21 Day New Zealand Golden Sands to the Wild West Holiday Package

Fantastic value all inclusive New Zealand Self Drive Holiday Package…

Holiday Package Includes:

• 21 Nights in 4 Star Accommodation
• Car Hire: Premium Toyota Corolla Sedan Automatic, including Full Insurance (zero excess)
• Bay of Islands Dolphin Cruise or Hole in the Rock Cruise
• Entry into Rotorua’s Hells Gate Geothermal Reserve
• Te Puia Te Po Maori Evening Experience including Hangi Dinner
• Interislander Cook Strait Ferry (Wellington to Picton Ferry), includes passengers and vehicle
• Abel Tasman Boat Cruise
• Scenic Helicopter Flight Over Franz Josef Glacier with snow landing
• Shotover Jet
• Milford Sound Nature Cruise
• Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

Day 1 Auckland

Auckland the “City of Sails” is New Zealand’s largest city and is bordered by two stunning harbour’s. Pick up your rental car from Auckland Airport and drive to your accommodation. Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Day 2 Bay of Islands

Driving time Auckland to Bay of Islands 219 km / 136 miles, 3 hours

Drive to the Bay of Islands, renowned for its 144 Islands and surreal maritime park where an abundance of marine life includes whales, penguins and dolphins. Relax on one of the many warm secluded beaches plus enjoy a Discover the Bay – Dolphin or Hole in the Rock Cruise. Stay 2 nights in Paihia or Kerikeri.

Day 3 Bay of Islands

Option today to experience Maori culture by visiting Waitangi’s treaty house, gardens and national marae (meeting house) or venture off-road to Cape Reinga via 90 Mile Beach.

Day 4 Coromandel Peninsula

Driving time Bay of Islands to Coromandel Peninsula 406 km / 252 miles, 5 hours

Renowned worldwide as a spectacular holiday destination, with white sandy beaches, misty rainforests and wilderness a-plenty, Coromandel is the ideal place to unwind. Stay 2 nights in Whitianga.

Day 5 Coromandel Peninsula

Today dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach, add on a sea kayak tour to explore volcanic reefs, caves and the world famous Cathedral Cove, or enjoy other marine eco adventures.

Day 6 Rotorua

Driving time Coromandel Peninsula to Rotorua 252 km / 157 miles, 3.5 hours

Rotorua is distinguished by Maori culture and geothermal activity. Stroll through Hells Gate, a steaming thermal reserve. See bubbling mud pools, steaming craters, hot springs and even try Maori weaving and wood carving! Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.

Day 7 Rotorua

Explore Rotorua. Add on a visit to the sacred Mokoia Island on a scenic boat cruise or join New Zealand RiverJet for a fantastic geothermal jet boat safari. In the evening enjoy a traditional Maori Cultural Experience including a Hangi Dinner.

Day 8 New Plymouth

Driving time Rotorua to New Plymouth 298 km / 185 miles, 3.5 hours

As a popular tourist destination, New Plymouth is well-known for its black sand surfing beaches which offer some of the best surfing in the country. Other attributes include a marine park conservation area, Mount Taranaki and the Egmont National Park, a Mecca for trampers. In contrast with the outdoors lifestyle, New Plymouth also has an artistic side as it is home to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, NZ’s only contemporary art museum with a permanent collection. Stay 1 night in New Plymouth.

Day 9 Wellington

Driving time New Plymouth to Wellington 351 km / 218 miles, 4.5 hours

Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, has so much to offer. Set on the edge of a stunning harbour, surrounded by rolling hills, it’s a city rich in culture waiting to be explored. From shopping to live theatre, exhibitions, Te Papa Tongarewa the Museum of New Zealand and more – Wellington has something for everyone. Stay 2 nights in Wellington.

Day 10 Nelson

Sailing time Wellington to Picton 70 km / 43 miles, 3 hours
Driving time Picton to Nelson 141 km / 88 miles, 1.45 hours

It’s all about the journey today as you board the Interislander Cook Strait Ferry, which will transport you on a scenic cruise to Picton. Back on dry land drive through Marlborough, New Zealand’s largest wine region, to reach your destination, Nelson. Enjoying NZ’s highest sunshine hours, discover the creative paradise that is Nelson, with artists, galleries, boutique shopping, local markets and gourmet cafes, you will soon love the Nelson way of life. Stay 1 night in Nelson.

