WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 9 days/8 nights accommodations
- 8 breakfasts
- Full detailed itinerary, helpful directions & maps to every Hotel
- Toll-free assistance telephone line during your travels
- Accommodation in Bed & Breakfast or unique “Small & Special” properties
- Hertz Group E car rental with unlimited kilometers
- Co-pilot backpack kit
- Valuable discounts
Explore New Zealand in 9 Days Self Drive
This immersive New Zealand vacation 9-day New Zealand tour takes you beyond Auckland to explore some of the North Island’s most beautiful regions. Then fly to magnificent Queenstown, with the option of a trip to Milford Sound. This vacation also pairs local favorites like the Napier wine region with several of the country’s highlights.
Touch down in Auckland as a starting point. Then make your way to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves, known for their beautiful glow worms, or Hobbiton, the film set used in Lord of the Rings. Rotorua itself is a fascinating geothermal laboratory of bubbling mud pools, spouting geysers, and Maori heritage. Spend a full day here to explore all Rotorua has to offer.
Go beyond most New Zealand vacations and head to Napier, where 70 odd vineyards cover the surrounding hills. Just in case that’s not enough, continue through the Martinborough region, famous for its Pinot Noir. This is also your gateway into Wellington, the country’s capital and home to its finest museums and a flourishing artistic scene.
Queenstown is the tourist hub of the South Island for good reason. Set on magnificent Lake Wakatipu, it embodies all excites and enchants about this part of the world. A trip to Milford Sound is highly recommended – though not mandatory. You may prefer to visit nearby Wanaka or historic Arrowtown. No matter how you occupy your time, you’ll spend it surrounded by the magnificent Southern Alps until you depart.
VIEW ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Auckland
Collect your rental car and travel through lush Waikato pasture lands to the Waitomo area. Visit the Waitomo Caves or perhaps travel to Hobbiton for a tour of the film set from Lord of the Rings Triology (optional). Continue to Rotorua, famous for its spouting Geysers, bubbling mud pools and warm geothermal pools.
Accommodation: The Springs; 2 Nights
Day 2: Rotorua Sightseeing
The day is free for Rotorua Sightseeing. Perhaps join a morning city tour or a Steambox lunch tour at Te Puia.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 3: Rotorua to Napier
Depart for the art deco city of Napier, enjoy the architecture, tree lined waterfront location and many fountains and gardens.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mon Logis Luxury Bed and Breakfast Napier; 2 Nights
Day 4: Napier
The day is free to spend as you wish. We suggest and Art Deco Walk around Napier. This afternoon why not enjoy a wine and gourmet food experience. Learn from a local wine maker, learn about wine and food at one of NZ’s top winery restaurants.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 5: Napier to Wellington
Depart Napier and head towards Martinborough. Discover a host of top-class vineyards in and around the area, (famed for its internationally award-winning Pinot Noir).
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Accommodation: Carlton Gore Bed and Breakfast; 2 Nights
Day 6: Wellington
Known as the ‘coolest little capital’ Wellington offers a diverse range of sight-seeing options. Perhaps enjoy a guided tour of Te Papa Museum of Wellington, New Zealand’s National Museum.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 7: Wellington to Queenstown
Return your car in time for your onward flight (airfare not included). On arrival, collect your rental vehicle and make your way into town. The day is free to explore this quaint Alpine village.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Accommodation: Browns Boutique Hotel; 2 Nights
Day 8: Queenstown
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. Perhaps take a short drive to the historic gold rush village of Arrowtown or the town of Wanaka.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 9: Depart Queenstown
The morning is at leisure until you return your vehicle and depart Queenstown.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Your Travel Team agent can easily add extra days or even cities to this package.
Additional travel dates are available, call 1.800.788.0829 to speak with one of our travel experts
Or, call 1.800.788.0829 to speak with one of our travel experts.
Notes:
- Land only package, add airfare by asking a Travel Team Agent
- 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
