New Zealand Auckland Queenstown Tour Driving. Enjoy superb views MT!

Arrive in New Zealand and pick up your car from the airport. Auckland, a city nicknamed “‘the City of Sails”. Sprawling across two large harbours, Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and is surrounded by expansive parklands and water. The sunny climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping, glistening harbours and modern city environment creates an unbelievable lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world.

Accommodation at Scenic Hotel Auckland 4* or similar. Property Location With a stay at Scenic Hotel Auckland, you’ll be centrally located in Auckland, steps from Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Square. This 4-star hotel is close to Sky Tower and University of Auckland.

Approximately 233km (145 Miles)

A couple of hours south of Auckland lies the lush farmland of the Waikato. Famous for dairying and fine thoroughbred horses, it’s easy to see why these green pastures and rolling hills were chosen to portray Hobbiton and The Shire. Daily tours are available to the Hobbiton Movie Set, the amazing village created for the movies. Continue onto the heartland of Maori culture, to the centre of New Zealand’s spectacular geothermal wonderland and discover the spirits of Rotorua. This evening you could enjoy a traditional Maori concert and hangi (at extra cost).~

Accommodation at Holiday Inn Rotorua 4* or similar. Situated on the edge of the beautiful Redwood Forest, Holiday Inn Rotorua hotel is a great base for both families and adventurers to explore. Relax and let us take care of everything while the kids stay and eat free.

Approximately 186kms (116 miles)

Today travel down past Lake Taupo and onto the volcanic central plateau to Mt Ruapehu, the largest mountain in the North Island in the heart of the Tongariro National Park. Lake Taupo is famous for its trout, year-round water sports and stunning views across the water towards those mystical Middle-earth volcanoes. Take a side road to a geothermal park, where you’ll discover geysers, silica terraces and craters of boiling mud.

Accommodation at Chateau Tongariro Hotel 4* or similar.

Today is at leisure for you to explore Tongariro National Park. The Tongariro World Heritage National isn’t just legendary for its dramatic and eerie scenery. Thanks to a geologically turbulent past, the area provided The Lord of the Rings crew with the perfect raw materials to create vivid scenes of Mordor, Emyn Muil, Mount Doom and the Plains of Gorgoroth.

Accommodation at Chateau Tongariro Hotel 4* or similar.

Approximately 345km (214 Miles)

Just a short drive from Mt Ruapehu is Ohakune, home to Ithilien camp, which was filmed in the nearby bush; continue on towards Wellington, the capital of New Zealand and film base for Lord of the Rings. The city is renowned for it’s arts, heritage, culture and natural beauty. It is also home of Peter Jackson and production company Weta Studios, Wellington provided lots of scope for locations. Visit Weta Workshop where you can get a behind the scenes look at movie making magic.

Accommodation at Rydges Wellington Hotel 4* or similar. Rydges Wellington is centrally located on downtown Featherston Street with a unique combination of harbour and city outlooks.

A day to relax in Wellington, although there is plenty to do. You could visit the Parliament Buildings, Te Papa – New Zealand’s new national museum or a ride up the cable car for great views over Wellington.

Accommodation at Rydges Wellington Hotel 4* or similar.

Approximately 104kms (65 miles) Picton to Nelson

Board the Interislander Ferry for the scenic journey to Picton on the South Island. Continue west to the Nelson. The region is known for its year-round sunshine, golden beaches, three national parks, 300-plus working artists and craftspeople, boutique wineries, fresh local produce and seafood, historical streetscapes, waterfront cafes and restaurants, and a thoroughly relaxed lifestyle.

Accommodation at Grand Mercure Monaco Apartments 4* or similar. Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Apartments is a handcrafted resort village surrounded by gardens. Featuring 83 rooms, the hotel boasts a charming one storey hotel plus elegant self contained one and two bedroom cottages and one bedroom studio apartments.

Today is at leisure for you to explore the wonderful beaches and national parks. Abel Tasman National Park is highly recommended for walking and kayaking.

Accommodation at Grand Mercure Monaco Apartments 4* or similar.

Approximately 265kms (165 miles)

Continue through the Victoria Forest Park and along the spectacular west coast to Punakaiki in Paparoa National Park. See Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks, distinctive geological formations formed over tens of thousands of years of pummeling from the Tasman Sea.

Accommodation at Punakaiki Resort 4* or similar. Punakaiki Resort is a Williams Hotel Group property. Other Williams Hotel Group properties include: The Ashley Hotel Greymouth, The Ashley Hotel Christchurch, Grand Mercure Oakridge Resort Wanaka and the Towers on the Park Christchurch.

Approximately 217km (135 miles)

Travel onwards with awe-inspiring coastal scenery to the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier region. It is an area of mountain peaks, impressive glaciers, tranquil lakes, raging rivers and lush rainforest.

Accommodation at Scenic Franz Josef Glacier 4* or similar. Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is close to the edge of one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions, welcoming you to this enticing and dramatic region.

Approximately 391kms (243 miles) via Cromwell
Approximately 350kms (217 miles) via Cardrona & Crown Range Road

Experience the scenic wilderness of Haast Pass, stopping along the way to take advantage of many short nature walks and picnic spots, pass crystal clear Lake Wanaka before continuing to Queenstown. Queenstown is snuggled into a picturesque valley beside Lake Wakatipu and with the Remarkables Ranges towering alongside. Known for the wide range of adventure and outdoor activities that make the most of the scenery and the environment, Queenstown also offers a wide range of shopping and dining options in and around the township.

Accommodation at Heartland Hotel Queensland 3* or similar. Property Location With a stay at Heartland Hotel Queenstown, you’ll be centrally located in Queenstown, steps from St Josephs Parish and Arrow River. This eco-friendly hotel is within close proximity of Church of St Peters and Queenstown Arts Centre.

A day at leisure for you to explore Queenstown and surroundings. You may want to consider an optional excursion – Lord of the Rings Tour or a cruise on magnificent Milford or Doubtful Sound.

Accommodation at Heartland Hotel Queensland 3* or similar.

A day at leisure for you to explore Queenstown and surroundings. You may want to consider an optional excursion – Lord of the Rings Tour or a cruise on magnificent Milford or Doubtful Sound.

Accommodation at Heartland Hotel Queensland 3* or similar.

Your tour ends and at the appropriate time you’ll get back to the airport.