New Zealand & Australia Scenic Contrasts Self-Drive

Welcome to New Zealand! Collect your rental car at Auckland Airport and drive to the City of Sails. Explore Viaduct Harbour, the waterfront, Sky Tower, cafés and restaurants before settling into your hotel.

Drive: 22 km, approx. 30 mins.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive through Waikato to Waitomo for your included Down to Earth Eco Tour of glowworm caves. Continue to Rotorua to discover geothermal wonders, Māori culture and the lakefront.

Drive: 345 km, approx. 4 hrs 30 mins.

Breakfast at hotel. Explore Rotorua’s geysers, mud pools, geothermal terraces, lakes or spas. Tonight enjoy the included Te Puia Te Pō Māori Cultural Experience with performances, hāngī buffet and illuminated Pōhutu Geyser.

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Huka Falls near Lake Taupō before travelling through Tongariro National Park to Wellington. Spend the evening exploring the waterfront, Cuba Street or Te Papa Museum.

Drive: 450 km, approx. 6 hrs 30 mins.

Breakfast at hotel. Cruise on the included Interislander Ferry across Cook Strait and Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Drive through Marlborough wine country and along the Pacific coast to Kaikōura. Ferry 3.5 hrs;

drive 160 km, 2 hrs 30 mins.

Breakfast at hotel. Travel through alpine passes, river valleys and mountain scenery via Greymouth and Hokitika, renowned for gold-mining heritage and pounamu, before arriving at Franz Josef Glacier.

Drive: 500 km, approx. 7 hrs 45 mins.

Breakfast at hotel. Explore glacier viewpoints, rainforest trails and the West Coast Wildlife Centre, or relax in natural hot pools. Optional helicopter flights and heli-hikes offer spectacular glacier and Southern Alps views.

Breakfast at hotel. Travel via the spectacular Haast Pass, waterfalls, rainforest and rivers before passing Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea en route to Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu.

Drive: 350 km, approx. 5 hrs 30 mins.

Breakfast at hotel. Return your rental car and fly to Sydney (flight not included unless stated). Collect your Australian rental car and explore Circular Quay, The Rocks or Darling Harbour.

Queenstown: 15 mins; Sydney: 25 mins.

Breakfast at hotel. Journey to the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains via Leura. Visit Echo Point, admire the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley, explore Wentworth Falls and enjoy the mountain atmosphere.

Drive: 115 km, approx. 2 hrs.

Breakfast at hotel. Discover scenic walks, dramatic lookouts and charming mountain villages surrounded by eucalyptus forests. Optional visits include Scenic World, Govetts Leap Lookout and the historic Zig Zag Railway.

Breakfast at hotel. Travel via Bells Line of Road through orchards and countryside to Hunter Valley. Spend the afternoon exploring boutique wineries, gourmet food producers and vineyard landscapes.

Drive: 240 km, approx. 3 hrs 45 mins.

Breakfast at hotel. Explore Hunter Valley wineries, artisan cheese makers, chocolate boutiques, galleries and Hunter Valley Gardens. For wine tastings, arrange a designated driver or join an optional guided wine tour.

Breakfast at hotel. Return to Sydney via Tourist Drive 33 through Wollombi and scenic countryside. Enjoy a final evening exploring Sydney’s waterfront, dining precincts and iconic harbour attractions. Drive: 220 km, approx. 3 hrs 30 mins.

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy free time before driving to Sydney Airport. Return your rental car and check in for your onward flight, concluding your unforgettable New Zealand and Australia self-drive adventure.

Drive: 15 km, approx. 25 mins.