Holidays to New Zealand - Family Special New Zealand Self-Drive Tour Ref: N44

Day 3
Arrive Auckland (30km/18 miles)
On arrival at Auckland Airport pick up your hire car and make your way to your hotel.
Overnights (2): Quay West Apartments
(2 Bedroom Corner Suite sleeps 4 in 1 queen and 2 single beds)

Day 4
Auckland
You have a free day to explore Auckland City, known as the ‘City of Sails’.

Day 5
Auckland - Bay of Islands (250km/157 miles)
This morning depart Auckland for your journey north to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Travel over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and through the North Shore.
Overnights (2): Edgewater Palms Apartments
(2 Bedroom Seaview Apartment sleeps 4 in 1 queen and 1 single beds)

Day 6
Bay of Islands
You have a free day today to explore Paihia and the Bay of Islands, included in your holiday is a Fullers Flexi Ticket that allows you to choose o­ne of the following activities – The Cream Trip Cruise, Dolphin Adventures – swim with the dolphins, Excitor ‘Hole in the Rock’ Adventure, Cape Brett Cruise or a Cape Reinga Wanderer tour. Also included are return ferry tickets to Russell where you can explore this charming township.

Day 7
Bay of Islands - Rotorua (475km/297 miles)
Make your way from the Bay of Islands to the volcanic area of Rotorua.
Overnights (2): Marama Resort
(2 Bedroom Canel House Apartment sleeps 4 in 1 queen bed and 2 single beds)

Day 8
Rotorua
A full day Rotorua sightseeing activities by rental car, including the following attractions. A guided tour through Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see roaring geysers and boiling mud pools. Rainbow Springs where you will see New Zealand bird and wildlife. The Agrodome leisure park famous for it’s entertaining sheep show, a gondola cable car ride to the Skyline Skyride complex and the Polynesian Spa, which is New Zealand’s leading thermal bathing complex.

Day 9
Rotorua - Napier (218km/137 miles)
Make your way to Napier – the Art Deco capital of New Zealand.
Overnight (1): Breakwater Apartments
( 2 Bedroom Apartment sleeps 4 in 2 queen beds)

Day 10
Napier - Wellington (323km202 miles)
Make your way to Wellington today, you may like to stop along the way at o­ne of the many wineries along the way in the Hawkes Bay.
Overnights (2): The Bolton Apartment Hotel
(Bolton Suite sleeps 4 in 1 king and 2 single beds)

Day 11
Wellington
You have a free day today to explore New Zealand’s capital city, perhaps take a cable car ride to the top of Mt Victoria for fantastic views of the city, or if you didn’t get a chance to visit the wineries yesterday you could take a day trip to Wairarapa.

Day 12
Wellington - Picton
This morning return your rental car to the Ferry Terminal Depot. Board the Interislander Ferry for your journey to across Cook Strait to Picton. At Picton you collect a second rental car and make your way to your accommodation.
Overnight (1): Apartments o­n the Waterfront, Waikawa Bay
(2 Bedroom Unit sleeps 4 in 1 queen and 2 single beds)

Day 13
Picton - Kaikoura (157km/98 miles)
Make your way to Kaikoura today, you may like to stop along the way at o­ne of the many wineries in the Marlborough region. o­n arrival in Kaikoura check into your accommodation.
Overnights (2): Waves o­n the Esplanade
( 2 Bedroom Unit sleeps 4 in 1 king and 2 single beds)

Day 14
Kaikoura
Kaikoura has a unique coastline ecosystem that supports whales, New Zealand fur seals and dolphins. Enjoy this morning a Whale Watch Tour where you may have the opportunity to view whales up close. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this fascinating area.

Day 15
Kaikoura - Christchurch (183km/115 miles)
Enjoy a partly coastal journey as you travel south to Christchurch. The drive will then turn inland where you’ll have the opportunity to experience North Canterbury Vineyards before arriving in Christchurch. Make your way to your accommodation.
Overnights (2): The Poplars Apartments
(2 Bedroom Superior Apartment sleeps 4 in 1 double and 2 single beds)

Day 16
Christchurch
Today is free for you to explore Christchurch, the quintessential English City rich in parks and intricately landscaped, it is called the ‘garden city’. Take a tram ride, punt along the Avon River or a visit to the International Antarctic Centre are all recommended.

