New Zealand Holidays

Introduction

New Zealand is truly a land of remarkable contrasts with a stunning variety of scenery and is a fantastic country for travellers. The North Island offers sub-tropical forests, thermal geysers and golden beaches while the South Island's mountainous peaks, majestic fjords, ancient glaciers and tranquil countryside complete the picture.

Because it's such a compact place, travel within New Zealand - whether by aircraft, bus, railway, car or campervan - is affordable and efficient. Accommodation too is varied and often cheap, and the culinary promise of venison, fresh seafood, sublime ice cream and award-winning wines should more than whet the appetite. With a mild, temperate climate, New Zealand, like Australia, a year-round destination, with lots of sunshine for water based activities during summer (December to March) and snow on the mountains during winter (June to August) providing world class skiing.

It is impossible, of course to give you anything but a small taste of New Zealand right here, but this country is truly a magical place and right from the time you arrive, you will feel revived with its pure air and crystal waters, all warmed by the "Kiwi's" genuine friendliness and already be planning your next trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud!

 

Images courtesy of Tourism New Zealand, Ian Trafford, Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Fay Looney, Fat Tyre Adventures, Legend Photography, Chris McLennan, David Wall, Bob McCree and Tourism Holdings 

Overview

Below is an example of one of the many self-drive holidays we are delighted to offer for New Zealand, in addition to numerous escorted tours we can arrange for you.

 

New Zealand’s Ultimate Adventure

 

Day 1 - Arrive into Auckland  

On arrival at Auckland Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon your adventure will commence on the Waitemata Harbour. Experience sailing on the sparkling waters sailing under the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and around Auckland’s beautiful harbour. Take the opportunity to try your hand at steering and trimming the sails or just sit back, relax and watch the experienced crew sail the vessel. Your 45 minute ‘experience sailing’ excursion is the perfect introduction to Auckland and a great way to fight off jetlag. The remainder of today is at leisure. Overnight in Auckland at the Airedale Hotel (Heritage Hotel).  

Day 2 - Auckland to Coromandel & Tauranga (201 km)

This morning you will collect your 4 wheel drive rental vehicle and depart for the Coromandel. This afternoon join a half day guided tour of the Peninsula. Enjoy the flora & fauna of the semi-tropical rainforest with giant ferns, kauri trees and crystal clear streams. Visit the old historic gold caves sparkling with glow worms and hear the fascinating history of this magic area. Visit stunning coastal scenery with white sand beaches, magnificent cliffs decorated with ancient Pohutakawa trees, old Maori pa sites and offshore islands. Overnight at Breakers Motor Inn, Whangamata (Puka Park Resort, Pauanui)

Day 3 - Coromandel to Waitomo (149 km)

Today’s drive takes you to Waitomo, a little village set among picturesque green hills and farmlands, but underground lies a labyrinth of limestone cave systems. This afternoon gear up in wetsuit, 'goofy boots', 'eel pants' and 'hard hat' with custom-built electric light for your cave tubing adventure. The essential piece of equipment is the tyre inner tube that you sit in in order to float through the hidden recesses of the cave system! This cave-tubing trip captures the awe and exhilaration experienced by the early explorers when they poled their way cautiously by candlelight into the region’s cave systems. You'll be in the company of glowworms: small larvae that emit pin-pricks of light giving the impression you're drifting under a star-studded night sky. Your three hour cave-tubing adventure (guides call it the "soft roller coaster") is not strenuous but does require a good level of individual and group commitment. The emphasis is on fun, mystery, and adventure. Finish up with hot showers plus soup and a snack. Overnight at the Waitomo Caves Hotel (Abseil Inn Bed & Breakfast)  

Day 4 - Waitomo to Rotorua (161 km)

Today is a relaxed drive to the thermal region of Rotorua. This evening experience an evening of entertainment as you attend the ‘Mai Ora’ concert and Hangi. An informative evening introducing you to traditional musical instruments, the use of poi, weapons, songs, games and dances. See the lifting of the ‘Hangi’ and enjoy a buffet style dinner. Overnight at the Sudima Rotorua Hotel (Millennium Hotel)  

Day 5 – Rotorua

Enjoy two adventures today! This morning travel out to the Kaituna River to go White Water Rafting. The experienced guides will look after you as you raft the rapids and drop down over New Zealand’s highest commercially rafted waterfall. Enjoy some free time before joining your afternoon guided excursion when you will travel through picturesque rural farmland and past the largest man-made forest in New Zealand, Kaingaroa Forest, to the base of Mt Tarawera Volcano. Travel by 4 Wheel Drive vehicle 6 miles up to the edge of the massive craters. Enjoy a short crater walk or for the more adventurous experience the famous scree slide into the crater, or hike to the summit at 1111 meters. Your experienced local guide will give a commentary on Maori Legend, History and Volcanology. You may even catch a glimpse of some of the rare and unique wildlife in their natural habitat. Also included in your Rotorua stay is an open dated entry to the Polynesian Spa Hot Pools. A perfect way to relax and end your adventurous day. Overnight at the Sudima Rotorua Hotel (Millennium Hotel)  

