New Zealand Self-Drive holidays

Explore independently with our New Zealand self-drive holidays

New Zealand is quite simply ideal driving country. With an incredibly diverse landscape, scenic delights await at every turn as you travel from clifftop coastal roads deep into lush rainforest and emerge at picturesque lakeside towns. With uncrowded, open roads, there is also the benefit of driving on the left, and plentiful view points and rest areas ensure comfortable, stress-free journeys.

We can assist with booking your hotels and help you on your way with a GPS to keep you headed to your chosen destination - but how you get there, and at what time, is entirely up to you. All of our self-drive itineraries offer three, four and five star hotel options to suit your budget.

See our complete range of
New Zealand self-drive holidays.

New Zealand Self-Drive holiday highlights
•   Experience New Zealand’s highlights plus its lesser known regions on our comprehensive 22 night The Ultimate New Zealand Self-Drive.
•   Explore golden beaches, glow worm caves and geothermal wonders on our
Northern Trail.
•   Embark on a real adventure and see incredible scenery on our
Southern Encounter.

New Zealand Tailor Made Holidays
We can create a holiday that fits your exact requirements by tailor making it just for you. If you want to hire a car from Auckland to Wellington then take an escorted tour of the South Island, Kuoni can do it for you.

Please refer to our dedicated
New Zealand Car & Campervan Hire page for more information about hiring vehicles in New Zealand.

To tailor make your own Kuoni New Zealand holiday simply:
•   Browse our online portfolio, or request a copy of our
Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific brochure.
•   Call
01306 747002 and speak to our Sales team.
•  
Request a quote online.

New Zealand Facts
Find out more about this wonderful country by visiting our information and facts page.

Capital city

Wellington

Population

Approx. 4.3 million people

Time difference / local time

GMT +12 hours (GMT +13 hours from the last week in March to the first week in October)

Language

English. Maori is also spoken but is not widely used.

Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) comprising of 100 cents.

Passports and Visas

Visas are not required for UK passport holders.

Flying time to destination

Auckland: 23 hours, Christchurch: 24½ hours.

AirportTaxes

Departure tax is payable when leaving New Zealand (approx NZ$25) except when flying out of Auckland airport.

Electricity

230 volt AC. Three round pin plugs are used, therefore an adapter is required.

Health Care

No compulsory vaccinations but tetanus is recommended. For more detailed information we recommend you contact your GP or a specialist vaccination centre.

History

The history of New Zealand dates back to approx. 1250 AD. It was discovered by Polynesians, who settled and developed a distinct Maori culture centred on kinship links and land. New Zealand is often referred to as the 'youngest country', as it was one of the last major landmasses to be inhabited, and has a fascinating mix of Maori and European heritage.

Tipping

Tipping is a matter of choice. For excellent service, a discretionary tip of 10% may be given.

Climate data for this region

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