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8 Day North & South Highlights

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Auckland city at night

8 Day North & South Highlights

Want to see some of the North Island and some of the South Island but don't have a lot of time? This is the tour for you. Highlights include a Maori cultural evening, entry to the Te Puia geothermal region and a cruise on New Zealand's majestic Milford Sound.

Tour Info

Tour Type: Self Drive Tours
From: Auckland to Christchurch
Departures: Jan 2019 - March 2020
Price: From (NZD) $1625 per person
Tour Operator: Relaxing Journeys
Duration: 8 Days
Tour Code: GNNSH

Inclusions

7 nights accommodation
Rental vehicle of your choice
Entry to Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Te Po - Maori cultural experience with traditional hangi
Admission to the Te Puia geothermal region
Milford Sound Scenic Coach & Cruise

Conditions

Prices are per person based on twin-share, and are subject to availability. Prices are correct at the time of submission but are subject to change without notice. Valid for travel January 2019 – March 2020. Blackout periods may apply. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required at time of booking.

Click here for our full terms and conditions.

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Day by Day Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Auckland

Welcome to Auckland! On arrival at Auckland airport, please collect your rental car and make your way to your accommodation. New Zealand’s largest city has an idyllic setting, overlooking the forested Waitakere Ranges, sheltered Manukau Harbour and the island studded Hauraki Gulf to the north.

No wonder over a million people choose to live there and enjoy the benefits of nature on the doorstep. Beautiful beaches and dreamy offshore islands are just half an hour from the city. In fact the sea is so much a part of the place that an unusually high number of people own their own boat giving the city its name of ‘City of Sails’.

Your choice of accommodation

Day 2
Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua

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. (2 nights)

Your choice of accommodation

Day 3
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. (D)

Your choice of accommodation

Day 4
Rotorua - Queenstown

Today please return your rental car to the depot at Rotorua airport prior to your flight to Queenstown. On arrival in Queenstown collect your new rental car and make your way to your accommodation.

Some might say the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is the place where just about everything is possible and anything is likely. Boasting an incredible location on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, in front of the impressive Remarkables mountain range, nature has purpose built this area for adventure. (3 nights)

Your choice of accommodation

Day 5
Milford Sound Day Tour

Today we’ve included the Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Travel by luxury coach on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown into Milford Sound.

Upon arrival at Milford Sound, board our vessels, the Milford Mariner or Milford Wanderer which are designed along the lines of traditional trading scows; purpose built to operate in the fiords and offering a laid back, extended, 2.5 hour cruise.

Explore dramatic, moody Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most famous waterway. Throughout your cruise, our nature guide provides an engaging commentary about the magnificent scenery and wildlife (English only). Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins.

Return by coach to Queenstown.

Your choice of accommodation

Day UP
Milford Sound Return Flight Upgrade (NZ$395 PP)

Upgrade your itinerary to include a return to Queenstown via a scenic flight. Take in the magnificent views of the alps, glaciers, lakes and forests of Fiordland National Park – a quick and convenient way to return to Queenstown. (Duration 35mins)

The flight shaves off approximately 4 hours off a return by coach. It is however very weather dependent, so if the weather doesn’t play ball, then you will need to return by coach and we will refund the upgrade price.

Your choice of accommodation

Day 6
Queenstown

Although Queenstown is known for its adventure activities you don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to appreciate Queenstown’s appeal. There is also much available for those wanting indulgence and relaxation, from the fine wines of the region to the many shops.

The best mountain views are to be had from the Skyline Gondola, which has a panoramic restaurant, overlooking the town and Lake Wakatipu, where scenic cruises on a historic steamboat are on offer.

Your choice of accommodation

Day 7
Queenstown - Mt Cook - Christchurch

Today journey through the centre of the South Island through the vast rolling landscapes of Mackenzie Country and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, arriving late afternoon.

Your choice of accommodation

Day 8
Depart Christchurch

Sadly, your holiday is at an end, please return your rental car to the depot at Christchurch airport prior to boarding your onward flight. We bid you a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Your choice of accommodation

4.6/5.0

There are 27 reviews of this tour from past clients of Relaxing Journeys, averaging 4.6 out of 5.

Overall Tour Rating
Value For Money
Accommodation
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Relaxing Journeys Experience

