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	FREE TOUR Book any New Zealand Self Drive of 8 days or more (18 Day Best of New Zealand, 9 Day North Island, 10 Day South Island) and receive free entry to either Kelly Tarlton's (Auckland) or the International Antarctic Centre Christchurch. Max 2 people, April travel only.
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An 18 day self drive tour that offers you the very best that New Zealand has to offer. Take in the highlights of the North and South Islands and choose the type of accommodation that best suits you: Motel, Hotel or Boutique Hotels (including B&B). Includes an AVIS group B car for 18 days and a Travelmood backpack, which features a selection of maps and a detailed itinerary.


Includes
• 17 nights motel, hotel or boutique accommodation
• AVIS Group B car for 18 days
• Interislander Ferry Crossing Wellington to Picton
• Travelmood backpack, detailed itinerary, directions & map


Day 1 Auckland to Coromandel
133 miles 4 hours
Drive via the beautiful Clevedon Valley region of Auckland and the Pacific Coast Highway before arriving in Thames, gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula. The Coromandel’s dramatic and unspoiled coast offers beautiful white sandy beaches and many activities.
Motel: Aotearoa Lodge (breakfast)
Hotel: Mercure Grand Puka Park Resort (breakfast)
Boutique: Mercure Grand Puka Park Resort (breakfast)

Day 2 Coromandel - day 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.

Day 3 Coromandel to Rotorua
157 miles 4½ hours
Head for Tauranga along the Pacific Coast Highway. Arrive in the Bay of Plenty region early afternoon, in time for a swim or lunch in one of the many restaurants. Continue on to Rotorua, one of the most famous tourist destinations in New Zealand.
Motel: Sudima Hotel
Hotel: Rydges Rotorua
Boutique: Clover Downs Estate (breakfast)

Day 4 Rotorua - day at leisure
From the moment people arrive in Rotorua they know they’re somewhere like nowhere else. There is the unmistakable scent of sulphur in the air and at nearby geothermal hot spots, there are spouting geysers and bubbling mud pools. Rotorua is the heartland of Maori culture and visitors can enjoy a performance of song and dance, followed by a hangi meal (cooked using geothermal steam).

Day 5 Rotorua to Lake Taupo
50 miles 1½ hours
Depart Rotorua for the short journey through to the Lake Taupo region. Taupo is a perfect base to explore some stunning New Zealand scenery. Have a gourmet lunch at one of many luxurious lodges in the area.
Motel: Karaka Tree Motel
Hotel: Millennium Manuels
Boutique: The Pillars Homestead (breakfast)

Day 6 Lake Taupo to Napier
89 miles 2½ hours
Depart Taupo on the Thermal Explorer Highway for the Hawke's Bay region, famous for its wine, food and fabulous scenery. Napier and Hastings offer a high concentration of Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture.
Motel: Bella Tuscany
Hotel: Crown Hotel
Boutique: Mon Logis Hotel (breakfast)

Day 7 Napier to Martinborough
156 miles 3½ hours
Today drive on to Martinborough, well known for the range of vineyards in the area and a growing worldwide reputation for its Pinot Noir wine. Spend the afternoon out and about on a wine trail of the Martinborough vineyards.
Motel/Hotel/Boutique: Peppers Martinborough Hotel

Day 8 Martinborough to Wellington
52 miles 1½ hours
Drive over the beautiful Rimutaka Hills to Wellington, the nation’s capital. The downtown area is ideal for walking around, with lots of shops and cafes. Don’t miss a visit to Te Papa - the magnificent Museum of New Zealand.
Motel: West Plaza Hotel
Hotel: Duxton Hotel
Boutique: Thornton House B & B

Day 9 Wellington to Blenheim
3 hour ferry and 30 min drive. Drop your Avis car off at the Wellington Ferry office. Take the 3 hour Interislander ferry to Picton on the South Island to collect a similar model vehicle from Avis. Drive the short distance to the wine growing town of Blenheim.
Motel: Colonial Motel
Hotel: Scenic Circle Country Hotel
Boutique: Old Saint Mary's Convent (breakfast)

Day 10 Blenheim to Nelson
86 miles 3 hours
Depart Blenheim and head north via the Marlborough Sounds region. Here there are many walks and boating activities or spend the morning discovering the many wineries around. Drive via Pelorus Bridge to the town of Nelson.
Motel: Tuscany Gardens
Hotel: Monaco Hotel and Resort
Boutique: California House Inn (breakfast)

Day 11 Nelson - day at leisure
Full day to enjoy Nelson, known for its yearround sunshine, golden beaches and relaxed lifestyle. We recommend a visit to the Abel Tasman National Park, a compact treasure house of nature with glittering beaches, turquoise water and spectacular ocean views.

Day 12 Nelson to Punakaiki
172 miles 5 hours
From Nelson journey through scenic reserves and the earthquake riven landscapes of the Buller Gorge to the historic coal-mining settlement of Westport. Visit the seal colony before continuing on to Punakaiki.
Motel/Hotel/Boutique: Punakaiki Rocks Hotel

Day 13 Punakaiki to Franz Josef/Fox Glacier
142 miles 3½ hours
Explore the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. The blowholes operate at high tide and are best on a blustery day when there are big seas - tide times can be checked at the visitor centre. Travel on to Greymouth, the largest township on the West Coast and Hokitika before arriving in Franz Josef, an area of mountain peaks and impressive glaciers. Here you can take guided glacier walks or spectacular scenic flights.
Motel: Punga Grove, Franz Josef Glacier
Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel
Boutique: Te Weheka Inn, Fox Glacier (breakfast)

Day 14 Franz Josef/Fox Glacier to Queenstown
251 miles 6 hours
Depart the West Coast and travel through the scenic wilderness of Haast pass. Continue on to Wanaka where the crystal clear waters of Lake Wanaka reflects the snow-capped peaks of Mt Aspiring National Park. Queenstown is set in a picturesque valley and is known for the wide range of adventure and outdoor activities on offer.
Motel: Scenic Circle A-Line
Hotel: Heritage Queenstown
Boutique: Browns (breakfast)

Day 15 Queenstown - day at leisure
So much to do! White water rafting, jet boating through the canyons, take the Gondola to the summit for a great view, relax on the TSS Earnslaw as its cruises across the lake or just enjoy one of the many walking trails.

Day 16 Queenstown to Te Anau
106 miles 3 hours
Journey through mountains and alongside lakes before arriving in Te Anau late morning. Suggested activities for today and tomorrow include a day trip to either Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound. Both are accessible from Te Anau and can be pre-booked by your Travelmood consultant. Consider a sightseeing flight to witness the full splendour of this remarkable region.
Motel: Anchorage Motel
Hotel/Boutique: Te Anau Hotel and Villas

Day 17 Te Anau to Dunedin
180 miles 4 hours
Drive north from Te Anau to Gore and on to the historic town of Dunedin. The city is compact with a surprising array of kerbside cafes and high quality local crafts. If time permits book a ride on the Tairei Gorge Railway from £30 per person.
Motel: Scenic Circle Dunedin City Hotel
Hotel: Sceninc Circle Southern Cross Hotel
Boutique: Larnarch Castle

Day 18 Dunedin to Christchurch
225 miles 5 hours
Travel via Timaru, known for its extensive Edwardian and Victorian architecture. Stop and enjoy the coastal views from Caroline Bay before continuing on to Christchurch. Extend your stay in New Zealand’s Garden City.

Upgrade to a Group E Full Size car from £5 per person per day.



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