Tour Type: Premium Self Drive Tour
Duration: 16 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
|
from NZ $5069 pp
|
16 Day Pure New Zealand Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
Back to top |
Day
1 |
Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland airport, you will be personally met by our representative & transferred in an executive sedan to your accommodation. The afternoon is yours to relax or to explore the 'City of Sails'. Auckland is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant city, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences. Family attractions abound and the city has plenty of adrenaline for adventure lovers. Indulge in auckland's shopping, nightlife and unrivalled cuisine. Discover why Auckland is one of the best places in the world to live - and visit.
|
Day
2 |
Auckland - Rotorua via Waitomo
Your rental car will be delivered to your hotel this morning. Head south along the Southern Motorway to reach the market garden area of Pukekohe. Continue through Hamilton – New Zealand’s fourth largest city and the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitomo Caves. For over 100 years Waitomo Glowworm Caves have attracted millions of people from all over the world. The moment you enter this subterranean wonderland you’ll discover an ancient underground labyrinth of limestone caves and grottos. You’ll experience a boat trip like no other, journeying through the starry expanse of the Glowworm Grotto, while your way is lit by a multitude of tiny glowworm lights. On completion continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the “thermal city” of Rotorua. (B)
|
Day
3 |
Explore Rotorua
Free time to explore Rotorua 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. (B/D) |
Day
4 |
Rotorua – Lake Taupo – Napier
This morning depart Rotorua and head to Wai-O-Tapu. Walk at your own pace and marvel at the reserve’s unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. Stop at the mighty Huka Falls and Wairakei Geothermal project then wander around the popular lakeside resort of Taupo. Continue on to Napier, one of the world’s finest Art Deco cities. (B)
|
Day
5 |
Napier - Martinborough
Today’s route has you driving through some of New Zealand’s rural heartland with a mixture of sheep, dairy and crop farming. Stop at Pukaha Mount Bruce Nature and Wildlife Reserve where you’ll experience some of New Zealand’s endangered wildlife up close and in the wild. Learn about what is being done to save kiwi, tuatara, kokako, kaka and return them to our forests. Later, make your way through the farming towns of Masterton, Carterton and Greytown before arriving in the boutique wine-village of Martinborough. (B)
|
Day
6 |
Martinborough– Wellington
Take time to stroll around the village before making your way over the Rimutaka Range to arrive into New Zealand’s Capital – the harbour city of Wellington. Take a drive up Mount Victoria or a ride up the Cable Car to get some magnificent views of this picturesque city. You may also like to have a walk around Oriental Bay, visit ‘Te Papa’, the Museum of New Zealand, or spend some time shopping or dining in one of the many fine restaurants down town. (B)
|
Day
7 |
Wellington – Picton – Nelson
Today you will travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The journey across Cook Strait has a dramatic beauty all of its own. Both Islands can be viewed, including the magnificent Kaikoura ranges, and there is often the chance to see wildlife such as seabirds, dolphins, seals, whales and orca.
On arrival in Picton, drive onto Nelson, a stunning seaside town and gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. (B)
|
Day
8 |
Explore Nelson
Today is at leisure to explore this beautiful region caught between sweeping coastline and the northern edge of the Southern Alps. Nelson is home to diverse communities that have blossomed on rich land in a Mediterranean climate. It is a true lifestyle destination based on adventure, art and nature. Highly recommended is a trip to Abel Tasman National Park. (B) |
Day
9 |
Nelson – Punakaiki
Head south down State Highway 6 through Murchison and the Buller Gorge to make your way to the West Coast. Some different places to visit on the way are Murchison, Westport and Cape Foulwind. Stay the night at Punakaiki, best know for its Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, both of which are a spectacular must-see when visiting the West Coast. Punakaiki has many colourful local crafts people – jewellers, carvers, painters and potters. (B)
|
Day
10 |
Punakaiki - Franz Josef Glacier
After a morning of sightseeing head south today down the West Coast. The West Coast is home to towering rainforests, mountains and glaciers, tranquil lakes and rushing rivers. It is steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1860’s. Tonight you stay at Franz Josef - unique in the fact that the glacier descends from the Southern Alps to just 240 metres above sea level amidst the greenery and lushness of a temperate rainforest. If you'd like to take a guided walk or heli-hike to explore the spectacular ice formations then you'll need an additional night here. Please ask when requesting a quote. (B)
|
Day
11 |
Franz Josef - Queenstown
Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. Travel over the magnificent Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. There is time to wander around the popular lakeside township of Wanaka before travelling over the spectacular Crown Range to the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown. On to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand’s premier holiday destination. (B)
|
Day
12 |
Queenstown
Today is free to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure and leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. It is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park, gateway to the awesome Milford and Doubtful Sounds. (B) |
Day
13 |
Doubtful Sound Day Tour
You will be collected from your hotel this morning and travel by coach to Manapouri. Your Doubtful Sound Wilderness Excursion begins as you cruise the crystal clear waters of Lake Manapouri, a stunning lake renowned for its numerous islands and deserted beaches. Then it’s over Wilmot Pass, on one of New Zealand’s remotest and prettiest sub-alpine roads, stopping along the way to experience some of Fiordland’s densest rainforest and to view Doubtful Sound glistening far below. On reaching Deep Cove, you will board your vessel for a cruise that takes in the most dramatic scenery of Doubtful Sound. Nature guides provide an engaging commentary and point out the highlights. Keep a look out for wildlife as bottlenose dolphins frequently swim alongside the vessel, fur seals bask on the rocks around the fiord and rare penguins can at times be observed. After your cruise reboard your coach and travel back to Queenstown. (B/L) |
Day
14 |
Queenstown – Mt Cook
Make sure to stop off at the historic and beautiful mining village of Arrowtown today before journeying through the rugged and beautiful landscape of Otago. Cross the Lindis Pass into the MacKenzie Country to arrive at Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. Mt Cook is Australiasia’s highest mountain at 3764 metres. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. (B)
|
Day
15 |
Mt Cook - Christchurch
Experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, in the most unique way possible. This morning an experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier where you will also get to touch and taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Later visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and stop to view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of local stone and oak in 1935. Leaving the High Country, cross the vast Canterbury Plains to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch. (B)
|
Day
16 |
Depart Christchurch
At leisure today until you return your rental car to the airport in time to connect with your onward flight. (B) |
