NZ Tourism.com 15 Day New Zealand Self Drive Tour: Best of NZ New Zealand Tour Packages
New Zealand Itinerary 15 days: Experience the best of New Zealand hassle-free with our Self-Drive Tour. We’ve taken care of all your accommodation and sightseeing needs to ensure you have an unforgettable journey. Book with us now and let us take care of everything. For ease and peace of mind, we have pre-booked all your accommodation and sightseeing needs to allow for a truly memorable experience.
TOUR DURATION:
15 daysTOUR STARTS/ENDS:
Auckland to ChristchurchTOUR CATEGORY:
Self Drive TourTRANSPORTATION:
Rental CarTOUR DEPARTURES:
DailyAIRPORT TRANSFERS:
N/AMEALS:
1 x Lunch ,14 x BreakfastACCOMMODATIONS:
First Class Hotels, Superior Hotels, Standard HotelsPASSENGERS:
no minimum number of passengersTOUR CODE:
GTNZ07PRE & POST ACCOMMODATION:
“Available“CITIES/REGIONS VISITED:
AUCKLAND – WAITOMO – ROTORUA – WELLINGTON – PICTON – KAIKOURA – CHRISTCHURCH – MT COOK – QUEENSTOWN – MILFORD SOUND – FRANZ JOZEF AND FOX GLACIERS – GREYMOUTH – CHRISTCHURCH
ITINERARY
DAY 1 : ARRIVE AUCKLAND
On arrival in Auckland, ‘The City of Sails’, self drive passengers will collect your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel.
DAY 2 : AUCKLAND SIGHTSEEING
Morning tour including Harbour Bridge, Auckland Viaduct and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park for panoramic views of Auckland city and Waitemata Harbour.
(B)
DAY 3 : AUCKLAND - WAITOMO - ROTORUA
Travel south through the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. On completion continue over the Mamaku Ranges to reach the ‘Thermal City’ of Rotorua.
(B)
DAY 4 : ROTORUA
Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this, visit Rainbow Springs to see New Zealand’s trout, birds and wildlife before continuing to the Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert.
(B,D)
DAY 5 : ROTORUA - WELLINGTON
Travel south to reach the popular lake resort of Taupo before continuing on the Desert Road, dominated in the background by the three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Continue south through farmland before arriving in the ‘Capital City’ of Wellington
(B)
DAY 6 : WELLINGTON
At leisure today to enjoy the many activities available. Highly recommended is a visit to Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Optional activities not included in tour price
(B)
DAY 7 : WELLINGTON - PICTON - KAIKOURA
Journey across Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand, and into the Marlborough Sounds with its sparkling clear waters and lush forests, before arriving in Picton. Travel south through the town of Blenheim, before reaching Kaikoura – here you might like to take an optional whalewatch cruise or scenic flight. Optional activities not included in tour price
(B)
DAY 8 : KAIKOURA - CHRISTCHURCH
Leave Kaikoura behind as you turn inland and travel through North Canterbury to reach the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch.
(B)
DAY 9 : CHRISTCHURCH - MT COOK - QUEENSTOWN
Travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing on to New Zealand’s highest mountain – Mt Cook. Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south through the historic Central Otago region to the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown.
(B)
DAY 10 : MILFORD SOUND
Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and the cascading Bowen Falls. Return to Queenstown.
(B)
DAY 11 : QUEENSTOWN
A free day to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more. Optional activities not included in the tour price.
(B)
DAY 12 : QUEENSTOWN - FRANZ JOZEF AND FOX GLACIERS
Depart Queenstown and travel via Lake Wanaka and through the historic Haast Pass, gateway to the World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the glacier region of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. (B)
DAY 13 : FRANZ JOZEF AND FOX GLACIERS
A full day at leisure to explore this magnificent glacier region. Optional activities include a scenic flight or guided walk on one of the glaciers. Optional activities not included in the tour price.
(B)
DAY 14 : GLACIER REGION - GREYMOUTH - CHRISTCHURCH
Ascend through lush beech forests past the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. Travel over Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
(B)
DAY 15 : CHRISTCHURCH - DEPARTURE DAY
Your arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or the return of your rental car. We trust you enjoyed your Kiwiway Vacation!
(B)
Inclusions & Highlights
Our Package Touring offers the following:
Daily departures No minimum number of passengers Breakfasts Daily at all hotels All sightseeing entry fees included (as mentioned in each itinerary) A choice of accommodation options All tours can be added to All packages can be taken in reverse (except ‘Stunning New Zealand’)
ACCOMMODATION
Standard Accommodation Options
Standard is equivalent to a good 3-star tourist hotel.These hotels represent excellent value for money and usually have a licensed restaurant and bar on the premises.
Superior Accommodation Options
Superior describes hotels in the 3 1/2 to 4-star category. More often than not, these will be centrally located and offering a wide range of services and facilities.
First Class Accommodation Options
First Class are central city or resort location hotels at the top end of the scale rating 4 to 4 1/2 stars. All hotels at this level have excellent facilities, bars and restaurants etc, full services, and many feature swimming pool, spa baths, and fully equipped gymnasium for the enjoyment of guests.
