Australia 2023 AUS | Page 112

SELF-DRIVE TOUR

Queenstown
NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND SELF-DRIVE TOUR
21 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE TOUR
21 night self-drive tour from £ 3789pp by car from £ 2999pp by motorhome
BY CAR OR MOTORHOME
wonderful city sights • flexibility to stop as you choose • option to tour by motorhome rather than car
DAYS 1-2 Fly to Auckland
DAY 3 Auckland On arrival pick up your hire car and head to your hotel .
DAY 4 Auckland
Explore the harbour , browse the shops or take a day trip to Waiheke Island to sample wines .
DAY 5 Auckland / Bay of Islands
Enjoy a scenic drive to Paihia in the Bay of Islands . En route you may wish to visit Waipoua Kauri Forest and Hokianga Harbour ( 147 miles ).
DAY 6 Bay of Islands
At leisure to explore the area with its natural beauty , amazing beaches and 150 mostly uninhabited islands . See also the historic sites of Waitangi and Russell , New Zealand ’ s first capital .
DAY 7 Bay of Islands / South Auckland
Maybe take a cruise to Cape Brett , watching for dolphins and later , return to Auckland ( 167 miles ).
DAY 8 South Auckland / Rotorua
Perhaps take a guided tour of the Waitomo Caves to see the glowworm caverns and take a boat trip through the underground grottos . Continue to Rotorua ( 128 miles ).
DAY 9 Rotorua
Explore the town ’ s spouting geysers and bubbling mud pools . Discover also the Maori culture .
DAY 10 Rotorua / Napier
Travel south , skirting Lake Taupo and on to Napier , set amid the renowned Hawke ’ s Bay wine region ( 135 miles ).
DAY 11 Napier
Admire the town ’ s beautifully preserved 1930s architecture or , head out to nearby wineries to sample the wine .
DAY 12 Napier / Wellington
Drive south to Wellington , recently named “ the coolest little capital in the world ” by Lonely Planet ( 199 miles ).
DAY 13 Wellington / Nelson
Take a ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton on South Island , then drive on to Nelson soaking up the beautiful views along the way ( 125 miles land only ).
DAY 14 Nelson
Explore picturesque Abel Tasman National Park ; try a sea kayak tour ; or perhaps you fancy trying sky diving ?
DAY 15 Nelson / Greymouth
Drive via Punakaiki to see the aptly named Pancake Rocks , and Paparoa National Park for its many natural attractions and wilderness areas . Continue to Greymouth . ( 175 miles ).
DAY 16 Greymouth / Franz Josef
Travel to Franz Josef to see mighty glaciers . Optional glacier walks and heli-hikes available at extra expense ( 106 miles ).
DAY 17 Franz Josef / Queenstown
Head to Queenstown on the shore of Lake Wakatipu , known for its amazing adrenalin activities ( 218 miles ).
DAY 18 Queenstown
Options include the Skyline Gondola for great views then , if you like adventure , why not try bungee jumping , or a jet boat ride on the lake !
DAY 19 Queenstown / Te Anau
Travel to Te Anau for a cruise on Lake Te Anau or explore the glowworm caves ( 106 miles ).
DAY 20 Te Anau
Depart on a coach excursion , taking in the scenic views en route to Milford Sound before a nature cruise to see the fiords . Return to Te Anau by coach .
DAY 21 Te Anau / Dunedin
Drive to Dunedin , known for its Scottish feel and Victorian and Edwardian architecture . Visit Larnach Castle , Speights Brewery or view the penguin colonies ( 179 miles ).
DAY 22 Dunedin / Christchurch
Travel to Christchurch pausing in Oamaru or Timaru . Alternatively , you may wish to overnight in Oamaru or Mount Cook . Please ask for details ( 224 miles ).
DAY 23 Christchurch
At leisure to explore the city with its English feel and gardens . Alternatively , extend your stay and venture up to Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs for glorious views , whale and dolphin watching boat trips and thermal hot pools .
DAY 24 Christchurch Return your car at the airport where your tour concludes .
Queenstown Te Anau
Tasman Sea
Greymouth Franz Josef
Nelson
NORTH ISLAND
Christchurch SOUTH ISLAND
Dunedin
Bay of Islands
Auckland Rotorua Napier
Wellington
Auckland 2 nights ~ Bay of Islands 2 nights South Auckland 1 night ~ Rotorua 2 nights ~ Napier 2 nights Wellington 1 night ~ Nelson 2 nights Greymouth 1 night Franz Josef 1 night ~ Queenstown 2 nights Te Anau 2 nights ~ Dunedin 1 night ~ Christchurch 2 nights
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BY CAR : Departures : Daily .
Accommodation : 4H Rydges Auckland ; 3H Paihia Pacific Resort , Bay of Islands ; 5H Castaways Resort , South Auckland ; 3H PLUS Distinction Rotorua ; 4H The Crown , Napier ; 3H Atura , Wellington ; 3H PLUS Saxton Lodge , Nelson ; 3H Kingsgate Greymouth ; 3H PLUS Glenfern Villas , Franz Josef ; 3H Copthorne Lakefront Queenstown ; 3H Distinction Luxmore , Te Anau ; 4H Hotel St Clair , Dunedin ; 4H Crown Plaza , Christchurch .
Meals : Room only .
Tour price : The price shown includes international flights , accommodation , ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton , Milford Sound Nature Cruise from Te Anau on day 20 and 22 days group compact car hire .
BY MOTORHOME : Departures : Daily . Meals : Not included .
Tour price : The price shown includes return international flights to Auckland and from Christchurch , one pre-night at Rydges Auckland , Milford Sound Nature Cruise , and a Britz Venturer motorhome with bonus pack for 21 days . See pages 10-11 for motorhome options and details .
112 NEW ZEALAND visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 900