Day 17
Christchurch - Queenstown (486km/304 miles)
Make your way to Queenstown. o­n arrival in Queenstown check into your accommodation.
Overnights (3): Breakfree The Point Apartments

Day 18
Queenstown
You have the day free to explore the exciting town of Queenstown, included in your package are return tickets o­n the Skyline Gondola where you can go and enjoy spectacular views of Queenstown, there is also a luge ride at the top of this complex and restaurant dining options.

Day 19
Queenstown
The day is free for you to experience Queenstown and the surrounding areas, there are some great vineyards nearby or you may wish to book your self o­n a Milford Sound day trip or just relax in this beautiful alpine town.

Day 20
Queenstown - Wanaka (117km/73 miles)
At your leisure today make your way to the lakeside town of Wanaka, this is a very pretty alpine town to visit, along the way there are some great wineries to experience or stop for lunch. Wanaka has the Amazing Puzzle World – great for kids young and old!
Overnight (1): Alpine Resort

Day 21
Wanaka - Tekapo (198km/124 miles)
Enjoy a leisurely drive to Tekapo today, you might like to take a detour to Mt Cook along the way, a great option for a lunch stop (own cost). o­n arrival check into your accommodation.
Overnight (1): The Residence Apartments

Day 22
Tekapo - Christchurch (226km/142 miles)
Make your way to Christchurch today.
Overnight (1): The Poplars Apartments

Day 23
Depart Christchurch
Time this morning for final sightseeing or last minute souvenir shopping before you make your way to Christchurch Airport to return your rental car. Check in for your flight to Auckland, where you will connect with a Air New Zealand flight via Los Angeles or Hong Kong back to the UK.

Day 24
Arrive UK

FREE QUOTATION SERVICE - FREEPHONE 0800-988-4612 - open at weekends
Why not extend your holiday with a stopover in Hong Kong, the Pacific Islands or Los Angeles? These can be included as part of your outward or return journey (or both) and for many the journey thus becomes part of the holiday. Please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss accommodation options, as well as transfers and sightseeing possibilities - we are very happy to tailor make your holiday to your own requirements.

Air New Zealand operates three classes of travel, and you will find wonderful Pacific Rim styled cuisine and fine wines plus outstanding comfort in all.

PACIFIC ECONOMY CLASS offers o­ne of the largest seat pitches o­n long-haul flights for added comfort and relaxation – a roomy 32-34 inches. Enjoy video and audio o­n-demand o­n a seat back 8.4" screen.

UPGRADE YOUR FLIGHT TO PACIFIC PREMIUM CLASS start from £475 each way
Pacific Premium Class customers enjoy a premium check-in. The seat as 50% more recline than in Pacific Economy Class and an increased seat pitch – a roomy 38-40 inches. Enjoy video and audio o­n-demand o­n a seat back 8.4" screen.

UPGRADE YOUR FLIGHT TO BUSINESS PREMIER CLASS start from £1105 each way
Business Premier Class customers enjoy a dedicated check-in and lounge access at London Heathrow and if travelling within a 55 mile radius of the Heathrow Airport, Air New Zealand will organize a limousine to transfer you to and from your home.
Not o­nly can you sleep soundly in a completely lie-flat bed, but the unique design allows passengers to dine with a companion. Luxurious leather armchair that converts to a fully lie-flat 6’7.5” bed. Video and audio o­n-demand with a 10.4” high resolution screen and active noise cancellation headsets. Every seat has direct aisle access. Access to Air New Zealand International Lounges

BRITISH MIDLAND ECONOMY CLASS DOMESTIC ADD-ONS -One way fares from £80.
Available in conjunction with your Air New Zealand flights between London and to/from Aberdeen, Belfast,Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Teeside and Dublin. Details o­n request.