| |
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 |
 |
16 Day Pure New Zealand Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys.
3 Reviews,
Average Rating 4.7
of 5.
|
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and Jarrod was a pleasure to work with, even though we scheduled the tour fairly close to our departure, had no clue what we were doing and modified the tour significantly (adding days here and there, reordering the south island, adding a third for the second half of the tour, etc). Everything on the tour went off without a hitch and it was all planned out for us very well. The only downside was that we didn't spend nearly enough time in New Zealand - it's a beautiful country full of very friendly people. For those of you planning a trip in the future, the one thing I would think hard about is how much time your spending at each stopover - it can seem a bit on the rushed side when you spend only a single night in most of the hotels, and this also tends to make the trip very weather dependent.
Roger Sunshine (United States)
Tour Date 10/11/2011 |
Our trip to NZ was just amazing!!! You have a beautiful country whose vistas constantly awed us. The operative word throughout the trip was WOW. The natural wonders, the hiking trails, the food, the people and the places we stayed were incredible. Your planning for our trip was particularly seamless. All the greetings, transfers, sight visitations and hotel accommodations worked perfectly. No snags at all. The activities that we did like sea kayaking, whale watching, paragliding, wine tasting, hiking and the Doubtful Sound cruise will remain with us forever. We always seemed to be short on time as we moved from one town to the next to do all the things we wanted. Loved the casual tracks that we came upon just off the roads. Most of our accommodations were stupendous! In particular WE LOVED the De Brett, Koura Lodge, the Resurgence, Hapuku Lodge (of course) and the Te Waonui Forest Retreat. The architectural wonders, service and hosts were all fantastic. At Hapuku Tree Houses Peter spent several hours with the owner Tony Wilson talking about building, architectural details and his initial concepts. Peter and Claire at the Resurgence were excellent hosts and we enjoyed having dinner alone with them on one of our nights there. Very personal interactions that will make this trip quite memorable. You were quite correct in spending extra for these wonderful stays! Of the B&Bs: Cobden Garden Homestay in Napier and Cambria House in Nelson were quite charming and the hosts quite accommodating. The B&B in Wellington was not great. Clean, but not so appealing. For a city like Wellington, thought we could have had a nicer place with some more charm. Peppers in Martinborough was lovely, they gave us a lovely very large room! The other Peppers in Clearwater was OK but understandably outside of Christchurch was quite difficult. Just for your feedback and possible readjustment for the future: our disappointment was with the Punakaiki Resort. Although the scenery and placement on the beach was incredible, the service was not! Staff were unfriendly, served poorly and were quite unhelpful. Our room was situated right above the kitchen. Good we only had one night there. Browns Boutique was pleasant and well situated. It's space is getting a bit tired but still quite comfortable. The hostess, Jillian, was lovely. Overall this was such an incredible trip that we will not soon forget the details. We thank you Jarrod for helping to create this wonderful memory.
Lynn & Peter Shaffer (United States)
Tour Date 28/02/2011 |
The whole thing was great ! All the way through from inital enquiry to completion of tour. If I wanted to give constructive feedback - one thing which would help others is that if on the Pure Soak & Sail at Roturoa the instructions said that the boat sailed out of the harbour at Duxtons hotel (even the companys own brochure didnt make that clear) it would just be easier to find. All the accomodation was fine -the only motel you might reconsider using was the Albatross Motel in Napier -the acommodation was fine - but it is on a very busy road. Overall we would recommend your company highly to anyone. The web site is also very clear and informative. Thank you very much for a fantastic holiday!
Pete & Alison Jordan (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 09/01/2011 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
|
| |
| Intermediate Car |
NZ $5,069 |
NZ $5,115 |
NZ $5,925 |
| Full Size Car |
NZ $5,131 |
NZ $5,176 |
NZ $5,987 |
| Mid Size 4WD |
NZ $5,323 |
NZ $5,368 |
NZ $6,179 |
| Full Size 4WD |
NZ $5,413 |
NZ $5,459 |
NZ $6,268 |
| People Mover (MPV) |
NZ $5,468 |
NZ $5,513 |
NZ $6,324 |
| Premium Full Size 4WD |
NZ $5,557 |
NZ $5,603 |
NZ $6,413 |
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. |
| |
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- International flights to & from New Zealand are not included.
- Single, Triple & Quad prices are available on request.
- If you would prefer a mix of the accommodation listed we can arrange this.
- For families we can also price our premium self drive tours using self catering apartments.
- Our premium B&B's do not cater for children.
- 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.
|
|
 
      |
