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13-Day North and South Island Self-Drive

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Overview

Embark on an exciting fun-filled family journey from the North Island to the South Island of New Zealand on this 13-day self-drive holiday in New Zealand!

With your own rental car and a jam-packed itinerary of family-friendly activities, you'll travel from Auckland to Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington exploring the North Island. You'll then catch the InterIslander ferry to Picton to begin your journey through the South Island. After a few days of marvelling at the sights of Picton, Kaikoura, Christchurch and Franz Josef, you'll head to the adrenaline capital of New Zealand, Queenstown for your final few days.
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature
Cruising
Adventure
Culture & Arts
Food & Drink

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Auckland, Your Self-Drive Holiday New Zealand Begins

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Welcome to Auckland, Your Self-Drive Holiday New Zealand Begins

Upon arrival, you'll pick up your rental car and make your way to your hotel. You'll check into your hotel and then have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish. Auckland is the main gateway city to New Zealand. You are free to hop on a ferry, bus or taxi and spend a few hours exploring the shopping district of Queen Street, the Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium, the panoramic views from the Sky Tower or the vineyards on nearby Waiheke Island.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Rydges Auckland4 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.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Auckland to Auckland

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

Day 2

Explore Devonport & Auckland

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Explore Devonport & Auckland

Take the ferry over to Devonport to see the city from a different perspective! On arrival, your Explorer Tour minibus will collect you. Experience the charm of historic Devonport and hear stories of the seaside village's past - from the original Maori settlements to today's naval operations. You'll pass beautiful Victorian homes, head to the top of volcanic cones and relax on Cheltenham Beach.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Rydges Auckland4 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.
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    Activities

    Explorer Tour of Devonport from Auckland

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

Day 3

Drive to Rotorua via Waitomo Glowworm Caves

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Drive to Rotorua via Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Today, your self-drive holidays in New Zealand begins a drive to Waitomo which will take around 2 and a half hours. Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glow worm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history. Experience the serene ambience as you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights. At the end of the tour, you'll continue driving to reach Rotorua.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Holiday Inn Rotorua2 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.
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    Activities

    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Auckland to Rotorua

    Rental Car from Waitomo Glowworm Caves Waitomo Village Rd, Waitomo Caves, New Zealand to Rotorua

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

    Waitomo

    Rotorua

Day 4

Explore Rotorua

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Explore Rotorua

After breakfast, you'll start to explore Rotorua. In Te Puia, come face to face with the biggest, active geyser in the southern hemisphere Pōhutu Geyser, jumping mud pools, and live kiwi in the brand new Kiwi Conservation Centre. Visit the Redwood Forest walk for a whole new perspective of this evergreen forest. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure, you can visit Kerosene creek, 3D Trick Art Gallery and Rotorua Museum.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Holiday Inn Rotorua2 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.
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    Activities

    Te Puia

    Redwoods Treewalk

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Holiday Inn Rotorua, an IHG Hotel to Redwoods Treewalk

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rotorua

Day 5

Drive to Wellington via Taupo

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Drive to Wellington via Taupo

After breakfast, start your drive to Taupo. Visit Huka Falls to witness the phenomenon of a natural hydropower of more than 220,000 litres of water per second. You can get up close and witness the display of the water blasting at the footbridge right at the top of the falls. Experience the thrill of Huka Falls Jetboat, with its legendary 360-degree spins! Continue on to Wellington and relax for the remainder of the day.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Rydges Wellington4 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.
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    Activities

    Hukafalls Jet Taupo

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Rotorua to Wellington

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Rotorua

    Waikato

    Wellington

Day 6

Explore Wellington

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Explore Wellington

Spend the day exploring the city. Among the things you can do in Wellington is drive to the top of Mt. Victoria Peak for stunning views, visit the Weta Workshop Tour or take the cable car to the botanic garden. The Weta Workshops were instrumental in the props, prosthetics and special effects for not only the Lord of the Rings movies but also Indian movies like 'I'. Choose what you would like to do today based on your own interests.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Rydges Wellington4 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 Wellington

