Arrive Auckland
Arrive Auckland and collect your rental car before making your way to your accommodation. Auckland, New Zealand’s largest population centre, is poised between two enormous harbours and dotted with extinct volcanic cones. The region is a fusion of four cities – Auckland, Manukau, North Shore and Waitakere – with cultural elements that span from Polynesia and Asia to the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe. While Auckland acts as a gateway to New Zealand, it’s also a destination in its own right. Visitors can explore the islands of the Hauraki Gulf by ferry or charter boat, walk the forest tracks of the Waitakere Ranges, follow wine trails and enjoy the relaxing pleasures of urban life by the sea. Stay: Oaktree Motel
Day 2
Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo
Today make your way south through the lush Waikato farmlands south of Auckland to Waitomo, where entrance to the caves is included. Continue on to Rotorua, set in a tranquil lake studded basin among forested hills, the town is centre for a region where one surprise follows another. Geysers spout 15 metres into the air, bubbling cauldrons spit out mud and steam vents hiss to an all-prevailing odour of sulphur. Stay: Six on Union (2 nights)
Day 3
Rotorua
Free time to explore Rotorua this today. You may like to visit the Agrodome or take a gondola ride to the top of Mt Ngongotaha for spectacular views of Rotorua. Later this afternoon visit Te Puia geothermal area to view the boiling mudpools and cascading Pohutu geyser that make Rotorua famous as New Zealand’s thermal city. This evening experience Te Po, Te Puia’s cultural experience. It is a feast of cultural storytelling, entertainment and Maori kai (indigenous food). After a formal Maori welcome, relax and enjoy a performance including the beautiful songs, haka and poi dance. After dinner you will be transported by people movers to enjoy the spectacular lighting of the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley and hot chocolate. (D)
Day 4
Rotorua to Napier
Journey south to the Hawke’s Bay region and Napier, undoubtedly New Zealand’s most unusual city, completely rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1931, it features one of the densest concentrations of art deco buildings in the world. It is a fascinating city, benefiting from a good coastal location and a Mediterranean-like climate. This is no doubt key to the status of the surrounding area of Hawke’s Bay being one of New Zealand’s top wine producers. Stay: Bella Tuscany on Kennedy (2 nights)
Day 5
Napier
This morning enjoy a guided walk where your accredited guide will bring Napier’s fascinating architecture to life for you as you take an easy stroll through the compact Art Deco Quarter in the vibrant city centre. Afternoon at your leisure.
Day 6
Napier to Wellington
Today make your way to Wellington, New Zealand’s vibrant capital city is nestled between a stunning natural harbour on the southern coast of the North Island and the forested hills of the Rimutaka and Tararua Ranges. Stay: Capital Gateway Motor Lodge
Day 7
Wellington to Blenheim via Picton
This morning return your rental car to the depot at the ferry terminal and board the Interislander
ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton, on arrival collect your new rental car and make your way to Blenheim. The largest town in the Marlborough region, Blenheim’s location in the heart of this premier wine making district makes it a very popular destination, It’s north easterly position on the South Island also makes it a natural overnight stopover for those heading down the coast to Christchurch. Stay: Commodore Court Motel
Day 8
Blenheim to Christchurch
Today travel south along the east coast of the South Island to Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, Christchurch is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The city has had 2 earthquakes in the last year, and as a result the central CBD district has been damaged. However many of the activites in and around Christchurch are still operating as normal, and there is plenty to experience and see. Stay: Antonio's Motor Lodge
Day 9
Christchurch to Dunedin
Today continue south to Dunedin, boosted by riches from the 1861 gold rush, Dunedin grew from an isolated outpost to a bastion of European culture, retaining close links to it’s Scottish heritage. The Victorian and Edwardian architecture would be equally at home in Edinburgh, the city from which Dunedin draws its name. This afternoon enjoy a one hour Wildlife Cruise from Wellers Rock. Stay: Adrian Motel
Day 10
Dunedin to Te Anau