Tour Reviews

5
23/01/2020
The trip was well planned for us (group of 4 girls) and met with what we wanted. The choices of accommodation were also excellent. The cars were in great condition with easy process to pick up and drop off. We had a great time and thank you for organising this trip for us.
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5
29/07/2018
We put together a custom tour, as we wanted to visit the Coromandel region as well as some inland scenery and Lord of the Rings filming locations. While browsing the online options, Relaxing Journeys popped up with a "can we help you" window, and it went from there. Relaxing Journeys proved to be the most helpful and quickest to respond of the tour companies that we checked out. Georgina was our coordinator and she was extremely prompt and helpful throughout, and very patient with all my chopping and changing. I'd mentioned the types of things we wanted to see, and she suggested tours and visits that I would never have even known about. I could never have arranged such an enjoyable and eventful holiday by just doing it all on my own. Upon arriving at our Auckland hotel, our package from Relaxing Journeys was there waiting for us, and included a detailed itinerary, book of vouchers for our tours and events, lots of brochures, and a generous road atlas. I spent a fair bit of time mapping out our routes and reminders for when we needed to phone ahead to confirm bookings. I didn't need to bother as it was all presented for us in our package. The vouchers were immediately recognised and accepted by all the tour/event operators and we never had any dramas. Our only out of pocket costs were for extras like food, fuel, and merchandise. Driving in New Zealand is a pleasure. New Zealanders are courteous drivers and are generally lovely people. We did struggle to find anywhere to park in Wellington, and anyone driving there in a camper or larger vehicle may wish to research this in advance. Our hotel (Distinction Century) let us leave our car there after checking out and before we drove to the airport, for a small additional fee, while we toured Wellington. This was a great help and much appreciated. Special highlights that we most enjoyed included: the glass bottom boat at Whitianga; the Te Puia cultural evening at Rotorua; the Hobbiton tour from Rotorua; Ohakune - everything about Ohakune but especially our drive out to Tawhai Falls and the Tongariro region; and Weta Studios and a Lord of the Rings filming locations tour at Wellington; and the tour to Edoras with Hassle Free Tours, which alone was worth flying to Christchurch for. Anyone visiting Wellington should also set aside half a day to visit the national museum, Te Papa, which was recommended to us by several locals. If we had more time, I would have included the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and finish our trip in Queenstown, but those will have to wait until next time. I'm already thinking of next time! Thank you to Georgina and Relaxing Journeys for an excellent, well organised tour, and to New Zealand for your fantastic scenery, food, wine, culture, and people.
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4
21/05/2018
We rejigged this tour a bit to add some activities: we included a drive to Paihia for the day to visit the "Hole in the Rock", and a segway tour in Christchurch. The accommodation was a bit uneven...better in Auckland and Queenstown (but it wasn't bad anywhere.) Overall, although more expensive than an Asian type holiday, it was a good experience!
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5
05/04/2018
We had the most amazing time in New Zealand thanks to the fabulous organisation of Toni. We couldn't have been happier with every aspect of trip.
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5
06/04/2017
Needed a bigger car, things went very good, like the voucher on my phone, saw beautiful country, got everything we ask for, Thanks!!!
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4
26/12/2016
All was very good.
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4
30/11/2016
I was being served by Mani. Very satisfied with the service and what you have prepared for us in the itinerary. The hotels/motels that were recommended by you are just awesome. Especially the motel in Mount Cook where we stayed for one night and our view was directly mountain facing - thank you for that! The pick up of the rental cars and drop off was also hassle free and convenient. Overall, we are very, very happy with the outcome. Thank you to you and Relaxing journeys for planning out such a well thought out itinerary for me and my family. Will definitely recommend you and Relaxing journey services to my friends and family! Well done and keep up the good work!
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5
12/09/2016
We had a self-drive tour and it was perfect for us. We got to plan where we wanted to go, but we didn't have to do any of the work of making reservations, etc. We really appreciated the flexibility of it; we were in charge of where we went & how long we stayed, we got to start when we wanted to and make stops along the way when we saw something that intrigued us--like an used book sale, a museum, large dark "rocks" on the beach which turned out to be seals & led to us taking a short hike and seeing seals in a fresh-water waterfall pool. It was so easy for us because all the arrangements were already made when we landed--transportation, hotels, events, etc. And we loved the personal guided tour describing the history, stories and legends of the towns and areas we drove by. Our only regret is that time and money didn't allow us to see more of the North Island.
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5
03/03/2016
Our current trip to NZ was partially arranged by the agency and our selves. Finally, Mani put them together and created a thorough package for our \"Self Drives\" tour. The rental pick up, drop off and the transition was very smooth. Highly recommended! The hotel/apartment in Christchurch was not good. Otherwise, we had a wonderful time in NZ. Thank you very much!
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4
24/06/2015
My family and I enjoyed the itinerary. The itinerary was well thought out as it covers the highlights if a traveller is constrained for time. A suggestion would be to include come up with another itinerary for a 10 or a 11 days self-drive and including other attractions such as Bays of Island as some travellers may prefer something longer than 8 days but shorter than 13 days self-drive. It would also provide some time for travellers to explore North Island. Thanks. (Ed. Thanks Siew - we'll look at that, but remember we can do anything, and everyone want's something different :)
Overall Tour Rating

Value For Money

Accommodation

Tour Pace

Relaxing Journeys Experience

Optionals

New Zealand has a great deal of things to see and do, why not add one of our optional sightseeing activities to your trip. Prices are per adult (we'll adjust your quote for any children).

Enquire about our 8 Day North & South Highlights

8 Day North & South Highlights
Self Drive Tours
Tour Code: GNNSH
From (NZD) $1625 per person
Save (NZD) $162 per person
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Terms and conditions apply. Please see tour overview for more information.

Rating:
27 reviews (4.6/5)

Want to see some of the North Island and some of the South Island but don't have a lot of time? This is the tour for you. Highlights include a Maori c... Read More

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Itinerary Map

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8 Day North & South Highlights
Regions Visited

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Auckland Waitomo Rotorua Queenstown Milford Sound Mt Cook Christchurch
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