Luxury Getaway Tour of New Zealand - Self Drive Itinerary
16 Days / 15 Nights – from £2,799
Departs Daily from Auckland
Inc intermediate size car for duration with insurance
Day 1: Arrive into Auckland
On arrival at Auckland Airport you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore Auckland, the City of Sails. Overnight at Mollies B&B (Junior Suite)
Day 2: Auckland to Russell (237 km)
Collect your rental vehicle this morning and make your way north to the small town of Russell, located in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Overnight at the Flagstaff Lodge (Sunset or Pacific Room).
Day 3: Russell
This morning transfer by water taxi to Paihia to join your Cape Reinga Fly/Drive tour which is the only way to experience the Far North of New Zealand in it’s entirety. The flight north bound travels over bush clad hills, the deep Whangaroa Harbour, unspoilt Doubtless bay and of course the famous Ninety Mile Beach. After touching down you’ll travel by Four Wheel Drive to the Cape Reinga lighthouse with it’s spectacular views of the Tasman Sea and mighty Pacific Ocean merging together. Following morning tea at Taputoputo Bay and a stop at the Te Paki quicksand stream you’ll reboard your flight and follow the East coast, taking in spectacular scenery such as Parengarenga Harbour, Great Exhibition Bay, Karikari Peninsular, Cavalli Islands and of course the Bay of Islands. Connect with return water taxi to Russell. Overnight at the Flagstaff Lodge (Sunset or Pacific Room).
Day 4: Russell to Auckland (237 km)
Today you’ll retrace your journey back to the Queen City, Auckland. After checking in at your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at Mollies B&B (Junior Suite).
Day 5: Auckland to Rotorua (370 km)
This morning set off from your accommodation and travel south to Rotorua via Waitomo where you have a guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Dinner is included this evening at your accommodation. Overnight at the Kawaha Point Lodge (Lodge Room).
Day 6: Rotorua
This morning enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Rotorua and it’s surrounding areas. See NZ’s largest boiling mudpool followed by the famous erupting Lady Knox geyser. This evening experience Mai-Ora, following a traditional welcome ceremony and challenge you will be enter their grounds and enter their meeting house. Enjoy musical performances before being welcomed into the hangi house to see the lifting of the hangi and lastly a buffet style dinner. Overnight at the Kawaha Point Lodge (Lodge Room).
Day 7: Rotorua to Nelson (flight)
Return your rental vehicle this morning and fly to Nelson On arrival collect your South Island rental vehicle and make your way to your accommodation. Overnight at Kershaw House.
Day 8: Nelson
Today you will enjoy a day trip in the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park. Abel Tasman is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-famous coastal track. Choose from a half or full day self guided walk or cruise. Return transfers are included. Overnight at Kershaw House.
Day 9: Nelson to Punakaiki (224 km)
This morning travel south to Punakaiki to view the geographical oddities of the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki, where countless years of wind and water have weathered the coastline into pancake-like formations. Dinner is included this evening at your accommodation. Overnight at Punakaiki Rocks Hotel.
Day 10: Punakaiki to Fox Glacier (302 km)
Continue travelling south this morning to Fox Glacier where this afternoon you will enjoy an informative and leisurely guided walk to the dynamic face of the glacier. Overnight at Te Weheka Inn.
Day 11: Fox Glacier to Queenstown (371 km)
Travel to Queenstown today, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a year-round alpine resort that caters for all interests. It enjoys a magnificent setting amid steep mountain ranges and pockets of native bush with the jagged peaks of the Remarkables Range rising from the lake. Overnight at the Evergreen Lodge.
Day 12: Queenstown
Fly from Queenstown to magnificent Milford Sound to enjoy a launch cruise travelling the full length of Milford Sound. Return by scenic flight landing at Glenorchy to join Dart River Safaris to journey into the untouched wilderness of a World Heritage Area by jet boat before coaching back to Queenstown. Overnight at the Evergreen Lodge.
Day 13: Queenstown
Today is at leisure, a free day at New Zealand’s premier resort and an almost overwhelming selection of attractions to choose from. There are over 70 different activities available: including the Shotover Jet, bungy jumping, horse riding, golf, Walter Peak trips and four wheel drive tours (activities not included). Overnight at the Evergreen Lodge
Day 14: Queenstown to Mount Cook (264 km)
Travel to Mount Cook, both the highest and best known mountain in New Zealand. Rightly it gives its name to the National Park which surrounds it. In all 70,013 hectares of ice, snow, rock, subalpine scrub, tussock and riverbed make up this park. The park also contains five of New Zealand’s largest glaciers. Dinner is included this evening at your accommodation. Overnight at the Hermitage Hotel (Aoraki Wing Room).
Day 15: Mount Cook to Christchurch (337 km)
This morning, following a fifteen minute minibus ride and a leisurely half hour walk to the shore of Lake Tasman, you will board the boat for an hour adventure exploring the lake, glacier and icebergs. Imagine pulling up alongside a huge dripping iceberg which landed at the top of the glacier approximately 400 years ago! Onboard you will enjoy a comprehensive commentary on the mechanics of the Tasman Glacier, disclosing facets of glaciation, terminal lake formation, plate tectonics, local and climbing history. This afternoon travel to Christchurch. Overnight at the Charlotte Jane B&B (Super Luxury Suite)
Day 16: Depart Christchurch
Sadly your tour ends with the return of your rental vehicle to Christchurch Airport or town depot where your tour ends.