Kiwi Wonderland
Self driven car tours
Tour #WW38

Don't miss anything - a huge tour of NZ from featuring a complete circuit of South Island sites including Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Queenstown, the West Coast Glaciers and Nelson and 8 days in the North Island including Wellington, Rotorua, Coromandel, Auckland and the Bay of Islands.
All accommodation with private facilities; superior B & Bs; Larnach Castle Lodge; luxury farm stay, 4 star hotels and motor inns. Overnight cruise on Milford Sound. Modern, near new vehicles. Unlimited kilometres.

Day 1: Arrive at Christchurch
Our representative will meet you and take you to your car and hand over and explain your documentation. Overnight in Christchurch.

Day 2: Christchurch - Mt Cook 5 hours
Across the plains to Lake Tekapo and on to Mt Cook. Ski plane flights are optional. Overnight at Mt Cook. (B)

Day 3: Mt Cook - Dunedin 5 hours
Down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and soon after stop off to see the Moeraki boulders before arriving in Dunedin. Stay at the Castle Lodge - two nights (30 minutes out of the city - near the albatross and penguin colonies).

Day 4: At Dunedin
A full day to enjoy the many optional activities - trips to the albatross colony, the yellow eyed penguins, Taieri Gorge train and more...

Day 5: Dunedin - Te Anau - Farm Lodge 4 hours
Cropping and sheep farming country take you to Gore and Lake Te Anau in remote Fiordland. Meet your hosts at the farm lodge this afternoon. (D)

Day 6: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Overnight cruise 4 hours
Spend time with your hosts and tour the farm before driving via the spectacular Eglinton Valley, the Homer Tunnel and down the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound. Board the 'Mariner' for your overnight cruise on this magnificent fiord. (B,D)

Day 7: Milford Sound - Queenstown 5 hours
Enjoy the solitude of the Sound and the many optional activities available before driving via Te Anau, Kingston and Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown for 2 night stay. (B)

Day 8: At Queenstown
A whole day for the dozens of optional activities and sightseeing tours.

Day 9 : Queenstown - Lake Wanaka 2 hours
Plenty of time available to spend in either of these special resorts. Overnight in Wanaka.

Day 10: Lake Wanaka - Glaciers 5 hours
Over the Haast Pass to the West Coast World Heritage National Park; time to see the glaciers. Overnight at Franz Josef Glacier.

Day 11: Glaciers - Greymouth    4 hours
Perhaps a guided walk on the glacier; visit a jade factory in Hokitika. Overnight in Greymouth.

Day 12: Greymouth - Nelson    5 hours
Visit the pancake rocks at Punakaiki. Follow the coast to Westport and on to Nelson. Stay two nights in Nelson.

Day 13: At Nelson
Today is at leisure - we suggest a visit to the nearby Abel Tasman National Park and a cruise or walk along the coast (optional). (B)

Day 14: Nelson - Blenheim    2 hours
A morning drive will give you the afternoon to tour the famous vineyards near Blenheim. Overnight in Blenheim. (B)

Day 15: Blenheim - Picton - Wellington    5 hours
Return the car at Picton and catch the ferry to Wellington. Stay overnight in Wellington.

Day 16: Wellington - Rotorua    7 hours
Along the Kapiti Coast and up to the plateau to drive past the volcanoes. Around Lake Taupo and through Wairakei to Rotorua. The famous Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert is included. Stay two nights in Rotorua. (D)

Day 17: At Rotorua
Today is free - make sure you see Whakarewarewa, the Agrodome, Rainbow Springs, ride the luge at Skyline, swim in a thermal pool. (B)

Day 18 : Rotorua - Coromandel    4 hours
Through the kiwi fruit country and Tauranga. Then on to Coromandel for two nights' stay. (B)

Day 19: At Coromandel
A free day for nature walks and exploring.

Day 20: Coromandel - Auckland - Bay of Islands    7 hours
Drive to Auckland, and then north to Paihia. Stay two nights in Paihia.

Day 21: At Bay of Islands
Today is free for cruising, touring, and leisure activities.

Day 22: Paihia - Auckland    4 hours
A half-day drive allows for extra time in the Bay, or at Auckland. Stay overnight in Auckland.

Day 23: Departure from Auckland
Today is free until you return your car at the airport before catching your departure flight. (B)