New Zealand self drive tour
Price
£7999 excluding flights
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This itinerary is priced per person and designed to give you an idea of what can be included on your bespoke luxury tour of New Zealand, tailor-made to suit your personal tastes and preferences.
Description of New Zealand self drive tour
Striking landscapes, lively cities, romantic vineyards and rugged coastline – New Zealand is overflowing with natural beauty and unique outdoor activities. On this luxury self-drive adventure tour, you’ll take in the highlights of both North and South Island, with an action-packed itinerary full of treks, trail, water sports, helicopter rides, wildlife watching opportunities and picture-perfect countryside.
Starting with scenic Taupo, you’ll hike to the cascades of Huka Falls, experience true enchantment in the Waitomo glowworm caves and soak in bubbling hot springs created by volcanic geysers. Then, you’ll cruise around the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds, where you can kayak with seals and then tramp along the famous Queen Charlotte Track for breath-taking views of glittering green waters and forest-fringed coastlines.
Next, drive along the picturesque Pacific coastline to Kaikoura. Here, there are whale watching opportunities, as well encounters with playful dolphins in their natural habitat. Your tour ends in Queenstown, with helicopter rides over Fjord National Park and boat trips around Milford Sound, plus fantastic wining and dining options in the city.
This whirlwind Kiwi adventure showcases the best that New Zealand has to offer, promising lasting memories and once-in-a-lifetime travel moments.
Itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive in Auckland - Arriving in Auckland, you'll be met by a travel representative and you'll be transferred to your accommodation and have to day to relax and explore as your wish. Conveniently located within easy walking distance of Auckland’s bustling shopping, arts, dining and entertainment precincts and opposite the New Zealand International Convention Centre. |
| Day 2: | Drive from Auckland to Taupo – Today, you'll collect your rental car in Auckland and set off for a stop at the magical Waitomo Caves, complete with glowworm grottos – an incredible introduction to New Zealand. At Taupo, check in to Whakaipo Lodge, a luxury property hidden in the bushland, flanked by towering mountains and serene lake waters. Unwind with a home-cooked meal made using local ingredients and a glass of renowned New Zealand wine. |
| Day 3-4: | Taupo at Leisure – Your days in Taupo are at your leisure with many spectacular sites to visit. The pounding waters of Huka Falls (“huka” is the Maori word for foam) are a sight to behold, with a whopping 22,000 litres of water spilling over the ledge every second, plunging eight metres into a churning gorge along the Waikato River. Watch the cascades from the viewing platforms or take a one-hour forest trail, following the river and the roar of the falls. Take a walk between Little Acacia Bay and Rangatira Point or stop for a lakeside picnic along the Great Lake Walkway between Two Mile Bay and Five Mile Bay. |
| Day 5: | Transfer to Marlborough Sounds – Drop off your hire car and take an internal flight from Taupo to Blenheim, where you’ll take a private transfer to Picton, followed by a private water taxi to Lochmara Lodge, located on the sandy shores of Lochmara Bay. This luxury resort is the perfect base for nature trails, water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding, wildlife tours and simple beachfront relaxation. Don’t miss a pamper at the lodge’s bathhouse and massage suite. At night, New Zealand’s dark and clear skies are perfect for stargazing, while the phosphorescence in the water makes for a surreal nighttime paddling and swimming experience. |
| Day 6: | Exploring Marlborough Sounds – Explore the waters of Marlborough Sounds to discover sandy coves and perfect picnic spots. The four main water bodies are Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru, Pelorus and Mahau, which hold 50 different protected nature reserves and an abundance of wildlife. Kayak with seals, spot dolphins and orcas on a cruise, or try birdwatching in the forests and on the beaches. Explore the islands of Motuara, Long, Blumine and Allports all having historic sites, here you can enjoy a dish of freshly caught seafood and a glass of delicious Marlborough wine is a must. |
| Day 7: | Hiking the Queen Charlotte Track – Today, you are free to explore Marlborough Sounds, however we highly recommend hiking a section of the famous Queen Charlotte Track. The hike involves a 71-kilometre trail offers endless views of glistening bays, wild forest and historic points of interest; the track starts at the location where South Island Maori and Europeans first met and where Captain James Cook sailed into Ship Cove in 1770. |
| Day 8: | Transfer to Kaikoura – Return to Picton via water taxi, then pick up your next hire car for a scenic drive to Kaikoura, along the way stop off in Blenheim, crossing the Wairau Plains past vineyards and orchards, Blenheim is the heart of wine-growing Marlborough. Carry on your journey to Kaikora where you'll be staying at the Kaikoura Boutique Hotel. The hotel is housed in an historic building right on the waterfront and features stylish rooms, as well as a champagne bar. Be sure to try the local delicacy of crayfish. |
| Day 9: | Exploring Kaikoura – Kaikoura is an underwater treasure trove of marine life, providing opportunities for encounters with whales, dolphins, seals, albatross and much more. Dive, snorkel and cruise for glimpses of majestic sperm whales and encounters with sunbathing seal colonies, then hop on a fishing charter to try your hand at contributing to the catch of the day. |
