Fifteen Day Thrilling New Zealand Self Drive Tour Itinerary 15 Days & 14 Nights

As you arrive at the Auckland airport, pick up your cab and then drive to the hotel and check in.

Relax before moving out to spend the remaining part of the day at leisure, as per your New Zealand tour itinerary. Check out the local market, shop around or try out some local cuisines of New Zealand.

As the day comes to an end, head back to the hotel and have a sound sleep.

Optional: Visit one of the natural thermal hot pools to relax and rejuvenate yourself.

Post a delectable breakfast, proceed towards the Bay of Islands slowly exploring the surrounding nature.

Take joy in viewing the gorgeous beauty of spectacular beaches, hidden coves, lush green forests and surreal looking coastlines.

Upon arrival in Paihia, check into the hotel in Paihia town and then visit the popular Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Spot and swim with dolphins and then spend the remaining part of the day at leisure.

Day ends with an overnight stay at the hotel in Paihia.

Distance from Auckland to Bay of Islands: 193 km

Travel time (Auckland to Bay of Islands): Approx 4 hours

After having a delicious breakfast at the hotel, start your tour to Cape Reinga.

Cape Reinga is known as the meeting point of Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean. Here, one can indulge in sandboarding among the sand dunes of Te Paki Stream.

Witness the vast stretch of breathtaking beauty of the Ninety Mile Beach before you retire for an overnight stay back in Paihia.

Enjoy the piping-hot breakfast in the morning and then go out for an incredible experience and rare sight of passing through a hole in a rock while on board a cruise ship.

This cruise takes you to Cape Brett and Motukokako Island where you can spot whales and penguins. Witness the pristine splendor of the bay before making your way back to Auckland.

Day ends with an overnight stay at the hotel in Paihia.

Have a healthy breakfast and then leave for Rotorua on the next day of this New Zealand trip. Marvel at the sights of unique Waitomo Caves where you can enjoy the company of some glowworms stuck the ceiling.

After reaching Rotorua, check in at your hotel and relax overnight or head off for a jaunt along the Rotorua Lake before retiring for the day.

Distance from Bay of Islands to Rotorua: 377 km

Travel time (Bay of Islands to Rotorua):  Approx 6 hours

After breakfast you shall witness the sights of Rotorua with a visit to the Agrodome Farm Show which celebrates the sheep of the island nation.

Later, you will be gasping in wondrous amazement when you visit the Te Puia Thermal Reserve famous for its geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud pools. A special visit to the Pohutu Geyser and an evening exploring local traditions with a Maori Cultural Show will leave you spellbound.

Proceed to the lakefront town of Taupo where you will visit the magnificent Huka Falls. Another day of your vacation in New Zealand ends with an overnight stay at the hotel in Rotorua.

Have an early breakfast and then leave for Auckland via beautiful Hamilton Gardens admiring the surrounding natural beauty as you drive through to Auckland Airport.

Board your flight to Queensland, the next destination up on this New Zealand holiday package itinerary. Upon arrival in Queenstown, check into your hotel and relax. End the day with an overnight stay at the hotel.

Flight duration from Auckland to Queensland: Approx. 2 hours

Distance from Rotorua to Auckland: 230 km

Travel time (Rotorua to Auckland): Approx 3 hours

Have breakfast and get ready for a thrilling Gondola tour of Queenstown.

Embrace the beauty of the place before indulging in activities for the adrenaline junkie in you. Get your heart racing with Bungee Jumping and Skydiving in New Zealand.

On your way back you will visit Arrowtown where you can go to the vineyard at Gibbston Valley and taste some of New Zealand fine wine. Experience the cold with a night out at the Below Zero Bar before returning to stay overnight at the hotel in Queenstown.

Post breakfast, experience grandeur as you set off for cruise at Milford Sound, voted as one of the best tourist attractions of the world.

The Milford Sound Cruise will have on board commentary to give you an insight about the place.

Return to hotel for an overnight stay, which will be at the picturesque little town of Te Anau.

Have your breakfast at the hotel and then check out as you set off for the relaxing resort town of Wanaka.

Make a stopover at Queenstown and let your inner shopaholic run wild. Take the highest and one of the most scenic main roads in New Zealand - The Crown Range, to arrive in Wanaka.

Pay a visit to self proclaimed “Wanaka’s Wonderful World of Weirdness”, the Puzzling World. Take a walk by the Wanaka Lake in the evening to unwind before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After a delectable breakfast, head for the city which is called the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ - Dunedin.

Here, you will get a taste of the Scottish splendor with a visit to the Larnach Castle. Embrace your sweet tooth with a visit to Cadbury World. Cap off your sightseeing tour of Dunedin by exploring the iconic Dunedin Chinese Gardens. Stay overnight at the hotel in Dunedin.

Have your breakfast and then leave for Glacier Region as your next destination is the Fox Glacier- one of the most accessible glaciers in the world.

Arrive at the glorious Glacier Region of New Zealand via the scenic Haast Pass among the Southern Alps. Take a walk through the Fox Glacier exploring the Tai Poutini National Park amidst the magnificence of the mountains. Overnight stay at a hotel in Franz Josef.

Distance from Queenstown to Franz Josef: 353 km

Travel time (Queenstown to Franz Josef):  Approx 4 hours

Optional: Take a Helicopter Ride to get a bird’s eye view of the glacier. (charges extra)

Start the day with an early morning breakfast and leave for Greymouth.

Arrive at Greymouth station and board the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch. Witness the breathtaking beauty of the Southern Alps with its misty valleys, snowy peaks coupled with a dash from the past as you pass old towns on one of the most scenic train journeys of the world.

Upon arriving at your hotel in Christchurch, check in and stay overnight.

Distance from Greymouth to Christchurch: 241 km

Travel time (Greymouth to Christchurch): Approx 3 hrs

Have a hearty breakfast in the morning and set out.

You can go for whale watching in or embark on a self-guided sightseeing tour in this French town of New Zealand, Akaroa. Return for an overnight stay at your hotel in Christchurch.

Have a hearty breakfast in the morning and set out.

You can go for whale watching in or embark on a self guided sightseeing tour in this French town of New Zealand, Akaroa. Return for an overnight stay at your hotel in Christchurch.