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wellington

Day 7

Take the Ferry to Picton and Drive to Kaikoura

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Take the Ferry to Picton and Drive to Kaikoura

After an early breakfast, drop off your rental car at the ferry terminal. Start your journey to Picton by ferry hopping on the ferry. It is a 3 and half hour journey through Cook Strait. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the dolphins on the way. Pick up your rental car at the ferry terminal in Picton and continue driving to Kaikoura. Kick back and relax here, you can visit the Ohau Point Seal colony and spend time in the CBD.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bella Vista Motel Kaikoura4 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.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Ferry from Wellington to Picton

    Rental Car from Picton to Kaikōura

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wellington

    Kaikoura

Day 8

Leave Kaikoura for Christchurch

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Leave Kaikoura for Christchurch

Wake up early to jump on the boat for one of the best whale watching experiences in the world! Back on shore, start your 2 and a half hour drive to the Garden City of Christchurch. Upon arrival, check in and refresh. In the afternoon, you can explore Christchurch at your leisure. The capital city has a distinct atmosphere and style that immediately get lost in.

  • 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.
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    Activities

    Whale Watch KaikouraOptional Activity

    ChristchurchOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Kaikōura to Christchurch

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kaikoura

    Canterbury

    Christchurch

Day 9

Drive to Franz Josef

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Drive to Franz Josef

After breakfast, start your drive to Franz Josef. Allow five hours for the journey by road with some extra time for stops along the way. Follow SH 73 from Christchurch through to Kumara Junction, turn left at Kumara Junction and follow SH 6 through to Franz Josef Glacier. Arthurs' Pass village is a good place for a coffee and snack break, and Hokitika on the West Coast has a range of eateries, shops and activities available. You'll arrive in Franz Josef in the afternoon.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef4 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

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Christchurch to Franz Josef Glacier

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

    Franz Josef Glacier

Day 10

Drive to Queenstown via Wanaka

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Drive to Queenstown via Wanaka

After breakfast, you can opt to do a scenic helicopter ride over the glacier. Hop back into the car to start your scenic drive to Lake Wanaka. The route is very scenic and there are plenty of photo opportunities. Please note that while driving through Haast Pass, there is no mobile coverage. It will take more than 4 hours to reach Wanaka. At Wanaka, visit the Puzzling World, a world of wonderful weirdness. Continue driving to Queenstown. Check-in and refresh from the long drive.

  • 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

    Franz Josef Helicopter Ride - Mountain Scenic SpectacularOptional Activity

    Lake WanakaOptional Activity

    Puzzling World

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Franz Josef Glacier to Wanaka

    Rental Car from Wanaka to Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Otago

    Queenstown

    Wanaka

Day 11

Explore Queenstown

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Explore Queenstown

After breakfast, take a Gondola up the hill for a magnificent 180-degree view of the city. Try your hand at luge. After lunch, you can visit nearby Arrowtown. Visit the Chinese Village to learn about how they were cooped up during the Gold Rush era. At Gibbston Valley, visit Home Block, the region’s oldest vineyard. Step into the winemaking facility where you’ll take a glimpse of how some of the best Central Otago Pinot Noirs are made and taste four handcrafted wines.

  • 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

    Skyline Gondola & Luge Rides

    ArrowtownOptional Activity

    Gibbston Valley™ Winery & Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown to Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Arrowtown

    Gibbston

Day 12

A Day in the Stunning Milford Sound

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A Day in the Stunning Milford Sound

After an early breakfast, start your four-hour drive to one of the most beautiful places on the Earth, Milford Sound. Jump on board the scenic cruise that has purpose-built observation lounges and large decks. This cruise will take you through sheer cliffs, massive waterfalls and glaciers. Enjoy your gourmet lunch on board. After the cruise, you'll have the option to explore more by yourself before making the return journey to Queenstown.

  • 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.
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    Activities

    Real Journeys Milford Sound

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown to Real Journeys Milford Sound

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Milford Sound

Day 13

Departure

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Departure

After breakfast, drive to the airport and drop off your rental car. Fly back to Auckland.

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    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown to Queenstown Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

Included in Price

  • 12 nights accommodation
  • 9 activities
  • 12 breakfasts
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

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