Self Drive New-Zealand

Auckland • Pauanui • Rotorua • Napier • Wellington

• Rotorua’s geysers, crystal springs and pools of boiling mud
• Wine country of Napier
• Wellington – New Zealand’s capital city
• Auckland – City of Sails

This Self-Drive tour offers an excellent insight into the diverse aspects of this fascinating country. From lively Auckland to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, and through the wine-growing region of Napier to the scenic capital city of Wellington.

Day 1: Auckland
On arrival, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the shops, parks and other attractions of the city.

Day 2: Auckland – Pauanui (140 kilometres)
This morning, your rental car will be delivered to your hotel. Drive to Pauanui, a region renowned for its native pohutukawa trees on its west coast and beautiful sandy beaches on the east coast.

Day 3: Pauanui
Spend the day at your leisure to explore the city. The historical past of this region is evident in the mining relics, logging dams and Maori Pa sites that dot the landscape.

Day 4: Pauanui – Rotorua (180 kilometres)
En route to Rotorua, you could visit the magnificent Waitomo Caves. At Rotorua, the geysers and pools of boiling mud form the centre of New Zealand’s most intense thermal activity. In the evening, we recommend you attend a traditional Maori Hangi dinner and concert.

Day 5: Rotorua
Spend the day at your leisure discovering this thermal wonder-land. We recommend you visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, the native garden setting of Paradise Valley Springs and the entertaining and informative Agrodome Sheep Show.

Day 6: Rotorua – Napier (218 kilometres)
This morning you drive on to Napier, renowned for its Art Deco architecture and its wine industry.

Day 7: Napier – Wellington (334 kilometres)
Today you drive to Wellington, the capital city. Located on the shores of a magnificent harbour and surrounded by the rugged beauty of green hills, this is one of the most scenic cities in New Zealand.

Day 8: Wellington
The day is free to spend at your leisure. You may wish to do some last-minute shopping before you drop off your rental car at the airport and board your onward flight.

Total distance: 872 kilometres.

Tour available as:

Self-Drive tour – Includes car and pre-booked accommodation.

 
Christchurch • Dunedin • Te Anau • Queenstown

• Cruise on Milford Sound
• Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls
• Queenstown – the adventure capital
• Alpine village of Mount Cook

This Self-Drive tour highlights many of South Island’s scenic natural wonders. Admire the extensive parks and gardens of Christchurch and Dunedin; marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound; explore Queenstown and the many opportunities for adventure; and experience the beauty of the alpine village of Mount Cook.

Day 1: Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch and transfer to your hotel. Spend the day at your leisure – you could take one of our recommended tours to help you discover this attractive city, considered to be the “most English city outside England”.

Day 2: Christchurch – Dunedin (365 kilometres)
This morning, your rental car will be delivered to your hotel. Drive south across the scenic Canterbury Plains via Timaru, Oomaru and Moeraki, and finally to Dunedin – the ‘Edinburgh of the South’.

Day 3: Dunedin – Te Anau (290 kilometres)
Spend the morning at your leisure. You could choose to enjoy a wildlife excursion on the rugged Otago Peninsula. In the afternoon, you drive to Te Anau, the natural gateway to the Fjordland National Park.

Day 4: Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown (420 kilometres)
Follow the shores of Lake Te Anau to reach the beautiful Eglinton Valley. Drive on to Milford Sound, where you enjoy a fascinating fjord cruise which provides stupendous views of the majestic Mitre Peak and the spectacular Bowen Falls.

Day 5: Queenstown
Spend the day at your leisure enjoying the many sightseeing options Queenstown has to offer – vintage steamer lake cruises, mountain gondola rides or thrilling jetboat rides.

Day 6: Queenstown – Mount Cook – Christchurch(600 kilometres)
This morning you travel over the Lindis Pass to Mount Cook. Weather permitting, you may wish to take a scenic flight over Mount Cook. Later, you continue your drive through Lake Tekapo back to Christchurch.

Day 7: Christchurch
Spend the day at your leisure. You could do some last-minute shopping before you drop off your rental car at the airport and board your onward flight.

Total distance: 1,675 kilometres.

Tour available as:

Self-Drive tour – Includes car and pre-booked accommodation.