11 Day Incredible North and South

Welcome to Auckland and New Zealand. On arrival you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your first night’s accommodation.

Your detailed tour information pack will be given to you once you arrive at your accommodation.

You’ll most likely be pretty tired from a long flight, so take the rest of the day to relax and explore the inner city. The city centre of Auckland is not too big, so you can easily walk around. Visit the Skytower to take in great views of the city, and stroll around the waterfront with its many nice bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a great meal.

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Today in the morning a shuttle will pick you up to take you to the depot where you will pick up your car and you will start your New Zealand self drive tour.

Your destination for today will be Raglan, a little paradise of New Zealand that is 2 hours from Auckland. Raglan is a small surf town that packs a pretty big punch when it comes to offering a swathe of outdoor activities and beautiful nature surrounds.  

World-class surf, stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, inspiring arts, laid back Raglan offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

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Driving distance : 150 km - Driving time : approximately 2 hrs.

From Raglan your journey continues through the rolling farmlands of the Waikato to Rorotua.

Rotorua s also nicknamed Roto Vegas by Kiwis for the amount of attractions it has. The main attractions are Maori culture and amazing geothermal activity. The region also has many beautiful lakes to explore. World-class biking trails, excellent hiking traills, natural hot streams, luxurious spas, a whole range of adventure activities such as rafting, sledging, jetboating, zorbing, racing down a steep hill in a luge, Rotorua won't bore you. 

You then continue towards Taupo, only an hour further south from Rotorua. There are many things to see en-route, and a must place to visit is the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonderland with its colorful hot springs, boiling mud pools and barren moon landscapes. This is one of the most unique places you'll ever visit. 

About 2kms north of Taupo, a must see are the impressive Huka Falls. This is where the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, enters a shallow ravine of hard volcanic rock. 

Finally you'll make your way down to National Park Village in the Dual World Heritage Area of Tongariro National Park. 

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Driving distance : 338 km - Driving time : approximately 4 hrs 30 mins 

Trek across volcanic alpine landscape of dramatic contrasts – steaming vents, glacial valleys, ancient lava flows, alpine vegetation and vivid crater lakes, all with stunning views.

This challenging trip begins at 1120 m, climbs the Mangatepopo Valley to the saddle between Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, through South Crater before climbing again to Red Crater, the highest point on the crossing at 1886 m.

You will then descend on a volcanic rock scree track to the vivid Emerald Lakes, known as Nga Rotopounamu (greenstone-hued lakes). After passing Blue Lake, also known as Te Wai-whakaata-o-te-Rangihiroa (Rangihiroa’s mirror), the track sidles around the northern slope of Tongariro, then descends in a zigzag track down to the road end at 760 m. 

Tongariro National Park can be subject to unpredictable weather, and conditions can change quickly. It is important that all walkers carry the essentials for their journey across.

Activity : Tongariro Crossing

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Today you will drive to the capital of New Zealand, Wellington.

Find out yourself why Wellington was named best liveable city in the world in 2016. A visit to the national museum Te Papa is a must-do. A trip on the iconic cable car gives you great views across the city and bay at the top. Stroll around in Cuba street, with its many funky bars known for their craft beers, cafes, and excellent restaurants.

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Driving distance : 321 km - Driving time : approximately  3 hrs 55 mins

Today you will say goodbye to the North Island and cruise across the Cook Strait on the Interislander ferry, with great views of the Marlborough Sounds.

Upon your arrival in the small but picturesque fishing town of Picton, you will carry on your journey to creative Nelson, the sunniest place in New Zealand.

Suggestions en route:

• Visit a world-class winery in the Marlborough region
• Spend some time in the coastal paradise of Abel Tasman National Park

Transportation between Islands : Interislander Ferry

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Driving distance : 235 km - Driving time : approximately  5 hr 15 mins

The scenery changes dramatically driving through the Buller Gorge on the way to the wild West Coast Once past the gorge a recommended side trip and stop is Lake Rotoroa in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

Punakaiki on the West Coast lies in the smallest national park of New Zealand, Paparoa National Park, known for its famous Pancake Rocks, and where columns of water shoot skyward from rocks that resemble giant stacks of hotcakes. 

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Driving distance : 265 km - Driving time : approximately 3 hrs 35 mins.

It's a relatively short drive to Franz Josef in Westland National Park today, an area of magnificent primeval vistas – snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests, tussock grasslands, lakes, rivers, wetlands and beaches.

The seaside town of Hokitika is well worth a stop along the route, a place to appreciate the fascinating history of the west coast. The Arahura River, which enters the sea just north of Hokitika, is a traditional source of pounamu (greenstone). There are a number of jewelry stores selling greenstone in town, and are well worth a look.

When you arrive in Franz Josef, you'll experience the Glaciers at their best, up close and personal! Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are two of New Zealand largest glaciers. From above you’ll view and appreciate the incredible natural phenomenon, towering ice formations and vastness the glaciers. Top it off with a snow landing. Stand on the ancient ice of the glaciers. You’ll also fly over the Tasman Glacier on the eastern side of the Southern Alps and close to Mount Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand’s highest peak.

Suggestions:

• Visit the Hokitika Gorge with its incredible turquoise waters.
• Visit one of the numerous famous jade (NZ pounamu) galleries dotted across the picturesque town of Hokitika
• Located 15 minutes south of Hokitika next to Lake Mahinapua, the West Coast Treetop Walk is a stunning treetop adventure amongst the native forest canopy of ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees. Look down on the spectacular giant ferns from above as you stroll through the suspended forest canopy walkway

 Activity : Franz Josef Glacier

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Driving distance : 219 km - Driving time approximately : 2 hrs 43 mins 

Your journey today takes you through a number of national parks. The road between Franz Josef and Haast winds its way along the rugged West Coast with lush native bush and rainforest. Haast is located in the heart of Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area, with national parks to the north, south and east. You'll head inland and into the Mt Aspiring National Park with its towering mountains and glaciel fed rivers with crystal clear waters. The road then takes you along Lake Hawea before arriving into Wanaka.

Wanaka town is nestled below towering mountains, and is a little bit quieter than its neighbour Queenstown. In winters skiers from all over the world flock here for its great skiing, and in summer the impressive mountains provide for a range of adventure activities.

Suggestions en route:

• Short walk to the magnificent Blue Pools on the Haast Highway between Makarora and Haast.
• Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier is an incredible place where perfect water reflections of Mt Cook can be photographed, and the 45 minute walk around the lake is well worth the trip.
• From Fox Glacier, drive 20km to Gillespies Beach for a true wilderness beach experience

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Driving distance : 286 km - Driving time approximately : 3 hrs 45 mins  

Your drive to Queenstown across the scenic Crown Range is only about an hour, so you will have pretty much the entire day to explore Queenstown.

Queenstown is synonymous with adventure, and often labelled the "adventure capital of the world". Regardless of the season, Queenstown gets your adrenaline flowing year round, and the options are endless. Want to throw yourself out of a plane in amazing scenery, jump off a bridge in the birthplace of Bungy, jetboat, raft down a river, you name it...Queenstown has it all. 

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Driving distance : 69 km - Driving time  : approximately 1 hour

Your NZ self drive tour comes to an end today and you will be transferred to the airport.

Depending on your departure time from Christchurch Airport, you might still have one last chance to finish your New Zealand holiday with a bang on one of the many adventure activities in Queenstown!