Best of New Zealand (Self-Drive) – 14 Days

Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and self-drive to your hotel. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Check in. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Journey through the rolling green hills of Waitomo and enjoy a tour through an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Continue to Matamata for a charming tour of unique, character Hobbit homes, gardens and the watering hole. On to Rotorua, a bubbling and steaming destination like nowhere else.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends.

Late afternoon, visit a local geothermal attraction for a guided tour through the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Kiwi Conservation Centre and the geothermal valley. Then enjoy a Hangi dinner overlooking the valley and geyser, followed by a 40-minute cultural performance. End the evening with hot chocolate and pudding on the geyser terrace.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Drive past Great Lake Taupo to Napier. Your scenic journey includes volcanic geography, fresh forest plantations, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas. Following an earthquake in 1931, a rebuild saw Napier completely redesigned with buildings constructed in the Art Deco style of the 30’s with Maori motifs. Enjoy a guided tour of Napier’s unique history and architecture.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Travel south via the spectacular Manawatu Gorge or through the beautiful Tuki Tuki Valley and Wairarapa Wine region to Wellington.

Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills, compact Wellington is best explored on foot. Enjoy great shopping, arts culture, cafes and restaurants. Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum offers FREE admission, but you could take an optional guided tour for a greater insight into New Zealand’s rich history and culture.

Overnight.

Breakfast. New Zealand’s North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean fresh air. Departing Wellington, your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton. With its rugged mountain ranges and fertile pains, Marlborough has a lot to offer with its water, wilderness and wine. A short drive takes you to the compact town centre of Blenheim.

Overnight.

Breakfast. The Pacific Coast Road to Christchurch is a most dramatic drive with breath-taking mountains on one side and wild pounding ocean on the other. The seaside settlement of Kaikoura is set midway and overlooked by majestic mountains. Its unique marine geography is perfect for Sperm Whales and other marine life. On to vibrant Christchurch, with its parks and gardens interwoven by the meandering Avon River.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Drive across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile green patchwork and through spectacular Arthurs Pass National Park to the West Coast. The rugged West Coast is an untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers, and geological treasures.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are set at a low altitude with a temperate climate. Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia, and here, the ice age is still underway. For an absolute bucket list experience, take an optional scenic flight with a glacier landing and a thrilling hike.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Take a scenic journey to Queenstown, stopping for a break at Makarora’s Blue Pools. After settling in at your hotel, go to the Skyline Base for a Gondola Ride to the top of Bob’s Peak to enjoy spectacular panoramic views. Take optional Luge rides for some extra fun.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Enjoy the magnificent vistas and majestic mountains which dominate this alpine resort town, often described as the Adventure Capital of the World.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Journey to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains, and turquoise lakes. Hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki to a rugged land of ice and rock, home to Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Today, enjoy admission to the Darky Sky Project for a greater understanding of the night sky. Stop at Lake Tekapo where the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ is located, against a backdrop of the glacier-fed lake. Continue northeast to Christchurch. Visit the International Antarctic Centre either today or tomorrow for an icy insight into this astounding continent.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Return your rental car to Christchurch Airport.

End of Tour.