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Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Welcome to Christchurch! On arrival at the airport you collect your rental car and make your way to your accommodation. The rest of the day is then at your leisure. 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!
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: |
Heritage Hotel Christchurch |
| B&B: |
The Charlotte Jane |
| Boutique: |
The George Hotel |
Day 2: Christchurch to Mount Cook & Scenic Helicopter Flight
Depart Christchurch today and travel south today through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd. You then continue along the Tasman River before arriving in Mt Cook National Park where you will find New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki / Mt Cook which stands at 3754 metres. This afternoon you join your scenic flight of the region which is the ideal opportunity to touch snow and experience the thrill of a helicopter flight. Sweep through the rugged high country landscape of the Ben Ohau Mountain Range to a landing site on a snow field high in the mountains. Enjoy the fantastic vista from this alpine setting as you look out to the mountains and glaciers, and down into the valleys that were carved out by glaciers centuries ago.
| All: |
Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook |
Day 3: Mount Cook to Queenstown
Depart Mt Cook National Park today and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki and into the rugged landscape of the Mackenzie Basin. Then continue on through the golden tussock country of the Lindis Pass. Enjoy the scenery of the fruit growing region of Cromwell and the historic gold mining region of the rugged Kawarau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown. Perhaps the most famous of all South Island cities, Queenstown’s pulse thumps to the beat of action, adrenalin and visual wonder.
| Hotel: |
Heritage Hotel Queenstown (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Browns Hotel (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Millbrook Resort (2 nights) |
Day 4: Dart River Jet Safari
Today enjoy the true wilderness experience on a journey of discovery, ancient forests, cascading waterfalls and New Zealand wilderness at its best. Jetboat the full length of the Dart River … and more! Then journey the back road via Paradise and enjoy an easy walk amidst ancient forests and birdsong – a must for any visitor to New Zealand, a journey to mesmerize even the most seasoned traveller. Awe-inspiring, informative, educational and fun are the words that will describe your day!
Day 5: Queenstown to Milford Sound
This morning depart Queenstown for your journey to Milford Sound. The road from Te Anau to Milford is one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you’ll ease into beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. Then the rough hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, an amazing 22km-long fiord dominated by Mitre Peak. Here you board your overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner, which offers you a very special dinner, bed and breakfast experience. On board you will cruise the full length of this spectacular fiord to the Tasman Sea before anchoring for the night in sheltered Harrison Cove. With the nature guide you can go exploring in the tender craft and kayaks or simply relax on deck. After the days activities, enjoy a delicious evening buffet in the spacious saloon before retiring to your private cabin.
| All: |
Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise |
Day 6: Milford Sound to Wanaka
Today you retrace you steps to Te Anau before heading to Wanaka. Trout fishing rivers and high country scenery are some of the features of your drive today. The small towns of Mossburn and Lumsden can be explored for unique shopping opportunities. Leave time to take a break in Kingston, the home of a remarkable vintage steam train. Then it’s onto Wanaka where crystal clear lake waters lap the shores of Wanaka town and the feet of the Southern Alps.
| Hotel: |
Edgewater Resort |
| B&B: |
Lime Tree Lodge |
| Boutique: |
Tiritiri Lodge |
Day 7: Wanaka to West Coast Glacier Country
Depart Wanaka today travel through incredible scenery as you make your way past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass to reach your destination of the West Coast.
| Hotel: |
Te Weheka Inn |
| B&B: |
Holly Homestead |
| Boutique: |
Franz Josef Glacier Country Retreat |
Day 8: West Coast to Punakaiki
Depart the West Coast this morning and travel further north along the rugged West Coast to Greymouth. Your journey features some spectacular countryside with the rugged Tasman Sea to the west and the stunning Southern Alps to the east. From Greymouth you make your way to Punakaiki, which is famous for its pancake rocks and booming blowholes. The pancake rock formations date back about 30 million years and were created by layers of limestone being overlaid by rock and clay. When the tide is right, the blow holes are spectacular.
| Hotel: |
Punakaiki Rocks Hotel |
| B&B: |
Beach Hideaway |
| Boutique: |
Punakaiki Rocks Villas |
Day 9: Punakaiki to Nelson & on to the Abel Tasman National Park
The road today hugs the coast, providing spectacular views of wild beaches and the tempestuous Tasman Sea towards Westport. From here navigate the awesome Buller Gorge. At Hawks Crag the road has been hacked out of solid rock – you’ll drive under a dramatic overhang. Then travel up the Motueka River Valley on a pretty, winding road that takes you past magical scenery and tiny settlements to reach you’re the Abel Tasman National Park. Here you join your water taxi to your accommodation located in the heart of this National Park.
| All: |
Awaroa Lodge (2 nights) |
Day 10: At Leisure
Awaroa Lodge is an unsurpassed vantage point for Abel Tasman National Park adventures and today is yours to explore as you please. The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is one of New Zealand's Great Walks and there are many tracks that highlight different aspects of the landscape such as local history or native forest. The region is also the home to sea kayaking so maybe take to the water for one or two hours. Of if you want to experience the water without the exertion, perhaps take join a cruise or sailing excursion. It is your choice.
