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Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Welcome to Christchurch! On arrival at the airport you will be transferred by private vehicle to your accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore what Christchurch has to offer. You can punt down the picturesque River Avon, visit the Anglican Church in Cathedral Square, visit the city's many museums, art galleries and cafes or maybe even try your luck at the Christchurch Casino!
| Hotel: |
Heritage Hotel Christchurch (3 nights) |
| B&B: |
The Charlotte Jane (3 nights) |
| Boutique: |
The George Hotel (3 nights) |
Day 2: Discover the Whales
Today you spend time getting close to nature. Travel by coach through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury, enjoying the beauty of its rural pastoral scenes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet sea. Kaikoura is world renowned for the variety of marine mammals which can be seen, not least of all the giant sperm whales and the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins. On your arrival in Kaikoura you will be transferred to join your whale watch tour by boat. Then in the afternoon you will visit a seal colony where fur seals may be viewed at close quarters. On your return to Christchurch a stop will be made at a North Canterbury vineyard where a wine tasting has been arranged for your pleasure.
Day 3: Hot Air Balloon Flight
Early this morning you enjoy a hot air balloon flight. There is no other place in the world where it is possible to fly from the centre of the city, in view of the sun rising out of the ocean, toward snow-capped mountains. Enjoy hands on help preparing the balloon before enjoying a hour long flight in the sky with spectacular views and photo opportunities. Then after landing in a farmer’s field enjoy a celebratory glass of chilled champagne or orange juice before returning to your accommodation where the rest of your day is at leisure for optional sightseeing and to explore what Christchurch has to offer.
Day 4: Christchurch to West Coast Glacier Country
This morning you are transferred to board the world famous Tranz Alpine Train, which is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world. From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. You then climb into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth. On arrival in Greymouth you collect your rental vehicle. Then travel south along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era for the 1800’s, and enjoy views of the Southern Alps to the east and the Tasman Sea to the west as you make your way to the West Coast Glaciers.
Included for the duration of your rental car is an innovative commentary system. Imagine driving around New Zealand automatically gaining an in-depth knowledge of the history of the towns and regions you pass through, hearing ancient Maori myths and legends, listening to stories told by the characters that shaped our history, learning of the unique wildlife, geographical landmarks and scenic attractions that you see as you travel. Packed with over 2,000 audio commentaries, KRUSE® is guaranteed to keep you entertained and informed everywhere you go on your New Zealand self-drive holiday.
| Hotel: |
Te Weheka Inn (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Holly Homestead (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Franz Josef Glacier Country Retreat (2 nights) |
Day 13: Glacier Heli-Hike
Today you’ll experience the spectacular glacier. Start with an exciting scenic flight over the glacier, landing high up on the glacier between two icefalls. From here you undertake a two hour guided trip on the glacier. Your guide is 'free guiding', picking a route as you go and looking for the most spectacular ice formations to show you. Information about glacier processes is offered by the guide, but the panoramic views of the glacier and surrounding mountains are supreme. The superb step-cutting skills of the guides ensure that these trips get into the most spectacular terrain, in comfort and at ease.
Day 6: West Coast to Queenstown
Travel further down the West Coast today, alongside braided riverbeds, native forests and roadside waterfalls before climbing up over the Haast Pass and through Mount Aspiring National Park, with its impressive mountains sculpted by glaciers during the Ice Ages. Then follow the shores of Lakes Hawea and Wanaka to the resort city of Queenstown.
| Hotel: |
Heritage Hotel Queenstown (4 nights) |
| B&B: |
Browns Hotel (4 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Millbrook Resort (4 nights) |
Day 7: Shotover Trio
Today you combine jet-boating with Shotover Jet, a helicopter flight over Skippers Canyon & white water rafting down the Shotover River. Nothing you have experienced will have prepared you for the excitement of a Shotover Jet ride as you speed through the towering, rocky canyons of the South Island's river of gold. Then it’s a scenic helicopter flight over Skipper Canyon before meeting the challenge of rafting the Shotover River as you conquer this wild and untamed river. Tackle six rapids then raft through the darkness of the 170-metre Oxen Bridge Tunnel and shoot the Cascade Rapid to complete the challenge.
Day 8: At Leisure
Today is at leisure to relax or explore Queenstown. Whether it's bungy jumping, white-water rafting, heli-skiing, fly-fishing, hang gliding, horse riding or scenic flights, you will find thrills and excitement in every way imaginable. Meanwhile, other activities such as exploring historic Arrowtown, scenic walks, eco-tours, shopping, galleries, cafes and an exciting nightlife provide something for everyone all year round. Queenstown is unique in comparison to other international resorts by virtue of its distinct four seasons giving pleasant temperatures with plentiful sunshine, accompanied by abundant activities and sports to match the season.
Day 9: Skippers Canyon 4WD Experience
Today you enjoy a 4WD excursion to Skippers Canyon, the road of which was hacked by hand into the shear cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley, following the discovery of gold in the Queenstown area in 1862. Today you follow Skippers Road, with every hairpin bend, across the historic suspension bridge, opened in 1901, to the old gold mining township of Skippers. This tour offers spectacular mountain scenery, rugged canyons, gold panning to gain a taste of New Zealand’s pioneer gold mining history, and the excitement of the 4WD in a safe environment.
