Tour Type: Budget Self Drive Tour
Duration: 14 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $2173 pp
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14 Day Geysers To Glaciers Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
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Day
1 |
Arrive Auckland
"Haere Mai" Welcome to Auckland. On your arrival in Auckland pick up your chosen car and tour documentation, guides, maps and travel vouchers. You then travel onto your centrally located accommodation. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore what Auckland has to offer. Stay: Oaktree Motel |
Day
2 |
Auckland – Rotorua
Travel south through lush Waikato farmland, perhaps via Waitomo Caves, to Rotorua, steeped in Maori culture and history. 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. Stay: Six on Union (2 nights) (D) |
Day
3 |
At Rotorua
A day free to explore this exciting thermal region – there are many activities to enjoy. Perhaps visit the Agrodome to see a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds and sheep shearing. Or Rainbow Springs to see rainbow and brown trout and native birds including the Kiwi. Another option is the spectacular Skyline Gondola offering superb views over the city, Lake Rotorua and the surrounding mountains. |
Day
4 |
Rotorua - Wellington
Drive south through steam clad Wairakei, to Taupo. Skirt Lake Taupo, across the volcanic plateau past the cones of Tongariro, Ngaruahoe and Ruapehu. Cross the Manawatu plains then along the rugged Kapiti coastline to our capital city, sprawled over the hills surrounding Wellington Harbour. Overnight in Wellington. Stay: Capital Gateway Motor Lodge
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Day
5 |
Wellington – Picton – Christchurch
Cross Cook Strait by ferry, to the Marlborough Sounds and Picton. 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. Overnight in Christchurch. Stay: Antonio's Motor Lodge
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Day
6 |
Christchurch – Twizel
Cross the broad Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine to the barren MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd dedicated to the early pioneers of the region. Visit Mt Cook National Park, with time to enjoy the scenic majesty of New Zealand’s highest snow capped peaks before travelling around Lake Pukaki to Twizel. Stay: Mountain Chalets |
Day
7 |
Twizel - Dunedin
Drive south to historic Oamaru and on to Dunedin – "the Edinburgh of the South". An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Perhaps you'd like to join a cruise of the beautiful Otago Harbour and Taiaroa Head, along with a scenic bus tour of the Otago Peninsula with Monarch Harbour Cruises. You can also include a guided tour of the award-winning Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve or Royal Albatross Centre. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge Train excursion or explore the city only a few minutes walk away. Stay: Aberdeen Motel, Dunedin |
Day
8 |
Dunedin - Queenstown
Drive across the rugged country of Central Otago, past the fertile stone fruit orchards beside the mighty Clutha River. Reach Queenstown, an alpine resort nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Stay 3 nights in Queenstown. Stay: Sherwood Manor Hotel, Queenstown (3 nights) |
Day
9 |
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Drive south following the dramatic southern shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Te Anau, then travel through pristine beech forests and the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. We have included a cruise to enable you to appreciate the majesty of Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Return to Queenstown.
For an additional charge you may choose to coach & fly to & from Milford Sound. |
Day
10 |
At Queenstown
A day free for you to enjoy this fabulous Alpine resort. There are dozens of optional activities as well, from thrilling jet boat rides to leisurely lake cruises, 4WD safaris, bungy jumping. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet boat ride, take a Gondola to the Skyline high above, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon or for the adventurous – white water rafting. Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries. |
Day
11 |
Queenstown - Glaciers
Drive to Cromwell and on through the Southern Lakes district to the Haast Pass then north, through dense rain forest broken by rugged coastal vistas, towards the glaciers. A short side trip will take you to view one of these massive rivers of ice. Stay: Glacier View Motel, Franz Josef (2 nights)
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Day
12 |
At Glaciers
A full day to explore this remote and beautiful area. You can take your own time walking up to the glacier, going to the Okarito Lagoon; or join a guided walk on the glacier, take a heli-hike adventure, or a scenic flight over both glaciers. We also recommend a visit to the colony of the beautiful white heron (Kotuku). |
Day
13 |
Glaciers - Christchurch
Travel north along the narrow, bush clad, coastal plain past Hokitika, to Greymouth. Turn inland towards the Southern Alps to travel through the Otira Gorge, over Arthur’s Pass and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. You also have the option (additional cost) of returning over the Alps on the TranzAlpine Train. We'll arrange transfers from the station and to the airport tomorrow. Please request on our enquiry form. Stay: Antonio's Motor Lodge
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Day
14 |
Depart Christchurch
Return your car at the airport in time to catch your onward flight. |
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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 |
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We recently returned from the Geysers to Glaciers tour in wonderful New Zealand. Booking our New Zealand trip through Relaxing Tours was a very efficient, effective, and inexpensive way to see the country. From start to finish Jarrod made the planning process simple and painless. He made our additions and special requests to our journey happen. Once we arrived in county after a very long flight, the rest of the trip was a breeze. Our rental vehicle was waiting at the airport, we were provided a detailed day by day itinerary, a road atlas, and we hit the road with our voucher book in hand. Before we arrived I had wondered if there would be some additional/hidden expenses with the tour, but everything was as straight forward and simple as advertised. All we had to do was show up at each stop on the itinerary and hand them our voucher, with no additional fees or surprises at any stop. All of our accommodations were basic but very clean, and the hotel owners very friendly and willing to help out with advice on local places to see, eat, shop, etc.. Having kitchen facilities at each stop also allowed us to cook and save money for shopping and other adventures. I would highly recommend Relaxing Journeys as a nearly effortless way to book a vacation in New Zealand. Not having to worry about all the details allowed us to concentrate on the fabulous scenery, natural beauty, and culture of the country. The only problem was that I wish we could have stayed longer! Thank you very much for your excellent service.
