Self Drives for New Zealand

Auckland to Auckland

Self Drive Itinerary

Day 1. Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula.

Depart Auckland and travel the Pacific Coast Highway touring route to the Coromandel Peninsula. The Coromandel's dramatic and unspoiled coast, and beautiful white sandy beaches, offer endless opportunities for fishing, diving, boating, surfing and swimming.

Overnight Pauanui or Whitianga (2 nights).

Day 2. Coromandel at leisure.

Enjoy the unique experience of Hot Water Beach where at low tide you can dig in the sand, allowing the sulphur-heated waters to rise to the top to create your very own thermal spa. Swim with dolphins, hire a kayak and explore the many offshore islands or simply let the azure water lap at your feet and marvel at the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.

Day 3. Coromandel Peninsula to Tauranga.

Continuing down the Pacific Coast Highway, sapphire waters and white sand beaches will give way to lush farmland and orchards of the Bay of Plenty. Enjoy the beautiful harbour of Tauranga and the white sand beaches of Mount Maunganui.

Overnight Tauranga.

Day 4. Tauranga to Whakatane.

Further down the Pacific Coast Highway is Whakatane, gateway to one of the most accessible active volcanoes.

Overnight Whakatane.

Day 5. Whakatane at leisure.

Whakatane is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. Just offshore is White Island, a spectacular active volcano that can be visited by launch or helicopter. Other Whakatane attractions include the museum, an observatory and Maori historical sites. In summer, dolphin swimming is the thing to do.

Day 6. Whakatane to Gisborne.

Further down the Pacific Coast Highway the coastal landscape is untamed and wild. You can lose yourself in the hills and valleys, and renew your inner peace on the beautifully natural beaches.

Day 7. Gisborne to Napier.

From here you enter more breathtaking scenery as you travel your final leg on this highway to Hawke's Bay Wine Country. Basking in a Mediterranean climate, the Hawke's Bay region is known for its wine, food and fabulous scenery. Over 30 vineyards offer visitors a wine tasting and indoor/ outdoor dining experience. Napier and Hastings, the two main centres in the region, have a high concentration of Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture. The rest of vineyards and wonderful restaurants in the area. Overnight Napier.

Day 8. Napier to Taupo.

Depart Napier for a journey through to the Lake Taupo region. Taupo is the main centre of the region and Lake Taupo is one of the North Islands most popular holiday destinations.

Overnight in Taupo.

Day 9. Taupo to Rotorua.

Depart Taupo for a short journey to Rotorua, famous for its spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools and warm geothermal ponds.

Overnight Rotorua (2 nights)

Day 10. Rotorua at leisure.

Spiritual home to the Maori and host to some of the worlds most incredible earth forces in Rotorua there is plenty to see and do here with its steamy thermal attractions and fascinating cultural experiences.

Day 11. Rotorua to Auckland.

Today head across to the Waitomo Caves district is famous for its subterranean splendour. Beneath the surface of this limestone region is a series of vast cave system decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and glow-worms.

Continue on to Auckland

Day 12. Depart Auckland.

Price Includes: Co-pilot Kit, 12 Days Hertz Group E car hire, Accommodation as noted below.

Please Note: We can assist you in booking your flights to New Zealand. Please feel free to contact us for the best airfares available. Itineraries subject to change. Please request details at time of booking.