The Grand NZ Self Drive Itinerary

Relax into your holiday with a seamless airport transfer, free time to explore Auckland, and breathtaking 360° views from the iconic Sky Tower.

Make the most of some free leisure time in the 'City of Sails' - simply relax or take this opportunity to explore the many sights of Auckland before an included visit up the iconic Sky Tower. For over 25 years, the Auckland Skytower has been the focal point of this beautiful harbour city. The magnificent 328m high structure rises up out of the land to delight locals and visitors alike. Experience incredible 360° views of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) , taking in ancient volcanoes, sparkling sunlit harbours and beyond.

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Collect your rental vehicle and enjoy a drive north following the beautiful Hibiscus Coast, you arrive at the Bay of Islands. The ‘Bay’ encompasses 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula, a maritime adventure playground with an abundance of wildlife including penguins, dolphins, marlin, whales, gannets and more. Many of the islands here have walking tracks and have regular ferry’s to get you there. On land, enjoy beautiful river and seaside walking tracks or encounter the mighty Kauri Tree in pristine subtropical rainforest.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 235 km | 146 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Paihia - 2 Nights

This is the most popular dolphin watching cruise in the Bay of Islands, and for good reason! Board your cruise in Paihia or Russell and take in the stunning views as we glide out through the islands and along the Rakaumangamanga Peninsula to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island/Motukōkako, or as it is popularly known the 'Hole in the Rock'. This four-hour cruise includes an island stopover, dolphin viewing and the Hole in the Rock. Morning cruises depart daily and afternoon cruises are give you the chance to relax or explore at leisure during the afternoon.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Returning to Auckland for the night, stop in and explore the famous Matakohe Kauri Museum.

The award winning Kauri Museum is famous for its storytelling, preserving our past and showing the viewer what living in early colonial New Zealand was like. The Kauri Museum recounts the history and the legacy left behind by our ancient Kauri Forests. In addition to preserving our past, the Museum plays a role to play in conserving the future of the mighty Kauri.

Continue on back to Auckland this afternoon.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 270 kms | 168 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

The Coromandel Peninsula lies east of Auckland, on the other side of the Hauraki Gulf. An impressive, heavily forested mountain range runs right up the middle of this peninsula - it’s bordered on each side by kilometres of spectacular coastline. On the west coast, there’s a never-ending parade of beaches, coves and harbours lined with pohutukawa trees. The eastern side is furnished with an amazing collection of white sand and surf beaches. 

The coastal nature of the Coromandel makes it a brilliant choice if you like to fish, surf, dive, snorkelling, swim or wander along beaches. For contrast you can head for the hills and hike the trails in the-forest.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 175 kms | 109 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Hahei - 2 Nights

Head to the beautiful Hot Water Beach, you will find hot water bubbling through the golden sand. Dig your own spa pool in the sand and relax in the natural hot springs - this is one experience that should be on your New Zealand bucket list and a truly unique Kiwi experience.

Cathedral Cove offers everything you could want in a beach: crystal-clear blue water, pristine white sand, world-class snorkeling, and stunning rock formations, including the iconic naturally-formed "Cathedral" archway. With no development, the beach retains its timeless beauty, surrounded by native trees, a freshwater waterfall, and scenic views of nearby islands. The beach is only accessible by foot, boat or kayak. A (1.6 miles) coastal walk which takes you to Cathedral Cove.

Included Meals: Breakfast

This morning head to the heartland of New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua is host to some of the world’s most incredible geothermal forces. Geysers and clouds of steam are dotted around the city and the unmistakable smell of sulphur gives the city an otherworldly feel.

This four-hour evening is a feast of knowledge as well as divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (sanctuary), its tawa trees and crackling bonfires. Within the forest-formed amphitheatre attention shifts to stories relayed through haka, song and drama, before torch light guides manuhiri (guests) to an al fresco dining space with three-course feast. The famous hāngī shares a table with Māori fusion dishes developed and curated by celebrated Māori chefs, prepared by our own ringawera (hot hands). 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Approximate Distance: 215 km | 134 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights

Discover Māori customs, traditions, history, and protocols—both ancient and modern—on a guided tour of Te Puia, Rotorua’s premier cultural centre. These small-group experiences are limited to 12 guests, ensuring a personal visit. Spend the afternoon exploring Rotorua’s Māori culture alongside its geothermal landscape. Enjoy a guided walk through Te Puia, including the carving school, arts and crafts gallery, Rotowhio Marae, weaving displays, kiwi house, and the powerful Pohutu Geyser. Continue to the Lakefront to view a Māori war canoe, stop at Kuirau Park’s geothermal site, and finish with scenic lakes and views of Mount Tarawera.

