WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 9 nights of accommodation
- 10 Day Hertz Group E car rental with unlimited kilometers
- New Zealand Co-Pilot Kit.
Best of Both Islands Self Drive
Get to know Auckland before heading to Rotorua then Queenstown. From Queenstown travel to the Glacier Region and Christchurch truly uncovering the best that both islands have to offer.
Perfect for those who want flexibility but have limited time, this self-drive tour combines the highlights of North and South to create a swift, yet satisfying 10 day journey.
Quality-of-life polls routinely rank Auckland within the world’s top 10, and it’s easy to see why. New Zealand’s largest city seduces visitors with its laid back pace, world class museums, galleries and gardens. Enjoy panoramic views from Mt Eden, or a walk around historic Parnell Village. Drive on to Rotorua, a spectacular geothermal laboratory of steaming geysers and bubbling mud pools. This is also a place of great spiritual significance to the Maori, with plenty of cultural experiences on offer.
Board your flight to Queenstown to continue your adventure on the South Island. The adrenaline capital of New Zealand, Queenstown offers a wealth of activities to suit any style of traveller. A ride on the famous Shotover jetboat is a local favourite, but no visit here is complete without a trip to Milford Sound. A 16km fjord carved by glacial ice, this is New Zealand’s most spectacular attraction and is best seen via a cruise along its length. A journey up the rugged West Coast takes you to Glacier country, with sights such as Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, said to be the tears of a Maori princess, pining for her lost love. A final drive through the spectacular Southern Alps takes you to historic Christchurch, with time for sight-seeing before you depart.
VIEW ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand’s largest city, a place to enjoy marine adventures, wine trails, forest walks and urban sophistication. On arrival, pick up your rental car and make your way to your hotel.
Duration 2 Nights
Accommodation
Heritage Auckland Hotel Wing
Day 2
Auckland at leisure
A full day to visit attractions that appeal to all ages. Perhaps visit The Sky Tower; or visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World.
Day 3
Auckland to Rotorua 293 kms (183 miles) 3 hours
Journey from Auckland to the thermal center of Rotorua, an area to introduce you to Maori culture and heritage.
Duration 2 Nights
Accommodation
Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Day 4
Rotorua
At leisure to explore the natural and man made attractions of Rotorua. Perhaps take a Morning tour to include Rainbow Springs, Rainbow Farm, Te Whakarewarewa thermal reserve and the Te puia Arts and craft Institute. In the evening, don’t miss a traditional Maori concert and hangi.
Day 5
Rotorua to Queenstown
Drive to the airport and drop off your rental car in time for your flight to Queenstown, the activity center of New Zealand. Pick up your rental car on the South Island for the rest of your stay.
Duration 3 Nights
Accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 6
Queenstown
You have two days at leisure to explore the adventure capital of New Zealand! Optional tours include a Milford Sound Day Excursion, where you take a cruise past mile-high Mitre Peak, through glacially carved fiords and out into the open sea.
Day 7
Queenstown
You have another day at leisure to explore Queenstown.
Day 8
Queenstown to Glaciers Approx 404 kms (251 miles) 6 hours
Drive up to the rugged West Coast, home to a spectacular glacial region and temperate rainforest.
Duration 1 Night
Accommodation
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Day 9
Glaciers to Christchurch Approx 378 kms (236 miles) 5 hours
This morning perhaps take an optional tour to the face of the glacier before continuing your journey to Christchurch, home to Victoria Park and the famous Avon River, and renowned as the “most English city outside of England”.
Duration 1 Night
Accommodation
Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch
Day 10
Depart Christchurch
Drop off your rental vehicle and depart Christchurch.
Your Travel Team agent can easily add extra days, different departure dates or even cities to this package. Ask a Travel Team Agent for details 1-800-788-0829
Or, call 1.800.788.0829 to speak with one of our travel experts.
Notes:
- Land only package
- Prices in US dollars unless otherwise noted
- We have limited space on this package and it is subject to availability and prior sale
- All package prices are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted
- Prices reflect cash discount
- Due to constantly changing policies to baggage restrictions, please check with your airline directly for latest updates and restrictions
- Information, including prices are subject to change without notice
- Restrictions and change and/or cancel penalties apply
- UBI-600-307-872-WA
