Holidays to New Zealand - Complete New Zealand Self-Drive Tour Ref N01

Day 1
UK - Auckland
Your New Zealand holiday starts with a departure from the UK o­n a scheduled Air New Zealand flight to Auckland via Los Angeles or Hong Kong.

Day 2
In flight.

Day 3
Arrive Auckland
This morning arrive in Auckland where you will be met o­n arrival and be transferred by private car to your hotel. Explore this vibrant harbour city with it's ever-changing skyline, pulsating waterfront and infusion of bars and restaurants.
Overnights (2): Auckland

Day 4
Auckland - Bay of Islands
Today enjoy a full day sightseeing tour by coach to delightful Paihia, gateway to o­ne of the finest maritime parks, in the Bay of Islands. O­n arrival enjoy the famous "Hole in the Rock" cruise. A picnic lunch is included today. After your tour your driver will return you to your hotel in Auckland.

Day 5
Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua (370 kms/231 miles- 3hrs)
Collect your hire car and make your way south along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Waitomo. Entrance to the Glow-worm Caves is included for you to experience a guided tour of this ancient labyrinth of limestone caverns. Continue to the thermal and Maori cultural capital of New Zealand - Rotorua.
Overnights (2): Rotorua

Day 6
Rotorua
Roturua is located o­n a volcanic plateau with a unique physical landscape complete with a mass of boiling mud, geysers and steam.Today enjoy sightseeing the Rotorua area by car. Visits are included to the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute and Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, Paradise Valley Springs, the Agrodome Sheep Show, Skyline Gondola and the Polynesian Spa. This evening enjoy a Maori "hangi" (dinner) and concert held o­n a local Marae.

Day 7
Rotorua - Wellington (460 kms/287 miles - 6.5hrs)
Depart Rotorua and head south via scenic Lake Taupo and the volcanic Tongariro National Park to Wellington - the capital city of New Zealand. The scenery varies from moon-scapes to stunning lakes and mountains.
Overnights (2): Wellington

Day 8
Wellington
A day to explore New Zealand's capital city set between a spakling harbour and rolling green hills. Perhaps visit the internationally renowned "Te Papa" museum or take the cable car to the top of Mount Victoria and walk back to the city through the glorious botanic gardens. Wellington boasts great shopping and an eclectic array of bars and restaurants with everything within easy walking distance.

Day 9
Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura - whale watching (157 driven kms/98 miles - 2.5hrs)
Drop your hire car at the InterIslander Ferry Terminal and take the morning three-hour ferry crossing of Cook Strait and the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton. In Picton collect your second hire car and make your way down the East Coast, with it's spectacular seascapes, to Kaikoura. In the afternoon enjoy an exciting whale watch cruise to spot the resident giant sperm whales.
Overnight: Kaikoura

Day 10
Kaikoura - Greymouth (338 kms/211 miles - 5.5hrs)
Today head inland tthrough the beautiful Southern Alps to the West Coast via the spectacular Lewis Pass.
Overnight: Greymouth

Day 11
Greymouth - Franz Josef Glacier (205 kms/128 miles- 2.5hrs)
Depart Greymouth and continue south down the beautiful west coast to Franz Josef Glacier. Perhaps visit nearby Shantytown where you can pan for gold.
Overnights (2): Franz Josef Glacier

Day 12
Franz Josef
Spend time today in the area around Franz Josef. Perhaps take a guided walk to the foot of Franz Josef Glacier, or o­nto the glacier itself. Alternatively, take a spectacular helicopter 'flightseeing' trip across the icefields. You can also explore nearby Fox Glacier.

Day 13
Franz Josef - Queenstown (404 kms/253 miles- 6hrs)
Depart Franz Josef and continue down the West Coast via Haast Pass, the Kawarau Gorge and along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown.
Overnights (2): Queenstown

Day 14
Queenstown
Experience some of the range of activities that this township has to offer or, for those seeking a more tranquil day, perhaps take a cruise across the lake o­n the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw.

Day 15
Queenstown - Te Anau (170 kms/106 miles- 2hrs)
Depart Queenstown and make your way to Te Anau, gateway to the World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park.Set o­n the South Island's largest lake, the resort is known as the walking capital of the world and is within easy reach of the Milford, Kepler, Routeburn, Greenstone and Hollyford Tracks.
Overnights (2): Te Anau

Day 16
Milford Sound
Today enjoy a scheduled sightseeing coach tour to Milford Sound. The road boasts spectacular alpine scenery. O­n arrival in Milford enjoy a cruise o­n the beautiful sound. After your cruise return to Te Anau for overnight.

[As an alternative to the above Days 15 and 16, drive from Queenstown to Manapouri (150 kms/94 miles) o­n Day 15 and then embark o­n a cruise in the serene Doubtful Sound. Spend the night o­nboard your moored vessel, the Fiordland Navigator, before returning to Manapouri o­n Day 16. Drive to Te Anau (20 kms/13 miles) to stay overnight at this idyllic lakeside township. Please click here for more details].

Day 17
Te Anau - Invercargill (220 kms/100 miles - 2.5hrs)
Depart Te Anau and make your way to the southern-most city of Invercargill. Home of Burt Munro who was played by Anthony Hopkins in the 2005 film - The World's Fastest Indian, the city marries the strong Maori and Celtic influences that pioneered the province centuries ago. The city features some of the most interesting and intact examples of New Zealand architecture and is the stepping off point for unspoilt Stewary Island.
Overnight: Invercargill.

Day 18
Invercargill - Dunedin (220 kms/138 miles - 3hrs)
Depart Invercargill and drive via the Southern Scenic route along a wild coastline and through the magnificent landscape of the Catlins (one of New Zealand's best kept secrets) to the university town of Dunedin. Widlife is abundant and includes Hector's dolphins, fur seals, sea lions, penguins and all manner of birds. This evening perhaps visit Speight's Brewery for dinner.
Overnight: Dunedin

Day 19
Dunedin - Christchurch (360 kms/225 miles -6hrs)
Discover the Otago Peninsula with it's yellow-eyed penguins and albatross or perhaps enjoy a train ride o­n the historic Taieri Gorge Railway. Depart Dunedin and make your way back up the East Coast to Christchurch, the "garden city".
Overnight: Christchurch

Day 20
Depart Christchurch
With most flights departing in the evening enjoy Christchurch. Perhaps take a tram sightseeing ride around the city or visit the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Return your hire car to the aiport and 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 21
Arrive UK

Accommodation
We are pleased to be able to offer three levels of accommodation for this tour:
3-star Mid range, comfortable hotel accommodation usually within convenient distance to town/city centre.

4-star Upper range of hotel accommodation, usually with a central town or city location. Excellent hotel facilities offering a high level of service and convenience, easy access to sightseeing, shopping and activities.

Unique & Boutique
These properties include country estates, lodges and boutique hotels. They are interesting in design, historic background or just have a unique character and all provide genuine New Zealand hospitality.


FREE QUOTATION SERVICE - FREEPHONE 0800-988-4612 - open at weekends
Why not extend your holiday with a stopover in Hong Kong, Fiji 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 and Manchester. Details o­n request.