Self-Drive Holidays
Self-drive holidays in New Zealand can be so easy and relaxed. It’s all in the planning, and the suggested itineraries shown have been put together to offer the best there is to see. They give you the opportunity to drive New Zealand’s roads and highways that, by international standards, are very uncongested.
Lake Tekapo Bay of Islands
Operated by: Choice Hotels Australasia From Auckland
7 days/6 nights Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Auckland
Welcome to Auckland. Visit the Viaduct Harbour precinct, housing a variety of shops, cafés and restaurants. Take the ferry from downtown Auckland across to the seaside suburb of Devonport and enjoy lunch and a spot of shopping. Alternatively, walk to the summits of Mount Victoria or North Head for 360° views. Drive west and visit the breathtaking Waitakere Ranges and the rugged West Coast, with its thundering surf beaches at Piha and Karekare. Stop off in Kumeu and visit the wineries in this region.
Overnight: Auckland - 2 nights
Day 3: Auckland to Whangarei – 160 kms (100 miles)
The town of Orewa spreads along the edge of a large, white sand surf beach. Enjoy native forest and farmland scenery all the way to Warkworth. A drive through the Dome Forest will lead you into the rural town of Wellsford. From here you can take a side trip to Pakiri - a great beach for surfing and horse treks. Whangarei is a subtropical city on the edge of a beautiful harbour. Be sure to visit Whangarei Falls
Overnight: Whangarei - 1 night
Days 4 & 5: Whangarei to Paihia (Bay of Islands) – 70km (43 miles)
The resort town of Paihia makes an excellent base for exploring the Bay of Islands, a beautiful and popular holiday location. Enjoy a cruise to the outer islands or a ferry to the charming township of Russell. The historic Treaty House at Waitangi marks the beginning of New Zealand as a nation.
Overnight: Paihia - 2 nights
Day 6: Paihia to Auckland – 235km (146 miles) Drive back to Auckland. Overnight: Auckland - 1 night
Day 7: Tour ends. Price per person
Standard twin/double share: from A$659
Auckland to Wellington Operated by: Choice Hotels Australasia
From Auckland
9 days/8 nights Itinerary Day 1: In Auckland.
Overnight: Auckland - 1 night
Day 2: Auckland to Hamilton – 130km (81 miles) The Waikato River will accompany you for much of your journey through the green countryside. Places of interest include the wine grown area of Te Kauwhata, and the historic gardens of Hamilton.
Overnight: Hamilton - 1 night
Days 3 & 4: Hamilton to Rotorua – 110km (68 miles) Rotorua sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so volcanic activity is part of the city’s past and present. Explore the geothermal areas and discover the unique culture of New Zealand’s Maori people.
Overnight: Rotorua - 2 nights Day 5: Rotorua to Taupo – 80km (50 miles)
The resort town of Taupo sits on the edge of New Zealand’s largest lake, Lake Taupo. Most accommodation establishments make use of the underground thermal activity to provide hot mineral spas for relaxation.
Overnight: Taupo - 1 night Day 6: Taupo to Napier – 140km (87 miles)
Travel to the Hawkes Bay region. At Tarawera walk to the hot springs above the Waipunga River or stop at Waiarua Falls Lookout to view the twin waterfalls. Napier is considered the art deco capital of the world.
Overnight: Napier- 1 night
Days 7 & 8: Napier to Wellington – 320km (199 miles) Arrive in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. As well as being the arts and cultural capital, it is compact and full of character. Enjoy cafés, restaurants, museums and all kinds of shopping. Dance, theatre and musical performances are all within a short walk of city centre hotels.
Overnight: Wellington - 2 nights Day 9: Tour ends. Price per person
Standard twin/double share: from A$899
South Island Adventure Operated by: Choice Hotels Australasia
From Wellington
11 days/10 nights Day 1: In Wellington. See page 145 for suggested things to see and do.
Overnight: Wellington - 1 night
Day 2: Wellington to Picton – Picton to Kaikoura – 160km (100 miles)
Take the InterIslander ferry from Wellington to Picton. Pick up your car in Picton and begin your South Island Adventure. Explore the north-east coast of the South Island from Kaikoura, the ideal base for whale watching and dolphins as well! Nestled amidst the mountains, Kaikoura offers spectacular scenery, ideal for bushwalking or simply relax on the beach.
Overnight: Kaikoura - 1 night
Day 3: Kaikoura to Christchurch – 180km (112 miles) Welcome to Christchurch - the ‘Garden City’. An elegant capital of 19th century buildings and leafy avenues. See page 152 for suggested things to see and do.
Overnight: Christchurch - 1 night
Days 4 & 5: Christchurch to Dunedin – 360km (224 miles) You’ll be pleasantly surprised at all there is to do in Dunedin, from museums and art galleries to breweries and chocolate factories, historic houses and beautifully landscaped gardens to boutique shopping - see the steepest street in the world. Regarded as the wildlife capital of New Zealand, Dunedin is the ideal place to view rare wildlife in their natural habitat. Including the world’s only mainland breeding colony of the royal albatross, yellow-eyed penguin, hooker sea lions and New Zealand fur seals - all on the city’s doorstep!
Overnight: Dunedin - 2 nights
Days 6 & 7: Dunedin to Te Anau – 300km (186 miles) Travel to Te Anau, the entrance point to Milford Sound and the Fiordland National Park - a World Heritage-listed area. Take a joy flight to view the magnificent mountain peaks, glacial valleys and the breathtaking waterfalls or spend a memorable day cruising Milford Sound.
Overnight: Te Anau - 2 nights
Days 8, 9 & 10: Te Anau to Queenstown – 200km (124 miles) Travel to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world! Choose from a vast array of year-round activities including jet boating, mountain-biking, heliskiing, skydiving, white-water rafting, kayaking and tandem hang-gliding. Try the sumptuous food and wine delights of the region or head out on a majestic steamboat cruise on Lake Wakatipu.
Overnight: Queenstown - 3 nights Day 11: Tour ends.
130 Price per person Standard twin/double share: from A$1,039
NEW ZEALAND Self-Drive Holidays
Price Includes
• Choice of standard or superior accommodation
• Hertz Group D car hire • A selection of maps
• All prices are in AUD and should be used as a guide only
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