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self drive tours > 13 Day Northern Discovery North Island Self Drive Tour

Northern Discovery - 13 Days / 12 Nights

Day 1:  Arrive Auckland
































Welcome to Auckland!  On arrival at the airport you collect your rental vehicle before making your way to your centrally located accommodation.  Also included for the duration of your car hire is the KRUSE GPS Travel Guide, which as well as offering GPS navigation also provides informative commentary on the regions you pass through as well as a 'Best of NZ' button which showcases New Zealand's award winning restaurants, wineries, cafes, pubs and hidden scenic gems.

Hotel: Sky City Hotel
B&B: Hotel DeBrett
Boutique: Mollies


Day 2:  Auckland to the Bay of Islands
At the beginning of your journey today, you’ll drive over the Auckland Harbour Bridge towards the bays and beaches of Auckland’s North Shore.  The motorway will quickly sweep you northward, until the suburban scenery gives way to peaceful farmland.  Perhaps stop to marvel at the magnificence of the protected Kauri Tree at the Parry Kauri Park.  You then enjoy spectacular scenery of native forests and sub-tropical bush as you make your way to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, a seaside town nestled on the foreshore of the National Maritime Park.

Hotel: Copthorne Bay of Islands (2 nights)
B&B: Sanctuary Palms (2 nights)
Boutique: Bay of Islands Lodge (2 nights)


Day 3:  Discover Cape Reinga
Depart on your full day trip that takes you to New Zealand’s northernmost tip, and on the way you will encounter fascinating landscapes, legends and ancient and modern history, with a dash of fun and adventure.  Visit giant Kauri trees, enjoy a 4 wheel drive along 90 Mile Beach, drive along Te Paki quicksand stream, then give yourself a workout by climbing the giant sand dunes and toboggan back down.  Great fun and well worth the effort, and visit Cape Reinga Lighthouse.  You also visit Awanui Ancient Kauri Kingdom and stop at the famous Mangonui Fish & Chip Shop.  Throughout the day the tour takes you through a diverse range of scenery, from orchards and farmland to exotic and native forests and beautiful coastal beaches on both the West and East Coasts of New Zealand.


Day 4:  Bay of Islands to Auckland
Today enjoy a leisurely drive back to Auckland via the East Coast of the North Island and through Auckland’s northern suburbs.  You may note the sprawling nature of Auckland, which despite only having one million inhabitants, is one of the top 10 largest cities in the world area wise. 

Hotel: Sky City Hotel 
B&B: Hotel DeBrett
Boutique: Mollies


Day 5:  Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula
Depart Auckland as you drive the Pacific Coast Highway and traverse the spectacular east coast of the North Island.  Linking Auckland and Coromandel, this is classed as one of the great touring routes in the world travelling through a unique region where land and sea intermingle.  At Coromandel Town you may like to visit Driving Creek Railway, New Zealand's only narrow-gauge mountain railway along with a working pottery and wild life sanctuary.  You then continue on to reach your accommodation.

Hotel: Grand Mercure Puka Park (2 nights)
B&B: Hahei Oceanfront (2 nights)
Boutique: Villa Toscana (2 nights)


Day 6:  At Leisure
Today is at leisure to enjoy the best that this region has to offer.  Perhaps a picnic at the beach or in the bush, a relaxing day at the stunning beaches or take a 20 minute drive to Hot Water Beach which is one of the region’s most fascinating places.  For two hours either side of low tide, you can dig in the sand for hot spring water and make your own spa pool.


Day 7:  Coromandel to Rotorua & Maori Cultural Encounter
Depart today and travel along the Bay of Plenty Coastline before heading inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, passing many of the regions crystal clear lakes en-route to Rotorua.  Best known for its geysers, boiling mud pools, crystal lakes teeming with trout, steaming cliffs and volcanoes, Rotorua is also the home of Maori culture.  This evening you enjoy an unforgettable cultural experience at Mitai Maori Village.  See Maori warriors paddling down stream by waka (ancient war canoe), followed by Maori cultural performance, succulent hangi meal, tranquil bush walk, glow worm viewing, and visit to sacred Fairy Spring.

Hotel: Novotel Rotorua Lakeside (2 nights)
B&B: Nicara Lakeside Lodge (2 nights)
Boutique: The Lodge at 199 (2 nights)


Day 8:  Orakei Korako Hidden Valley Landing & Tour
Take an amazing floatplane flight over the Crater Lakes District and the volcanic rift of Mt. Tarawera.  Continue south via the Waimangu and Waiotapu Thermal areas to land at the Hidden Valley of Orakei Korako.  Here you transfer by boat across the lake to explore the bubbling hot springs, gushing geysers and natural beauty of this hidden geothermal wonderland.  Later you rejoin your aircraft for your return flight to Rotorua.  This afternoon is at your leisure.