Included Meals: Breakfast

View the powerful Huka Falls and the Wairakei Geothermal Project before stopping at Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake. Travel across the Central Plateau to Hawke’s Bay and Napier, widely known as the world’s Art Deco capital. After hotel check-in, enjoy a stroll through the town centre and along the beach promenade. Discover a remarkable collection of 1930s architecture, including Stripped Classical and Spanish Mission styles, with a strong Art Deco presence. On a guided walk through the compact Art Deco Quarter, your guide will bring Napier’s unique architectural heritage vividly to life.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 220 kms | 137 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 

Accommodation: Napier - 2 Nights

Enjoy a delightful afternoon of wine tasting designed for both casual enthusiasts and dedicated connoisseurs. Connect with fellow wine lovers as you explore Hawke's Bay's exceptional wines, crafted with passion. Discover the region's unique growing conditions and enjoy a scenic drive through breathtaking landscapes. You'll visit four to five wineries, savoring a variety of wines and a cheese platter at the picturesque Ngatarawa Vineyard, nestled by a charming lily pond. Take home not only outstanding wines but also unforgettable memories from this fun-filled experience.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Leaving Hawke’s Bay’s vineyards and orchards, travel through rolling farmland into the rural heartland of the Wairarapa. Stop in historic Greytown to admire well-preserved Victorian colonial architecture and browse its art galleries, boutique shops, cafés, and restaurants—making it a premier shopping destination. Continue over the Rimutaka Ranges to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. Take in the city’s highlights, including panoramic harbour views from Mt Victoria, then visit the Houses of Parliament, the distinctive Beehive, and Wellington Cathedral. Stay in the heart of the city, surrounded by vibrant museums, theatres, galleries, boutiques, and cafés.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 325 kms | 202 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights

Embark on a captivating journey to the iconic Kapiti Island, a predator-free sanctuary teeming with native wildlife and lush forests. Your journey begins with a shuttle transfer from Wellington to Paraparaumu Beach, where you'll enjoy a light breakfast and coffee at a local café. From there, a ferry will take you across to Kapiti Island where you will explore the island with knowledgeable guides who will share its rich history, conservation efforts, and unique flora and fauna. Spot rare bird species like the takahe, kereru, and kaka, and enjoy stunning views of the Kapiti Coast.

Included Meals: Light Breakfast, Lunch

Begin your day with a transfer to Wellington Airport for a short scenic flight to Blenheim at the top of the South Island. On arrival, meet your driver and travel through Marlborough’s renowned wine region to the seaside town of Picton. From here, board a water taxi and cruise through the tranquil Marlborough Sounds, surrounded by native bush and sheltered bays. Enjoy the stunning scenery as you journey across the water to your accommodation, tucked away in this peaceful coastal paradise—an ideal setting to relax and unwind after your travels.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Queen Charlotte Sound  - 2 Nights

There’s plenty for guests to enjoy at Bay of Many Coves Resort, from exploring sheltered bays by sea kayak or stand-up paddleboard to spotting local marine wildlife along the stunning coastline. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the pools or unwind on peaceful beaches. The Miritu Day Spa offers natural treatments designed to relax and rejuvenate. As night falls, soak in the hot tub under a clear, unpolluted sky. Just a short walk from the lodge, discover the magical glow of native glow worms, perfect for a tranquil evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today begins with a scenic water taxi journey from the Bay of Many Coves, gliding across the tranquil Marlborough Sounds surrounded by forested hills, hidden inlets, and crystal-clear water. Arrive in Picton, where you collect your rental car and begin your drive south. Travel through the Marlborough region’s vineyards and rolling countryside before joining the dramatic coastal highway. Along the way, enjoy sweeping ocean views and chances to spot seals along the rocks. Continue onward to Kaikōura, a stunning seaside town framed by mountains and sea, renowned for its marine life and spectacular coastal scenery.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 160 kms | 99 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Kaikoura - 1 Night

Off the coast of Kaikōura lies a spectacular marine playground, home to the mighty sperm whale. Today includes a Wings Over Whales flight, offering an unforgettable aerial perspective as you soar above the ocean to observe these incredible mammals in their natural environment, often seen diving deep offshore in search of giant squid. Sightings are possible year-round, and the rich marine ecosystem may also reveal dolphins, fur seals, seabirds, and even orca. Each encounter is unique from the air. After your wildlife experience, travel south in the afternoon along the scenic coastline, continuing your journey toward Christchurch.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 180 kms | 112 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins 

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Leave the city heading west across the Canterbury Plains toward the Mackenzie Basin. Stop at the stunning Lake Tekapo, one of three iconic alpine lakes, where turquoise waters contrast with golden tussock hills and the distant Southern Alps. Visit the charming Church of the Good Shepherd, set on the lakeshore with remarkable views toward Aoraki/Mount Cook. Capture unforgettable photos in this peaceful setting before settling in for the evening. After dark, experience Big Sky stargazing, as Tekapo’s clear skies and minimal light pollution reveal a dazzling display of stars, constellations, and the Milky Way.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 330 kms | 206 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins 

