Bay to Walter Peak High Country Farm
- including a sheep shearing demonstration
- Te Anau Glowworm Caves
- Elm Wildlife Tours, Peninsula Encounter Tour
Not included
- International airfare and airport taxes
- Gratuities to hotel personnel, guides, drivers
- Optional sightseeing tours
- Beverages
- Electronic Travel Authority for New Zealand +/- $NZD 12 and International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) fee of +/- $NZD 35, must be obtain online prior departure at www.newzealandeta.com
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Aukland
Meals
Description
Kia Ora and welcome to New Zealand. After clearing customs and collecting your luggage, proceed to the Budget rental car desk to complete your car rental paperwork before travelling to downtown Auckland.
Accommodation: Grand Chancellor (or similar)
Day 2
Aukland – Coromandel
Depart Auckland and travel along the Pacific Coast Highway to the Coromandel region. The Coromandel Peninsula is one of New Zealand’s favourite summertime spots with endless beaches, coves and bush walkways.
Accommodation: Pauanui Pines Motor Lodge (or similar)
Day 3
Coromandel – Rotorua
Before departing this morning for Rotorua, you may wish to enjoy a refreshing dip in the surf or visit one of the many picturesque spots the Coromandel has to offer. Located on a volcanic plateau, and formerly a spa town, Rotorua is most famous for its geothermal activity.
Accommodation: Sudima Lake (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 4
Rotorua
Dinner
Today is at leisure in the Geothermal Wonderland of Rotorua. Some activities in the area can include Kuirau Park, Rotorua’s lakes, The Redwoods, Government Gardens and St Faith’s Church. Also home to many adventure activities, you may wish to try rafting the Kaituna River, testing your speed on the Sweeb at Agroventures or enjoying the panoramic views over Rotorua from the top of Ngongotaha then luging back down. In the evening, enjoy a Te Pō Hangi and concert in Te Puia. Te Pō is an intimate time for sharing knowledge and is also Te Puia’s authentic evening cultural experience – a feast of food, culture and friendship.
Day 5
Rotorua – Napier
Depart Rotorua and travel South to Napier located in the Hawke’s Bay. En route stretch your legs at the lakeside township of Taupo before continuing to Napier. Napier is the Art-Deco capital of New Zealand after the entire city was rebuilt in the 1930s due to a devastating earthquake. The streets are lined with captivating buildings.
Accommodation: Bella Vista (or similar)
Day 6
Napier – Wellington
Depart Napier and travel to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city located on the Southern tip of the North Island. Wellington is also New Zealand’s capital city for arts and culture. Wellington is an urban paradise surrounded by a glistening harbour on one side and rolling green hills on the other.
Accommodation: Bay Plaza (or similar)
Day 7
Wellington – Nelson (3 hour ferry, included)
This morning, return your rental vehicle to the Budget representative located at the Interislander ferry terminal prior to boarding the Interislander ferry and watch the city sky line of Wellington disappear into the distance as you enter the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. On arrival to Picton collect your new vehicle and travel to Nelson.
NELSON – with its gardens and gorgeous sunsets, looks across Tasman Bay. Streets and parks are named after Admiral Nelson and his exploits, as well as the names of the ships that brought the first pioneers over from England. Forestry, fruit and fishing are the main focus of Nelson’s port, while to the west, apple orchards, tobacco and hop plantations occupy the land.
Accommodation: Trailways (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 8
Onetahuti
Today you will enjoy a cruise to Onetahuti (Tonga Quarry) via the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, walk to Medlands Beach, approx. 2hrs walk). Travel in style and comfort aboard our Vista Cruise into Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Pause to view the antics at Tonga Island Seal Colony then land at historic Tonga Quarry Beach. Walk over a forested saddle (maximum elevation 120 metres/400 ft) and around the Bark Bay waterfall trail, crossing the new swing bridge beside Bark Bay Falls.