Day 11: Nelson to Kaikoura
Watertaxi back to collect your car today. The drive to Blenheim is both beautiful and interesting. Rai Valley has a delightful cottage museum, and at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve you can enjoy a bush walk or a swim. And Havelock is the place for a seafood meal – it’s known as the Green Shell Mussel Capital of the World. When you reach Renwick, which is surrounded by vineyards, it will be clear that you’ve arrived in wine country. Then travel south on State Highway 1 through the coastal foothills, and then out into the picturesque Awatere Valley. Then after the small town of Ward, the road turns toward the awesome beauty of the Pacific Coast which you follow to reach Kaikoura.
| Hotel: |
White Morph Inn |
| B&B: |
Fyffe Country Lodge |
| Boutique: |
Hapuku Lodge |
Day 12: Whale Watching
Today you enjoy a three hour Whale Watching experience by boat. Off the coast of the Kaikoura village is a marine environment so rich in nutrients that it attracts some of the most magnificent creatures with which we share our planet. Among them the giant Sperm Whale which can grow up to 20 metres in length and has the largest brain of any animal alive. Not only can you be introduced to the magnificent Sperm Whale, but also to migratory Humpback Whales (June & July), Orca (summer months), New Zealand's own tiny Hectors dolphin, the high spirited displays of the Dusky dolphins, New Zealand Fur seals and the Royal Albatross.
Day 13: Kaikoura to Christchurch & on to Rotorua
The trip south today takes you along the edge of the rugged coastal ranges. The landscape becomes gentler as you approach Waipara – a region known for its vineyards and olive groves and could be a great place to stop for refreshments. Then it’s on to Christchurch airport to join your flight to Rotorua. Collect your new rental vehicle on arrival and travel to your accommodation. Rotorua is one of the most famous destinations in New Zealand, and has a long history of welcoming visitors.
| Hotel: |
Heritage Hotel Rotorua (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Koura Lodge (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Accolades Boutique Hotel (2 nights) |
Day 14: Half Day Volcano Adventure
Depart the 4WD base today and drive 40 kilometres through picturesque rural farmland and past the largest man-made forest in New Zealand, Kaingaroa Forest, to the base of Mt Tarawera Volcano. From here you travel by 4 Wheel Drive vehicle 10 kilometres up to the edge of the massive craters and enjoy a short crater walk, or for the more adventurous experience the famous scree slide into the crater or a hike to the summit at 1111 meters. Your experienced local guide will give a commentary on Maori Legend, History and Volcanology. You may even catch a glimpse of some of the rare and unique wildlife in their natural habitat.
Day 15: Rotorua to the Coromandel
Today you travel across the volcanic plateau to the East Coast before travelling along the Bay of Plenty Coastline to the Coromandel where on arrival the remainder of the day is at your leisure. The Coromandel Peninsula is a world away from the urban sprawl. And there’s plenty to do in the Coromandel and plenty to learn about. Fabulous golden and white sand beaches with magnificent coastal scenery, a rugged, forest cloaked interior waiting to be explored are just some of the natural attractions that have people returning to The Coromandel time after time.
| Hotel: |
Pacific Harbour Lodge (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Colleith Lodge (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Villa Toscana (2 nights) |
Day 16: 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 17: Coromandel to the Mangatawhiri Valley
It’s a leisurely drive today as you farewell Coromandel and travel to reach your destination nestled in the native bush of the Mangatawhiri Valley. Onsite complimentary activities include Badminton, Croquet, Fitness Trails, Mountain Bikes, Petanque, Pitch n Barrel Golf, Swimming & Spa Pools, Tennis, Volley Ball or Wine tasting at the Cellar Door. There’s also Archery and Clay Bird Shooting on offer for an additional fee.
| All: |
Heritage Hotel du Vin & Spa |
Day 18: Mangatawhiri Valley to the Bay of Islands & Evening Cultural Encounter
Travel towards Auckland today and then further north as you 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. You then enjoy spectacular scenery of native forests and sub-tropical bush as you make your way to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. This evening you journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions. On arrival you will be welcomed with a traditional Maori welcome. You will experience a Hangi dinner together. Visit the tapu (sacred) family burial site and the tribal Marae. Then complete your journey with a soak in the healing geothermal mineral springs, Ngawha.
| Hotel: |
Copthorne Bay of Islands (2 nights) |
| B&B: |
Arcadia Lodge (2 nights) |
| Boutique: |
Bay of Islands Lodge (2 nights) |
Day 19: You Decide!
Today you decide with your Flexi-ticket from Fullers Bay of Islands. Choose from a choice of tours which include one or a combination of the following: Dolphin Adventures Eco Marine Safari, Cape Brett Cruise, the Cream Trip Supercruise, Nautilus Sub Sea Adventure, The Excitor ‘Hole in the Rock’ Fast Boat Adventure, Russell Mini Tour, Discover Kerikeri Tour or a tour to Cape Reinga & 90 mile beach at the most northern tip of the North Island.
Day 20: 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: |
Aachen House |
| Boutique: |
Mollies |
Day 21: 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 |
$6,638 |
$7,458 |
$8,788 |
| Full Size Sedan |
$6,721 |
$7,540 |
$8,871 |
| Intermediate 4WD |
$6,885 |
$7,705 |
$9,036 |
| Full Size 4WD |
$7,311 |
$8,130 |
$9,461 |
- 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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