| Day 10: | Exploring Kaikoura – Join an eco-friendly dolphin tour to encounter playful pods of dusky dolphins, as well as the opportunity to swim with these creatures in a responsible way. Watch the dolphins show off their acrobatics in numbers that can be up to 1,000 strong. Back on land, the hike up to Mount Fyffe offers spectacular panoramic views, while a wildlife flight over Kaikoura provides a bird's eye view of the breath-taking natural landscape. |
| Day 11: | Transfer to Queenstown – Drive from Kaikoura to Christchurch Airport, for a quick flight over to Queenstown. Here, you’ll pick up your next hire car and journey on to the five-star Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, with mountain views that will take your breath away. |
| Day 12: | Helicopter Tour & Milford Sound Cruise – Take in humbling alpine scenery with a helicopter ride across the Queenstown region, flying over forests and farmlands into Fiordland National Park, an area filled with glittering lakes and tumbling waterfalls. Landing at Milford Sound, you’ll take a cruise through the valleys, staring up at towering peaks and looking out across the serene waters. On your return flight back to the base, you’ll also be able to see epic ice shelves, with a stopover on a glacier for magnificent views and awe-inspiring photo opportunities. |
| Day 13-14: | Exploring Queenstown – Take the short 1.5-kilometre Queenstown Hill Time Walk for 360-degree views over the region or hop on the city’s Skyline Gondola; visit the charming town of Glenorchy for hiking trails around Lake Sylvan, then participate in a winery tour to sample world-renowned vinos and vintages. For adventurous travellers, there’s skydiving, bungy jumping, rafting, zip-lining, canyoning, paragliding and heli-mountain biking. |
| Day 15: | Departure from Queenstown – Sadly, your New Zealand adventure comes to an end. However, this action-packed itinerary is sure to have you leave with wonderful memories and amazing stories from your trip, as well as some truly unique and special experiences. |
Price information
£7999 excluding flights
Convert currency:
This itinerary is priced per person and designed to give you an idea of what can be included on your bespoke luxury tour of New Zealand, tailor-made to suit your personal tastes and preferences.
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel guides
We reckon this is one of the world’s most exciting holiday destinations.
Our self drive and fly drive guide is the GPS you need to explore the world independently with confidence.
Reviews
1 Reviews of New Zealand self drive tour
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 16 Jan 2024 by Anna Parris
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The beautiful landscapes - beaches and mountains
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Queenstown was more of a party town than expected and very busy for such a small town. Communication was not a strength of the operator and we did not like that they used 3rd parties to book our hotels and activities.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope so.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We enjoyed our time but if we had to do it again we would NOT use the operator again due to communication issues (information lacking upfront and assuring us of things that were not accurate). We did not realize and did not like that they used third party companies to book our accommodations and activities. We would have preferred a company with more local knowledge that was based or had staff actually in the countries we visited.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
As with all of our luxury holidays, this itinerary has been crafted to ensure that it positively effects the local communities and environments visited.During wildlife encounters in New Zealand, please do not get too close to animals or depart from the usual track. You should be as quiet as possible and do not make any noises to attract or frighten the wildlife. Of course you’ll be excited if you spot a seal or a kiwi, but you should try to express your excitement quietly.
In New Zealand's rural environments, please ensure that you don’t leave any litter – everything you carry in, you must carry out. Aside from the environmental damage, litter can be harmful to the wildlife.
The whale and dolphin watching excursions by boat and air are provided by responsible local companies who hold a Department of Conservation SMART (Sustainable Marine Mammal Actions in Recreation and Tourism) permit, as we can ensure that these local companies are committed to the conservation of New Zealand’s marine mammals.
This tour includes an eco-friendly dolphin encounter, where you swim with dolphins in their natural habitat. This activity is guided by local experts, who will ensure that it’s a positive and playful experience for the dolphins.
People
All the local guides referred to in this itinerary are paid a fair wage, we only recommend accommodation options with responsible initiatives. We believe that using local guides (rather than UK-based guides) is important, as it helps generate local incomes and creates jobs, plus it offers a more authentic travel experience.We recommend independent local hotels, lodges, guesthouses and campsites, rather than international chain hotels, which helps support local communities and allows you to experience true Kiwi hospitality. For example, the locally-owned eco-friendly retreat of Lochmara Lodge has a number of wildlife recovery programmes and an on-site cafe and restaurant featuring home-grown local produce.
This itinerary offers the opportunity to visit historical sites, including Maori cultural sites, such as the rock carvings at Lake Taupo. As a responsible tourist, we urge you to treat these sites with respect and we encourage you to do some research into Maori traditions and the heritage of New Zealand’s first inhabitants before you travel.
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