Self-Drive Tours through New Zealand
Self-drive tours from Pacific Holidays are a pleasant way to travel through New Zealand. We provide the vehicle, itinerary and accommodations for these self-drive packages. Witness majestic alpine slopes, forests, lakes, glaciers and geothermal wonder. You will also learn about the culture of the Aboriginal Maori people.
Features of New Zealand Self-Drive Travel Packages
Experience the freedom of self-drive tour packages. Our clients see New Zealand on their own, with these New Zealand self-drive packages. You too can visit all the famous sites without the constraints of other tourists to slow you down.
Begin your self drive adventure when you pick up your rental car in downtown in Auckland NZ. Then witness the natural wonders of New Zealand, starting with the Glowworm Grotto Caves and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserves. Hold your breath as you travel through the picturesque South Island. Your trip from Christchurch to Queenstown is equally beautiful, with rural townships, lakes, glacial formations and magnificent mountains, including the highest New Zealand peak, Mt. Cook. Other spectacular sights include the fjords at Milford Sound and the Franz Joseph Glacier.
These self-drive New Zealand travel packages include stops in the cities of Wellington and Christchurch, where you are free to explore these fascinating cities on your own. Or take time to enjoy your comfortable hotel accommodations.
Enjoy your New Zealand Self-Drive Tour from Pacific Holidays, an industry leader with over 15 years of experience. For details on this New Zealand tour or any of our South Pacific travel packages, please click on the selections below or contact 800-355-8025 for more information
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1, Thursday - Los Angeles/ Nadi/Auckland
Board Air Pacific flight and depart from Los Angeles for Auckland, New Zealand.
Day 2, Friday - En Route
Cross the International Date Line.
Day 3, Saturday - Auckland
Arrive in Auckland. After clearing immigration and customs, you are met and transferred to your accommodations. (Copthorne Harbor City Hotel/Hilton Hotel)
Day 4, Sunday - Auckland/ Waitomo/Rotorua
Today, pick up a Thrifty Rental car from Downtown Auckland. Travel south by way of the rich pastoral province of Waikato, to fascinating Waitomo Caves and visit the magical Glowworm Grotto. Then continue your tour via Lake Karapiro to Rotorua. Arrive at your accommodations. (Rydges Rotorua/ Royal Lakeside Novotel) (B)
Day 5, Monday - Rotorua
This morning visit the Agrodome to see an entertaining sheep show, followed by Rainbow Springs. At Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, learn about traditional Maori crafts at the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. Then, view Rotorua's soaring geysers and bubbling mud pools. Afternoon is at leisure. In the evening experience the warmth of the Maori people with a traditional feast and cultural entertainment. (B/D)
Day 6, Tuesday - Rotorua/Wellington
Today you drive further south to Wellington, New Zealand's political center. Stop at the seaside town of Napier and visit one of the many vineyards in the area. Continue to the rural village of Greytown. Then on to Featherston and over the Rimutaka hills into Wellington. (Bay Plaza/InterContinental) (B)
Day 7, Wednesday - Wellington
Full day free to explore the city on your own. A good recommendation is to visit the popular Te Papa Museum with numerous national treasures and art collections. Or, look into a diverse range of cafes and restaurants. (B)
Day 8, Thursday - Wellington/Christchurch
After breakfast check out from hotel and drop off your rental car at Wellington Ferry Terminal. Board the Inter-Islander, a 3-hour ferry across the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton on the South Island of New Zealand. Take the TransCoastal train for a scenic ride. In a carriage with panoramic windows, enjoy views along the coastline. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. (Holiday Inn City Center/The George Hotel) (B)
Day 9, Friday - Christchurch
After breakfast, pick up your rental car in downtown Christchurch. Explore Christchurch on your own. Some of the sites are within a short walking distance, such as Arts Center, Museum, a ride on the Christchurch Tram, a Punt Ride on the River Avon or a stroll through botanical garden. (B)
Day 10, Saturday - Christchurch/ Mt. Cook/Queenstown
This morning, travel overland to Mt. Cook. Drive inland through beautiful rural townships of Ashburton, Geraldine and Fairlie. Pass Burkes Pass to Lake Tekapo. Stop at the quaint Church of Good Shepherd. When you reach magnificent Mt. Cook, the country's highest peak, skirt Lake Pukaki to view more of the glacial grandeur of the Southern Alps. Continue on to Queenstown. (Copthorne Lakefront Hotel/Grand Mercure St. Moritz) (B)
Day 11, Sunday - Milford Sound
This morning travel by coach through the Fiordland National Park to famous Milford Sound. Take a cruise on the tranquil waters of the Fiord, while viewing spectacular Mitre Peak, the waterfalls and marine life. Return to town in the evening. (B/L)
Day 12, Monday - Queenstown
Enjoy the day at leisure. Many activities are available - cruise the vintage steamship of TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakaipu, ride a gondola to Bob's Peak for a bird's-eye view of Queenstown. (B)
Day 13, Tuesday - Queenstown/Franz Josef
Drive north through scenic wilderness of Haast Pass to Franz Josef, an area of soaring mountain peaks, impressive glaciers, tranquil lakes, raging rivers, lush rain forest and magnificent coastline. (Glacier Hotel) (B)
Day 14, Wednesday - Franz Josef/ Greymouth/Christchurch
After breakfast at hotel, drive a few miles north and arrive at Greymouth Railway Station. Return your rental car here and board TranzAlpine train for Christchurch. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. (Holiday Inn City Center/The George Hotel) (B)
Day 15, Thursday - Christchurch/USA
Morning transfer to the airport for your return flight via Air Pacific to the States. Arrive home the same day. Or take our Fiji Extension. (B) |
