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Auckland * Bay of Islands * Waitomo * Rotorua * Wellington * Kaikoura * Punakaiki * Franz Josef Glacier * Queenstown * Te Anau * Milford Sound cruise * Invercargill * Dunedin * Christchurch Enjoy a leisurely self-drive tour of New Zealand exploring the spectacular and diverse landscapes of both islands. Included is a comprehensive excursion and attractions programme which will sure to delight. From Bridge Climbs, to Glacier Helicopter flights, jet-boating, hot air ballooning, cruises around the Bay of Islands and the iconic Milford Sound, whale-watching, a rail journey, a tour of Middle Earth locations and a Maori hangi feast - this tour has it all!
 Dart River jet boat
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- Itinerary
- Prices
- Hotels
- Included
Your Financial Protection All monies paid by you for the air holiday package shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 6423. For more information see our booking terms and conditions. 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 Arrival in Auckland is during the late morning. You will be met on arrival and be transferred by private car to your accommodation. Your driver will hand over your full tour documentation. Overnights (3): Auckland
Day 4 Auckland - Bay of Islands Join the included full-day coach tour to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Visit Parry Kauri Park, Whangarei and the Waitangi Treaty House. Enjoy the Cape Brett cruise through the famous "Hole in the Rock". A picnic lunch is included today. After your tour your driver will drop you off back at your hotel in Auckland.
Day 5 Auckland Enjoy a choice of one of the included adventure activities today.
Bungy Jump - Bungy with the Originals (A J Hackett) from the Auckland Harbour Bridge over the Pacific Ocean. Auckland's steel span bridge, spanning the mighty Waitemata Harbour is the home to the world's first harbour bridge Bungy Jump. Our Bridge Bungy has a uniquely Auckland flavour and is something that should definitely not be missed!
Notes & Information: Minimum height: 1.20m Minimum weight: 35kg Maximum weight: 150kg
Bridge Climb - This is an unforgettable adventure that takes climbers under, around, up and over the historic Auckland Harbour Bridge. The suspended span bridge, started in 1955, was the last of its kind to be built in the world. Custom engineered walkways provide a safe, enjoyable and easy-going experience while showcasing the incredible sights, sounds and activity of our harbour and city. This is the only Bridge Climb in New Zealand complete with tour guide, full commentary, and great photo opportunities at the summit. Maximum weight 150kg
Day 6 Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua (370 kms/231 miles) Take delivery of your hire car and depart Auckland and make your own way south to Rotorua via Waitomo. Entrance to the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves is included for you to experience a guided tour of this ancient labyrinth of limestone caverns. Overnights (2): Rotorua
Day 7 Rotorua Today enjoy sightseeing the Rotorua area by car. See Rotorua's premier attractions with one easy pass. Te Puia - visit Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, see the world famous Pohutu Geyser and experience the best Maori arts, craft and culture. Skyline Skyrides - ride the Gondola for magnificent views of Rotorua. Polynesian Spa - complete your day by bathing in the relaxing hot mineral spring water. Experience one of the World's top ten thermal and medical spas, as voted by Conde Nast magazine. This evening enjoy an included Maori "hangi" (dinner) and concert held on a local Marae.
Day 8 Rotorua - Wellington (460 kms/287 miles) Depart Rotorua and head south via scenic Lake Taupo and the volcanic Tongariro National Park to Wellington - the capital city of New Zealand. Overnights (2): Wellington
Day 9 Wellington A day to explore this attractive city. Perhaps visit the internationally renowned "Te Papa" museum or take the cable car to the top of Mount Victoria and walk back through the glorious botanic gardens.
Middle Earth Locations Tour - This half-day tour reveals the key film locations within an hour of central Wellington. Highlights include the outskirts of the Shire, the Gardens of Isengard, the River Anduin, and the sites of Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith. Stroll where the hobbits raced to the ferry and hid from the Nazgul, through the elf kingdom of Rivendell and beside the Fords of Isen.
