12-Nights Best of New Zealand Self Drive

Travel Answers (Formerly Travel2)

This itinerary offers an immersive exploration of New Zealand's diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and natural wonders over 15 days.

The journey begins with an overnight flight from the USA to Auckland, where you'll enjoy a private tour of the city, visiting iconic sites like the Harbour Bridge and Mount Victoria. From Auckland, travel through the scenic Waikato countryside to Rotorua, where you'll explore the famous Waitomo Caves, witness geothermal activity at Wai O Tapu, and experience a traditional Maori cultural performance.

Continuing south, drive through picturesque landscapes from Rotorua to Napier, known for its art deco architecture and world-class vineyards. The route from Napier to Wellington offers breathtaking views of rugged mountains and coastal beauty, culminating in a visit to New Zealand's vibrant capital. Here, you’ll delve into the nation’s history at Te Papa Museum and explore the nocturnal wildlife of Zealandia.

The adventure continues the South Island, with a coastal drive from Picton to Kaikoura, where you’ll embark on a whale-watching cruise. From Kaikoura, travel to Christchurch, enjoying the changing landscapes from coastal cliffs to the expansive Canterbury Plains. Your journey then takes you to Tekapo, where you can marvel at the turquoise waters and starry skies of the Mackenzie region.

Next, head to Queenstown, with a stop at Mount Cook for a glacier exploration. In Queenstown, experience the stunning Milford Sound by air and water, and enjoy leisure time in this adventure hub. The trip concludes with a scenic cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw, a farm dinner at Walter Peak, and a relaxing final day before your departure back to the US. This itinerary offers a perfect balance of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and relaxation.

Vacation Inclusions

• One-way airfare from Auckland to Queenstown
• One-way private arrival airport/hotel transfer, Auckland
• 1-night Auckland, Fable Auckland, Classic King Room with Early Check-In
• Private Half-day Auckland City Highlights Tour
• One-way Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves experience
• 2-nights Rotorua, Regent of Rotorua, Superior Room
• Half-day Eco Thermal Park Tour
• Te Pa Tu Evening Cultural Experience
• 11-days Intermediate SUV car rental 11 days Intermediate Car Hire includes unlimited mileage, GST, Standard Damage Waiver and Excess Reduction (Nil)
• 1-night Napier, The Crown Hotel, Studio Suite
• 2-nights Wellington, Bolten Hotel, Premier Suite
• Private Te Papa Highlights Tour
• Zealandia by Night
• One-way passenger ferry, Wellington to Picton, double cabin
• 1-night Kaikoura, Sudima Kaikoura, Superior King including breakfast
• Whale Watching Cruise, Kaikoura
• 1-night Christchurch, Sudima Christchurch City, Luxe King
• 1-night Lake Tekapo, Peppers Bluewater Resort, Deluxe Lake View Room
• Dark Sky Project Summit Experience
• Glacier Explorer Mt Cook
• 3-nights Queenstown, Heritage Queenstown, Studio Lakeview Room
• Milford Sound Fly/Nature Cruise/Fly
• TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak & Gourmet BBQ Dinner
• US/foreign taxes and fees including September 11 Security Fee

Featured Destinations

Queenstown Queenstown Queenstown hosts an outstanding collection of adrenaline inducing activities and spectacular scenery. From jumping from tall bridges or quiet fishing, this is New Zealand's number one adventure destination. Lake and river join towering mountain ranges to make Queenstown as popular in the winter as it is in the summer. At the heart of the action are cafes, the entire spectrum of accommodation, boutique shopping, restaurants and the visitor services expected in a small town with a big reputation.	Destination Guide
Lake Tekapo Lake Tekapo Venture out to Mackenzie Country where the second-largest lake in New Zealand is located. First discovered by the Maori natives, Lake Tekapo is ironically translated to "sleeping mat." Here, travelers do anything but sleep. They pursue a variety of recreational activities like: kayaking, skiing, windsurfing, horse trekking and even scenic flight. After a long day of excitement, you can also take a dip in the natural hot pools of the Alpine Springs!
Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch was founded in 1850 by members of the Church of England, who wanted a little bit of heaven on earth. They succeeded, and today the city takes great pride in its spacious layout and distinctive English-style buildings in elegant grey stone. The River Avon winds through Christchurch, along parks and gardens that cover one-third of the city.	Destination Guide
Kaikoura Kaikoura Few places in the world can boast of such natural wonders as those offered by land and sea in Kaikoura .... stunning coastal alpine scenery, year-round whale watching, dolphin and seal swimming, pelagic bird watching, fishing, diving, and a host of eco-tourism oriented activities!	Destination Guide
Wellington Wellington Located at southwestern North Island, New Zealand’s capital city derives its character and charm from the wooded hills that curve like a green amphitheater around Wellington’s harbor. Commercial and government buildings rim the waterfront; nostalgic Victorian buildings mingle pleasantly with more modern structures and above the business district, dwellings precariously cling to steep slopes. Wellington was the first settlement organized by the London-based New Zealand Company. Other sights include Kelburn Cable Car, Museum of Wellington, City and Sea, and National Museum and Art Gallery (Te Papa).	Destination Guide
Napier Napier The twin cities of Napier and Hastings, located within the region of Hawke's Bay on the East Coast of new Zealand's North Island, are quite unique. The area is blessed with a Californian-Mediterranean climate, boasting one of the highest sunshine averages in the country. The area is also dotted with colourful vineyards and orchards, with some of the most fertile farmland you will see. In 1931 a two and a half minute earthquake destroyed the city of Napier. Rebuilding began almost immediately in the architectural style of the time - Art Deco. Napier is now classed as the newest city in the world, offering a marvellous, world-renown, collection of Art Deco buildings. Among the attractions in the area are the Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers, the Hawke's Bay Aquarium, the Spanish Mission and Art Deco architecture, gardens and bush walks.	Destination Guide
Rotorua Rotorua New Zealand's premier destination on the edge of beautiful Lake Rotorua offers visitors so much to see and do the trouble is deciding what to do. From a quiet stroll through the magnificent Redwood Forest to an adrenaline rafting plunge over one of the world's highest commercially rafted waterfalls or an entertaining view of life on the farm at one of our award winning farmshows - Rotorua has it all. Famous for awesome geological forces, Rotorua has hundreds of gentle plopping mud pools, powerful erupting geysers, and intriguing geothermal lakes. Maori Culture is another unique facet to Rotorua's popularity. For more action try hiking down Mt Ngongatah, fishing for trophy-sized trout on one of Rotorua's many lakes, tandem skydiving, horse trekking, or off-road driving. Or just sit back, watch the world go by and enjoy the fresh, clean, picturesque atmosphere from one of many sidewalk cafes and bars. To end the day, soak away ailments in one of many thermally heated natural mineral spas.	Destination Guide
Auckland Auckland Auckland is regularly voted one of the best lifestyle cities in the world, with the cosmopolitan city centre complemented by great escapes within half an hour of downtown. Indulge in Auckland's shopping, nightlife and unrivalled cuisine and experience some of the many attractions and adventure activities on offer. There is never a shortage of things to do in the City of Sails. Sights to see include Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Zoo, and Museum of Transport and Technology.	Destination Guide

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