Day 9
Nelson – Punakaiki
Depart Nelson and travel south along the South Islands rugged West coastline. Experience the historic coalmining settlement of Westport before arriving in Punakaiki, which is also located on the coast, home to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. When conditions are right, large ocean swells thunder into the caverns beneath the rocks and huge water spouts blast skywards through the blowholes creating a spectacular sight. Tourism activities in the area include canoe adventures, horse trekking, caving and guided walks, to name just a few.
Accommodation: Punakaiki Resort (or similar)
Day 10
Punakaiki – Franz Josef
Today depart Punakaiki and travel south on State Highway 6 via the towns of Greymouth and Hokitika to Franz Josef.
INCLUDED: Admission to West Coast Wildlife Centre.
The West Coast Wildlife Centre is the perfect destination to discover and experience the world’s rarest kiwi up close and very personal. The centre is an exciting public private partnership with the Department of Conservation and is the official indoor home to the hatching and incubation programme of the Rowi Kiwi. Found only in the Okarito Forest near Franz Josef, the Rowi is New Zealand’s rarest kiwi.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel (or similar)
Day 11
Franz Josef – Queenstown
Today depart Franz Josef and travel down the rugged West Coast via Fox Glacier and Haast to Queenstown. We recommend a stop at the beautiful town of Lake Wanaka along the way.
INCLUDED: Skyline Queenstown, Gondola ride
Enjoy a return Skyline Gondola ride to the summit of Bob’s Peak where you can enjoy panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel (or similar, 2 nights)
Day 12
Queenstown
Dinner
Today is at your leisure in Queenstown – the place to complete your adventure ‘to do’ list: Skydiving, bungee jumping, jet boating, canyon swinging, white-water rafting, parapenting, heli-skiing. Home to the world’s first commercial jet boating, bungee jump and river surfing, there’s something in the air. Go walking, sailing, hiking, climbing, fishing, cycling, golfing, off-roading, skiing or mountain biking.
INCLUDED: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dinner
Day 13
Queenstown – Te Anau
INCLUDED: Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Cruise across beautiful Lake Te Anau, to the Cavern House. Your guides will take you in small groups by path and small boats underground into the caves. Highlights include incredible limestone caverns, whirlpools, waterfalls and the magical glow-worm grotto. Return to Te Anau. There will be a guided walk (approx 30-40 minutes) in the forest area and lake surrounding the caves offered to guests as an option.
Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau (or similar)
Day 14
Te Anau – Dunedin
Depart Te Anau and enjoy the scenic drive to Dunedin. Being the Scottish capital of New Zealand and the home of Otago University, Dunedin is a city rich with culture and heritage.
INCLUDED: Elm Wildlife Tours, Peninsula Encounter Tour
This is our most popular and multi-award winning tour, departing daily from Dunedin city in the afternoon to visit the beautiful Otago Peninsula and its wildlife ‘hotspots’. Our knowledgeable guides deliver commentary of activity being viewed and visit isolated places inaccessible to others providing the best possible viewing of unique peninsula wildlife. Our private conservation area ensures exclusivity with brilliant opportunities to photograph Hooker’s Sea lions, Yellow-eyed Penguins, Blue Penguins, a breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals and other sea bird colonies.
Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin (or similar)
Day 15
Dunedin – Christchurch
The Garden City, lies on the level plains that initially attracted the closely knit Church of England settlers that settled the area. The largest of the South Island cities, Christchurch retains something of the English nature of its origins – the willow and oak-lined River Avon and clustered mediaeval stone buildings.
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Cotswold (or similar)
Day 16
Christchurch
Return your rental car to Christchurch Airport before checking in for your departure flight.
*Hotel rooms are subject to availability and are confirmed by the supplier at time of booking; they may be replaced by other hotel rooms of similar category at the sole discretion of the supplier.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “New Zealand Self Drive” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
An adventure designed specifically for you
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.