Accommodation: Mt Cook Village - 2 Nights

Today you depart the spectacular Aoraki/Mount Cook region and begin your journey south toward Dunedin. Start with a Tasman Glacier boat tour, cruising among floating icebergs on the brilliant blue glacial lake with towering alpine peaks all around. Continue through the Mackenzie Basin, passing turquoise lakes, golden tussock landscapes, and the fading Southern Alps. Travel through the Waitaki Valley, known for limestone cliffs, hydro lakes, and rolling farmland. Stop in Oamaru, famous for Victorian architecture and little blue penguins. Visit the iconic Moeraki Boulders before following the scenic coastal highway into Dunedin, rich in Scottish heritage and character.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 320 km | 199 miles  Total Driving Time 4 hours 

Accommodation: Dunedin - 2 Nights

Escape the city on a one-hour wildlife cruise from Wellers Rock Wharf on the Otago Peninsula. Glide along the rugged coastline past sandy beaches, rocky headlands, and the entrance to Otago Harbour. With expert commentary from the crew, learn about the region’s wildlife, geology, and history as you watch sea lions resting on the shore, fur seals playing in the surf, and royal albatross soaring overhead with impressive wingspans. Enjoy sweeping panoramic views and close-up wildlife encounters from the water. Even in cooler conditions, the experience remains comfortable and rewarding, offering an unforgettable connection with

Included Meals: Breakfast

Farewell the Dunedin district and travel across the fertile Taieri Plains before heading inland through rolling hill country and winding river valleys. Watch as the landscape shifts into the dramatic tussock-covered schist ranges of Central Otago’s drylands. Follow the ever-broadening Clutha River as it carves its way through the region, with increasingly expansive views opening toward the Southern Alps. The road gradually straightens across glaciated terrain as you approach Queenstown. Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by towering peaks, Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure capital, offering a vibrant alpine setting and stunning natural beauty.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 285 kms | 177 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 

Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 Nights

Journey along the stunning Milford Road, one of the world’s most spectacular alpine drives. Marvel at ever-changing landscapes, from vast grassy flats and ancient rainforest to glacial lakes, alpine herb fields, and soaring peaks. Then cruise the majestic Milford Sound, where you’ll pass beneath towering cliffs, feel the mist of cascading waterfalls, and watch for seals, dolphins, and rare Fiordland crested penguins. Cap off your adventure with a breathtaking scenic flight back to Queenstown. From above, enjoy panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, winding rivers, deep lakes, and lush rainforest—an unforgettable way to take in Fiordland’s dramatic beauty.

Included Meals: Lunch

Discover Central Otago’s scenic wine country on this fun and interactive afternoon tour. Visit three wineries around Queenstown and the Gibbston Valley, sampling world-class wines in New Zealand’s renowned Pinot Noir region. Explore the country’s largest wine cave, then enjoy a stunning drive through the rugged Kawarau Gorge, passing the original AJ Hackett Bungy Bridge. Stop at a famous Lord of the Rings filming location, the Pillars of the Kings, and learn about its cinematic significance. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide shares insights into winemaking, local landmarks, and the fascinating early history of Central Otago.

Included Meals: Lunch

Continue today to Franz Josef, travelling along the rugged West Coast Road and over the dramatic Haast Pass. Discover rich alpine rainforest as you pass through this historic and remote region, where the “Gates of Haast” reveal a spectacular wilderness so untouched it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage area. Arrive in Franz Josef Village, a small settlement of around 500 locals located just minutes from the glacier. Franz Josef Glacier, within Westland Tai Poutini National Park, descends from the Southern Alps to just 200 metres above sea level, surrounded by lush temperate rainforest.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 355 kms | 220 miles  Total Driving Time: 5 hours 

Accommodation: Franz Josef Village - 2 Nights

Take off from Fox Glacier and experience the magic of the West Coast from the sky on a scenic flight over the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Gently soar above the charming township, following the ice flow as you glide through the stunning Southern Alps. As you land on the soft snow at the glacier’s head, you’ll be captivated by the sweeping views of paths that have been carved through the valley, sculpted over centuries by the glacier’s slow journey. Your pilot will provide some informative commentary while taking you on this journey. This peaceful flight offers a rare, intimate glimpse into the heart of these magnificent natural wonders, making it an unforgettable adventure you’ll cherish forever.

Included Meals: Breakfast

This morning, travel to Greymouth and return your rental vehicle at the train station on arrival. From here, board the world-famous TranzAlpine train for your journey back to Christchurch. Widely regarded as one of the great scenic rail journeys in the world, it crosses the South Island coast to coast in spectacular style. Travel through deep gorges, broad river valleys, and over towering viaducts as the scenery transforms from rugged West Coast wilderness to the rolling Canterbury Plains. Relax in comfort and enjoy ever-changing panoramic views on this unforgettable scenic plus alpine crossing back to Christchurch.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 175 kms | 108 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We take care of your transfer to Christchurch Airport where you will board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand holiday.