Description
The Tour
14 days/13 nights - a self-drive tour encompassing the natural and cultural wonders of New Zealand, with a choice of standard or superior accommodation.
Day 1: Arrive Auckland
On arrival into Auckland, you will be transferred to the Mercure Auckland for your overnight stay. You'll be given all your tour documentation including maps and driving instructions. (RO)
Day 2: Auckland - Rotorua (235km - approx 3 hours 30 min)
This morning, collect your Thrifty rental car and set off for Rotorua, that amazing land of bubbling geysers and fizzing thermal pools. Check into the Hotel Ibis Rotorua for 2 nights. (RO)
Day 3: Rotorua
A full day at your leisure - time to explore this thermal wonderland. (RO)
Day 4: Rotorua - Napier (225km - approx 3 hours 45 min)
Hit the road again today, heading for Napier, famous for its parks, gardens and shoreline. Enjoy 2 nights at the Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel, Napier. (RO)
Day 5: Napier
A full day at leisure - time to explore this lovely place. A visit to one of the top-class wineries will surely be a highlight. (RO)
Day 6: Napier - Wellington (330km - approx 4 hours 50 min)
Make your way to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, where you stay overnight at the Hotel Ibis Wellington. (RO)
Day 7: Wellington - Picton/Blenheim (30km - approx 30 min)
This morning, return your Thrifty rental car to the Wellington Ferry Terminal Depot and board the Interislander Ferry for your journey from North Island to South Island, across Cook Strait to Picton. Collect your Thrifty rental car from the Picton depot and drive to Blenheim, where you will stay 1 night at the Scenic Circle Blenheim Country Hotel. (RO)
Day 8: Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch (315km - approx 4 hours)
Drive down the coast past the towns of Kaikoura (famous for whale watching) and Cheviot, before arriving in historic Christchurch. Overnight at the Copthorne Durham Street Hotel, Christchurch. (RO)
Day 9: Christchurch - Lake Tekapo (225km - approx 3 hours)
Set off today for Lake Tekapo, where you will overnight at Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort. (RO)
Day 10: Lake Tekapo - Queenstown (260km - approx 3 hours 30 min)
Journey to Queenstown and stay 2 nights at the Rydges Lakeland Resort, Queenstown in a Deluxe Lake View Room. (RO)
Day 11: Queenstown
Today enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps take a thrilling jetboat ride, a vintage steamer lake cruise, a visit to the high country sheep stations, a mountain gondola ride (all at extra cost) - the list is endless! You also have time to relax and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery. (RO)
Day 12: Queenstown - Dunedin (285km - approx 4 hours)
Today you drive to Dunedin - the 'Edinburgh of the South'. This afternoon, you are free to explore - you may like to visit the Otago Peninsula, home of the Royal Albatross Colony and the yellow-eyed penguins, or historic Larnach Castle. Overnight at the Scenic Circle Dunedin City Hotel. (RO)
Day 13: Dunedin - Christchurch (360km - approx 5 hours)
Make your way back to Christchurch with some fantastic memories to savour. Overnight at the Copthorne Durham Street Hotel, Christchurch. (RO)
Day 14: Depart Christchurch
Your amazing tour is over. Return your Thrifty rental car to the city or airport depot. (RO)
Superior Accommodation
- Auckland - Hyatt Regency Auckland
- Rotorua - Millennium Rotorua
- Napier - County Hotel
- Wellington - Novotel Capital Hotel
- Blenheim - Copthorne Hotel Marlborough
- Christchurch - Millennium Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo - Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort
- Queenstown - Grand Mercure St Moritz (Standard Lake View Room)
- Dunedin - Scenic Circle Southern Cross