 

Day 6 - Rotorua to Nelson (by air)

Return your rental car to Rotorua Airport and board your flight to Nelson. On arrival in Nelson collect your South Island 4 wheel drive vehicle and drive to your accommodation. The remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at the Rutherford Hotel (Kershaw House B&B)  

 

Day 7 - Abel Tasman National Park  

Following breakfast drive to Marahau, gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park where you will meet with your guide for today’s adventure experience. The day is spent paddling around the area especially rich in Maori history, hearing the stories of local tribes and learning about Maori life, past and present. There will be waiata’s to sing, a chance to learn some Te reo Maori (Maori Language) and a flax plate to weave to enable you to eat your delicious lunch. An experience no others can offer. Overnight at the Rutherford Hotel (Kershaw House B&B)  

Day 8 - Nelson to Punakaiki or Greymouth (298 km)

Leave Nelson today and commence your drive along one of the Top 10 Road Trips in the world as described by Lonely Planet’s Blue List. Be sure to stop at the unusual Pancake Rock formations at Punakaiki. Overnight at the Kingsgate Hotel, Greymouth (Punakaiki Rocks Hotel, Punakaiki)

Day 9 - Greymouth/Punakaiki to Fox Glacier (123 km)

Today continue your drive down the South Island’s rugged west coast passing through the township of Hokitika. Enjoy the magnificent native beech forests and Tasman Sea coastline en route. Overnight at the Glacier Country Hotel (Te Weheka Inn).

Day 10 - Fox Glacier

This morning take a spectacular short helicopter flight up the river & glacier valley. Your remote landing site on the ice is an exceptionally beautiful part of the glacier. At this stage, you are outfitted with instep crampons, specially designed for these ice conditions and you follow the ice steps cut by the guides as you explore the beautiful formations and ice caves which are seen only here. Return to the village by Helicopter and the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at the Glacier Country Hotel (Te Weheka Inn).

Day 11 - Fox Glacier to Queenstown (371 km)

Today’s drive takes you further south along the West Coast before turning inland and passing through the Haast Pass. The views around you change dramatically as you leave the lush rainforest behind and enter the dry tussock covered hills of Otago. Your destination is Queenstown, New Zealand’s premier all year round resort town. Overnight at the Kingsgate Terraces Hotel (Mercure Grand Hotel St. Moritz) .  

Day 12 – Queenstown

  A day at leisure in Queenstown and an almost limitless number of opportunities to get the heart racing. You can jetboat up narrow river chasms, bungy jump, luge ride, go whitewater rafting, river surfing, abseiling, mountain biking, tandem parachuting, parapenting and 4 Wheel driving to name just a few of the options available to you (activities today are not included). Overnight at the Kingsgate Terraces Hotel (Mercure Grand Hotel St. Moritz)  

Day 13 - Queenstown to Christchurch (600 km)

Today’s drive is one of contrasts, from the remote high country hillsides of the MacKenzie Country to the majestic splendour of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook. Travel across the largest area of flat land in New Zealand, the Canterbury Plains for your final run into Christchurch. Overnight at the Rydges Hotel (Orari House)

Day 14 - End of Tour

Sadly your tour ends with the check out from your hotel and the return of your car.

Destination Information

Climate

The weather in New Zealand is subtropical in the north and temperate in the south. The north has no extremes of heat or cold but winter can be quite cool in the south, with snow in the mountains. The eastern areas often experience drought conditions in summer; the west, particularly in the South Island, has more rain.

Spring, summer and autumn are very pleasant throughout New Zealand. Winters tend to be wet and cool, but there's great winter skiing in the centre of the North Island, and in the South Island's Southern Alps, where heli-skiing is particularly popular.

 

Visas and Passports

New Zealand’s immigration rules are strict, particularly in the areas of employment. Anyone wishing to work requires a visa allowing employment.  British passport holders can enter New Zealand as a visitor for up to six months on arrival without a visa, provided they can satisfy an Immigration Officer that they meet the requirements of the Rules.  Visitors must have an onward ticket.

You should ensure that your passport is valid for one month beyond the date of your visa-free stay.

Health

For up-to-date health advice for New Zealand, please consult your GP.

 

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions from the policy, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake whilst on holiday. Medway Travel can provide you with a quote for this – please contact a member of the Leisure team for further details.