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| Self-Drive New Zealand | |
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12
nights / 13 days - Pay for 10 Nights & Get 2 Nights Absolutely
Free
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Self-driving
in New Zealand - Self-driving in New Zealand is a breeze. The
roads are nearly always uncongested; sometimes the hardest thing
is deciding what to do and where to go. To solve this problem, especially
themed touring routes have evolved. These are multi-day routes from
one point to another that are supported with road signposting and
touring maps.
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This
allows self-drivers to follow a multi-day scenic route and get the
very best out of the experience. The touring route points out all
of the attractions and activities, and also details points of interest
regarding history and heritage. A brief description of your routes
is included below
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Your
'Self Drive' itinerary has been pre-planned and for ease and peace
of mind we will pre-book all your accommodation and sightseeing
needs to allow a truly enjoyable experience. All you have to do
is select an itinerary that suits your time frame and interests.
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| Highlights: | |
| 1. 12
nights Accommodation in 4 star Superior Hotels on a Twin share basis
2. Automatic 1.6 litre Sedan with basic insurance & unlimited mileage 3. Auckland sights tour 4. Waitomo Glowworm Caves 5. Geothermal Rotorua 6. A traditional Maori Hangi and Concert 7. Majestic Mt Cook 8. Breath-taking Milford Sound 9. Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers 10. Christchurch highlights tour |
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| Day 1: Arrive Auckland | |
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On
arrival into Auckland - The City of Sails, you will be welcomed
and our representative. You will be met by the rental car company
and your Self Drive Incredible New Zealand Vacation begins. Today,
your tour includes Victoria Park Market, Westhaven Marina and Mt
Eden for spectacular views of the city and harbour. Overnight in
Auckland at the Sky City Hotel or similar
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| Day 2: Enjoy your FREE NIGHT in Auckland | |
| Overnight
in Auckland at the Sky City Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast. |
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| Day 3: Auckland - Waitomo (200 km, 3.10 hours) Waitomo - Rotorua (166 km, 2.45 hours) | |
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After
breakfast, leave Auckland City and drive south on State Highway
1 through Waikato farmland. Pass the Waikato River, New Zealand's
longest river. From Hamilton take State Highway 3 onto the Waitomo
Caves turn-off. Enjoy a guided tour of the world famous Waitomo
Glowworm caves. At Waitomo Caves, see water-sculpted limestone caves
and grottoes. Travel on a waterborne barge to view the myriad of
glowworms overhead, and admire the beauty of the cathedral-like
caverns.
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From
Waitomo, Continue driving south to Te Kuiti and turn onto State
Highway 30 over the forested Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Rotorua is
one of the original tourist destinations in New Zealand. From the
moment you arrive in Rotorua you know you're somewhere quite different.
There is a scent of sulphur in the air, and at nearby geothermal
hotspots there are geysers spouting, mud pools bubbling and belching
and warm geothermal springs and ponds that create a kaleidoscope
of colour. Overnight in Rotorua at the Rygdes Rotorua Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast. |
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| Day 4: Rotorua | |
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After
Breakfast, visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to see boiling mud
pools and roaring geysers. Following this see bird life, trout and
other wildlife before viewing a New Zealand farm show featuring
sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the
stars of our sheep industry. This afternoon is at leisure. This
evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and concert. Overnight
in Rotorua at the Rygdes Rotorua Hotel or
similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. |
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| Day 5: Rotorua - Christchurch | |
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Drop
off your Rented Car at Rotorua Airport today for your flight to
the 'Garden City' of Christchurch [Domestic airfare NOT included].
Arrive Christchurch & pick up your car from Christchurch Airport.
