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14 Day New Zealand Self Drive Holidays - Auckland to Christchurch

General Information

Auckland - Rotorua - Wellington - Christchurch - Mt Cook - Dunedin - Queenstown -  Milford Sound - Queenstown - Glaciers - Christchurch

A full self drive tour of NZ for New Zealand Fly Drive Holidays including 4 days in the North and 10 days in the South Island visiting the top tourist destinations plus the phenomenal West Coast glaciers...

14 Day Self Drive Tour with your choice of Boutique or Self catering Accommodation for 13 nights.

Total Driving Time About: 45 hrs                         Distance: 3,369 kms

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

On your arrival in Auckland  you will be met by our representative and provided with your chosen car and documentation. Overnight in Auckland

Day 2: Auckland - Rotorua

Estimated Driving Time: 4 hrs 45 mins                Distance: 341 kms

Travel south through lush Waikato farmland, perhaps via Waitomo Caves, where a highlight of the day is a tour through the magical grotto lit by thousands of tiny glowworms. Then it is on to Rotorua, steeped in Maori culture and history. Tonight enjoy a night of traditional culture and entertainment, before experiencing a Maori hangi (feast), with a selection of foods cooked the traditional Maori way underground, amongst the surroundings of an authentic village.  Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.

Day 3: At Rotorua

A day free to explore this exciting thermal region. 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. Rotorua has lots to do in all weather, and at any time of year.

Day 4: Rotorua - Wellington

Estimated Driving Time: 6 hrs 20 mins             Distance: 453 kms 

Drive south through steam clad Wairakei, to Taupo. Skirt Lake Taupo, across the volcanic plateau past the cones of Tongariro, Ngaruahoe and Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. Cross the Manawatu plains then along the rugged Kapiti coastline to our capital city, sprawled over the hills surrounding Wellington Harbour. Overnight in Wellington.

Day 5: Wellington - Picton - Christchurch

Estimated Driving Time: 4 hrs 35 mins             Distance: 337 kms 

Sit back, relax and soak in the scenery as you cruise across Cook Strait and the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds on your Interislander Ferry journey to Picton, the gateway to the marine, forest and island attractions of the Marlborough Sounds. The road south hugs the coastline between the Kaikoura Ranges and the Pacific. After Kaikoura the road heads inland to the sheep country of North Canterbury and down to Christchurch. Overnight in Christchurch

Day 6: Christchurch - Mount Cook 

Estimated Driving Time: 4 hrs 30 mins             Distance: 329 kms

From Christchurch take the scenic route through Darfield, before passing Methven, and driving through Geraldine and Fairlie to Tekapo. Fishing, kayaking, bike riding, horse trekking and skiing are some of the things you can do. The Church of the Good Shepherd built from local stone and oak; and the sheepdog statue are great photo opportunities. Cross the barren MacKenzie Country to reach the glacial lakes at the foot of the Alps and Mt Cook National Park. Overnight at Mt Cook.

Estimated Driving Time: 4 hrs 10 mins             Distance: 320 kms

Drive south to historic Oamaru, home of the Little Blue Penguins. Be sure to check out the unique geological formations known as the Moeraki Boulders located 70km's north of Dunedin "the Edinburgh of the South". Overnight in Dunedin

Day 8: Dunedin - Queenstown

Estimated Driving Time: 3 hrs 45 mins             Distance: 283 kms

Drive across the rugged country of Central Otago, past the fertile stone fruit orchards and follow the mighty Clutha River on to the art deco town of Ranfurly. Explore the historic mining area of St Bathans before you reach Alexandra. Follow the dramatic southern shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Stay 3 nights in Queenstown

Estimated Driving Time: 7 hrs 15 mins             Distance: 573 kms

Drive south following the dramatic southern shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Te Anau. The road to Milford is one of New Zealand's most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you'll ease into beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. Look for the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain and the Mirror Lakes. The rough hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, an amazing 22km-long fiord dominated by Mitre Peak. Grand, brooding, serene and wild are just some of the words that will come to mind on your Milford Sound Cruise. Tall waterfalls, vertical rock faces and seals are some of the things you'll remember. Return to Queenstown.

(We recommend that for an additional charge you may choose to Coach or fly to Milford Sound).

Day 10: At Queenstown

The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting and fantastically attractive. It's the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It's also a destination for luxury experiences - gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf. Nearby is the former gold mining town of Arrowtown is a living, historic holiday destination, nestled beside the Arrow River.

Day 11: Queenstown - Glaciers

Estimated Driving Time: 4 hrs 15 mins             Distance: 330 kms

The shortest route to Wanaka is over the Crown Range Road. It's a challenging drive, but the views are amazing and you'll probably encounter friendly keas (mountain parrots). More conservative drivers can take the route that runs beside the Shotover River, Lake Dunstan and the Clutha River. The vineyards of the Gibbston area and bungy jumpers at the Kawarau River Bridge are interesting distractions along the way. Leaving Wanaka, Lake Hawea is the first scenic highlight, followed closely by the northern end of Lake Wanaka. The famous ‘bra fence' is impossible to miss - it started as a joke, but it's become a local legend. At the wilderness town of Makarora you can fuel up and refresh before you take on the dramatic twists and turns of the Haast Pass to Haast and the wild west coast. At pretty Lake Paringa you can enjoy a delicious meal of salmon at the salmon farm. Stay 2 nights at either Fox or Franz Josef Glacier townships.

Day 12: At the Glaciers

Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glaciers are unique relics of the last ice age. Mighty rivers of solid white, tumbling down ice-hewn rock valleys, they are classically beautiful in the glacial sense. Nowhere else in the world have glaciers advanced so close to the sea at this latitude. Walks are available to the glaciers or we recommend a visit to the colony of the beautiful white heron (Kotuku).

Day 13: Glaciers - Christchurch

Estimated Driving Time: 5 hrs 20 mins             Distance: 403 kms

Enroute to Greymouth stop off at Hokitika first settled in 1860, after the discovery of gold on the west coast. It still has the feel of a ‘frontier town', and there are some lovely old buildings to admire. Greenstone (NZ jade) is the town's treasure these days - watch it being carved. You might also want to investigate the museum and do the historical walk. Turn inland towards the mountains to travel through the Otira Tunnel, over Arthur's Pass and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Overnight in Christchurch

Day 14: Depart Christchurch

Today you are free to explore the "Garden City" of Christchurch before catching your flight home.

Total Driving Time About: 45 hrs                         Distance: 3,369 kms

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