New Zealand
Rental Car Tour
Paradise
Itinerary:
Auckland - Paihia - Kaitaia - Dargaville - Auckland -
Whitianga - Rotorua - Napier - Wellington - Nelson -
Greymouth - Franz Josef - Queenstown - Te Anau -
Queenstown - Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
Wednesday, Day 1
Kia Ora !
You start your trip in Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’.
Thursday, Day 2
Auckland - Paihia
After breakfast you pick up our rental car from the rental office and start on your 3-day trip to Northland, heading first toward Whangarei, and then on to Paihia in the famous Bay of Islands.
Friday, Day 3
Paihia - Kaitaia
You spend the day in the Bay of Islands, visiting the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the birthplace of New Zealand. Then you move on for the night at Kaitaia, ready for an early start the next morning.
Saturday, Day 4
Kaitaia - Dargaville
Day 4 starts early to the most northwestern tip of New Zealand – Cape Reinga – where the souls of recently departed Maori are said to leave the mainland on their journey to the afterlife in the spiritual homeland Hawaiki. You spend some time here at the lonely lighthouse before taking the Twin Coast Discovery Highway south.
At Kohukohu you take the small ferry to Rawene before travelling through the Waipoua Forest, an ancient Kauri forest. You stop to visit Tane Mahuta, the ‘Lord of the Forest’. At around 2000 years old and 51 m (169 feet) tall, Tane Mahuta is New Zealand’s largest living Kauri tree. Stop for the night is Dargaville.
Sunday, Day 5
Dargaville - Auckland
You carry on cruising down the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, reaching Auckland in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day here.
Monday, Day 6
Auckland - Whitianga
This is a relaxing day along the Pacific Coast Highway and around the Coromandel region. You spend the night in Whitianga.
Tuesday, Day 7
Whitianga - Rotorua
You travel south, stopping at Cathedral Cove. Well worth the 40-minute strenuous walk to reach it, this is a natural rock cave located in one of New Zealand’s beautiful marine reserves.
You continue along the coast to Rotorua. Before you even reach the city you will be able to smell the sulfur and see hot pools along the side of the road. In the evening you will have the opportunity to learn about Maori culture and attend a spectacular Maori show in the Tamaki Maori Village. This is followed by a traditional Maori feast.
Wednesday, Day 8
Rotorua - Napier
You spend the morning in Rotorua visiting the hot pools and geysers at Te Puia. You will also have the chance to visit a bird house and see a kiwi. You continue your journey south, travelling alongside beautiful Lake Taupo and through spectacular scenery.
One of the highlights is a view of Mount Ruapehu, the highest peak on the North Island, which stands nearly 2797 m (9175 feet) tall.
Your destination is Napier, which was almost entirely rebuilt in the Art Deco style after the 1931 earthquake. You will be able to visit museums, art galleries, and a kiwi house if you wish. You spend the night in an original Art Deco hotel near the beach.
Thursday, Day 9
Napier - Wellington
You continue your journey to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, passing through more spectacular scenery.
Friday, Day 10
Wellington - Nelson
Before you leave the North Island you visit Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand. In the afternoon you leave for the South Island, travelling to Picton on the Interislander ferry.
There is plenty of opportunity to take pictures on the journey, especially as you pass through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Once on the South Island you travel around the Tasman Bay to Nelson. Nelson and its surrounding region receive more hours of sunshine than any other city in New Zealand!
Saturday, Day 11
Nelson
Day 11 is a rest day. You are free to go sightseeing in Nelson, take a trip to the Abel Tasman National Park or Cape Farewell, or just to relax.
Sunday, Day 12
Nelson - Greymouth
Your trip takes you south along the Buller Gorge Road to Westport, where you meet the Tasman Sea and there are beaches crowded with sea lions. You cross Cape Foulwind and
head south again to Pancake Rocks, where you get a close-up view of blowholes created by the sea. You spend the night in Greymouth.
Monday, Day 13
Greymouth - Franz Josef
You continue south through the old gold mining town of Ross. The scenery is breathtaking, with the Tasman Sea on the right and mountains and lush green rain forest on the left. You spend the night below Franz Josef Glacier. If you wish, you can take a helicopter flight to the glacier or walk to its base.
Tuesday, Day 14
Franz Josef - Queenstown
Passing Fox Glacier, another majestic glacier, you leave the coast and head east over Haast Pass to beautiful Lake Wanaka and the town of Wanaka itself before travelling on to Queenstown, justly famous as the adventure capital of the world. You will be given a short tour of a typical New Zealand working farm before the evening meal at the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant on the Walter Peak High Country Sheep Farm.
The farm is reached by a scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu on the oldest steamship in New Zealand, the TSS Earnslaw.
Wednesday, Day 15
Queenstown - Te Anau
You have a relaxing morning after your excellent meal last night before heading on to Te Anau around noon.
Thursday, Day 16
Milford Sound
This is one of the highlights of your trip and a spectacular natural wonder. You will have plenty of time to absorb the scenery and enjoy one of New Zealand’s most famous regions. You set off for Milford Sound through the Homer Tunnel before boarding a boat to cruise the 10-mile long fiord. You will have the opportunity to see blue penguins, sea lions, and dolphins, not to mention the stunning combination of green rain forest, mountains, and blue, clear water flowing toward the ocean. You return to Te Anau for the night.
Friday, Day 17
Te Anau - Queenstown
You travel back to Queenstown where the rest of the day is free for you to do as you wish. Queenstown specialises in adventure activities and has much to offer, including bungee jumping, parasailing, jet boat rides, and skydiving. We will help you book any activities you wish to go on.
Saturday, Day 18
Queenstown - Lake Tekapo
On Day 18 you travel to the foothills of Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain at a height of 3754 m (13,316 feet). You stop for coffee and a spectacular view of the snow-covered mountain at the famous Hermitage Hotel, a truly special place with unmistakeable charm.
You end the day riding along back Lake Pukaki before spending the night at your hotel at Lake Tekapo.
Sunday, Day 19
Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
You end your tour with more unforgettable views. You visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Takapo before travelling across the South Island on the Inland Scenic Route to Christchurch, where you drop off your rental car at the rental office.
The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Christchurch.
Tip: Ask for a 3 Days XtraPackage from Christchurch back to Auckland.
New Zealand Video Impressions