Day 10: Queenstown to Rotorua & on to Taupo
Travel to Queenstown Airport today in time to connect with your onward flight to Rotorua. Then on arrival, collect your new rental vehicle and make your way the short distance to Taupo, home to the largest lake in New Zealand.
| Hotel: |
Copthorne Hotel Taupo (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Paeroa Lakeside Homestay (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Point View Lodge (2 nights) |
Day 11: Rock Carvings Kayak Tour
Kayaking to the Rock Carvings is about 3 hours of paddling there and back. You launch the kayaks after a full briefing at Jerusalem Bay. Paddling with the coast on the right you’ll pass 4 headlands, the last of which leaves you with 400 metres to go before sighting the 10 metre high carvings. After photos and a tale or two about the carvings and their meanings, head to a nearby rock ledge for snacks and a cold or hot drink. If you wish this is the time for swim in the crystal clear water of the lake. For the return trip you keep the coast on our left passing steep cliffs and mini inlets that can only harbour a kayak.
Day 12: Taupo to Rotorua & Skydive!
Depart Taupo today and continue north before travelling through the Kaingaroa forest, one of the largest man made forests in the Southern Hemisphere. Pass the thermal reserves of Wai-o-tapu and Whakarewarewa to reach the geothermal city of Rotorua. It takes a certain kind of person to jump from an aircraft at 15000ft into thin air. It takes courage. Harnessed by space age materials to an experienced qualified Jumpmaster, you step out that aircraft door and for some 60 seconds you plummet towards the ground at 200KPH, Terminal Velocity. The Jumpmaster will deploy the reinforced tandem canopy controlling your entire skydive. Expect sensory overload as your mind/soul/body fight against every natural self preservatory urge.
| Hotel: |
Heritage Hotel Rotorua (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Koura Lodge (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Accolades Boutique Hotel (2 nights) |
Day 13: Adventure Abounds!
Today you enjoy adventure and thrills! Not for the faint hearted, this combination of adventure products is full adrenalin. Start your day with simulated sky-diving as you take a 2 minute teaser on the Freefall Extreme - nowhere else can you experience the sensation of flying “unattached”. Then become a Zorbonaut, it is totally outrageous and totally unique - you get inside an enormous ball and roll down the hill. The Agrojet will astound you as this jet race-boat reaches incredible speeds in short distances as it races through a man made course - delivering you up to 100kph in 4.5 seconds on 1 KM of manmade purpose built water course. Then it is into the hang-gliding harness, raised to a height of 40 metres, pull the rip-cord and experience flying through the air reaching speeds up to 130kph. The day’s not over yet as you get your backside trackside and experience the thrill of racing a sprint car around the special circuit. These cars are the real thing to test your skills over 12 laps. (Please note you must hold a current car licence and be over 1.5m in height for this Off Road sprint car racing activity).
Day 14: Rotorua to Waitomo
Today you depart Rotorua and travel over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the Waitomo region. Waitomo Caves region is famous for its subterranean splendour. Beneath the surface of this ancient limestone region is a series of vast cave systems decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and glow-worms.
| Hotel: |
Waitomo Caves Hotel |
| B&B: |
Kamahi Cottage |
| Boutique: |
Kamahi Cottage |
Day 15: Lost World Tour & on to Auckland
This morning abseil (rappel) 100 metres slowly into the Lost World, secured by your guide who abseils alongside. After the approximately 30 minute decent, you embark on your journey back to the surface though another spectacular dry cavern. The abseil is at least twice the height of any other cave at Waitomo and the beauty of this iconic cavern is unsurpassed. Descend slowly bouncing and turning as the mist filtered light gives unreal qualities to the strange plants and formations. After your tour, depart Waitomo and travel north to reach Hamilton, a city carved in two by the mighty Waikato River. From here the Waikato River will accompany you for much of your journey north to Auckland.
| Hotel: |
Sky City Hotel (3 nights) |
| B&B: |
Aachen House (3 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Mollies (3 nights) |
Day 16: Auckland Bridge Climb
Here is your chance to be Spiderman. Spanning a harbour so beautiful it brings tears to the eyes of even the most hardened, this full clamber will have you clamouring for more. Only AJ Hackett Bungy can offer you this level of access to the Auckland Harbour Bridge; and this is the one and only Bridge Climb in New Zealand, coming complete with your very own tour guide. Lasting for 1 1/2 hours, this climb will have you wondering whether to look at your feet or focus on the spectacular views.
Day 17: At Leisure
Today is at leisure to relax or explore what Auckland has to offer. Perhaps visit Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter, take a cruise on Auckland Harbour or make your way to the top of the Sky Tower for spectacular views of Auckland city. Auckland is regularly voted one of the best lifestyle cities in the world, with the cosmopolitan city centre complemented by great escapes within half an hour of downtown.
Day 18: Depart Auckland
Sadly your time in New Zealand comes to an end as you return your rental vehicle to Auckland 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.
This package is also available travelling in reverse at the same price.
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Package Prices
Valid for travel 01 October 2008 to 30 April 2009
| Vehicle Choices (More Info)
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Hotel |
B&B |
Boutique |
| Intermediate Sedan |
$7,125 |
$7,845 |
$8,910 |
| Full Size Sedan |
$7,184 |
$7,903 |
$8,969 |
| Intermediate 4WD |
$7,301 |
$8,021 |
$9,086 |
| Full Size 4WD |
$7,674 |
$8,394 |
$9,459 |
- Prices are per person in New Zealand Dollars, based on share twin accommodation
- Single & triple prices available on request
- B&B properties are not suitable 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.
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