14 Day Luxury 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! On arrival at the airport you will be transferred 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 before an included visit up the iconic Sky Tower. 

Auckland Sky Tower
For over 25 years, the Auckland Skytower has been the focal point of this beautiful harbour city. The magnificent 328m high structure rises up out of the land to delight locals and visitors alike. Experience incredible 360° views of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) , taking in ancient volcanoes, sparkling sunlit harbours and beyond.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland, across the beautiful Hauraki Gulf is this tranquil little paradise. Since the late 1970's Waiheke Island's benign climate has seen the growth of a flourishing wine industry. A "small is beautiful" philosophy yields low quantities of extremely high-quality fruit, which is made into internationally award-winning wines.  Today you have a return ferry trip included and the day free to explore the island as you wish.

Included Meals: Breakfast

It’s hard to believe when you drive through the idyllic peaceful countryside of the Waikato, that hidden beneath its surface lies a labyrinth of Glowworm Cave networks that house formations and creatures that are simply out of this world. 

If you are interested in seeing galaxies of beautiful glowworms, then this small group personalized Spellbound Tour allows you to spend 40 minutes under glowworms. This tour is one of the most unhurried glow worm tours in New Zealand, with plenty of time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness - intensifying the effect of thousands of softly shining glow worms.

Sir David Attenborough on the BBC series 'Life in the Undergrowth' described the spellbound Cave as an “Astonishing Cave” And “one of natures most Magical Illuminations!” - This is an easy adventure everyone will enjoy.

A Gross Fact... about the New Zealand Glowworms

Approximate Distance: 330 km | 205 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights

Connect with kiwis at an internationally renowned conservation facility. During a 60-minute guided tour, embark on an immersive journey into the world of these iconic birds. Participants explore the native environment of the kiwi and discover their unique traits. In a specially designed nocturnal house, they can spot foraging kiwis and engage with interactive displays that reveal the secrets of this beloved species. Kiwi experts share insights about the hatching process, making the experience educational, thought-provoking, and truly one-of-a-kind. It's a chance to witness conservation in action while deepening appreciation for New Zealand's natural heritage. Enjoy the rest of your day exploring all that Rotorua has to offer.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Return your rental vehicle to Rotorua Airport and fly to Christchurch.

After checking in, why not step back to Edwardian times with a relaxing Private Punting Trip down the Avon River? It's a wonderful introduction to the "Garden City". Gliding gently along the river in a flat-bottomed boat, you will take in Christchurch's 'must-see' historic buildings and Botanic Gardens away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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. 

Collect your next rental vehicle on arrival in Greymouth and continue on to west coast glacial village of Franz Josef Glacier. The village lies at the heart of the Westland National Park. Welcome to one of the most diverse and beautiful areas of New Zealand.

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 2 Nights

Today you will pay a visit to the West Coast Wildlife Centre, the official home to the breeding and incubation programme of Rowi Kiwi. Found only in the local South Okarito Forest, the Rowi is New Zealand's rarest species of kiwi. You also have the opportunity to view Tuatara, a highly endangered dinosaur like reptile found only in New Zealand.

Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are among the most accessible glaciers in the world, enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Take a guided glacier tour, helicopter over them or heli-hike on them. Alternatively you can visit Lake Matheson for stunning reflections of The Southern Alps, Take one of the many ancient forest hikes. Alternatively, visit the amazing Okarito lagoon and see over 70 species of native bird, or visit historic gold mining settlement of Gillespies Beach.

Take your time heading south today: you won't want to miss the spectacular scenery as it transforms from rugged coastal mountain ranges and mirror lakes to the winding Kawarau River Gorge. You will finally emerge into the lush green farmland surrounding Queenstown, your destination for tonight.

Included Meals: Pre-Dinner Drinks and Canapes

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

Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 Nights

Travel from Queenstown along the stunning Lake Wakatipu, with the first stop at the lake's head, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views back towards Queenstown. After a few more scenic stops, you'll arrive in Te Anau and take a 30-minute break at the Alpine Center Cafe, where you can purchase food, drinks, and souvenirs. There will also be time to feed the alpacas outside. At Milford Sound, the tour connects with a Boutique Small Boat cruise. Enjoy your packed lunch box and complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits on board while cruising past sheer cliff faces and cascading waterfalls. After the cruise returns, enjoy the relaxing drive back to Queenstown with another quick convenience stop in Te Anau.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Pre-Dinner Drinks and Canapes

Sit back and take in the stunning views as you ride the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere! You'll be carried 450 metres to the top of Bob's Peak where you get to experience a spectacular 220 degree panorama with breath-taking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peak.

Although celebrated as New Zealand's 'adventure capital' Queenstown offers far more than a fast paced action-packed holiday. Head down the Gibbston Valley wine trail to sample some of the region's best Pinot or catch a ride on the 100 year old Steamship - the TSS Earnslaw - to Walter Peak Station for dinner and a farm tour. Browse the waterfront cafes and have lunch at Michelin star chef Josh Emett's 'Rata.' - but if you do really want the adrenaline rush Queenstown is known for, take your pick from the Shot over Jet, Nevis Bungy, Canyon Swing, Zipline, Luge or Heli-ski.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Pre-Dinner Drinks and Canapes

Twizel is situated in the heart of Mackenzie Country, in some of New Zealand's most spectacular high country. Twizel is the closest town to Mt Cook and the Tasman Glacier, Lake Ruataniwha, scene of the world rowing championships, Lake Pukaki, Lake Ohau, Lake Benmore, Lake Tekapo, Lake Aviemore and Lake Waitaki and Omarama the worlds gliding centre.

Twizel's fly fishing rivers and canals including the Ahuriri River and Tekapo River are brimming with world record rainbow trout, brown trout and salmon. The Mackenzie Basin is named after the legendary Scottish shepherd turned sheep rustler James Mackenzie.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 200 km | 124 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Twizel - 2 Nights

Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is part of UNESCO's Te Wāhipounamu (The Place of Greenstone) World Heritage region. Here in Mackenzie Country you'll find Australasia's highest mountain - Aoraki / Mount Cook (3,724m) - nestled in the splendid Southern Alps.

Known to Māori as Aoraki or Cloud Piercer, this magnificent mountain is surrounded by over 150 peaks along with countless glaciers, ice and snowfields, mountain lakes, and ranges.

Today you have an included visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. The centre showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people and its place in the universe. Designed to educate and entertain, the centre depicts Sir Edmund's longstanding connection with the region and touches upon his achievements, expeditions and life's work. 

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 70 km | 43 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour (each way)

To make the most of your time in the mountains, why not embark on one of New Zealand's finest short walks before you depart for Christchurch?

The Hooker Valley Track is a stunning 11 km (6.8 miles) trek leading to the terminal lake of the Hooker Glacier. The trail winds through the Hooker Valley in the shadow of Aoraki /Mount Cook, crossing the mighty Hooker River on old-fashioned swing bridges. Reaching the lake, you are rewarded by unsurpassed vistas of Aoraki / Mount Cook's south face and the surrounding glaciers.

This afternoon head via beautiful Lake Tekapo, across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 290 km | 180 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage! Today we say farewell. Return your rental vehicle at Christchurch Airport where you will board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand holiday.