Travel from Auckland to Christchurch over eight flexible days, using a one-way self-drive route and an independently arranged domestic flight to connect the islands. Explore Rotorua’s Wai-O-Tapu geothermal landscape and Redwoods Nightlights, with Hobbiton available as an optional stop from Auckland. In Queenstown, ride the Skyline Gondola and cross Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw for a Walter Peak farm excursion. The final drive follows the Mackenzie Basin through Aoraki Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo. Seven nights’ accommodation, rental car hire and four included activities provide structure without fixing every day. This itinerary suits independent travellers who want both islands at their own pace and a natural route ending in Christchurch.
A Glimpse of Your Journey
- ◆Self-drive — 7-day rental car with zero or reduced excess liability, Auckland to Christchurch
- ◆Rotorua — Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park and Redwoods Nightlights walk
- ◆Queenstown — Skyline Gondola and TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Farm
- ◆Aoraki Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo — the Mackenzie Basin at your own pace
- ◆One-way route — Auckland to Christchurch via both islands
Itinerary & Route
Collect your rental car at Auckland Airport and drive to your city accommodation. The car is included for 7 days with zero or reduced excess liability — confirm the specific excess terms at collection. The drive from Auckland Airport into the city centre takes 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.
Auckland Waterfront — Viaduct Harbour and the Wynyard Quarter are within easy reach of most central hotels. The ferry terminal at the base of Queen Street connects to Devonport and Waiheke Island.
Optional: Sky Tower observation deck (own expense); Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour covering the props and special effects work from the Lord of the Rings and other productions (own expense); All Blacks Experience at SkyCity (own expense).
Collect your rental car at Auckland Airport and drive to your city accommodation. The car is included for 7 days with zero or reduced excess liability — confirm the specific excess terms at collection. The drive from Auckland Airport into the city centre takes 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.
Auckland Waterfront — Viaduct Harbour and the Wynyard Quarter are within easy reach of most central hotels. The ferry terminal at the base of Queen Street connects to Devonport and Waiheke Island.
Optional: Sky Tower observation deck (own expense); Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour covering the props and special effects work from the Lord of the Rings and other productions (own expense); All Blacks Experience at SkyCity (own expense).
What's Included
- hotel
Accommodation
7 nights’ accommodation
- airport_shuttle
Transport
7-day rental car with zero or reduced excess liability
- local_activity
Activities
Wai-O-Tapu, Redwoods Nightlights, Skyline Gondola and Walter Peak farm excursion
Dates & Prices
Dates are flexible
This is a private, ground-only itinerary — travel on dates that suit you. Enquire and we'll quote you for your preferred dates.
