Self-driving in New Zealand is fun , easy and safe .
We can recommend a New Zealand journey through picturesque farmlands,beautiful coastal settlements , sandy beaches in the Far North, volcanic plateau in Central North Island, the rugged West Coast and glaciers of South Island
Highlights
• 3 nights in Auckland, City of Sails
•2 nights in beautiful Bay of Islands
• 2 nights in geothermal Rotorua, New Zealand's Maori culture capital
• 1 night in Taupo, home of picturesque Lake Taupo
• 2 nights in Tongariro National Park, home to majestic volcanoes
• 2 nights in Wellington, New Zealand's culture capital
• 2 nights in sunny Nelson, renowned for spectacular arts and crafts
• 1 night in Greymouth, on South Island's rugged West Coast
• 2 nights at Franz Josef, to visit famous FranzJosef Glacier
• 2 nights in Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital
• 1 night in Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park
• 2 nights in historic Dunedin,'Edinburgh of the South
• 1 night in Mount Cook area,home to New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook
• 1 night in Christchurch,'the Garden City
'NORTH ISLAND'
DAY 1 – ARIVE AUCKLAND
After collecting your rental car, visit Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World & Antarctic Encounter, take a harbour cruise or go shopping
DAY 2 – AUCKLAND
A day at leisure in the ‘City of Sails’.
DAY 3 – AUCKLAND/BAY OF ISLANDS (149 miles/240 kms)
Head north across the Auckland Harbour Bridge on State Highway 1 through Mangaturoto, on to Whangarei and then to the Bay of Islands. Arrive inPaihia, then perhaps view the Waitangi Treaty House.
DAY 4 – BAY OF ISLANDS
A day at leisure to discover the region.Join Crossings Hokianga , a guided boat cruise of historic Hokianga Harbour and the natural surroundings of the Waipoua Forest .
DAY 5 – BAY OF ISLANDS/AUCKLAND (149 miles/240 kms)
Today, take the State Highway 12 route to visit the historic Kauri Museum at Matakohe and drive through the majestic Waipoua Kauri Forest, home of the magnificent 'Tane Mahuta' kauri tree.
DAY 6 – AUCKLAND/WAITOMO/ ROTORUA (219 miles/352 kms)
Depart Auckland and travel south over the Bombay hills and through the lush Waikato farmlands to Waitomo . Tour the spectacular Waitomo Glowworm Caves, abseil into the Lost World, or try blackwater rafting. Travel across the Waikato River and the Mamaku Hills to Rotorua.
DAY 7 – ROTORUA
Visit Te Whakarewarewa, Agrodome, Paradise Valley Springs or take a dip at the Polynesian Thermal Pools. Enjoy a trip to Mokoia Island for a cultural andNature experience . Tonight , experience a Maori hangi and concert at a local marae.
DAY 8 – ROTORUA/TAUPO (50 miles/80 kms)
Travel south to Taupo - visit the Waiotapu Thermal Reserve or Wairakei Thermal Valley and the Huka Falls.
DAY 9 – TAUPO/TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK (68 miles/109 kms)
Travel south along the shores of Lake Taupo to Tongariro National Park.
DAY 10 – TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK
A day at leisure to experience this beautiful and lush Park .
DAY 11 – TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK/WELLINGTON (180 miles/290 kms)
Travel through the coastal settlements of the Kapiti Coast to the capital of Wellington.
DAY 12 – WELLINGTON
A day at leisure. Go shopping on Lambton Quay or visit the magnificent 'Te Papa',the Museum of New Zealand.
DAY 13 WELLINGTON / PICTON /CHRISTCHURCH (210 miles/338 kms)
This morning take the interisland ferry to Picton Drive along the Pacific Coast to Kaikoura to see the dolphins or experience a swim with them . The Dusky Dolphins here are the most acrobatic in the world . Or take a cruise on a whale ship for a spot of whale watching . Continue to Christchurch - explore the city – perhaps take a tram journey around the inner city to see the Arts Centre Botanic Gardens, Museum and inner city shops.
DAY 14 – CHRISTCHURCH/MOUNT COOK REGION (209 miles/336 kms)
Drive across the Canterbury Plains and view the beautiful township of Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, before arriving in the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park region.
(extend your stay at Mount Cook ?)
DAY 15 – MOUNT COOK REGION/ DUNEDIN (205 miles/330 kms) 
Take a scenic helicopter flight over this magnificent region. Depart for Dunedin, stopping enroute to walk on Moeraki Beach to view the unique boulders. Arrive in Dunedin – known as the ‘Edinburghof the South’.
DAY 16 – DUNEDIN
A free day to explore the Dunedin region. Visit Olveston House, Larnach Castle or the rare Royal Albatross and Yellow Eyed Penguin colonies
DAY 17 – DUNEDIN/TE ANAU (180 miles/290 kms)
Travel across the Otago pasturelands before arriving in Te Anau, the gateway to the World Heritage Fiordland National Park.  
DAY 18 – TE ANAU/MILFORD SOUND/QUEENSTOWN (256 miles/412 kms)
 Drive through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Cruise on the Sound beneath sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls and majestic Mitre Peak, before departing for the alpine resort of Queenstown.
DAY 19 – QUEENSTOWN
A free day to enjoy the many leisure options. For a real thrill, experience the thrill of a lifetime on the Shotover Jet , join a cruise on board the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station or the Appellation Central Wine Tours .
DAY 20 – QUEENSTOWN/FRANZ JOSEF (251 miles/404 kms)
Travel north from Queenstown to visit picturesque Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea , over the Haast Pass to the beech forests of Mt Aspiring National Park , Arrive in Franz Josef, home of the world famous Franz Josef Glacier.
DAY 21 – FRANZ JOSEF
Take a scenic Glacier flight / and a guided walk to enjoy the stunning scenery .
DAY 22 – FRANZ JOSEF/ GREYMOUTH (111 miles/179 kms)
Enjoy spectacular West Coast scenery as you head north to Greymouth.Visit Shantytown , or the White Heron Colony (Optional end your journey here and take the Tranz Alpine train to Christchurch for flight home )
DAY 23 – GREYMOUTH/NELSON (180 miles/290 kms)
Head north to Nelson through the Buller Gorge. View the world famous Punakaiki pancake rocks, known for their spectacular blowholes and fascinating rock formation.
DAY 24 – NELSON
Take a full day vista cruise to Totaranui - at Abel Tasman National Park.
DAY 25 – NELSON/CHRISTCHURCH (265 miles/427km)
Head south to arrive in Christchurch. Explore the city’s bars and restaurants, take a gondola ride or visit the Court Theatre.
DAY 26 – DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
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