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11 Days
Daily Tour
Unlimited
English
Our eleven days / ten nights self-drive honeymoon package lets you explore from the sprawling volcanic hills of Auckland to the sparkling lake in Queenstown at your leisure. Your adventure will kick off in Auckland, and take you through Waitomo, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Napier, Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Greymouth, Franz Josef and finally, Queenstown. To get the most out of your trip, there are numerous sightseeing options in Auckland, combined with many more thrilling attractions on the journey, like the Waitomo Caves. All of these excursions can be directly pre-booked on our website through the booking menu option. The cost of the tour also covers the Inter-Islander Ferry Crossing, complete with admission to the aforementioned caves.
Highlights
Please Note:
The tour pricing is calculated on a twin share basis up to two adults and two children (If you are on a familymoon) traveling (children will be sharing the same hotel room as their parents).
The tour price includes the one-way vehicle relocation between Auckland and Queenstown, as well as the Inter-Islander ferry crossing between Wellington and Picton for the vehicle and to four passengers.
Important Information Regarding Your Vehicle Rental:
Arrive in Auckland to pick up your rental car at Auckland Airport. Check into your Central City Auckland Hotel, after which you can spend the remainder of the day and evening at your leisure. Why not spoil yourself and book an Auckland half-day tour to truly admire the views of the harbour and gaze over the city from Mt Eden. Your half day tour will take you over Harbour Bridge, and through quaint neighbourhoods like Parnell and Nortcote Point.
Travelling by road from Auckland to Rotorua, you will travel south from Auckland through the lush Waikato farmland, to your first stop at Waitomo. Included in our package is an exhilarating guided tour of the Glowworm Grotto in the Waitomo Caves – by boat! You will meander through subterranean caverns and see spectacular limestone rock formations.
After this thrilling excursion, the road travels from Waitomo through the Mamaku Hills, the lush Waikato Plains and the Fitzgerald Glade to Rotorua, arriving mid-afternoon. On arrival, check into your accommodation at the Millennium Hotel Rotorua (or similar).
Use today to explore this geothermal wonderland, known as Rotorua. It is a day of leisure for you to do as you please and go where you like. Not only will you have time to explore the township, the lake, and the beautiful Government Gardens, but you will also have the opportunity to visit several of the attractions that are located in and around Rotorua, such as Te Puia, the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, and boiling mud pools. You are spoiled for choice in Rotorua – experience everything from Rainbow Springs to the famous New Zealand kiwi bird.
Why not take a tour of a working farm? Watch a sheep being shorn, hand-feed the animals, and witness a sheepdog trial. If you wish to visit Hobbiton, it is only an hour’s drive from Rotorua and you can either self-drive and take the guided tour once you reach Hobbiton. Alternatively, you can upgrade and do a half day coach tour from Rotorua to Hobbiton that departs Rotorua daily at 1.20 pm. Please note, Hobbiton is a very popular attraction and should be pre-booked to avoid disappointment.
In the evening there is the option of visiting Tamaki Maori Village for an evening of Maori Culture and a hangi dinner. The admission to any of these attractions can be purchased at the time of booking, so please see our “extras” options.
Evening Accommodation Millennium Hotel Rotorua or similar
Next, you’ll travel from Rotorua to Napier by road. At your leisure, depart for the hour journey to Lake Taupo; a huge volcanic crater lake. The trip will lead you through acres of exotic forests and geothermal areas.
In the area, don’t forget to stop at Huka Falls for some breath-taking photo opportunities. For the thrill-seekers, experience the Jet Boating on the Huka River. To see all options available, click on our booking menu.
From Lake Taupo, follow the Taupo to Napier Road to Napier City, located centrally on the East Coast of the North Island. The heart of Hawkes Bay is famous for its Art Deco buildings in the downtown area. If you have a passion for world-class wine, the Hawkes Bay region is both the oldest and most famous wine-growing region in New Zealand, so visit one or more of the many vineyards and wine cellars in the area and sample some great wines.
After a long day of adventuring, you will spend the evening in the Scenic Hotel Te Pania (or similar).
You will have another morning of leisure in Napier and the Hawkes Bay Region. Explore the township and its Art Deco buildings, or simply wander the seashore and take in the natural splendor.
Leaving Napier, you will drive south on State Highway 2 to Woodville where the surrounding hills are speckled with imposing wind turbines. From Woodville, you will pass through Masterton. Here, you can take a short detour to the township of Martinborough - the heart of the wine-growing region on the Wairarapa. Back on track from Masterton, you will continue south through the Rimutaka Hills and the Hutt Valley on your way to Wellington, the capital city. Enjoy a leisurely evening at the James Cook Hotel (or similar).
