Experience Journey New Zealand: Self-Drive Tour with Rental Car

Start of the self-drive tour through New Zealand with arrival in Christchurch and car rental pickup at the airport. Accommodation at the Scenic Hotel Cotswold in a central location near Hagley Park. Inclusive: Tour with the Christchurch Tram, a historic streetcar with 18 stops in the center. This popular tour combines sightseeing and city history and takes you to the main attractions of Christchurch. Along the way, you can get off at places like the Canterbury Museum, the Botanic Gardens, the modern city library Turanga, the Margaret Mahy Playground, the Arts Centre, and New Regent Street. Other stops include The Terrace, Cashel Street, and the Riverside Market with many shopping options, cafés, and restaurants.

The day begins in Mount Cook Village with a view of the Tasman Glacier, the largest glacier in New Zealand. The starting point is the Hermitage Hotel at the foot of Aoraki. The organized tour with Glacier Explorers starts on the Tasman Glacier Lake: a spectacular boat trip between floating icebergs and towering lateral moraines. The glacial landscape changes daily; calving events and ice towers make each trip unique. The surroundings impressively convey the consequences of climate change in the alpine highlands of Aoraki National Park. Optional: a boat tour with Glacier Explorers on the Tasman Glacier Lake, visit the Alpine Centre at the Hermitage.

The day begins in Dunedin and follows along the scenic Otago Peninsula. The route offers views of bays, coastal cliffs, and offshore islands. The region is known for its wildlife and protects rare species such as albatrosses, sea lions, and yellow-eyed penguins. Taiaroa Head is the only mainland breeding ground of the royal albatross worldwide. The Otago Peninsula is one of the best places in New Zealand for wildlife observation and coastal landscapes. Return in the evening along the natural harbor to Dunedin. Optional: an organized tour with Monarch-Elm Wildlife Cruises & Tours including a visit to the Royal Albatross Colony, Penguin Place, and guided observation of rare wildlife on the Otago Peninsula.

Today features a full-day trip to the world-famous Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. The drive along the Milford Road offers spectacular landscapes with stops at the Mirror Lakes, The Chasm, Lake Gunn, and Gertrude Valley. At Milford Sound, an extensive boat trip begins to the Tasman Sea, showcasing waterfalls, rainforests, and steep fjord walls. The journey is accompanied by experienced nature guides who also offer short hikes with information about the native flora and fauna. The UNESCO World Heritage Site provides ideal conditions for wildlife observation and nature photography. Optional: guided day excursion with Trips & Tramps including bus ride, boat tour on Milford Sound, nature tours, tea and homemade cookies in the wilderness, additional boat tours on Lake Te Anau, panoramic flight over Milford Sound, guided hike in Fiordland National Park.

The route from Queenstown to Wānaka takes you over the scenically impressive Crown Range Road with stops in Arrowtown and Cardrona. Arrowtown is a restored gold mining town on the Arrow River with a historic atmosphere, while the Cardrona Hotel is considered one of New Zealand's most famous hotels. In Wānaka, on the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park, you can expect mountain panoramas, alpine lakes, and a variety of outdoor opportunities. The place is ideal for hiking, nature experiences, and regional culinary delights. Optional: hike to Mount Roy or Mount Iron, visit Puzzling World, a trip to the Transport and Toy Museum, salmon fishing at Hook Wanaka, wine enjoyment in local breweries and distilleries.

The drive from Wānaka to the West Coast passes through dramatic landscapes and follows a historic Māori route in search of Pounamu (jade). Along the way, stops at the Blue Pools, Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls, and the Haast Pass are worthwhile. The region around Haast is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and enchants with wild beaches, rainforests, and coastal landscapes like Bruce Bay. In the vicinity of Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson with its iconic reflection invites you to a one-hour circuit hike. The route ends in the glacier town of Franz Josef / Waiau. Optional: boat hike in Ship Creek, walks through the rainforest, visit to Lake Matheson, scenic flights or heli-hikes on Fox or Franz Josef Glacier.

