Explore Wellington return self-drive holidays ranging from 5 to 10 days, visiting destinations including Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park. Packages combine accommodation, rental vehicles and selected sightseeing experiences. Choose from accessible touring, food and wine experiences or active adventures. Most itineraries return to Wellington, while the six-day Marlborough holiday can be customised with additional return arrangements.
Explore the North Island and Upper South Island from Wellington
Stay in the North Island for Wellington and Hawke’s Bay, or cross Cook Strait to explore Marlborough and the upper South Island. These holidays combine independent driving with included experiences, giving you different ways to spend your time beyond the capital.
Choose between cultural sightseeing, wine-country touring and a more active itinerary through the Marlborough Sounds, Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park. Check the return arrangements as well as the destinations, particularly when choosing the six-day Wellington and Marlborough package.
Which Wellington Return Self Drive Holiday Suits You?
| Package | Duration | Main destinations | Return arrangements | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible Wellington to Hawke’s Bay Self Drive | 5 days | Wellington and Napier | Returns to Wellington by road | You want a North Island itinerary with accessibility requirements discussed before booking. |
| Explore Wellington and Marlborough Self Drive Tour | 6 days | Wellington, Blenheim and Marlborough Sounds | Published itinerary ends in Blenheim; a return ferry connection via Picton or flight to Wellington can be arranged | You want food, wine and sightseeing with a choice of return or onward travel. |
| Top of the South Adventure Trail Self Drive | 10 days | Wellington, Marlborough Sounds, Nelson and Abel Tasman | Includes return ferry travel to Wellington | You want a holiday combining driving with walking, cycling and kayaking. |
Return connections added to the six-day package must be confirmed in your quote. Depending on your plans, these can involve a transfer to Picton or rental-car return there before the Interislander ferry, or a flight from Blenheim to Wellington.
5-10 Day Wellington Return Self Drive Holidays
What Is Included in a Wellington Return Self Drive Package?
Our Wellington self-drive holiday packages include accommodation, rental car arrangements and selected sightseeing experiences, with inclusions varying by itinerary. Hybrid rental vehicles are standard where car rental is included, while fully electric vehicles are available as an option, subject to availability.
Depending on your chosen holiday, experiences may include Wellington sightseeing, Hawke's Bay attractions, Marlborough wine touring, cycling or sea kayaking. Ferry crossings, airport transfers, meals and additional activities vary between packages.
All itineraries can be customised to suit your travel dates, accommodation preferences and interests.
How Does the Cook Strait Crossing Work?
South Island itineraries cross Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton before continuing through Marlborough and other upper South Island destinations. Vehicle arrangements depend on the package. On the ten-day Top of the South itinerary, you collect the rental car in Picton and return it there before taking the ferry back to Wellington.
For the six-day Wellington and Marlborough holiday, tell us whether you want to return to Wellington or continue elsewhere. We can discuss a transfer or rental-car return in Picton followed by the Interislander Cook Strait ferry, a flight from Blenheim to Wellington or Auckland, or an extended itinerary towards Christchurch or Queenstown.
Plan your Wellington return holiday: Send us your travel dates, preferred destinations, accommodation requirements and activity interests. We can discuss extra nights, vehicle options and return connections before preparing your quote.