Independently with 4x4 rental car and pre-booked accommodation
Itinerary
8 Day Module Auckland-Christchurch
Day 1: Auckland
Day 2: Auckland/Pick up 4x4 - Rotorua
Day 3: Rotorua - Waikaremoana - Napier
Day 4: Napier - Ohakune
Day 5: Ohakune - Wanganui - Wellington
Day 6: Wellington - Nelson
Day 7: Nelson - Hanmer Springs
Day 8: Hanmer Springs – Christchurch, drop off 4x4
Some of the roads chosen are dry weather roads only and REST NEW ZEALAND TOURS reserves the right to
change the itinerary as it sees fit.
Please note: Accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking. If necessary we will book alternative
accommodation.
# Standard accommodation.
* Budget version, accommodation of lower category.
Day 1: Auckland
On arrival in Auckland Meet & Greet by REST NEW ZEALAND TOURS (New Zealand's leading 4x4-Safari operator).
Transfer to your accommodation in Auckland.
# Grand Chancellor Hotel * City Central Hotel
Day 2: Auckland – Rotorua (Approx. driving time 4 hrs, 230 km)
Pick up of your rental vehicle. You depart from Auckland and make your way south. After passing through the fertile
Waikato farming region you will reach the Thermal Wonderland of Rotorua. You will be amazed to find steaming
geysers and bubbling mud pools right in the centre of the city. Acquaint yourself with the Maori culture by visiting the
historical sights. Enjoy a Maori Hangi & Cultural Show, a feast which will introduce typical Maori cuisine to you. #
Robertson House * Gwendoline Court
Day 3: Rotorua – Lake Waikaremoana – Napier (Approximate driving time 6.5h, 340 km)
Today you are facing one of the driving highlights of the tour and you will be pleased to be travelling by 4x4. You will
cross through the Urewera National Park, famous for its native virgin bush and the secluded Lake Waikaremoana. At
Wairoa you will meet the main road again which will take you to the Art Deco Capital of New Zealand, Napier. A stroll
through the city will make a real contrast to the impressions of the day and will give you some insight into this bygone
architectural period.
# Cobden Garden B&B * Aberdeen Motel
Day 4: Napier – Tongariro National Park (Approximate driving time 4.5h, 190 km)
The next highlight is waiting for you. A historic road will lead you into a very remote farming and forestry region in the
centre of the Island. In the olden days this road was used as the main transport route from the inland farms to the port
of Napier. Horse drawn carriages used to struggle through the difficult terrain. Today this is a very peaceful area.
Once you reach the Desert Road you are not far away from the volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park, where you
stay overnight.
# Cairnbrae House * Ohakune Court Motel
Day 5: Tongariro National Park – Wellington (Approximate driving time 6h, 310 km)
You travel through Whanganui National Park, via a gravel road to Wanganui where you will meet State Highway 3
and then travel on to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Wellington is a vibrant city and a visit to the new exciting
National Museum Te Papa is a must. Vehicle drop off in Wellington
# Victoria Park Motel Wellington * Bay Plaza Hotel
Day 6: Wellington – Picton – Nelson (Approximate driving time incl. ferry 5.5h, 160km)
You drop off your rental car at the car rental office at the ferry terminal. The ferry takes you through the picturesque
Marlborough Sound to the South Island. You pick up your rental car in Picton and drive along the Queen Charlotte
Drive to Nelson.
# Baywick House * Balmoral Motel
Day 7: Nelson – St. Arnaud – Lewis Pass – Hanmer Springs (Approximate driving time 6h, 290km)
Take the main road to Lake Rotoroa in Nelson Lakes National Park. A special track with some river crossings takes
you to Murchison. After lunch return into the Hinterland. Travel on remote gravel roads through dense beech forest
and cross the main divide via the Lewis Pass before civilization catches up with you again in Hanmer Springs. If you
are still up to it try mountain biking through the forest or relax in the thermal pools.
# Heritage Hotel * Green Acres Chalets
Day 8: Hanmer Springs – (Kaikoura) – Christchurch (Approximate driving time 2 h, 140 km)
You can drive directly to Christchurch or take the side trip to Kaikoura where you can watch whales in their natural
surrounding or swim with dolphins. Then you travel to Christchurch and drop off your rental car. End of your tour.
Inclusions and Conditions Information
Main and Off Season
- 4x4 rental car - late models. Due to sometimes adverse weather condition,
- Detailed tour manual with itinerary and maps. we reserve the right to change the itinerary
- # Standard accommodation (good mid range, accordingly.
motel, hotel, farmstay, homestay, all with private facilities)
- * Budget accommodation (all with private facilities). Prices as shown in table
- * Superior accommodation (accommodation of higher Any itinerary change is subject to a new quote.
standard, refer to the itinerary, price on request).
- Meet & Greet in Auckland or Christchurch. Tips
- Ferry Wellington to Picton incl. in 8 & 15 day option. - No special fitness necessary.
- 4x4 rental car - late models. - No 4x4 experience required.
- Most motels provide washing.
Vehicle hire conditions machines.
- Insurance (excess: NZ$ 3,000 plus 12.5% GST waiverable
to NZ$ 225 plus GST). Subject to change without prior notice. Departures
- Unlimited kilometres - gas/petrol bond: NZ$ 150 plus GST. - Daily
- We reserve the right to change the car rental supplier. If so,
the insurance policy will change accordingly. Please bring
- For vehicle pick up/drop off at the airport or ferry terminal, a - Good walking shoes.
one off fee of NZ$ 30 plus GST will be applicable. - Wet weather gear recommended.
- Should the requested vehicle not be available through our - Sun lotion, insect repellent.
standard vehicle supplier a surcharge may apply. - Hat, sun glasses, torch.
- Individual quotation on request
A fee of NZ$ 22 per day incl. GST will bring the excess for the rental car down to nil. It will also waive the airport/ferry
pick up fee. The all inclusive package is only available if pre booked.
Please advise us at the time of booking. We will forward you the total surcharge as per booked itinerary.
If the client chooses the excess reduction insurance after arrival in NZ the normal car insurance conditions apply.
Standard Vehicle Supplier, Budget Rent A Car. Insurance - Budget Protection Plan (BPP): Excess Reduction Fee
NZ$ 28 plus GST per day reduces excess to NZ$ 225 plus GST.
Subject to change without prior notice!