Rob & Gill Barrow (United States)
Tour Date 28/02/2010 |
Thanks for a great trip. From start to finish our dealings with Relaxing Journeys were fantastic - always prompt, helpful with advice, and flexible to our needs. All arrangements (car, pick ups, tours) went like clockwork - and the accommodation was comfortable, generally well-located & always with helpful and friendly owners. We traveled with family from the USA who had never been to NZ - they were knocked out by this itinerary. We felt it really showed them all the high spots, a remarkable feat for 14 days! There was a lot of driving each day, but this is unavoidable if you want to see 'everything' and have a limited time. Also this is clearly spelled out in the itinerary, so no surprize. Most of the drives were incredibly scenic though - so enjoyable in themselves. The atlas we were given highlighted lots of interesting stops along the way which was very useful. Probably the one regret we had was that there was no time in the itinerary to explore Wellington - we arrived there in the early evening and left very early next morning to catch the ferry south. Would recommend to others to add a day or two in here if you can swing it. My partner and I came back after the others had left and loved it. We took the train from Greymouth to Christchurch - well worth the little extra expense. Special thanks to Kirsten for going above and beyond the call of duty in welcoming us to Auckland! It was a great start to the trip and set a tone which continued throughout our trip.
Deb Michels (United States)
Tour Date 28/02/2010 |
It has been more than a month since we came back from NZ. I should have written to you earlier, on my families behalf, to say many thanks on the excellent planning and arrangements you prepared for us. There is only one word to describe our tour. FANTASTIC! You and and your colleagues really made our recent trip the best family holiday we ever had. All went smoothly, from the day we landed at Auckland International Airport on 7th Nov until our departure on 22nd Nov from Christchurch . The voucher system was very useful. The 4WD was excellent and suited us well. Five grown up adults with five big bags plus 4 lots of hand luggage. South Island is beautiful and we should have stayed there longer. There are so many things to do and my 'grown up' children told me that 16 days in NZ is too short. I hope I can make another trip just to South Island in the near future. For your information our friend is going to New Zealand with his family around middle of 2010 and I told him he should use Relaxing Journeys to plan his NZ holiday. Your holiday itinerary and your email address was passed to him. I told him there is nothing to worry about as everything will be planned for him. Thank you.
Bahawi Bakar & Family (Malaysia)
Tour Date 07/11/2009 |
Brian and I had a fabulous holiday. Having the car and places booked was a great way of going around NZ and I will advise anyone I know going to NZ for a holiday to consider going through yourselves. Just a special mention to a couple of places we stayed at where the hosts and accommodation were just brilliant and they were "SIX on UNION" ( Paul and Sue) in Rotorua, and "Arthurs Court Motor Lodge" (Frank and Joe) in Christchurch. These people really put themselves out to make our stay something special. So thanks again Craig on behalf of my brother and I.
Terry Longhurst (Australia)
Tour Date 25/01/2007 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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| Compact Car |
NZ $2,173 |
NZ $2,336 |
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| Intermediate Car |
NZ $2,205 |
NZ $2,368 |
NZ $1,536 |
| Full Size Car |
NZ $2,291 |
NZ $2,453 |
NZ $1,579 |
| Mid Size 4WD |
NZ $2,440 |
NZ $2,603 |
NZ $1,655 |
| People Mover (MPV) |
NZ $2,576 |
NZ $2,739 |
NZ $1,723 |
* 1 & 2 Bedroom motel units are all self catering.
** 2 Bedroom motel prices based on 4 adults travelling.
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
Earlybird Special! Save 5% off the retail prices shown! Departures to 31 March 2011.
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 September 2010 and 30 September 2010
. Subject to availability at time of booking. |
*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 August 2011. |
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- Frequently Asked Questions.
- 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 updated 22 July 2010.
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