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12-Day Charming New Zealand

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Overview

Embark on a twelve-day New Zealand exploration that will bring you to incredible geothermal hot spots, patterned river crossings and tumbling glacial wonders!

The seamless self-drive journey will begin in Auckland and pass through the North Island highlights of Waitomo, Rotorua, and Wellington. The trip then takes you on a ferry connection from the North Island to the South Island with so much to enjoy along the way. Here, you'll tour Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, the famous South Island glacier region and the wild West Coast!
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Wellness
Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Auckland

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Arrive in Auckland

Upon arrival, you'll pick up your rental car and drive to your accommodation. Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, it is recommended that you get out on the water whilst here. In the afternoon, you can explore the city on your own and visit the iconic Sky Tower, boasting 360-degree views of the city.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Auckland City Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Sky TowerOptional Activity

    AucklandOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Auckland Airport to Auckland

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

Day 2

Travel from Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Hobbiton Movie Set

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Travel from Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Hobbiton Movie Set

Today, you'll leave Auckland and journey past rolling green hills to Waitomo for a tour through an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Then, you'll head to Matamata where a delightful slice of Middle Earth awaits you at Hobbiton. Finishing off a visually fulfilling day, you'll continue along the Thermal Explorer Highway and through a green oasis lined with lush tree ferns to Rotorua, the geothermal destination like nowhere else!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    ibis Rotorua3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    Hobbiton Movie Set

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Auckland to Waitomo Caves

    Rental Car from Waitomo Caves to Matamata

    Rental Car from Matamata to Rotorua

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

    Waitomo

    Matamata

    Rotorua

Day 3

Free Day to Explore Rotorua & Traditional Hangi Dinner

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Free Day to Explore Rotorua & Traditional Hangi Dinner

A place to feel the earth's power, Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. Besides geothermal activity, Rotorua is a hub of Maori culture in New Zealand, home to a living Maori village and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, you can learn about Maori culture, enjoy traditional workshops and dine on delicious authentic food whilst here.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    ibis Rotorua3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    RotoruaOptional Activity

    Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland

    Rotorua Mud PoolsOptional Activity

    Polynesian SpaOptional Activity

    Redwoods TreewalkOptional Activity

    Tamaki Maori Village Cultural Tour & Hangi Dinner

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rotorua

    Waikato

    Tumunui

Day 4

Scenic Drive from Rotorua to Wellington

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Scenic Drive from Rotorua to Wellington

There’s a bit of everything on today’s drive. The road to Taupo will keep you entertained with its unusual, volcanic geography and refreshing tracts of pine forest. You'll follow the eastern edge of Great Lake Taupo to meet the long, straight Desert Road and enjoy amazing views of Tongariro National Park's volcanoes. As you drive south, the landscape becomes dominated by rivers and valleys. Finally, the stunning Kapiti coastline leads you into New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    West Plaza Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    TaupoOptional Activity

    Tongariro National ParkOptional Activity

    Free Time in WellingtonOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Rotorua to Wellington

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rotorua

    Taupo

    Tongariro National Park

    Wellington

Day 5

Explore Wellington

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Explore Wellington

Set between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills, the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot. Situated at the tip of New Zealand's North Island, Wellington is not only the capital but also one of the coolest cities in New Zealand. The compact city is a vibrant and powerful mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine, all surrounded by stunning scenery. Great shopping, arts culture, cafes and restaurants are all within minutes of the city’s untouched nature spots.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    West Plaza Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in WellingtonOptional Activity

    Te Papa Tongarewa

    Wellington Cable CarOptional Activity

    Mount VictoriaOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wellington

Day 6

Interislander Ferry from Wellington to Picton & Journey to Christchurch

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Interislander Ferry from Wellington to Picton & Journey to Christchurch

New Zealand's North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean-fresh air. Departing Wellington this morning, your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton. From here, the Pacific Coast Road to Christchurch presents one of New Zealand's most dramatic drives with breathtaking mountains on one side and a wild pounding ocean on the other.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Ashley Hotel Christchurch3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Interislander Ferry - Wellington to Picton

    Christchurch TramwayOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Wellington to Ferry Terminal Access Road

    Rental Car from Picton to Christchurch

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wellington

    Christchurch

Day 7

Scenic Drive from Christchurch to Dunedin

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Scenic Drive from Christchurch to Dunedin

The road from Christchurch to Dunedin that you'll take today is lined with breathtaking beaches and fascinating geology. Dunedin and its surroundings are a vibrant mix of heritage and wildlife. Set amidst a magical landscape edged by the sea, Dunedin City has the finest examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. Beyond the city, the Otago Peninsula boasts an array of native wildlife with penguins, albatross, seals and sea lions.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    DunedinOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Christchurch to Dunedin

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

    Dunedin

Day 8

Dunedin - Queenstown

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Dunedin - Queenstown

Today’s journey takes you through Central Otago, a powerful landscape with weathered ancient mountains and fast flowing rivers. Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the "Adventure Capital of the World".

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heartland Hotel Queenstown3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    QueenstownOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Dunedin to Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dunedin

    Queenstown

Day 9

Free Day in Queenstown

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Free Day in Queenstown

Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most exciting destinations, a hub of adventure surrounded by famous landscapes, renowned vineyards and gold mining history. Today is a free day to enjoy some of the endless optional activities on offer. In Queenstown, you can experience activities such as skiing, 4x4 driving, golf and ziplining. Water sports like kayaking, jet boating and river rafting are the perfect way to enjoy Queenstown’s beautiful lakes.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heartland Hotel Queenstown3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    QueenstownOptional Activity

    Shotover Jet QueenstownOptional Activity

    KJet QueenstownOptional Activity

    GlenorchyOptional Activity

    Onsen Hot Pools - Original Onsen Exclusive Indoor PoolOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Glenorchy

Day 10

Drive from Queenstown to Fox Glacier & Glacier Hot Pools

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Drive from Queenstown to Fox Glacier & Glacier Hot Pools

Today’s scenic journey takes you to the West Coast, a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice age, tumble down the rocky valleys. After checking into your hotel, you can head to the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools, nestled in lush rainforest. Three main pools weave their way through the rainforest offering a superb place to relax and rejuvenate.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown to Fox Glacier

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Fox Glacier

    Franz Josef Glacier

Day 11

Travel from Fox Glacier to Christchurch via Arthur's Pass

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Travel from Fox Glacier to Christchurch via Arthur's Pass

Today, the coastal road north from Fox Glacier to Christchurch offers beautiful rivers, unique rail bridges and great views of the wild West Coast. After travelling through the historic town of Hokitika, you'll drive eastwards, through the spectacular scenery of the Arthurs Pass National Park, the highest pass in the Southern Alps, to Christchurch. In Christchurch, you'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to absorb this town and enjoy your final night.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Ashley Hotel Christchurch3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    HokitikaOptional Activity

    Arthurs Pass Scenic LookOutOptional Activity

    ChristchurchOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Fox Glacier to Christchurch

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Fox Glacier

    Hokitika

    Canterbury

    Christchurch

Day 12

Departure from Christchurch

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Departure from Christchurch

Today, your New Zealand exploration comes to an end. When you're ready, you'll drive to the airport to return your rental car and board your flight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Christchurch to Christchurch Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

Included in Price

  • 11 nights accommodation
  • 7 activities
  • 11 breakfasts and 1 dinner
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation

Not Included in Price

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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