Aotearoa

From Auckland to Rotorua down to Mt Cook/Wanaka and Queenstown before finishing in Dunedin. Get a great 10 Day overview of the amazing scenery and truly memorable activities that New Zealand has to offer, all while having the freedom of driving yourself. Accommodation, Budget Rental Car and some meals are included to help make planning this journey to remember extremely straight forward.

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

Kia Ora and welcome to New Zealand.  On arrival to Auckland International Airport collect your Budget rental car and make your way to your hotel.

AUCKLAND - an exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city's many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal  for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach.  The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand's biggest city, and the population mix of European, Maori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World.

Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Superior Room, 2 nights

Day 2: Auckland

Today is at your leisure to explore Auckland City.  Within your documentation there are vouchers for admission to the Sky Tower and Auckland Museum.

Auckland War Memorial Museum: Spend time experiencing this unique tribute to New Zealand's natural, Maori and European history. A recommended alternative within a short walking distance is 'The Winter Garden' Pavilion. See rare indoor plants and a spectacular fern display.

The Sky Tower which at 328 metres high offers a clear view towards the Pacific Ocean as well as of the city of Auckland.

Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Superior Room, 2 nights

Day 3: Auckland/Waitomo/Rotorua (Approx. 367km)

Depart Auckland city and begin your journey through the rural townships of the Waikato to Waitomo, where you will join a boat tour through the Glow worm caves.

WAITOMO GLOW WORM CAVES: Join a guided tour through this world-famous cave formation, climaxed by drifting silently in a boat through a glow worm cavern lit up with thousands of tiny glow worm lights.

Continue to Rotorua, known as 'Sulphur City', centre of Thermal activity and Maori culture, and visit Te Puia (ex Whakarewarewa) where we will enjoy a guided tour through the thermal valley, including visits to the Kiwi House and the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute.

This evening enjoy a Maori Cultural experience called Te Po with Te Puia.  Te Pō is Te Puia’s new evening cultural experience. It is a feast of cultural storytelling, entertainment and Māori kai (indigenous food). Feel the spirit of Te Puia at night and experience our heritage - a living legacy of people, culture and place.  Includes shuttles to/from Te Puia.

Accommodation: Rotorua Millennium Hotel, Superior Room, 1 night

Day 4: Rotorua/Christchurch/Lake Tekapo (Approx. 230kms) 

This morning visit one of the most important thermal valleys in the area, Waimangu, where you will clearly see the effects of the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera, which changed the landscape of the entire region.  Following your visit return your rental car to Rotorua Airport before your flight to Christchurch (flight not included).  On arrival at Christchurch Airport collect your new Budget Rental car and make your way to your hotel.

The scenic route to Lake Tekapo begins at Rangiora, a rural centre north of Christchurch city. Small towns appear regularly as you travel across the Canterbury Plains through the fields and farms. Explore the old coal mining settlement of Glentunnel before the road climbs over the braided Rakaia River and up to Mount Hutt.  There are historic lime kilns at Staveley and Mt Somers, and the pretty town of Geraldine has an interesting car museum.  After Fairlie you'll ascend to the region known as MacKenzie Country, named after the legendary Scottish sheep rustler who once roamed the area.

Afternoon tea is not included today.

LAKE TEKAPO: located in the Mackenzie Country with fantastic views of the surrounding Alps.  The Lake's unusual turquoise colour is given by fine rock-flour which is dust ground by glacial movement and held in suspension by the Lake's waters.  The Lake is also well known for its brown and rainbow trout.

Accommodation: Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo, One Bedroom Mountain View, 1 night 

Day 5: Lake Tekapo/Wanaka (via Mount Cook) Approx. 198kms

The road to Mount Cook takes you through high country tussock to beautiful Lake Pukaki.  You'll hug the edge of the lake for most of the way up the Tasman Valley to Mount Cook Village.  The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park includes the highest peak in Australasia (Mt Cook 3755m).  The region attracts mountain climbers, hikers and scenery fanatics.  Heli skiing and aerial sightseeing provide visitors with amazing memories.  A variety of walking trails begin in or near Mount Cook Village - most only take a couple of hours.  In the bar of the local hotel, huge windows provide a perfect view of Mt Cook.

The road to Twizel hugs the edge of Lake Pukaki.  The exquisite opaque turquoise colour of this lake and others in the area is caused by fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension. The landscape is a mixture of high country tussock, farmland and snow-capped mountains.

The easy drive to Omarama takes you through picturesque sheep farming country fringed with mountain ranges.  You'll have the chance to detour to the fascinating Paritea cliffs which are constantly being exposed by teh active Osler fault line.  You could also pause a cast a line into the Ahuriri River - famous for sizable rainbow and brown trout.  You'll know your in Omarama when you see the giant merino sheep statue.  This area's unique geography has made it a magnet for gliding enthusiasts. The northwesterly wind blows steadily to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take the glider pilots to 10,000 metres.  Scenic soaring can be arranged.  

Your trip to Wanaka begins with the beautiful Lindis Pass - just magic when there's snow around.  Once you reach Tarras leave the main highway for State Highway 8A to Wanaka.

WANAKA - faces north across Lake Wanaka, to views of the surrounding mountains, which are often reflected on the Lake's surface on calm days. Poplars and willows grow around the Lake's edge, affording a colourful show during Autumn. Wanaka is best known for boating, fishing and skiing at the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski-fields.