Day 10 Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura - whale watching (157 driven kms/98 miles) Return the hire car at the InterIslander Ferry Terminal. Take the morning InterIslander Ferry across Cook Strait and the picturesque Marlborough Sound to Picton. In Picton collect your second hire car and make your way down the East Coast to Kaikoura. Several different species of whale can be seen off Kaikoura at different times of the year, but almost always the huge Sperm Whales. The clean sharp fin of the Orca is often sighted in Kaikoura, and schools of Pilot Whales are occasional visitors. And everywhere there are the fun loving Dusky Dolphin. Overnight (1): Kaikoura
Day 11 Kaikoura - Punakaiki (382 kms/239 miles) This morning enjoy an included whale watch cruise. Depart Kaikoura and head inland to Punakaiki on the West Coast via the spectacular Lewis Pass. Overnights (2): Punakaiki
Day 12 Punakaiki Enjoy a day on the wild west coast to explore the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, and nearby Paparoa National Park..
Day 13 Punakaiki - Franz Josef Glacier (249 kms/156 miles) Depart Greymouth and continue south down the beautiful west coast to Franz Josef Glacier. Overnights (2): Franz Josef Glacier
Day 14 Franz Josef Spend time today in the area around Franz Josef. Perhaps take a guided walk to the foot of Franz Josef Glacier after your included helicopter flight.
Glacier Helicopter Flight - enjoy a spectacular helicopter 'flightseeing' trip with a snow landing on the glacier - (20 minutes)..
Day 15 Franz Josef - Queenstown (404 kms/253 miles) 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 16 Queenstown Experience a thrilling wilderness safari, and afterwards perhaps take a cruise across the lake on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw.
The Dart River Wilderness Safari - takes you on a spectacular 90-minute jet boat journey through the Dart's ever-changing braided river system where you’ll be thrilled by the Jet Boat’s capabilities, (including jet spins), and awed by your surroundings of breathtaking snow-capped mountains, ancient native forest, waterfalls, and glacial valleys frozen in time. It includes an easy guided 30-40 minutes walk through the ‘Heritage Trail’ at Paradise, where your knowledgeable guide will enliven your walk with and informative and entertaining commentary about the ancient native beech forest the unique flora and fauna, as well as the fascinating Maori and colonial history of the area. You’ll also journey by 4WD coach via a scenic back-road route, while hearing stories about the surrounding countryside ad stopping to view scenery that has formed the epic backdrop for many international films, including ‘The Lord of the Rings’.
Day 17 Queenstown - Te Anau (170 kms/106 miles) Depart Queenstown and make your way to Te Anau, gateway to the World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. Overnights (2): Te Anau
Day 18 Milford Sound Cruise Today enjoy a scheduled sightseeing tour from Te Anau to Milford Sound, with a Milford Sound Scenic Cruise the full-length of the fiord on board a luxury vessel. From Te Anau, a coach travels along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. Upon reaching Milford Sound, visitors board a luxury vessel for a Scenic Cruise the full-length of Milford Sound. The vessel provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. A comprehensive commentary is presented throughout the cruise. Complimentary tea and coffee are available on board the vessel. Return transport to Te Anau is again by luxury coach, providing time for passengers to reflect on the beautiful scenery.
Day 19 Te Anau - Invercargill (220 kms/100 miles) Depart Te Anau and make your way to the southern-most city of Invercargill. Overnight (1): Invercargill.