Day 11 Abel Tasman

Driving time Nelson to Abel Tasman 65 km / 40 miles, 1 hour

Only a short drive away is Abel Tasman, renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, rich unmodified estuaries, long sunshine hours and the world-famous Abel Tasman Coast Track. Enjoy a boat cruise into the Abel Tasman National Park where you can relax on the hot golden sand or enjoy a day walk within the park. Stay 2 nights in Abel Tasman.

Day 12 Abel Tasman

Today’s options include guided or freedom kayaking within Abel Tasman National Park, a catamaran sailing day trip or overnight trip, scenic flights, or for the extreme pilot a stunt plane.

Day 13 Hokitika

Driving time Abel Tasman to Hokitika 377 km / 243 miles, 5 hours

Discover the rugged West Coast as you travel to Hokitika, famous for it’s arts and crafts. Watch a masterpiece being crafted from gold, silver, molten glass, bone, silk or greywacke or carve your own creation from wood or jade "pounamu". Take in Hokitika’s natural beauty, enjoy it’s expansive beach or one of the many walking and mountain bike tracks. Stay 1 night in Hokitika.

Day 14 Franz Josef

Driving time Hokitika to Franz Josef 136 km / 85 miles, 2.5 hours

Continue south through dense rain forest towards New Zealand’s glaciers. Stay at Franz Josef Glacier township. Take a 20 minute scenic helicopter flight sweeping above Westland National Park as you explore Franz Josef Glacier before landing in the snow to enjoy exceptional views of the majestic Southern Alps. Stay 1 night in Franz Josef.

Day 15 Wanaka

Driving time Franz Josef to Wanaka 285 km / 177 miles, 4 hours

The change in landscape will amaze you as you travel down the West Coast with peeks of the Tasman Sea. Take the Haast Pass Highway and admire waterfalls and many viewing points and short walks along the way before reaching Wanaka, an alpine paradise with views so good it’s hard to put down your camera. Stay 2 nights in Wanaka.

Day 16 Wanaka

Relax and enjoy Wanaka for the day.

Day 17 Queenstown

Driving time Wanaka to Queenstown 70 km / 43 miles, 1 hour

Drive over the beautiful Crown Range, New Zealand’s highest State Highway and admire the vistas from fantastic viewing points. Be sure to stop at historic Cardrona Hotel for a refreshment before your arrival at Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital of the world. Stay 2 nights in Queenstown.

Day 18 Queenstown

First off get ready for the World’s most exciting Jet Boat ride with Shotover Jet! It’s a thrilling ride, as you twist and turn through the narrow canyons at breath taking speeds.

In the afternoon suggest what you would like to do, choose from paragliding, scenic flights, 4WD safaris, winery tours, lake cruises and more.

Day 19 Te Anau -> Milford

Driving time Queenstown to Te Anau 174 km / 108 miles, 2.5 hours
Driving time Te Anau to Milford Sound 116 km / 72 miles, 1.4 hours

Relax and take in the views of heartland New Zealand while you travel to Te Anau where you will be staying the evening. Continue on the Milford Highway regarded as one of the most scenic roads in New Zealand. Upon reaching Milford Sound a boat will take you on a 2.5 hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Make sure you keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins! Enjoy a new perspective of the Milford Highway as you travel back to Te Anau. Stay 2 nights in Te Anau.

Day 20 Te Anau -> Doubtful Sound

Driving time Te Anau to Manapouri 21 km / 13 miles, 20 minutes
Sailing/Driving time Manapouri to Doubtful Sound (return trip) 8 hours

Located deep in the heart of a World Heritage Area, Doubtful Sound is an overwhelming place. You can feel the power of nature here – the remoteness, the wilderness and the peace. Enjoy a full day Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise including a boat cruise on Lake Manapouri, scenic coach over Wilmot Pass, and a full three hour Doubtful Sound Cruise. Keep a look out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins.

Day 21 Queenstown

Driving time Te Anau to Queenstown 174 km / 108 miles, 2.5 hours

Return to Queenstown for a night of relaxation and celebration. Stay 1 night in Queenstown.