Optional Christchurch attractions and activities, options include
- Christchurch tramway, Christchurch Gondola, The International
Antarctic Centre's Snow and Ice Experience', Christchurch Casino,
Southern Encounter Aquarium, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Air Force
World, Orana Wildlife Park. Overnight in Christchurch at the Copthorne
ChristChurch
or Similar. Meals: Breakfast. |
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| Day 6: Christchurch - Mt Cook (312km, 4.30 hours) Mt Cook- Queenstown (263 km, 3.30 hours) | |
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After
breakfast, leave Christchurch & drive south on State Highway
1 through the Canterbury Plains until it meets with State Highway
79. Drive through Geraldine and Fairlie into land known as Mackenzie
Country and then on to Lake Tekapo via State Highway 8. Visit the
Church of the Good Shepherd - an historic church dedicated to the
early pioneers of this area - and the sheepdog statue, which is
a tribute to high country farmers' best friend. From Lake Tekapo
travel the short journey to Mt Cook village. At 3754 metres/12,308
feet, Mt Cook (Aoraki) is New Zealand's highest mountain. It towers
above a splendid cast of massive snow-clad peaks that make up Mt
Cook/Aoraki National Park. Nudging one side of Mt Cook is the mighty
Tasman Glacier, a 30-kilometre/18-mile giant and one of the longest
outside the Himalayas
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Continue
your journey to Queenstown. The road passes through a land of turquoise
lakes, vast open spaces and golden, tussock-covered hills rolling
towards the towering Southern Alps. Queenstown is set in a picturesque
valley and is known for the wide range of adventure and outdoor
activities that make the most of the scenery and the environment.
Overnight in Queenstown at the Copthorne Resort Lakefront or Similar
Meals: Breakfast.
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Day
7: Queenstown: Milford Sound
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After
an early breakfast, depart for what has been described as the best
one-day journey in the world. The day begins traveling along the
edge of Lake Wakatipu beneath the impressive Remarkable Mountains
on the way through to Te Anau. From here progress through the Upper
Hollyford Valley to the 1.2 kilometre Homer Tunnel which was drilled
through solid rock. On exiting the tunnel you descend down to Milford
Sound. Board the waiting vessel for a one hour forty minute full-length
cruise of Milford Sound out to the Tasman Sea. An excellent commentary
is given during the cruise and apart from the majestic scenery of
towering peaks jutting out of the Sound itself you should also see
sparkling waterfalls, fur seals lazing on the rocks, dolphins playing
in the ships wake and numerous sea birds. After your cruise, sit
back relax and enjoy the views from the coach on the return journey
to Queenstown. Overnight in Queenstown at the Copthorne Resort Lakefront
or Similar Meals: Breakfast.
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| Day 8: Queenstown | |
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After
breakfast at your hotel, today you have an opportunity today to
explore the endless optional attractions available in Queenstown.
Options include Bungee jumping, Jet boating, Dart River Safari,
Cruising the 90 yr old steamboat TSS Earnslaw, White water rafting,
Skyline Gondola, Hot Air Ballooning, Kiwi & Birdlife Park or
follow the Arts & Wine Trail. Overnight in Queenstown at the
Copthorne Resort Lakefront
or Similar Meals: Breakfast. |
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| Day 9: Enjoy your FREE NIGHT in Queenstown | |
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Overnight
in Queenstown at the Copthorne Resort Lakefront
or Similar Meals: Breakfast. |
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| Day 10: Queenstown - Glacier Region | |
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From
Queenstown drive to Wanaka on State Highway 6, stopping at one of
many roadside fruit stalls around Cromwell, known for its pipfruit
orchards. The journey will take visitors along the shores of Lakes
Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass. Continue up the West Coast past
spectacular mountain ranges and native forests to the glacier region
of Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers.
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Activities
here include either walking to the base of the Fox or Franz Josef
Glacier or joining a guided glacier walk, which accommodates every
level of fitness and experience. Alternatively, there are a range
of flight options, some with snow landings, all with spectacular
aerial views of the Glaciers and the surrounding alpine scenery.
Overnight at the Glacier Country Hotel or Similar Meals: Breakfast.
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| Day 11: Glacier Region - Christchurch | |
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Depart
Glacier country and journey north up the West Coast on State Highway
6 to Greymouth. Drive to Punakaiki is (40 minutes) from Greymouth.
Return to Christchurch via Lewis Pass, a challenging but picturesque
piece of road. Take the time to enjoy the dramatic landscape and
scenery. Overnight in Christchurch at the Copthorne ChristChurch
or Similar. Meals: Breakfast. |
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| Day 12: Christchurch Sightseeing | |
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After
Breakfast, depart for a Christchurch Sighseeing Tour. The highlights
of the tour include the Anglican Cathedral, Town Hall, the Arts
Centre, Canterbury Museum, the University, Botanic Gardens and the
Avon River.
Overnight in Christchurch at the Copthorne Christchurch or Similar Meals: Breakfast |
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| Day 13: Departure Day | |
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After
breakfast and checkout, drive to Christchurch International Airport
& drop off your Car. We trust you enjoyed your New Zealand Vacation.
Meals: Breakfast. |
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