Travel inland to Te Anau, you may like to detour slightly to travel through the stunning Caitlins region which is just south of Dunedin. The small town of Te Anau is best known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park. A very pretty lakeside community, it is the nearest town to Milford and Doubtful Sounds as well as many of the great walks of this area. In response to an ever expanding tourist trade it has developed into a lively little town of waterfront cafes and restaurants and offers all manner of activities. Stay: Aden Motel
Day 11
Te Anau to Queenstown via Milford Sound
Today make your way to Milford Sound one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed areas of natural beauty. Drive through the beech forests of the Hollyford and Eglinton Valleys and Homer Tunnel, to reach Milford Sound. On arrival, board the launch for a cruise through the sound to enjoy its magnificent mountains, waterfalls and wildlife. After your cruise please make your way onwards to Queenstown. The resort town of Queenstown is sophisticated and fantastically scenic. Its lake and mountain landscape is suited to almost any kind of adventure; but Queenstown is just as well known as a place for indulgence. Stay: Sherwood Manor (2 nights)
Day 12
Queenstown
Today is at your leisure to explore Queenstown and the surrounding areas. It has a well earned reputation for offering adrenaline fuelled activities and will not disappoint even the most fearless visitor, from bungy jumping to white water surfing, jet-boating, canyoning, luging and parapenting. Added to that the more traditional pursuits of rafting, wind-surfing, horse riding, mountain biking and skiing in winter and the only problem is finding the time to fit it all in. Choose from one of our optional Queenstown based experiences (right hand side of this page) and we can include it in your itinerary.
Day 13
Queenstown to Mt Cook Today make your way to Mt Cook, the village is a comfortable haven in one of the most unforgiving parts of New Zealand. On every side, the Southern Alps scrape the sky. Even in summer, the weather can change in the blink of an eye. You don’t have to be a mountaineer to interact with the stunning scenery; there are various alpine walks beginning near the village, flight-seeing, tours to the Tasman Glacier and heli-skiing (in winter) are other ways to optimise your time in the area. Stay: Hermitage (Motel Units)
Day 14
Mt Cook to Christchurch This morning enjoy a glacier tour from the terminal lake of the Tasman Glacier, afterwards journey onwards through the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Centred around the willow-lined River Avon, Christchurch is compact and easy to explore, with a refreshingly friendly buzz. But far from being a quiet backwater, this is a vibrant city where there is seldom a dull moment. There are numerous street performers, lively markets, music venues and theatres, as well as more cafés, bars and restaurants than any other New Zealand town, not to mention at least a dozen annual festivals. Stay: Antonio's Motor Lodge
Day 15
Depart Christchurch Today your holiday comes to an end, please return your rental car to the depot at Christchurch airport prior to your departure flight.
Note: The Glacier Explorer Tour at Mt Cook, does not operate between May-September so is replaced with the Shotover Jet in Queenstown.
Note: This self drive tour can be completed in reverse order, the tour cost remains the same.To view tour prices or to make an enquiry, please click on the Tabs at the top of this itinerary.Top
15 Day Aotearoa Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys.
1 Reviews,
Average Rating 4.0
of 5.
We enjoyed the scenary and found the accommodation satisfactory in almost all cases. Car hire arrangements were good apart from the non availability of a GPS at Wellington. The balance between travel, free days and activities was good.
David & Caroline Allen (United Kingdom) Tour Date 05/01/2011
* 1 & 2 Bedroom motel units are all self catering.
** 2 Bedroom motel prices based on 4 adults travelling.
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
2012/13 Season Sale! Save 10% off the prices shown on our website, for 01 May to 31 Aug 2012 departures. Save 5% on all other departures. Deposit this month to qualify!
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'.
Self Drive Tour Notes
Prices above are per person & valid till September 2013.
2 Bedroom motel prices above are based on 4 adults travelling.
Some motel studios may not have full self catering facilities. If self catering is required then please request a 1 or 2 bedroom room.
If a property listed on our itinerary is unavailable at the time of booking we will replace it with a equivalent accommodation, and let you know, to ensure it is to your satisfaction.
Please note this itinerary was last amended 5 April 2012.
