Tour Type: Premium Self Drive Tour
Duration: 19 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
|
from NZ $7525 pp
|
19 Day Tasman Odyssey Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
Back to top |
Day
1 |
Arrive Auckland
"Haere Mai" Welcome to Auckland - the City of Sails. On arrival at Auckland airport, you will be personally met by our representative & transferred in an executive sedan to your accommodation. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore what Auckland has to offer.
Built on an isthmus of 48 volcanoes, Auckland's fertile valleys and islands are home to award-winning wineries. 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 – Bay of Islands
Your rental car will be delivered to your accommodation this morning. Travel north over the Harbour Bridge and along the Hibiscus Coast to arrive in Paihia, a seaside town nestled on the shores of this National Maritime Park in the Bay of Islands. On arrival visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, New Zealand’s most historic site where the Treaty was signed between the Maori Chiefs and the British Crown. (B)
|
Day
3 |
Overnight Bay of Islands cruise aboard Ipipiri
The morning is at leisure. Check in early afternoon for your overnight cruise on board Ipipiri. As you cruise through the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands, afternoon tea will be served. With 144 islands and abundant marine and bird life, the Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand’s finest sub-tropical marine parks, stunning during the day and unforgettable at night. This afternoon you have the choice of doing as much or as little as you like. Take a kayak tour, go snorkelling, enjoy a guided nature walk and tree planting, take a leisurely stroll on a secluded beach or simply relax and soak up the views from the sundeck.
As the sun sets behind the islands of the Bay and your cruise ship finds a sheltered cave to moor overnight, the ambience transforms aboard Ipipiri. New Zealand wines, local cuisine and knowledgeable crew help create the perfect setting. (B/D)
|
Day
4 |
Bay of Islands – Takapuna
Head south from Paihia late morning and at Whangarei, take the turn-off to Dargaville. Home to the original Dalmatian gum diggers and kauri loggers who made the area their own in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and whose lives are charted in the local museum. Approximately 40 kms south of Dargaville is Matakohe, home to the Kauri Museum (admission included). This amazing museum tells the fascinating story of the pioneering days through the use of kauri timber and kauri gum. Explore the many exceptional displays and galleries inside the museum from the magnificent collection of antique kauri furniture and the largest collection of kauri gum in the world to restored machinery including New Zealand’s earliest tractor, a 1929 Cat 60, and a turning steam sawmill. Leaving Matakohe, rejoin the main highway and a two hour drive brings you back to Auckland. (B)
|
Day
5 |
Takapuna – Coromandel
This morning you continue your journey to the Coromandel through Auckland and along the Pacific Coast Highway, traversing the spectacular east coast of the North Island, is one of the great touring routes in the world. The Pacific Coast Highway is well signposted along the entire route, giving a safe and easy way to navigate through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery New Zealand has to offer. (B)
|
Day
6 |
Explore Coromandel & its beaches
There are many beautiful places in the world and the Coromandel Peninsula is an unspoilt haven. Today you have a full day of leisure. You may choose to enjoy stunning Cathedral Cove. Accessible only on foot or by boat, famous Cathedral Cove is one of the "must visit" sites on the Coromandel Peninsula. The track begins at the northern end of Hahei. You can also choose to dig your own spa pool using the thermal waters in the sand at Hot Water Beach. There are other hot water springs nearby but the location of these two springs on the beach make them unique. You can only dig your own spa pool 1 hour either side of low tide. (B) |
Day
7 |
Coromandel – Rotorua
Depart today and travel along the Bay of Plenty coastline through the subtropical orchards of kiwi fruit and citrus. Head inland through massive pine forests, passing many of the regions crystal clear lakes en route to Rotorua. (B)
|
Day
8 |
Rotorua
Enjoy a cruise on the beautiful fresh waters of Lake Rotoiti this morning on board a luxury sailing catamaran. You have the chance to hoist the sails and grind the winches, try your hand at trout fishing, leap off to swim in the fresh water or soak in the natural mineral hot pools that are only accessible by boat. Your skipper and crew will share local legends with you and point out some of the many historic and culturally significant sites of Lake Rotoiti.
