A Luxury New Zealand Self Drive Itinerary

Relax you are on holiday and everything has been taken care of - After all, this is a New Zealand Exclusive Tour. We will meet you at the airport and help you to transfer to Waiheke Island. Artists and free-spirits mingle with the rich and famous on this blissful island, a haven of beautiful beaches, gastronomical treasures and small wineries.

Waiheke Island is to Auckland as the Hamptons are to New York – the former being on a much smaller scale. Home to beautiful beaches and holiday homes, Waiheke Island produces outstanding, award winning wines.

Accommodation Waiheke - 2 nights

Waiheke offers many pleasures besides food and wine. Visit some local and internationally renowned artists at their studios, and see why they choose to live and work on Waiheke. Works include vibrant pastels, oil and acrylic paintings, delicate watercolours, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics and innovative mixed media works in a wide range of styles. Stroll through beautiful native bush and along protected beaches and learn about Waiheke's unique ecosystem and the environmental management issues close to Islanders' hearts. If wide open spaces and stunning views are more to your liking, you'll be taken off the beaten track, on some of Waiheke's most interesting walkways. Breathe the sea air, take in magnificent views from the cliff-tops, or picnic on a deserted beach.

We can introduce you to the winemakers, chefs, and artists, take you to lesser-known wineries and scenic spots far from the general crowd. Whatever your pleasure, we will go out of our way to make it happen.

A 35 minute ferry and your driver will meet you at the ferry terminal and transfer you by road to the Bay of Islands. A subtropical wonderland of secluded bays, islands and history, the Bay of Islands is a coastal paradise. Get out on the water with a boat cruise or sailing charter and spot dolphins and whales frolicking in the water before seeing the Hole in the Rock, just off Cape Brett, up close. Stroll the streets of Russell, New Zealand’s first capital, and soak up its whaling and pioneering past. Learn about the birth of New Zealand in Waitangi, where the treaty that made New Zealand a British colony was signed.

The Bay of Islands is a world renowned holiday destination offering over 144 islands to explore in this sub tropical paradise. World class big game fishing, scenic cruising, sailing diving, kayaking, bush walking, mountain biking, helicopter flight seeing, romantic picnics on your own private island are but some of the many.

Approximate Distance: 232 kms |145 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hour 30 mins

Accommodation: Russell  - 3 nights

Because Russell township is in a relatively remote location the seaside town retains an island quality of  charm that reflects the tranquility of earlier times. Despite this, it is a vibrant, cosmopolitan community that attracts visitors all over the world seduced by the numerous waterfront café’s and restaurants, making this a great place to soak up the atmosphere and quietly enjoy your holiday

Excursions available from Russell if you want to get 'Out and About'

Today experience a mixture of sightseeing by air and by water and is by far the best way to experience the Bay of Islands and all in one day. Experiencing a scenic helicopter flight over the Bay of Islands gets you up close to the beautiful Cape Brett and a look at the famed Hole in the Rock before landing on a barge which is anchored amidst the inner islands.  After being collected by the sea shuttle service you then cruise to a sheltered island within the bay. There is plenty of time to relax enjoy snorkelling, walks, fishing or just sit back.The sea shuttle will collect you at a pre-arranged time for a relaxing boat cruise through the inner islands back to Russell.

A short flight with have you at Lake Taupo, the largest freshwater crater lake in Australasia, set amidst rolling green countryside and spectacular mountain scenery. The active volcanic and thermal activity here includes natural hot pools, steaming craters and boiling mud pools; and the lake is surrounded by some of the largest pine forests in the Southern Hemisphere.

Accommodation Taupo - 2 nights

The Volcanic Plateau is a World Heritage site and famous for its volcanic lunar landscape and active geothermal wonders. The plateau helicopter tour collects you from your lodge and taking off you get a fantastic view of the Mighty Huka Falls, fly across Taupo township for a birds eye view, down the eastern side of the Great Lake and in to the beautiful Kaimanawa Ranges where you can enjoy a landing on an amazing alpine tussocked mountain top, or if you wish, the crystal clear waters of the famous Rangitikei River. From there it is on to the World Heritage listed Tongariro National Park flying around Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu’s crater lake. From there we fly up the western side of the lake and take in a beautiful secluded water fall, back across the bays over Kinloch to Rangatira Point to check out the giant maori rock carvings, then back down the Mighty Waikato River back to your lodge.  

Your driver will collect you and transfer you to the sunny, scenic Hawke’s Bay, the region brims with colourful natural attractions. Famous for its vineyards, the area produces some of the world's top red wines. A combination of the staggering yields from these fertile soils and high sunshine hours make the Hawke’s Bay the country's second largest grape producer. As you would expect, touring the vineyards here is a terrific pleasure - the estates are immaculate, the wines superb and the gourmet dining experiences exceptional Perfect for a New Zealand Exclusive Tour.

Accommodation Hawkes Bay - 2 nights

The sheer expanse of Cape Kidnappers property is hidden to many unless they take the Can-am Tour. A Can-am is a 4WD military style but comfortable RV. Inaccessible to a regular vehicle, the Can-am Tour will take you to the furthermost reaches of the property with views south towards Ocean Beach and Bare Island and unrivalled vistas across the entire farm to Napier and the surrounding ranges.  With an experienced guide, you will be taken through the old creek bed, across expansive farmland and down to historic Rangaika Beach.  

This morning you will fly from Napier to the the Southern Lake town of Queenstown in the South Island.  Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and ringed by towering mountains, Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s ultimate holiday destinations. It may be the adventure capital of the world, but it’s also home to an excellent food and wine scene as well as great shopping, hiking and endless opportunities to relax.

Accommodation Queenstown - 1 night

You will transfer to Manapouri by road for this very special overnight cruise in New Zealand's most remote and beautiful wilderness area. Board the overnight cruise vessel at Deep Cove for a leisurely exploration of Doubtful Sound. The vessel has spacious deck areas offering stunning views of waterfalls, abundant wildlife, rainforest and mountains.

An on board nature guide with specialist knowledge of the region’s history, flora and fauna provides detailed interpretation in English with a roving microphone. Activities include kayaking and excursions in the tender vessels to explore the coastline. The vessel then anchors overnight in one of Doubtful Sound’s hidden arms. Comfortable ensuite cabins with delicious 3 course meals are to be enjoyed in the comfortable saloon. We recommend Doubtful over Milford Sound on the New Zealand Exclusive Tour, keeping you away from the crowds that flock to Milford.

Accommodation: Fiordland Navigator Doubtful Sound - 1 night

The next morning following breakfast there is time for further cruising and exploring before returning to Deep Cove. In particular we are on the hunt to view the resident bottle nose dolphins that patrol the fiord or the New Zealand fur seal seen basking as the sun rises warming the rocks they occupy and when in season the rare Fiordland crested penguin. Retracing steps back to Manapouri, and returning to Queenstown by approximately 3.30pm.

Explore everything Queenstown has to offer and do it your way on a day of leisure. You can get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling Wilderness Jet Boat Ride  or if you prefer something more relaxing like a wine tour in the stunning vineyards of the Gibbston Valley, you won’t be disappointed. 

In the afternoon transfer to the Airport for your onward flight to Auckland International.

Recommended Queenstown excursions:

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We know you will enjoy our New Zealand Exclusive Tour and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

Ready to find out more? Talk to us here in New Zealand about 'New Zealand Exclusive Tour'  - We Guarantee it will be the Holiday of a Lifetime!