Self Drive Holidays 14 Day Scenes of New Zealand Self Drive

On your arrival in Auckland, the City of Sails, you will collect your car hire at the airport. Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the city.

Overnight accommodation: Standard - Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland; Superior -  Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

Travel south through lush Waikato farmland. Stop at Hamilton along the way, then continue South to Waitomo, where this afternoon is at leisure for you to explore the region - you could take a tour of one of the glowworm caves in Waitomo, through the magical grotto lit by thousands of tiny glowworms. Alternatively you could go blackwater rafting or watch a cultural show at Woodlyn Park. Stay overnight in a Hobbit Unit at Woodlyn Park Motels.

Overnight accommodation: Standard & Superior -  Hobbit Unit at Woodlyn Park Motels

Drive to the town of Matamata today to join a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Your tour will take you around the movie set, offering an interesting and entertaining experience incorporating a special insight into rural life. Stop at The Shires Rest Cafe at the end of your tour for refreshments or that "Second Breakfast" before driving to Rotorua. Then it is on to Rotorua, steeped in Maori culture and history. 

Two nights accommodation: Standard - Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua: Superior -  Novotel Rotorua Lakeside

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.

Option: Spend your day in the Rainbow Springs Nature Park where you can get close to kiwi, do some adventure activities at Agroventures, relax at the Polynesian Spa, Hells Gate or Wai Ora Spa, or be amazed by the geothermal activity in the region.

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.

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. 

Two nights accommodation: Standard - Ibis Wellington Hotel, Superior -  Museum Art Hotel

Join a full day tour to Lord Of The Rings movie sets today. Your day starts with a tour of locations in the city region, stopping at Mt Victoria & the greenbelt. Take a short walk through the Outer Shire, before driving past Miramar and the South Coast (where most of the big name stars lived) looking at Bree & Dunharrow locations. Visit the WETA CAVE on the Wellywood Coast and learn about current & future films being made in Wellington. The afternoon is spent exploring the Hutt Valley. Stops include the Hutt River (Great River Anduin) & Harcourt Park (Gardens of Isengard & Orc trees), before having a picnic lunch under the elvish trees of Rivendell.

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.

Two nights accommodation: Standard - Christchurch City Park Motel, Superior -  Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square

Enjoy a tour to Lord Of The Rings filming locations in the Canterbury region. Visit the beautiful Mt Potts high country station, home of Mt Sunday. See how this peaceful mountain was transformed into Edoras in the film. Take a short walk to stand on the summit of Edoras as Eowyn did, and take in the breathtaking views. See exclusive behind the scenes photos of Edoras under construction, and the Misty Mountains area that formed the backdrop to Helms Deep. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch whilst on the tour, and handle movie replicas including Aragorn's Sword, King Theoden's Sword, Gimli's Axe, Gandalf's Staff & the Flag of Rohan.

Drive south across the Canterbury Plains through Ashburton, where trout fishing is a local obsession. Further on are historic towns of Timaru with its historic buildings, and 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.

Two nights accommodation: Standard - Wains Hotel Dunedin; Superior -  Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Today you have a full day to explore Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula, famous for it's eco tourism and wildlife and there are a variety of tours and cruises showing all the best of the Dunedin region. Enjoy an argo adventure at Natures Wonders or go on a guided tour of the Yellow Eyed Penguin reserve. 

Take time to explore Larnach Castle and learn about its scandalous history. You might also want to visit Baldwin Street, the world's steepest residential address. End the day with a tour of the 125 year old Speights Brewery, finishing with a tasting of their range of world class beers. Dunedin is memorable for its historical architecture.

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.

Three nights accommodation: Standard - Blue Peaks Lodge, Superior -  The Rees Apartment Hotel

Two free days to enjoy the alpine resort of Queenstown. It's the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, Shotover Jet Boat ride, 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.

Join a full day tour to Lord Of The Rings scenes in Queenstown today and discover why this beautiful region was chosen as one of the locations to portray Middle Earth. 

This morning you are free to explore Queenstown before dropping off your car in the afternoon at Queenstown Airport and catching your flight home.