New Zealand North Island & Victoria Coastal Explorer

Journey from New Zealand's Cultural Heartland to Melbourne's Vibrant City and Victoria's Spectacular Coastal Landscapes

PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details

Day 1

Arrive in Auckland

Collect your rental car and drive to your hotel (21km, ~40m). Spend the day exploring the “City of Sails”. Stroll Viaduct Harbour, shop on Queen Street, and enjoy waterfront dining.
Day 2

Auckland → Hobbiton™ → Rotorua

Drive through Waikato’s hills to the Hobbiton™ Movie Set. Continue to geothermal Rotorua (228km, ~3h). Tonight, enjoy an optional Te Pā Tū Māori Cultural Experience and traditional hāngī.
Day 3

Rotorua → Taupō → Napier

Marvel at Wai-O-Tapu’s pools, then witness Huka Falls at Lake Taupō. Continue through scenic vineyards to Napier (222km, ~3.5h), famous for its Art Deco architecture and award-winning wines.
Day 4

Napier → Wellington

Travel south through Wairarapa, passing winery towns like Martinborough. Cross the scenic Remutaka Ranges into Wellington (320km, ~4.5h). Spend your evening exploring the vibrant waterfront or Cuba St.
Day 5

Wellington → Melbourne

Ride the Cable Car before flying to Australia. Arrive in Melbourne, collect a new rental car, and drive to your CBD hotel (23km, ~40m). Enjoy a leisurely evening exploring the renowned dining scene.
Day 6

Discover Melbourne

Explore Australia’s cultural capital on foot or tram. Discover street art in famous laneways, visit Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, and Queen Victoria Market. Sports fans can tour the MCG.
Day 7

Great Ocean Road

Depart early for a coastal drive (520km, ~9h). Travel through Great Otway National Park. Marvel at the iconic Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge before taking the inland route back to Melbourne.
Day 8

Phillip Island

Drive southeast to Phillip Island (297km, ~4.25h). Visit the Koala Conservation Reserve and admire views at The Nobbies. At dusk, witness the world-famous Penguin Parade before returning to Melbourne.
Day 9

Melbourne at Leisure

Enjoy a free day to explore. Browse boutiques, visit St Kilda, or relax in a café. Alternatively, book an optional day trip to the Yarra Valley wine region or take a sunrise hot-air balloon flight.
Day 10

Melbourne Departure

Enjoy a final stroll along the Yarra River or grab a last coffee. Drive to Melbourne Airport, return your rental car (23km, ~40m), and check in for your onward flight to conclude your self-drive adventure.

Tour Highlights

Upon arrival at Auckland Airport, collect your rental vehicle and begin your Trans-Tasman self-drive adventure. Drive to your hotel in central Auckland and check in.

Spend the remainder of the day exploring the “City of Sails” at your own pace. Wander through Viaduct Harbour and the vibrant Wynyard Quarter, browse the boutiques along Queen Street, or enjoy dinner at a waterfront restaurant.

Driving: Auckland Airport → Auckland CBD: ~21 km / 13 miles (30–45 mins).

Overnight: Auckland.
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Auckland and travel through the rolling green countryside of the Waikato region.

Activity: Visit the world-famous Hobbiton™ Movie Set. Join an optional guided tour to discover Hobbit Holes™, the Green Dragon Inn™, and the Party Tree.

Afternoon: Continue to Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal activity. This evening, you may wish to experience the optional Te Pā Tū Māori Cultural Experience.

Driving: Auckland → Hobbiton™ → Rotorua: ~228 km / 142 miles (3 hrs, excluding stops).

Overnight: Rotorua.
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Stop at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to see colourful mineral terraces, steaming vents, and bubbling mud pools.

En Route: Continue south to Lake Taupō and admire the powerful Huka Falls before following the scenic highway through rolling hills and vineyards.

Afternoon: Arrive in Napier, internationally recognised for its Art Deco architecture and award-winning wineries. Spend the evening strolling Marine Parade.

Driving: Rotorua → Wai-O-Tapu → Taupō → Napier: ~222 km / 138 miles (3.5 hrs, excluding stops).

Overnight: Napier.
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Napier and travel south through Hawke’s Bay’s fertile farmland and into the Wairarapa region.

En Route: Pass charming country towns like Greytown and Martinborough. Cross the scenic Remutaka Ranges.

Afternoon: Descend into New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. Explore the lively waterfront, Cuba Street, or acclaimed restaurants.

Driving: Napier → Wellington via Wairarapa: ~320 km / 199 miles (4.5 hrs, excluding stops).

Overnight: Wellington.
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Explore Wellington—ride the Cable Car, visit Te Papa Museum, or relax at a café.

Transit: Drive to Wellington Airport, return your rental vehicle, and board your flight to Melbourne (flight not included).

Arrival: Collect your Australian rental vehicle in Melbourne and drive to your CBD hotel.

Driving (NZ): Wellington CBD → Airport: ~8 km / 5 miles (15–20 mins).

