Australia 2023 AUS | Page 108

NEW ZEALAND SELF-DRIVE TOUR
21 night self-drive tour from £ 3949pp by car from £ 2949pp by motorhome
BY CAR OR MOTORHOME
NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND SELF-DRIVE TOUR
21 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE TOUR
wonderful city sights • flexibility to stop as you choose • option to tour by motorhome or 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 perhaps 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 ’ s spectacular 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 / Waiuku
Maybe take a cruise to Cape Brett , watching for dolphins and later , drive to Waiuku near Auckland ( 184 miles ).
DAY 8 Waiuku / Rotorua
Perhaps take a guided tour of the Waitomo Caves to see the glowworm caverns plus a boat trip through the underground grottos . Continue to Rotorua ( 129 miles ).
DAY 9 Rotorua
Explore the town ’ s spouting geysers and bubbling mud pools . It ’ s also a top spot to discover Māori 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 , visit 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 absorbing the lovely 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 giving sky diving a go ?
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
Next up is Queenstown , which lies on the shore of Lake Wakatipu and is known for adrenalin activities ( 218 miles ).
DAY 18 Queenstown
Options include the Skyline Gondola for far-reaching views then , if you ’ re up for adventure , why not try bungee jumping , or a thrilling jet boat ride on the lake ?
DAY 19 Queenstown / Te Anau
Travel to Te Anau , gateway to Fiordland , where you may wish to take a cruise on Lake Te Anau ( 106 miles ).
DAY 20 Te Anau
Set off on a full day excursion , taking in the scenic views en route to Milford Sound before a nature cruise to see the picture-perfect fiords . Return to Te Anau by coach .
DAY 21 Te Anau / Dunedin
Drive to Dunedin , known for its Scottish feel along with its Victorian and Edwardian architecture . Visit Larnach Castle , Speights Brewery or see 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 Waiuku
Rotorua
Napier
Wellington
Bay of Islands
Auckland 2 nights | Bay of Islands 2 nights Waiuku 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 : 4★ Rydges Auckland ; 4★ Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands ; 4★ Castaways Resort , Waiuku ;
3★Plus Distinction Rotorua ; 4★ The Crown , Napier ;
4★ Rydges Wellington ; 3★Plus Saxton Lodge , Nelson ;
4★ Copthorne Hotel , Greymouth ; 3★Plus Glenfern Villas , Franz Josef ; 4★ Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown ;
3★Plus Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas ; 4★ Distinction Dunedin ; 4★ Crowne Plaza , Christchurch .
Meals : Room only .
Tour price : The price shown includes international flights , accommodation as shown , ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton , Milford Sound Nature Cruise from Te Anau on day 20 and 22 days compact all inclusive 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 an Apollo Euro Tourer motorhome with value pack for 21 days . See pages 8-9 for motorhome options and details .
Note : One way drop fee NZD189 payable locally .
108 NEW ZEALAND visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 900