Accommodation: Edgewater Wanaka, One Bedroom Suite, 1 night

Day 6: Wanaka/Queenstown (Approx. 117kms)

Today depart Wanaka, and take State Highway 6 through Lowburn, Cromwell and Gibbston to Queenstown (WARNING: Do not attempt to take the Crown Range Road - the shortcut to Queenstown,  through Cardrona during Winter as it is a dangerous winding road).

Skyline Gondola & Restaurant - Return Gondola
Enjoy a return Skyline Gondola ride to the summit of Bob's Peak where you can enjoy panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

QUEENSTOWN: Is the South Island's most popular resort, set alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu, under the gaze of the Remarkables Ranges.  See the contrast of smooth glacier rounded hills and jagged mountain summits that reach high above the ancient ice floor.  The town is renowned for it s jet boating, bungy-jumping, skiing and awe-inspiring scenery.  Local story has it, that the gold prospectors of the 19th century pronounced the town as "fit for any Queen" and so she was called Queenstown.

Accommodation: Millennium Queenstown, Superior Room, 2 nights

Day 7: Milford Sound Day Excursion 

Real Journeys Coach/Milford Sound Nature Cruise/Coach ex Queenstown (01 Oct-30 Apr departs 7.30am, returns 8.00pm), (01 May-30 Sep departs 6.55am, returns 7.45pm)

Today you will be collected from your hotel by Real Journeys and travel from Queenstown along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and through rolling countryside to Te Anau.  After a short break at Te Anau, continue via the spectacular Milford Road to Milford Sound.  Board the Milford Mariner for a relaxing cruise of Milford Sound.  The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife.  An onboard nature guide provides interpretation in English only.  Picnic Lunch is included onboard the cruise.   After your cruise you return to Queenstown onboard your Real Journeys luxury coach.

Accommodation: Millennium Queenstown, Superior Room

MILFORD SOUND: Stunning surroundings at the heart of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.  In Maori legend, the fiords were created not by rivers of ice, but by Tu te Raki Whanoa, a godley figure who came wielding a magical adze uttering incantations.  Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is without doubt his finest sculpture.  Luxuriant rainforest clings to sheer rock walls washed with waterfalls.  In the foreground stands Mitre Peak, dominating the skyline.  Whatever the fiord's mood, teeming with rain or with sun glistening on deep water, it will inspire you! 

Day 8: Queenstown/Dunedin (Approx. 286km)

Today depart Queenstown and travel along State Highways 8 and 1 via Alexandra and Milton to Dunedin.  We recommend a stop at one of the fruit stalls on teh side of the road in Cromwell for some tasty treats to enjoy along the way.  

DUNEDIN: Often called the "Edinburgh of the South", Dunedin was settled by the Scottish settlers that came to New Zealand.  It is a city of spires, of towers, gables and roofs with turrets and gracious generally stone buildings. Dunedin is also home to the Albatross and Penguin colonies plus many species of New Zealand wildlife which can be found along the Otago Peninsula.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross Dunedin, Superior Room, 2 nights 

Day 9: Dunedin

Today spend the day exploring Dunedin - perhaps take a trip along the Otago Peninsula and view the various wildlife!

Olveston House (tour takes approximately 1 hour)
Olveston is an eloquent expression of one man's dream.  A tour of Olveston allows an intimate glimpse of the lifestyle of a privileged family in the early 1900's.  It reflects a lifestyle enjoyed by just a few, but represents a most important piece in the mosaic of early New Zealand life as a whole.  Olveston was designed for David Theomin by London architect, Sir Ernest George (1839-1922) and built between 1904 and 1906.  The Jacobean style grace and grandeur of Olveston is distinguished by a wealth of decorative detail. 

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross Dunedin, Superior Room

Day 10: Depart Dunedin

Today return your rental car to the Budget Car Rental representative at Dunedin Airport before your departure flight.

Rates are per person (including 15% GST)

Travel is to be completed within the season.  Any travel that falls over both seasons will be priced on application.

NZD10.00 per person documentation fee to be applied to the above rates.

Costs include

• Accommodation in hotels as specified, share twin subject to availability.
• Goods & Services Tax currently at 15%, subject to change
• Budget rental car throughout (CDAR for 2 pax / FDAR for 4 pax) – Full terms & conditions of rental will be provided at time of documentation. 
• Basic vehicle insurance (subject to insurance excess)
• Admissions to: Auckland Museum, Sky tower, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Te Puia, Waimangu, Skyline Gondola Queenstown
• Milford Sound Nature Cruise – including return coach to Queenstown
• BBQ lunch in Waitomo
• Picnic Lunch aboard Milford Cruise
• Hangi dinner at Te Puia

Costs exclude

• Airfares National or International
• Airport Tax
• Personal expenses & tips
• Drinks during meals (except water/tea/coffee)
• Any items of personal nature
• Optional activities
• Foreign speaking assistance
• Fuel for car
• Additional rental car charges
• Insurance excess

Subject to

• Subject to surcharges beyond our control
• Accommodation subject to availability
• Minimum 2 pax travelling
• Increase in Goods & Services Tax, currently 15%, subject to change
• Special Event / Holiday surcharges