During the morning, you can explore Wellington at your own pace. Should time permit, take a half-day (3-hour) Wellington City Sightseeing tour. The tour will take you past the rugged coastline, and offer stunning 360° views of the city from Mount Victoria. Or just explore Wellington City at your own pace, and take a ride on the famous cable car. Take a look at the optional extras on our page.
You will depart Wellington mid-afternoon by Inter-Islander Ferry, (cost of which is included in the tour price), crossing Cooks Straight and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton, located in the heart of Queen Charlotte Sound.
If the weather permits, this 3-hour ferry journey will provide you with some wonderful photo opportunities. Once in Picton, you can leave your car for the day and explore this quaint township on foot. Everything will be within walking distance of your evening’s accommodation at Picton Beachcomber Inn (or similar).
Departing Picton in the morning, you will drive south to Blenheim in the heart of the Marlborough Region - another famous region in New Zealand for its selection of quality wines, especially its Sauvignon Blancs.
Visit one or more of the many wineries in the area and taste some great wines, or have lunch at one of the many restaurants that you can visit on route. From Blenheim, you will wind west to the township of Havelock, located at the foot of the Pelorus Sound. The road will then take you through the Rai Valley and the Whangamoa hills to the coast of the seaside city of Nelson in the heart of Tasman Bay. Spend the evening at your own time in the Rutherford Hotel Nelson (or similar).
Departing Nelson, you will experience many marvelous sights along the way. Today you will leave the coast behind (for now) and travel south through the center of the South Island on State Highway 6 through to Murchison. From Murchison, you will follow the Buller River and Buller Gorge through to Westport on the rugged West Coast of the South Island. Then, take the coastal road south leading to Punakaiki and the site of the famous pancake rocks. Finally, head to Greymouth for a relaxed evening at Ashley Hotel Greymouth (or similar).
Today, your journey continues to follow the rugged West Coast of the South Island, further south to Franz Josef and its glacier namesake. Your journey will take you through Hokitika, and then follows a narrow stretch of flat land where the mountains of the Southern Alps roll down to meet the sea in spectacular vistas.
The contrasting landscape has steep mountains to your right and stony beaches running the length of the coast to your left. You will cross numerous fast-flowing river, often on one-way bridges, that adds an extra thrill to your journey.
On your arrival in the Franz Josef township, check into the Scenic Circle Hotel (or similar) and take the short drive to the equally famous Franz Josef Glacier. The walk from the car park to the retreating glacier is moderate, but you can also take a helicopter ride and land on the glacier! This once-in-a-lifetime excursion can also be booked directly on our website.
Leaving Franz Josef, you will take a short 30 minutes trip south to the township of Fox and the Fox Glacier. Weather permitting, take the short detour to Lake Matheson and take in some wonderful views. Mount Cook and the snow-capped Southern Alps and on a clear day reflect beautifully on the surface of the lake for a stunning mirror image.
Next, continue your journey south, and travel through the sparsely populated rain forests of the World Heritage Westland National Park. The majestic peaks of the Southern Alps will be visible to your left, while you can spot the rugged Westland Coastline to your right. In this area, rivers, rainforests, and mountain peaks dominate the landscape. The road then traverses the picturesque Haast Pass to Lakes Hawea, Wanaka, and Dunstan. From Dunstan, pass through Cromwell - the fruit-growing heart of Central Otago, and then finally travel through the Kawerau Gorge, (famous for the discovery of gold in the mid-1800s) onto Queenstown.
En-route stop at the historic Kawerau River Bridge and spectate the bungee jumpers. Why not have a go yourself? (See our optional extras page.)
This beautiful township is nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by high, snow-capped mountain ranges. In addition to its natural beauty, Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world! After a day of getting the adrenaline pumping, rest your head in comfort at the Millennium Queenstown (or similar).
Enjoy your final day of leisure in Queenstown. Explore this stunning township cradled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains. Enjoy and indulge in one of the many actives that are on offer. We would suggest visiting the Skyline Gondola for amazing views or traveling on the TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. For the more adventurous, try jet boating on the Shotover River. See extras available on the booking menu.
Don’t forget to visit the historic gold mining township of Arrowtown. At your convenience, return your rental vehicle to Queenstown Airport or a downtown location.
Member Since 2021
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