14D Best of New Zealand
14D Best of New Zealand
14D Best of New Zealand
fromS$3,368 per person
Tour Overview
Suggested Self-drive Itinerary
Auckland → Rotorua → Napier → Wellinton → Blenheim → Greymouth → Glacier Region → Queenstown → Mt Cook → Tekapo → Christchurch
ACCOMMODATION
CAR RENTAL
excludes car insurance and GPS
14D Best of New Zealand
fromS$3,368 per person
Tour Highlights
Sightseeing (includes admission)
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- Te Ra Guided Day Tour
- Te Po Evening Cultural Experience
- Art Deco Afternoon Walk
- Te Papa Museum of New Zealand
- North to South Island ferry crossing
- Skyline Gondola Queenstown
- Dark Sky Experience
- International Antarctic Centre
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Auckland
Day 2
Auckland - Waitomo - Hobbiton - Rotorua
Day 3
Rotorua
Day 4
Rotorua - Napier
Day 5
Napier - Wellington
Day 6
Wellington - Picton - Blenheim
Day 7
Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch
Day 8
Christchurch - Greymouth
Day 9
Greymouth - Glacier Region
Day 10
Glacier Region - Queenstown
Day 11
Queenstown
Day 12
Queenstown - Mt Cook/Tekapo Region
Day 13
Mt Cook/Tekapo Region - Christchurch
Day 14
Depart from Christchurch
Day 1 : Arrive in Auckland
Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and self-drive to your accommodation. Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Auckland Sky Tower | 2. Orbit Restaurant Sky Tower | 3. Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise | 4. Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour
Overnight
Auckland
Day 1 : Arrive in Auckland
Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and self-drive to your accommodation. Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Auckland Sky Tower | 2. Orbit Restaurant Sky Tower | 3. Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise | 4. Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour
Overnight
Auckland
Day 2: Auckland - Waitomo - Hobbiton - Rotorua
Journey through the rolling green hills of Waitomo and enjoy a tour through an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Continue to Matamata for a charming tour of unique, character Hobbit homes, gardens, and the watering hole just as you see in the movies. Finishing off a visually fulfilling day, continue to Rotorua, a bubbling and steaming destination like nowhere else.
Auckland-Waitomo: 195km (approx 2hrs, 30mins) | Waitomo-Matamata: 102km (approx 1hr, 20mins) | Matamata-Rotorua: 67km (approx 55mins
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
1. Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour | 2. Hobbiton Movie Set Venture Beyond the Door
Overnight
Rotorua
Day 3: Rotorua
Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends. Late afternoon you'll visit one of the local geothermal attractions for a guided tour through the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Kiwi Conservation Centre, and the geothermal valley. Then enjoy a Hangi Dinner overlooking the valley and geyser, followed by a 40-minute cultural performance. The evening culminates with hot chocolate and pudding on the geyser terrace.
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
1. Te Ra/Te Po Combo (Guided + Evening Experience)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. The Hell's Gate Experience - Walk + Mud Bath and Spas | 2. Secret Spot Hot Tubs
Overnight
Rotorua
Day 4: Rotorua - Napier
There’s a bit of everything on today’s drive past Great Lake Taupo to Napier. Your scenic journey includes volcanic geography, fresh forest plantations, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas. Following an earthquake in 1931, a rebuild saw Napier completely redesigned in the style of the times. Buildings were constructed in the Art Deco style with Maori motifs to give the city a unique New Zealand character. Today, the delightful seaside city of Napier has the extra-ordinary feeling of a time capsule with its seamless line of some of the world's finest 1930's architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of Napier's unique history and architecture.
Rotorua - Napier: 220km (approx. 3hrs)
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
1. Art Deco Afternoon Walk
Overnight
Napier
Day 5: Napier - Wellington
Today's travel south may be via the spectacular Manawatu Gorge or through the beautiful Tuki Tuki Valley and Wairarapa Wine region to reach Wellington. Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot. Great shopping, arts culture, cafes and restaurants are all within minutes of the city’s untouched nature spots. Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum offers FREE admission, but you might like to include a guided tour for a greater insight into New Zealand's rich history and culture.