Day 9:  Rotorua & Taupo to the Hawke's Bay
The road to Taupo will keep you entertained with its unusual, volcanic geography.  You’ll also drive through large tracts of plantation pine forest.  Taupo is also home to New Zealand's largest lake and the spectacular Huka Falls.  Here you feel the exhilaration and the power of a Huka Jet jetboat ride.  Marvel at the incredible water level views of the spectacular Huka Falls, and enjoy the sensation as you slide past cliffs and trees at 80km per hour.  Then you continue on to the Hawke’s Bay.  The major entertainment on the road from Taupo to Napier is the fantastic scenery.  There’s a bit of everything - rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas.

Hotel: Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel (2 nights)
B&B: Cobden Garden Homestay (2 nights)
Boutique: Millar Road (2 nights)


Day 10:  On Yer Bike Winery Tour
Discovering Hawke’s Bay vineyards by mountain bike is an ideal way to enjoy time together, while enjoying the beautiful countryside that is the world-renowned Ngatarawa Triangle grape growing region.  Today you enjoy a self guided tour and with three routes to choose from, you can visit up to six wineries!  A packed lunch is included.  You’ll be provided with a mobile phone for contact with the base to arrange for collection of any wine purchased enroute, or for rescue if you’ve 'run out of puff'!  A great day out!


Day 11:  Hawke’s Bay to Wellington
Drive south today as you climb out of the Hawke’s Bay region and into the rolling sheep and cattle farmland that will characterise much of your journey today.  You then travel beside the rugged Tararua Ranges before climbing over the Rimutaka Ranges to join the motorway system into Wellington.  Home to New Zealand’s parliament, and being the Capital of New Zealand, Wellington is a picture perfect city.  Situated between a dramatic harbour and bush clad hills, the city’s compact size makes it an effortless place to explore diverse choice for shopping, dining and nightlife. 

Hotel: Rydges Wellington (2 nights)
B&B: Lambton Heights (2 nights)
Boutique: Museum Hotel (2 nights)


Day 12:  Walk Wellington
The best way to discover the heart and soul of Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city is on foot as you enjoy a personal introduction to the city.  The enthusiastic, local guides reveal stories about Wellington’s past, present, people and places – things you won’t always find in the guide books.  They will give you a unique insight into Wellington’s heritage and its dynamic arts and social scene, and also tips about what’s on, where to eat and shop.  The guides have a deep knowledge and love of Wellington and enjoy helping to make your visit an absolutely positively fantastic experience.  You’ll visit the stunning waterfront, bustling city centre, and historic Parliamentary neighbourhood.

Day 13:  Depart Wellington
Sadly your time in New Zealand comes to an end as you return your rental vehicle to Wellington Airport in time to join your onward flight.  Here, we bid you a fond farewell to your homeland and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.


Please note that this self drive package can be taken in reverse order and the prices remain the same.

If you are interested in receiving further details about this package, please complete the enquiry form below.
 
 

Package Inclusions

  • Transport by your choice of rental vehicle including unlimited kilometres & daily insurance
  • KRUSE commentary system including GPS navigation for the duration of your rental vehicle hire
  • 12 nights accommodation on a choice of Hotel, B&B or Boutique
  • Breakfast included daily
  • Full day tour to Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach
  • Evening Maori Cultural Show & Hangi (dinner)
  • Rainbow Springs by night
  • Orakei Korako Hidden Valley Landing & Tour by Floatplane
  • Huka Falls jet boat ride
  • On Yer Bike winery tour in the Hawke's Bay
  • 90 minute guided Walk Wellington tour
  • Detailed travel itinerary in both electronic and hard copy format
  • Arrival documents including information on the regions you are visiting
  • Maps
  • 24 hour on call assistance during your vacation
  • Optional discounted travel insurance through Comprehensive Travel
 

Package Prices

EARLYBIRD SPECIAL

Save 10% off the prices shown for travel completed between 01 January 2012 & 30 April 2012.

Offer is valid for all new bookings received before
31 March 2012 when booking directly with Luxury Vacations New Zealand.

Valid for travel 01 January 2012 to 30 April 2012

Vehicle Choices   (More Info)

Hotel

B&B

Boutique

Intermediate Sedan

$3,818

$4,020

$5,928

Full Size Sedan

$3,826

$4,029

$5,937

Intermediate 4WD

$3,962

$4,165

$6,073

Full Size 4WD

$4,090

$4,292

$6,200

  • Prices are per person in New Zealand Dollars, based on share twin accommodation
  • Prices include New Zealand Goods & Services Tax (15%)
  • Single & triple prices available on request
  • Please note that the B&B properties and some of the Boutique properties do not cater for children


Fully Flexible Holidays!


All of our self drive holidays are completely flexible.  Whether you want to mix and match a couple of packages, add some extra nights before, after or during your stay or include some additional attractions or activities, our team of travel specialists are here to assist you.  We're New Zealander's so we have the local knowledge and expertise to tailor a package just for you.  Just let us know when you enquire.

Enquire Now
To receive more information about this package, please complete the below enquiry form.  Once received, one of our specialist travel consultants will be in contact by the next working day.

In addition Luxury Vacations take your privacy very seriously and you can be assured that we will never distribute, sell or rent your information to anyone else. 

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Tour Details

Package Name:

Northern Discovery

Duration:

13 Days / 12 Nights

From:

Auckland to Wellington

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