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Ultimate New Zealand Self Drive Tour

This 42 day tour starts in Auckland and finishes in Christchurch.

Our longest tour allows you time to explore every region of New Zealand including those iconic destinations you’ve heard so much about and some lesser known gems that the outside world hasn’t discovered yet. In the north, you’ll travel from idyllic beaches and bays to vibrant cities and world class wine regions. Crossing the Cook Strait on the Interislander Ferry brings you to the South Island with its spectacular mountain landscapes and diverse coastal scenery. You’ll also visit our third largest island, Stewart Island, which is a haven for nature and wildlife.

While this itinerary serves as a great starting point, we invite you to connect with our travel specialists, who can help tailor these experiences into a larger New Zealand journey personalised to your interests.

Accommodation type on this tour is: Motels.

This tour also features:

Included activity: Electronic Travel Guide and In-Country Support App

Included activity: Private Transfer Auckland Airport to your Auckland Accommodation with Tourcorp

Included activity: The Visitor Promise - Cultural Learning Course

Included activity: Waitomo and Aranui Caves tour Combo

Included activity: Lake Taupo Scenic Cruise to the Maori Rock Carvings

Included activity: Huka Falls Jet Boat Ride

Included activity: Entry to Te Papa The Museum of New Zealand

Included activity: Interislander Ferry Wellington to Picton

Included activity: Seals, Beach Cruise and Walk with Wilsons - Includes Lunch

Included activity: Auckland Sky Tower Admission

Included activity: Christchurch Gondola

Included activity: Albatross Classic Tour with Royal Albatross Centre

Included activity: Invercargill to Stewart Island with Stewart Island flights

Included activity: Ulva Island Explorer

Included activity: Stewart Island to Invercargill with Stewart Island flights

Included activity: Milford Sound Cruise from Te Anau including lunch

Included activity: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Manapouri with RealNZ

Included activity: 60 Minute Social Sauna Session at Watershed Saunas Queenstown

Included activity: Hole in the Rock Cruise with Fullers

Included activity: Franz Josef Nature Tour with Glacier Valley Eco Tours

Included activity: Shared Transfer from Christchurch Train Station to Christchurch CBD Accommodation with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: TranzAlpine Scenic Plus Addon - KiwiRail

Included activity: TranzAlpine Scenic Train: Greymouth to Christchurch

Included activity: Private Transfer from Accommodation to Airport with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: Cathedral Cove Scenic Cruise

Included activity: Te Pā Tū Evening Māori Cultural Experience - Dinner Included

3 lunches, 1 special dinner

Itinerary summary for: Ultimate New Zealand Self Drive Tour

Day 1: Start your adventure today in Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland
Accommodation: Adina CityLife Auckland

Day 2: City views from the iconic Sky Tower
Accommodation: Adina CityLife Auckland

Day 3: Northward bound to the beautiful Bay of Islands
Accommodation: Sea Spray Suites

Day 4: Enjoy a scenic cruise of the Bay of Islands out to the Hole in the Rock
Accommodation: Sea Spray Suites

Day 5: Coastal drives from Paihia to charming Matakana
Accommodation: Snells Beach Motel

Day 6: Travel to the golden sands of Coromandel
Accommodation: Coromandel Court Motel

Day 7: Glide past limestone sea caves to the iconic arch
Accommodation: Coromandel Court Motel

Day 8: Inland towards the lakes of Rotorua
Accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Day 9: Discover Rotorua's geothermal landscapes, thrilling adventure or Māori culture
Accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Day 10: ## Journey to the magical glowworm caves of Waitomo
Accommodation: Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge

Day 11: Witness the thunderous power of New Zealand’s most visited waterfall
Accommodation: Anchorage Resort

Day 12: Cross the ranges towards the Hawke's Bay
Accommodation: Navigate Seaside Hotel

Day 13: Discover the Art Deco architecture and vineyards of the Hawkes Bay
Accommodation: Navigate Seaside Hotel

Day 14: ## Rolling hills and boutique wines in Martinborough
Accommodation: The Claremont, Martinborough

Day 15: Travel over the Rimutaka Ranges to Wellington
Accommodation: Adina CityLife Wellington

Day 16: Uncover the charms of Wellington City and treasures of Te Papa
Accommodation: Adina CityLife Wellington

Day 17: ## Crossing the Cook Strait on the Interislander ferry
Accommodation: The Hotel Nelson

Day 18: Explore Abel Tasman National Park
Accommodation: The Hotel Nelson

Day 19: Seals, beach cruises and walks in Abel Tasman
Accommodation: The Hotel Nelson

Day 20: Follow the beautiful Queen Charlotte Drive to the vineyards of Blenheim
Accommodation: Bella Vista Blenheim

Day 21: Drive to the seaside town of Kaikoura today
Accommodation: Lobster Inn

Day 22: Explore Kaikoura home to an abundance of marine wildlife
Accommodation: Lobster Inn

Day 23: Continue south through Canterbury farmland to Christchurch
Accommodation: Merivale Manor

Day 24: Explore Christchurch City and enjoy panoramic views from the gondola
Accommodation: Merivale Manor

Day 25: To the French-inspired town of Akaroa
Accommodation: Akaroa Village Inn - Bruce Waterfront Deluxe Apartments

Day 26: Alpine peaks of Aoraki-Mount Cook
Accommodation: Mt Cook Motel

Day 27: Glaciers on Tasman Lake before heading to the Wildlife Capital of Aotearoa
Accommodation: Motel on York

Day 28: ## Exploring Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula albatross colony
Accommodation: Motel on York

Day 29: Follow the coastline through the Catlins to Invercargill
Accommodation: The Lodges At Transport World

Day 30: Catch a flight to the wild Stewart Island
Accommodation: Kaka Retreat

Day 31: ## Native birds and forest walks on Ulva Island
Accommodation: Kaka Retreat

Day 32: Follow the Southern Scenic Route to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Day 33: ## Cruising the majestic fiord of Milford Sound
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Day 34: Venture deep into Fiordland National Park to the 'Sound of Silence' Doubtful Sound
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Day 35: Through rolling Southland countryside to Lake Wakatipu and Tāhuna-Queenstown
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown

Day 36: Endless thrills and adventure on your Queenstown free day
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown

Day 37: Drive the Crown Range Road to the alpine town of Wanaka
Accommodation: The Moorings Wanaka

Day 38: Enjoy one of the many lakeside walks or enjoy a boat cruise to Mou Waho Island
Accommodation: The Moorings Wanaka

Day 39: Travel the spectacular Haast Pass to the West Coast
Accommodation: Punga Grove Motel & Suites

Day 40: Explore Franz Josef and the glaciers of Westland National Park
Accommodation: Punga Grove Motel & Suites

Day 41: Coast to Coast: Glacier Country to the Garden City on the TranzAlpine Train
Accommodation: Bella Vista Christchurch

Day 42: Depart Christchurch today