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| self drive tours > 21 Day New Zealand in Depth Self Drive Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Day 2: Christchurch to Mount Cook & Scenic Helicopter Flight Depart Christchurch today and travel through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd. Your tour then continues 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. Here you join your 20 minute scenic flight giving you the 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.
Day 3: Mt Cook to Queenstown Leaving Mt Cook today you follow the shores of Lake Pukaki 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.
Day 4: Shotover Jet & Leisure Time World famous as the ultimate jet boating experience, Shotover Jet has thrilled over 3 million people since 1970, and now it's your turn! Take a unique breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow Canyons, and hold on tight for Queenstown's only exhilarating full 360° spins. Afterwards the day is at leisure. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. 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.
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.
Day 7: Siberia Wilderness Experience & on to West Coast Glacier Country Today drive around 45 minutes before enjoying a 4 hour wilderness adventure in Mount Aspiring World Heritage National Park. Begin with a 25 minute unforgettable scenic flight followed by a 3 hour walk beginning in the remote Siberia Valley in Mount Aspiring National Park. Then it’s on to a 30 minute exciting jet boat ride on the Wilkin River. Your Siberia Experience leaves from Makarora at the head of Lake Wanaka and allows you to enjoy some of New Zealand's untouched scenery from the air, on land and from the water. Mountains, rivers, glaciers, alpine lakes, rain forest, waterfalls and more - this is your chance to see it all. Afterwards you 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.
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.
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.
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 Join your 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.
Day 12: Whale Watch Encounter & Leisure Time This morning you join your Whale Watch Encounter by boat. Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Afterwards the day is at leisure. Perhaps take a scenic flight to view the breath-taking Kaikoura Mountains from above, and fly over the rocky peninsula and seaside township. Or you could take the controls of a small aircraft with the local Aero Club - no experience needed! On land an excellent range of activities awaits, ranging from four wheel motor biking, horse trekking and hunting, to star-gazing, wine tasting or experiencing Maori hospitality. 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.
Day 14: Sail Lake Rotoiti Enjoy a half day eco-sailing experience in pure comfort aboard your luxury 53 foot catamaran on Lake Rotoiti a pristine natural environment rich in cultural history and wildlife. You will have the chance to helm the vessel, hoist the sail and grind the winches. You may like to try your hand at trout fishing, leap off to swim in the fresh water or soak in the natural mineral hot pools that are only accessible by boat. Alternatively sit back and let the crew set the sails while you relax and enjoy watching the scenery slip by under full sail, ‘it’s simply stunning’. 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.
Day 16: Explore the Coromandel 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 you can experience at your leisure today. Highly recommended is a visit 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 Auckland As you travel the road to Thames, which clings to the edge of the coast, you’ll enjoy amazing views and a constant procession of beautiful beaches fringed with Pohutukawa trees. Then leaving Thames you’ll journey north over the famous Kopu Bridge, which was built in 1928 and has a Historic Places Trust listing. You then continue over the Hauraki Plains to join the motorway at the foot of the Bombay Hills towards Auckland. As you approach Auckland, you can’t miss the extinct volcanic cones that dot the landscape.
Day 18: 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.
Day 19: Cape Brett 'Hole in the Rock' Cruise Experience the natural wonders, stunning scenery and learn about the cultural significance of this unique part of New Zealand on a spectacular four hour cruise to Cape Brett and the iconic Hole in the Rock. Enjoy the views as you cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock - hold your breath as the skipper navigates through the narrow space and admire the rock walls which soar above you. You then take in the Grand Cathedral Cave before heading back into the sheltered waters of the Bay. 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.
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. 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
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Package Prices EARLYBIRD SPECIAL Hotel B&B Boutique $7,073 $7,595 $10,120 $7,087 $7,609 $10,133 $7,334 $7,856 $10,380 $7,540 $8,062 $10,586
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| 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. Fields marked with a * are required. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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