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Discover New Zealand North and South Island itinerary in 12 days - by land, sea and air. If you are on limited time, this is the best self drive itinerary for New Zealand. Both main islands offer outstanding scenic regions. Enjoy a relaxing stay in private and stylish boutique accommodation. Enjoy tasty New Zealand food and wines.
What to see with this 12 day New Zealand self drive itinerary:
Get ready for your New Zealand North and South Island trip with adventure activities:
Day 1Auckland
Meet your private transfer driver at Auckland Airport and check-in to your hotel. Explore the America's Cup village. Stretch your legs by climbing the Sky City Tower for awesome views of Auckland City.. Take a boat trip to across to the pretty village of Devonport.
Check in to QT Auckland
Optional - Sky Tower
Day 2Rotorua
Pick-up your rental car and travel via the Waikato region to the famous Waitomo caves (225 km, 140 miles, 3 hours). Choose your Waitomo Cave tour - either with a wetsuit and a helmet with ‘Black Water Rafting’ (takes 3 hrs) or the Abseiling trip (4 hours) or the “dry cave” (2 hours, no wetsuit required) Ruakuri Cave tour. Continue in the afternoon to Rotorua (140 km, 87 miles, 2 hours).
Check in to Regent of Rotorua
Included - Waitomo Black Labyrinth
Optional - Ruakuri Cave Tour
Optional - Waitomo Adventures Lost World 4 Hour
Day 3Rotorua
Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland of bubbling mud pools, clouds of steam, and natural hot springs. The Canopy Tours trip is a fantastic way to experience New Zealand conservation. It is also great fun zip-lining between giant native trees. Rotorua also offers a spiritual journey into Maori culture with village and performance experiences. The Hobbiton Village is only 50 min drive away.
Check in to Regent of Rotorua
Included - Rotorua Canopy Tours
Included - Mitai Maori Village
Optional - Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tours
Optional - Volcanic Air
Recommended - Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Recommended - Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Recommended - Polynesian Spa
Day 4Te Anau
Drop-off your rental car off at the airport and take a domestic flight to Invercargill. Collect another rental car outside the airport terminal carpark. We recommend you travel the Southern Coastal route to via Riverton and Tuatapere - this is where the scenery is untamed and beautiful. Dotted with small villages, this is classic New Zealand heartland at it’s best!
Check in to High Leys Lodge
Recommended - Kepler Track Car Park
Day 5Te Anau
Te Anau is the gateway to the Fiordland National Park and New Zealand's hiking capital. Fiordland features a variety of unique wildlife, including rare penguins. Milford Sound is a fusion of spectacular features where waterfalls cascade down hundreds of metres. The fiord cliffs rise verticall and mountain peaks scrape the sky. Join a guided tour into Milford Sounds which includes a choice of walks and a nature cruise in the fjord.
Check in to High Leys Lodge
Included - Milford Coach Cruise & Walk
Included - Real Journeys Milford Sound Scenic Cruise
Day 6Queenstown
Your drive from Te Anau to Queenstown is short (2.5 hrs) There is plenty of time to spend on more Fiordland walks or ‘action time’ in Queenstown. Think about exploring some of the stunning scenic wineries in the Lake Hayes region or check out the views from the Skyline. The adventure is endless - bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking, wine tasting and river rafting It's all here!
Check in to Mount Rosa Lodge
Optional - Appellation Boutique Wine Tour
Optional - Shotover Jet
Optional - Skyline Queenstown
Optional - Real Journeys Walter Peak Farm Tour
Day 7Queenstown
Queenstown is a busy place and one of New Zealand's top visitor destinations. Try to include a visit to the beautiful Glenorchy area, which is famous for its gorgeous scenery as well as the famous Dart River Safaris. With this guided jet-boating trip you learn so much about the Lord of the Rings movie locations which took place here. For something very special, take a private 4WD farm tour with a local guide - see the real side of New Zealand farming.
Check in to Mount Rosa Lodge
Included - Dart River Safaris
Included - Paradise Discovery Tour
Day 8Queenstown
Spend another full day to explore this amazing region. You will have a range of highly recommended local small party tours.
Check in to Mount Rosa Lodge
Optional - Queenstown Rafting Kawarau River
Optional - Ziptrek MOA 4-Line Tour
Optional - Nzone Skydive Queenstown
Optional - Routeburn Track Guided Walk
Optional - Queenstown Fishing Spin Fishing
Optional - Queenstown Fishing Fly fishing
Day 9Franz Josef
Continue traveling north via the lakeside village of Wanaka. Cross over the Haast Pass to Jackson Bay. Here, there are empty shingle beaches, dunes, lakes and wetlands, all with the backdrop of the Southern Alps. You have the entire day to stop at scenic spots, take short nature walks and see remote attractions unique to New Zealand. After arrival in Franz Josef village, take a helicopter flight over the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.
Check in to Holly Homestead Bed & Breakfast
Included - The Helicopter Line Fox Glacier
Day 10Greymouth
There are very few towns on the 600 kms of coastal road between Karamea and Jackson Bay. However your attention will be focused on the beauty of native forest, beaches and lagoons. A visit to the White Heron colony near Whataroa is a must-do! The second largest town in the area is Hokitika, famous for New Zealand Pounamu (Jade) and the gold rush from 1860-80. Stop at the town of Hokitika for refreshments. The Lonely Planet lists the Great Coast Road as one of the Top 10 Coastal Drives in the world!
Check in to Breakers Boutique Accommodation
Optional - White Heron Sanctuary Tour
Recommended - Hokitika
Recommended - Shantytown Heritage Park
Day 11Christchurch
You will have time in the morning to explore the 'Pancake Rocks' in Punakaiki with the attached Paparoa National Park. In the afternoon drop-off you rental car at the Greymouth Railway Station. Take the TranzAlpine scenic train that uns between Greymouth and Christchurch. Cross from one coast to the next (train takes 4.5 hours). From the comfort of modern carriages you can see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Continue on through the Canterbury Plains, a vast quilt of agricultural land. Arrive at Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city. A transfer to your accommodation is arranged.
Check in to The George
Included - KiwiRail TranzAlpine
Included - Punakaiki
Day 12Auckland
Depending on your flight, you may have plenty of time to relax or the explore the Christchurch region before leaving. If leaving in the evening, Akaroa would be a perfect day trip (only a 1.5 hour drive away (one-way). Feel free to extend your stay in Christchurch or any other location.
12 Days - Standard
per person,
FROM
NZ$4930
( Not including intern. flights )
12 Days - Superior
per person,
FROM
NZ$6980
( Not including intern. flights )
12 Days - Premium
per person,
FROM
NZ$14325
( Not including intern. flights )
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