Day 20 Invercargill - Dunedin (220 kms/138 miles) Depart Invercargill and drive to Dunedin 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. Overnights (2): Dunedin
Day 21 Dunedin Enjoy one the world's great train trips into the rugged mountain interior. Afterwards discover the Otago Peninsula with its yellow-eyed pengiuns and albatross. The Taieri Gorge Railway – Dunedin to Pukerangi return. one of the World's great train trips. one of Dunedin's top attractions, this scenic train takes passengers on a half day tour from the hustle and bustle of the city centre into the rugged mountain interior of Central Otago. Sit back and relax as the train negotiates this spectacular and exhilarating narrow river gorge with cliff hugging tunnels and viaducts soaring high above the river. The ever-changing scenery along the way will leave you amazed at what scenery Dunedin has to offer. The train will also stop for you to disembark for scenic and photo opportunities. You can also take the opportunity to stand on our open-air platforms – most carriages have these and they are perfect for photography! Day 22 Dunedin - Christchurch (360 kms/225 miles) Depart Dunedin and make your way back up the East Coast to Christchurch, the "garden city". Overnights (2): Christchurch
Day 23 Christchurch - Hot Air Ballooning
An early start today for an exciting included flight in a hot air balloon.
Hot Air Ballooning Please allow 4-5 hours for your ballooning experience. Actual flying time is about one hour and passengers are encouraged to help in the flight preparation. As the sun rises, our flight takes us over a chequerboard of farmland laced with rivers, with the Southern Alps dominating the horizon to the west and the endless blue of the ocean to the east. After landing in a farmer's field, we relax and enjoy a glass of chilled Methode Champenoise. You will take home our complimentary flight certificate as a momento of your ballooning experience. You may also buy photos of your flight. Ballooning is best done in calm dawn. Start times vary with the season to capture the sunrise. They can be as early as 4.30am in the summer and as late as 7.30am in the winter.
Day 24 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 25 Arrive UK
PLEASE NOTE: We are happy offer alternative attractions/ excursions on request.
Accommodation We are pleased to be able to offer two 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.
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.
2010-2011 Prices - Adventures Unlimited Fly-Drive Ref: NZ201 - Prices in £'s per person sharing twin
| Departure Dates |
Twin Share 3 Star Hotels |
Twin Share 4 Star Hotels |
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| Jul 01-Aug 15 |
£3,606 |
£3,745 |
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| Aug 16-Sep 28 |
£3,606 |
£3,745 |
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| Sep 29 - Dec 13 |
£3,956 |
£4,130 |
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| Dec 14-Dec 23 |
£4,225 |
£4,400 |
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| Dec 24-Dec 31 |
£4,225 |
£4,400 |
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| Jan 01- Jan 15 - 2011 |
£4,225 |
£4,400 |
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| Jan 16-Jun 30 |
£3,956 |
£4,130 |
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Included
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Scheduled Air New Zealand flights in Economy Class from London (Heathrow) to Auckland with return from Christchurch
- All pre-payable airport taxes, security charges and the UK Air Passenger Duty of £40 per person
- 21 nights accommodation (room only)
- Private transfer from Auckland Airport to Auckland hotel
- 19 days (4 in North Island and 15 in South Island) fully inclusive rental of an intermediate, Toyota Camry or similar, automatic car with unlimited kms
- Full day excursion to the Bay of Islands including "Hole in the Rock" cruise at picnic lunch
- Choice of either a Bungy Jump or the Bridge Climb in Auckland
- Entrance to Waitomo Caves and top Rotorua attractions
- Maori 'hangi dinner' and concert
- Middle Earth Locations tour in Wellington
- InterIslander ferry from Wellington to Picton
- 3-hour whale watching cruise in Kaikoura
- Helicopter flight with Glacier landing from Franz Josef
- Dart River Wilderness Safari from Queenstown
- Full day excursion to Milford Sound, including return coach transfers and cruise
- Taieri Gorge Railway excursion from Dunedin
- Hot Air Balloon flight from Christchurch
- All taxes
- Includes a Handy Atlas, New Zealand Exploring guide, regional brochures of areas visited, accommodation location maps, and itinerary with directions and other information.
- 24-hour customer service support in New Zealand
Not Included
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Fuel for hire car
- Meals (unless indicated)
- New Zealand airport tax, payable locally - currently NZ$25
- Airport drop charge of NZ$ 31.50 payable locally
- Parking fees
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