Napier - Wellington: 320km (approx 4hrs,30mins)
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
1. Te Papa Museum of New Zealand
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Introducing Te Papa Tour
Overnight
Wellington
Day 6: Wellington - Picton - Blenheim
New Zealand's North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean fresh air. Departing Wellington, your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton. With its rugged mountain ranges and fertile pains, Marlborough has a lot to offer with its water, wilderness and wine. A short drive takes you to the compact town centre of Blenheim.
Picton - Blenheim: 30km (approx. 30mins)
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
1. North to South Island Ferry Crossing
Overnight
Blenheim
Day 7: Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch
The Pacific Coast Road to Christchurch presents one of New Zealand's most dramatic drives with breath-taking mountains on one side and wild pounding ocean on the other. The seaside settlement of Kaikoura is set midway and overlooked by majestic mountains. The unique marine geography at this location provides the perfect environment for Sperm Whales and other marine life. On to Christchurch, a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River.
Blenheim - Christchurch: 309km (approx. 4hrs)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Whale Watch Tour - Ocean Cabin | 2. Dolphin Encounter
Overnight
Christchurch
Day 8: Christchurch - Greymouth
Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast. New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys.
Christchurch - Greymouth: 240km (approx 3.5 hrs)
Overnight
Greymouth
Day 9: Greymouth - Glacier Region
A temperate climate at a low altitude makes Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world. Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia and here, the ice age is still underway. For an absolute bucket list experience, add a scenic flight with a glacier landing and a thrilling hike to your itinerary.
Greymouth – Glacier Region: 175-195km (approx 2.5-3hrs)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes
Overnight
Glacier Region
Day 10: Glacier Region - Queenstown
Travel through wilderness towns, waterfalls, and river scenery on today’s scenic journey to Queenstown. We recommend stopping for a break, and to stretch the legs, at Makarora’s Blue Pools. After settling in at your Queenstown accommodation, make your way to the Skyline Base for a Gondola Ride to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy some spectacular panoramic views high above Queenstown. You might also like to add some Luge rides to your bucket list for some extra fun.
Queenstown - Glacier Region: 330-350km (approx. 4.5-5hrs)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike | 2. Original Onsen Exclusive Indoor Pool
Overnight
Queenstown
Day 11: Queenstown
Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Shotover Jetboat Ride | 2. Glacier Express Heli Flight 50mins
Overnight
Queenstown
Day 12: Queenstown - Mt Cook/Tekapo Region
Today’s journey takes you to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes. Hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki to a rugged land of ice and rock, home to Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.
Queenstown - Tekapo/Mt Cook: 256-266km (approx. 3hrs,15mins)
Overnight
Tekapo or Mt Cook
Day 13: Mt Cook/Tekapo Region - Christchurch
Today you’ll enjoy admission to the Darky Sky Project for a greater understanding of the night sky. Be sure to stop for a while at Lake Tekapo where the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Then continue northeast where braided rivers and familiar plains will signal your arrival back into Christchurch. Make a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch either today or tomorrow for an icy insight into this astounding continent.
Tekapo/Mt Cook - Christchurch :220-330km (approx. 3-4hrs)
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
1. Dark Sky Experience | 2. Antarctic Centre
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Christchurch Tram Dinner
Overnight
Christchurch
Day 14: Depart from Christchurch
Arrangements conclude today with the return of your rental car to Christchurch Airport.
Pricing
fr S$3,368
1) Rental Car "Days" are based on a 24 hour hire. Early arrivals into and/or late departures out of New Zealand may necessitate a longer hire period.
2) Adding Optional Tours may necessitate an additional nights' stay in that location.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Travel Period: 1 March – 30 September 2024. Seasonal surcharge applies in January to March 2024. Suggested tour itinerary is for reference; unless otherwise stated, admission into attractions and experiences are not included in the tour price. Prices are quoted in SGD based on per person, twin sharing basis. Peak season surcharge applies for selected dates. Prices exclude car insurance, GPS, toll charges, gratuities, and personal expenses. Prices are correct at time of print and subject to change without prior notice. Tours are subject to availability and confirmation. All travellers are responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa or NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority), vaccinations and health certificates. All travellers are also responsible for ensuring that their passport is valid for at least six months at point of entry into travel destination.