Two Week Best of New Zealand Self Drive Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand

Relax you are now officially on holiday and everything has been taken care of! We will meet you at the airport and drive you directly to your hotel to freshen up and unwind. Make the most of some free leisure time in the 'City of Sails' - simply relax or take this opportunity to explore the many sights of Auckland. Explore the highly acclaimed Waterfront Restaurant Quarter, visit the Sky Tower, join a Whale & Dolphin Safari or go America's Cup Sailing to get a feel for Auckland and the surrounding area.

Accommodation: Auckland - 2 Nights

Waiheke Island is to Auckland as the Hamptons are to New York – the former being on a much smaller scale. Home to beautiful beaches and holiday homes, Waiheke Island produces some outstanding wines. Just a thirty-minute boat ride away the island lends itself nicely to relaxing and sampling to fine food and wine. A natural complement to the fine wines you will taste on Waiheke is a range of hand-made specialty foods all locally-grown produce.

Your visit to the Island includes the local olive oil mill, followed by two vineyards offering a range of gourmet food to accompany the tasting. Succulent Waiheke oysters, wild honey, vincotta, (famous local herb spread) and a variety of local cheese are all on the menu.

Included Meals: Lunch

Collect your rental car this morning and start your journey by heading South from Auckland, the City of Sails. You will embark on a leisurely scenic drive to the stunning Waitomo Caves.

Under Waitomo’s rolling green hills you will discover the labyrinth of amazing limestone caves, sinkholes and underground rivers.

Exploring the dark caves, your eyes will be lit up by thousands of New Zealand’s unique softly shining glow worms who call the caves home. The maze of limestone caves were created over thousands of years as underground streams pushed through the soft rock to create the intriguing caverns.

As you return back to daylight you will continue on your road trip towards Rotorua, the cultural centre of NZ.

Approximate distance: 330 km | 205 miles   Driving time:  4 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights 

The Kaituna River is one of the most popular whitewater runs in the country, with the distinction of being the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall. This exhilarating seven metre drop of raging, thundering whitewater is the ultimate rafting experience to be found in New Zealand. The Kaituna offers a forty-five minute trip over fourteen drops, including the seven metre waterfall, through the depths of a magnificent bush-lined gorge steeped in Maori history.

The Kaituna is classified as a grade five river because of its seven-metre waterfall, however, it is suitable for all people who are reasonably comfortable in the water.

Return your rental car and fly to Nelson. Collect your car before embarking a picturesque drive - its worth taking a small side detour to Mapua Wharf. The wharf is scattered with cafes, restaurants and art galleries - a prefect place to enjoy the beauty of your first stop in the South Island. Continue 30 minutes to Marahau the gateway of Abel Tasman National Park – New Zealand’s smallest National Park.

Approximate Distance: 65 km | 40 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 15 mins

Accommodation: Marahau - 3 Nights

Paddle a safe, sheltered section of the Abel Tasman Bay coastline. See lots of good stuff in a small area including islands, caves, beaches and of course, Split Apple Rock. Loved by families and the cruiser in all of us for the last 18 years. Two hours on the water of guided kayaking.

This trip has a strong emphasis on fun and enjoyment. We don’t just show you the best spots to travel to, you will have a great time with a group of people in a beautiful area. Like all of our short trips we paddle at a relaxed pace and pause often to enjoy views, stories and conversation.

• No experience is necessary.
• Enjoy the most sheltered part of the Kaiteriteri coastline.
• A great option for family fun.

For families with younger children, we would recommend the morning tour. The afternoon tour can quite often be breezy due to the sea breeze which picks up around midday.

Most of the day trips  originate in either Marahau or Kaiteri and they can include kayak, cruise, walk and sail options into the beautiful golden sands of the Abel Tasman National Park The Coast Track in the Abel Tasman National Park is the most popular ‘great walk’ in New Zealand. The track takes you past pristine golden sand beaches and calm turquoise waters.  Today we recommend that you cruise into the park and walk a section of the track before returning by boat.

return your rental vehicle to Nelson Airport and fly to Christchurch, New Zealand’s second-largest city and the South Island's capital. On arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation.  Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Christchurch is our "Garden City," blessed with beautiful parks and gardens right in the heart of town. English heritage buildings sit side by side with innovative post-earthquake regeneration in this vibrant place.

After settling in, why not relax with a punting trip down the Avon River? Gliding gently along in a flat-bottomed boat, you will take in Christchurch's 'must-see' historic attractions and botanic gardens away from the hustle and bustle of the streets.

Approximate Distance: 65 km | 40 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 15 mins

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Travelling via Arthur's Pass to Greymouth on the West Coast. Climb aboard the TranzAlpine. This rail journey is truly something special. Enjoy thrilling vistas over deep gorges as you travel alongside the ice-fed Waimakariri River and traverse the mighty Southern Alps, where spectacular views of the chiseled alpine landscape will take your breath away at every turn. Ranked among the world’s top 6 train journeys, these tracks flow through some of New Zealand's most splendid countryside from the Southern Alps to Greymouth. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see natural grandeur on such a scale. 

On to west coast glacial village of Franz Josef. Nestled in a rainforest clearing, Franz Josef Glacier Village lies at the heart of the Westland National Park. Welcome to one of the most diverse and beautiful areas of New Zealand.

Approximate Distance: 175 km | 109 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 2 Nights

Fly over Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier on a spectacular helicopter tour that includes a landing right on the snow. Seeing both glaciers on a single helicopter flight offers an incredible perspective and understanding of New Zealand’s massive ice sheets, and you touch down on one of the glaciers to snap up-close photographs of the frozen terrain.

Travel south along the West Coast to Fox Glacier, passing the stunning Haast Pass, before reaching picturesque Queenstown, nestled on Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by towering mountains. Known as New Zealand’s adventure capital, Queenstown offers endless activities, from bungy jumping and skiing to fishing and wine tasting. Beyond adrenaline, it boasts excellent food, wine, shopping, and hiking. A year-round destination, Queenstown’s breathtaking beauty and diverse experiences ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Approximate Distance: 355 km | 220 miles  Total Driving Time: 5 hours 

Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 Nights 

The ideal way to get the full Milford Sound experience, this combination flight and boat cruise delivers the two best perspectives of this world-famous fiord. Flying over the spectacular alpine scenery of the Southern Alps, you'll land in Milford to enjoy a leisurely boat cruise past sheer cliffs, gushing waterfalls and perhaps even spot dolphins on the water. Upon return to Milford you'll board your helicopter again to be whisked away for a remote alpine or glacier landing with magnificent views and plenty of time for photographs before returning to Queenstown.

Relax in Onsen Hot Pools this afternoon. Unwind and soak-up in Queenstown's spectacular scenery. Immerse yourself in the views, the pure waters, and the fresh mountain air, as your mind and body surrenders to the deep penetrating warmth and gentle massage of these private pools. 

This Full Day Self-Guided Tour begins with pick up from your accommodation and a scenic transfer to the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown. Here you may choose to enjoy one of the many great cafes or just jump straight into your scenic ride along the beautiful Arrow River Trail till it meets the Kawarau River, ride the original Miners Trail that crosses the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, the home of bungy and the beginning of the Gibbston Valley. From Bungy you set off to bike at your leisure the Gibbston River Trail using a informative trail map with exclusive offers to visit as many of the 8+ wineries linked throughout this 8kms of easy riding trail. Enjoy a relaxed lunch en-route or picnic at one of the many Wineries.

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We know you will enjoy our Two Week Best of New Zealand Self Drive Itinerary and our promise to you is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Return your rental car back at the airport, have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.