Driving (AU): Melbourne Airport → CBD: ~23 km / 14 miles (30–45 mins).

Overnight: Melbourne.
Full Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Discover famous laneways filled with street art, Federation Square, and Flinders Street Station.

Highlights: Visit Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy Gardens, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Royal Exhibition Building. Optional visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Driving: Melbourne city exploration: ~3–6 km / 2–4 miles walking throughout the day.

Overnight: Melbourne.
Full Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Depart early for the Great Ocean Road. Travel through Geelong to Torquay, passing Bells Beach, Lorne, and Apollo Bay.

Highlights: Continue through Great Otway National Park to Port Campbell National Park to discover the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Shipwreck Coast before returning to Melbourne.

Driving: Melbourne → Great Ocean Road → Twelve Apostles → Melbourne: ~520 km / 323 miles (8.5–9 hrs, excluding stops).

Overnight: Melbourne.
Afternoon/Evening: Breakfast at the hotel. Travel southeast to Phillip Island. Visit the Koala Conservation Reserve and The Nobbies.

Highlights: Witness the world-famous Penguin Parade as Little Penguins return ashore after a day at sea, then return to Melbourne.

Driving: Melbourne → Phillip Island → Melbourne: ~297 km / 185 miles (4.25 hrs, excluding stops).

Overnight: Melbourne.
Full Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy Melbourne at your own pace. Explore Fitzroy or St Kilda, browse boutiques, or discover museums.

Options: Take an optional day trip to the Yarra Valley wine region or enjoy a hot-air balloon flight over the city.

Driving: Local touring: flexible.

Overnight: Melbourne.
Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy your final morning at leisure—stroll along the Yarra River or browse shopping arcades.

Departure: Drive to Melbourne Airport, return your rental vehicle, and check in for your onward flight, bringing your adventure to a close.

Driving: Melbourne CBD → Airport: ~23 km / 14 miles (30–45 mins).

Accommodations

New Zealand

Accommodation:

1 night hotel accommodation in Auckland with breakfast.
1 night hotel accommodation in Rotorua with breakfast.
1 night hotel accommodation in Napier with breakfast.
1 night hotel accommodation in Wellington with breakfast.

Australia

Accommodation:

4 nights hotel accommodation in Melbourne with breakfast.

Guests may request upgrades to 5-Star hotels. Upgraded options are subject to availability and additional costs..

Package Includes

New Zealand

Self-Drive

Premium rental car for 5 days.
Unlimited kilometres.
GPS navigation.
Detailed self-drive route notes.

Experiences

Auckland waterfront.
Hobbiton™ Movie Set.
Rotorua geothermal region.
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Huka Falls.
Hawke’s Bay.
Wellington city highlights.

Australia

Self-Drive

Premium rental car for 6 days.
Unlimited kilometres.
GPS navigation or digital navigation support.
Route maps and detailed self-drive itinerary.

Experiences

Melbourne city discovery.
Great Ocean Road scenic drive.
Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Phillip Island.
Koala Conservation Reserve.
Penguin Parade (admission not included unless otherwise stated).

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Booking a major road trip can be daunting, but the team at GoAussieTours made it so simple. The recommended route up the East Coast was breathtaking, and knowing we had 7-day support gave us total peace of mind.

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We wanted a completely hassle-free anniversary trip, and the chauffeur-driven package delivered exactly that. From seamless airport transfers to expert local dining recommendations, every single detail was handled with pure professionalism.

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Enjoy fast, safe, and secure transactions from anywhere in the world — with full confidence and ease.

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Choose the best payment option for your entire group — ensuring a smooth, flexible process from start to finish.

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New Zealand North Island & Victoria Coastal Explorer

Journey from New Zealand's Cultural Heartland to Melbourne's Vibrant City and Victoria's Spectacular Coastal Landscapes

Duration

Price

PEOPLE GOING

Duration

Price

PEOPLE GOING

PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details

Tour Highlights

Day 1 – Arrive in Auckland

Day 2 – Auckland → Hobbiton™ → Rotorua

Day 3 – Rotorua → Taupō → Napier

Day 4 – Napier → Wellington

Day 5 – Wellington → Melbourne

Day 6 – Discover Melbourne

Day 7 – Great Ocean Road

Day 8 – Phillip Island

Day 9 – Melbourne at Leisure

Day 10 – Melbourne Departure

Accommodations

Package Includes

Enquire Now

What Our Explorers Say

Sarah Jenkins

David & Elena Rostova

Marcus Thorne

Liam O'Connor

Priya Patel

The Henderson Family

James & Clara Bennett

Stress-Free Payments,

Simple & Secure.

No More Payment Hassles

Fast & Secure Payments

Instant Booking Confirmation

Flexible Payment Options

No More Payment Hassles

Fast & Secure Payments

Instant Booking Confirmation

Flexible Payment Options

Our Global

Partner Network

9+

Our Articles

Southern Treasures: New Zealand & Victoria

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