Self Drive Holidays 7 Day Northern Scenes Self Drive

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

Stay 1 night Auckland

Travel south through lush Waikato farmland. Stop at Hamilton along the way, then continue South to Woodlyn Park where you will stay in a unique Hobbit motel unit. 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.

Overnight accommodation in Waitomo

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 in 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.

Option: Spend your day in the Rainbow Springs Nature Park.

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 in Wellington

Join a full day tour to Lord Of The Rings movie sets today. Wellington was the main filming and production location for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, which was shot entirely in New Zealand. On this full day tour visit the film locations used for the Shire, the Gardens of Isengard, the River Anduin, Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith and where the hobbits rached to the ferry and hid from the Nazgul. Be spellbound at the site of Lothlorien - the majestic Fernside Lodge. In 2000 Fernside's lake was transformed into part of Lothlorien, and then to the Gladden fields. Fernside's white bridge remains as a reminder of the bridge of Lothlorien. Explore Rivendell and the riverside spot where Aragorn was washed ashore. Also visit Miramar, home to the production studios and to many of the stars while they were filming and the new Weta Cave with souvenirs and a virtual tour of the Weta Workshop. 

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