13-Day North and South Island Self-Drive

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Take the ferry over to Devonport to see the city from a different perspective! On arrival, your Explorer Tour minibus will collect you. Experience the charm of historic Devonport and hear stories of the seaside village's past - from the original Maori settlements to today's naval operations. You'll pass beautiful Victorian homes, head to the top of volcanic cones and relax on Cheltenham Beach.

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Today, your self-drive holidays in New Zealand begins a drive to Waitomo which will take around 2 and a half hours. Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glow worm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history. Experience the serene ambience as you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights. At the end of the tour, you'll continue driving to reach Rotorua.

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After breakfast, you'll start to explore Rotorua. In Te Puia, come face to face with the biggest, active geyser in the southern hemisphere Pōhutu Geyser, jumping mud pools, and live kiwi in the brand new Kiwi Conservation Centre. Visit the Redwood Forest walk for a whole new perspective of this evergreen forest. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure, you can visit Kerosene creek, 3D Trick Art Gallery and Rotorua Museum.

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After breakfast, start your drive to Taupo. Visit Huka Falls to witness the phenomenon of a natural hydropower of more than 220,000 litres of water per second. You can get up close and witness the display of the water blasting at the footbridge right at the top of the falls. Experience the thrill of Huka Falls Jetboat, with its legendary 360-degree spins! Continue on to Wellington and relax for the remainder of the day.

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Spend the day exploring the city. Among the things you can do in Wellington is drive to the top of Mt. Victoria Peak for stunning views, visit the Weta Workshop Tour or take the cable car to the botanic garden. The Weta Workshops were instrumental in the props, prosthetics and special effects for not only the Lord of the Rings movies but also Indian movies like 'I'. Choose what you would like to do today based on your own interests.

After an early breakfast, drop off your rental car at the ferry terminal. Start your journey to Picton by ferry hopping on the ferry. It is a 3 and half hour journey through Cook Strait. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the dolphins on the way. Pick up your rental car at the ferry terminal in Picton and continue driving to Kaikoura. Kick back and relax here, you can visit the Ohau Point Seal colony and spend time in the CBD.

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Wake up early to jump on the boat for one of the best whale watching experiences in the world! Back on shore, start your 2 and a half hour drive to the Garden City of Christchurch. Upon arrival, check in and refresh. In the afternoon, you can explore Christchurch at your leisure. The capital city has a distinct atmosphere and style that immediately get lost in.

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After breakfast, start your drive to Franz Josef. Allow five hours for the journey by road with some extra time for stops along the way. Follow SH 73 from Christchurch through to Kumara Junction, turn left at Kumara Junction and follow SH 6 through to Franz Josef Glacier. Arthurs' Pass village is a good place for a coffee and snack break, and Hokitika on the West Coast has a range of eateries, shops and activities available. You'll arrive in Franz Josef in the afternoon.

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After breakfast, you can opt to do a scenic helicopter ride over the glacier. Hop back into the car to start your scenic drive to Lake Wanaka. The route is very scenic and there are plenty of photo opportunities. Please note that while driving through Haast Pass, there is no mobile coverage. It will take more than 4 hours to reach Wanaka. At Wanaka, visit the Puzzling World, a world of wonderful weirdness. Continue driving to Queenstown. Check-in and refresh from the long drive.

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After breakfast, take a Gondola up the hill for a magnificent 180-degree view of the city. Try your hand at luge. After lunch, you can visit nearby Arrowtown. Visit the Chinese Village to learn about how they were cooped up during the Gold Rush era. At Gibbston Valley, visit Home Block, the region’s oldest vineyard. Step into the winemaking facility where you’ll take a glimpse of how some of the best Central Otago Pinot Noirs are made and taste four handcrafted wines.

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After an early breakfast, start your four-hour drive to one of the most beautiful places on the Earth, Milford Sound. Jump on board the scenic cruise that has purpose-built observation lounges and large decks. This cruise will take you through sheer cliffs, massive waterfalls and glaciers. Enjoy your gourmet lunch on board. After the cruise, you'll have the option to explore more by yourself before making the return journey to Queenstown.