Free time to explore Rotorua this afternoon. 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
9 |
Fly Rotorua to Christchurch, overnight Akaroa
This morning, board your flight to Christchurch. On arrival, collect your car & drive to Akaroa, a quaint seaside village on the Banks Peninsula with a strong French Heritage just 90 minutes drive away. Settled in the early 1860’s, it retains its French flavour with its street names & architecture. (B)
|
Day
10 |
Wildlife Harbour Cruise
Your wildlife harbour cruise today will be fully narrated by your skipper who has extensive knowledge of the nature, wildlife and history of the harbour. The highlight of this trip is undoubtedly the sighting of one of the world's smallest and rarest dolphins, the Hector's or New Zealand Dolphin. These friendly and inquisitive mammals meet the boat most days throughout the year and their calves can be seen between October and March. Also on the trip you may catch glimpses of the White Flippered Blue Penguin, the smallest penguin in the world. There are many different bird species in the Harbour, including five different cormorant species and there is the chance of sighting the endangered yellow-eyed penguin. (B) |
Day
11 |
Akaroa, Tekapo, Aoraki Mt Cook
Travel through the MacKenzie Country to Lake Tekapo where you stop view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of local stone and oak in 1935. Then it’s on to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. Mt Cook is Australasia'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 (optional Ski-plane & helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions).
(B/D)
|
Day
12 |
Tasman Glacier, Queenstown
This morning, you get to experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, in the most unique way possible. 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 & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. This afternoon, travel on to Queenstown, a spectacular alpine resort regarded as New Zealand’s premier destination. (B)
|
Day
13 |
Queenstown at leisure
Nothing you have experienced will have prepared you for the excitement of a Shotover Jet ride as you speed through the towering, rocky canyons of the South Island's river of gold. The major highlight is the famous Shotover Turn, where your boat spins through a full 360 degrees in its own length. On completion, the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore Queenstown. Optional activities available include bungy jumping, white water rafting, four wheel driving, cruising on Lake Wakatipu, riding a gondola to the summit of Bob's Peak for panoramic views or simply enjoying the excellent shopping and dining available. (B) |
Day
14 |
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Excursion
Queenstown is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park. Today, leave your car behind & board a luxury glass-roofed coach to the Doubtful Sound. Travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Manapouri. Then cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to West Arm before boarding a coach and crossing the alpine route of Wilmot Pass through some of Fiordland and Doubtful Sound’s most dense rainforest.
On reaching Deep Cove, board a modern catamaran vessel, the Patea Explorer for a three hour cruise exploring the waterways of this serene and isolated fiord. There is plenty of time available to explore points of interest and view the spectacular alpine scenery including waterfalls, rainforest and mountains all the way out to the Tasman Sea. It is home to bottlenose dolphins and fur seals and when in season, the rare Fiordland crested penguin.
An on board nature guide with specialist knowledge of the region’s history, flora and fauna provides detailed interpretation in English with a roving microphone. On the return cruise, the vessel’s engines are turned off and visitors are treated to the ‘sound of silence’. (B/L) |
Day
15 |
Queenstown, Wanaka, Lake Moeraki
Depart Queenstown this morning & travel along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass. Few places can match the unique natural setting of your accommodation for the next 2 nights, the Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge located in the heart of the 2.7 million hectre World Heritage Westland National Park. (B/D)
|
Day
16 |
Day of leisure
Spectacular beaches, pristine lakes & untouched, ancient rainforests provide a paradise for nature lovers. Enjoy the many activities available at the lodge including guided & self-guided bush walks. (B/D) |
Day
17 |
West Coast Glaciers, Punakaiki Rocks
This morning, journey up the coast to Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers. You may also wish to add an extra day to this itinerary at this point if you are interested in a guided glacier walk or heli-hike on either of the glaciers. Continue north along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's, to the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowhole. (B)
|
Day
18 |
TranzAlpine Train, Christchurch
On arrival in Greymouth return your rental car to the Greymouth depot before checking in for your train journey to Christchurch. The TranzAlpine is described as "The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure" and is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world. Ascend through lush beech forests past the beautiful Lake Brunner via the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass situated 737 metres above sea level, before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. The TranzAlpine then winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley & across the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch. (B)
|
Day
19 |
Depart Christchurch
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand. (B) |
| |
Note: The Glacier Explorer Tour at Mt Cook, does not operate between May-September so replaced with a Wilderness Safari Tour on the Dart River in Queenstown. This replaces the Shotover Jet ride in Queenstown as well.
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 |
 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
|
| |
| Intermediate Car |
NZ $7,812 |
NZ $7,525 |
NZ $8,620 |
| Full Size Car |
NZ $7,916 |
NZ $7,629 |
NZ $8,724 |
| Mid Size 4WD |
NZ $8,100 |
NZ $7,813 |
NZ $8,907 |
| Full Size 4WD |
NZ $8,201 |
NZ $7,915 |
NZ $9,009 |
| People Mover (MPV) |
NZ $8,264 |
NZ $7,979 |
NZ $9,073 |
| Premium Full Size 4WD |
NZ $8,365 |
NZ $8,079 |
NZ $9,173 |
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER
2012 Season Sale! Save 5% off the prices shown on our website, for all 2012 departures. Deposit this month to qualify!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
. 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 September 2012. |
| |
- 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 updated 2 December 2011.
|
|
   
     |