The today's stage leads from Punakaiki via Murchison to Kaiteriteri at the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park. Murchison, known as the white-water capital of New Zealand, offers spectacular river landscapes such as the Buller River as well as opportunities for rafting, kayaking, and jet boat tours. In the Abel Tasman National Park, you will find a coastal paradise with golden beaches, turquoise water, and dense jungle scenery. The region can be explored by water taxi, kayak, catamaran, helicopter, or on well-developed hiking trails. Those who drive further to Golden Bay can experience the famous 34 km long sand spit Farewell Spit and the spiritually significant Te Waikoropupū Springs near Tākaka. Optional: white-water rafting or kayaking in Murchison, hiking or mountain biking on the Old Ghost Road, boat tour or kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park, visit to Farewell Spit, excursion to the Te Waikoropupū Springs.

This stage takes you along the varied coast of the South Island through art-loving towns like Nelson with galleries, a Saturday market, and the Founders Heritage Park. In Havelock - the worldwide capital of green-lipped mussels - colonial buildings and culinary specialties await you. Picton itself is the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds and offers breathtaking coastal scenery as well as hikes like the Tirohanga Walkway with views of the harbor. Here your ferry ride across the Cook Strait to Wellington on the North Island begins, an impressive sea voyage through the Sounds. Inclusive: Ferry ride from Picton to Wellington across the Cook Strait with panoramic views of the Marlborough Sounds. Optional: Zealandia night tour in Wellington with a high chance of kiwi sightings, glowworms, tuatara, and kawakawa tea. Wine tours near Blenheim, gallery visits in Nelson, mussel tasting in Havelock, hike in Picton (Tirohanga Walkway).

The premium tour with Adrift Guided Outdoor Adventures offers an unforgettable experience on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand's most famous day hike. The 19-kilometer route between Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Tongariro takes you through a fascinating volcanic landscape with emerald lakes, steaming craters, and mineral-rich rock formations. In summer, you can expect colorful craters and alpine vegetation; in winter, a quiet snowy landscape with crampons and ice axes. With professional guides, safety is ensured in all weather conditions. Optional: Premium Tongariro Alpine Crossing Guided Walk (summer and winter), 9 hours 45 minutes with equipment, briefing, and certified guide.

From Rotorua, the trip takes you to the Kohutapu Lodge at Lake Aniwhenua, surrounded by pristine bushland and volcanic landscape. Here you can expect a guided tour through the ancient Jurassic Podocarp rainforest of Whirinaki Te Pua a Tane. You will learn about Rongoa medicinal plants, encounter the venerable Rakau Rangatira trees, and discover the spiritual significance of the forest for the Māori. Traditional practices such as Haka, forest meditation, ancient proverbs, and birdwatching make this tour an intense cultural nature experience. Optional: Guided Whirinaki Forest Footsteps Tour with Māori rituals, forest hiking, medicinal plant knowledge, and picnic lunch with Kawakawa tea.

The drive from Tauranga to Hahei takes you along the scenic Coromandel coast. Along the way, you pass charming places like Waihi, Whangamata, Tairua, and Whenuakite. This coastal route offers stunning views, golden beaches, and access to some of the most beautiful natural attractions on New Zealand's North Island. Optional: Visit Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own hot pools in the sand at low tide, or explore the spectacular Cathedral Cove on foot or by kayak.

The drive from Hahei to Auckland takes you along picturesque coastal sections to the largest city in New Zealand. Auckland offers a wide range of cultural offerings: The Auckland War Memorial Museum impresses with a globally significant collection of Maori treasures, while the National Maritime Museum presents the maritime history of the country. Those interested in history can explore the Howick Historical Village, and art lovers can find inspiration in the Auckland Art Gallery. Optional: Sky Tower with panoramic views, Kelly Tarlton’s underwater world, Rainbows End amusement park, wild beaches like Piha or Muriwai, Clevedon Valley with crafts and wineries.