Travel Kuoni

New Zealand Highlights Self-Drive

Check off the best bits of New Zealand over two memorable weeks.

Peek into the glowworm caves and marvel at the geothermic activity on North Island before flying to South Island for mountainous escapades, glacier hikes, scenic drives, and an epic train journey through the magnificent landscape.

Self-drive
14 nights

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New Zealand Highlights Self-Drive

From £4,495 per person

  • tick16 nights
  • tickBoard Basis - Room Only (unless specified)
  • tick2 nights Oasia Hotel Downtown - Singapore (Room & Breakfast)
  • tick1 night flight (Singapore to Auckland)
  • tick2 nights SkyCity hotel - Auckland
  • tick2 nights On The Point - Lake Rotorua
  • tick1 nights The George - Christchurch
  • tick2 nights Distinction Dunedin
  • tick3 nights QT Queenstown
  • tick2 nights Scenic Hotel Franz Josef
  • tick1 night The George - Christchurch
  • tickIncludes 2 days car rental on North Island and 8 days car rental on South Island
  • tickIncludes Franz Josef Glacier Glacier Encounter experience - Milford Sound Full Day Coach and Cruise experience - Te Pa Tu Cultural Experience - TranzAlpine train tocket (Greymouth to Christchurch)
  • tickComplimentary Hobbiton Movie Set Tour experience
  • tickFly with Emirates from London Heathrow
  • tickFlights available from other UK airports - contact us for details
  • tickBased on selected September 2026 departures

Itinerary overview

Days 1-2

Singapore

Break up the journey to New Zealand and start to shift your body clock along with a couple of day...

Day 3

Flight to Auckland

Hop on an overnight flight to New Zealand's largest city and the gateway to your Aotearoa adventu...

Days 4-5

Auckland

The Sebel in the Viaduct Harbour area will be a welcome sight after your long flight. You have a ...

Days 6-7

Rotorua

A two-hour drive brings you to Rotorua. If you’re a movie fan, then plan your route to stop at Ho...

Day 8

Christchurch

You’ll return your hire car in Rotarua and fly to South Island. You’ll spend the night in Christc...

Days 9-10

Dunedin

You’ll collect a hire car today and follow South Island’s eastern coast to Dunedin. It’s a four-a...

Days 11-13

Queenstown

Drive west to Queenstown, ready for a few days of adventure in the mountains. You’re spoilt for c...

Day 14-15

Glacier Region

A scenic drive brings you to New Zealand’s Glacier Region, where the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef ...

Day 16-17

Christchurch

Leave the glaciers behind and drive north to Greymouth to return your hire car. A wonderful day a...

Days 1-2

Singapore

Break up the journey to New Zealand and start to shift your body clock along with a couple of days in Singapore. Wander through gardens, check out light and music shows after dark and try some serious good street food.

Day 3

Flight to Auckland

Hop on an overnight flight to New Zealand's largest city and the gateway to your Aotearoa adventure.

Days 4-5

Auckland

The Sebel in the Viaduct Harbour area will be a welcome sight after your long flight. You have a full day in Auckland to visit its highlights and ease into your new time zone, whether you want to peruse art galleries or spend time shopping and dining in and around Auckland’s two harbours.

Days 6-7

Rotorua

A two-hour drive brings you to Rotorua. If you’re a movie fan, then plan your route to stop at Hobbiton Village to tour the movie set of Lord of the Rings. When you arrive at Rotorua, the smell of sulphur is an instant indicator of the geothermal activity this area is known for. You have a full day to tour its fizzing geysers, searing hot springs, and bubbling mud pools. It’s also where you can get to know Maori culture and way of life and spend an evening trying hangi cooked in the ground.

Day 8

Christchurch

You’ll return your hire car in Rotarua and fly to South Island. You’ll spend the night in Christchurch, a city undergoing massive urban regeneration following a devastating earthquake in 2011. Visitors can punt along the river or stroll around its renowned botanic gardens.

Days 9-10

Dunedin

You’ll collect a hire car today and follow South Island’s eastern coast to Dunedin. It’s a four-and-a-half-hour drive, so you’ll want to plan a few rest stops to admire the sea views. Dunedin is nicknamed the Wildlife Capital of New Zealand, where you can spot northern royal albatross in their natural habitat or visit the world’s smallest penguin – the Little Blue Penguin.

Days 11-13

Queenstown

Drive west to Queenstown, ready for a few days of adventure in the mountains. You’re spoilt for choice in this adventurous location, where you can push your limits on an outdoor escapade or take an exhilarating hike. If you want the view to come to you, opt for the Queenstown Gondola for effortless vistas of The Remarkables.

Day 14-15

Glacier Region

A scenic drive brings you to New Zealand’s Glacier Region, where the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier slowly creep down the Southern Alps. Spend time hiking over the ice and marvel at the sensationally beautiful views.

Day 16-17

Christchurch

Leave the glaciers behind and drive north to Greymouth to return your hire car. A wonderful day aboard the TranzAlpine Express awaits, transporting you from the west coast on a four-and-a-half-hour train journey through the mountains to Christchurch on the east coast. When you arrive in Christchurch, you’ll check into a hotel for your final night in New Zealand.

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