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A self drive vacation in New Zealand is a family adventure not to be forgotten. We have prepared two simple itineraries for you to look at. However these are just an example of what we can arrange for your holiday - contact us for a personalised itinerary, designed specifically for your needs.

Suggested Family Itinerary - Southern Family Fun - a 15 day holiday

On day one fly into Queenstown New Zealand,

Queenstown is the Adventure Capital of New Zealand During your two night stay take advantage of the many exciting activities the resort town has to offer – bungy jumping, jet-boating and 4WD tours are just a few of your choices.

Day Three

Drive south to Manapouri where your excursion to beautiful Doubtful Sound begins. Cruise across Lake Manapouri, travel by coach over the Wilmot Pass to the Sound itself. Board your overnight cruise, and journey out to the Tasman Sea before exploring various arms of the fiord and laying anchor for the night. An overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound is an unforgetable family experience.

The following day return to Manapouri and make the short trip to Te Anau for a bush walk and visit to the glow-worm caves.

Spend a night in Te Anau then travel through to Wanaka for an afternoon at leisure - you may like to visit the Fighter Pilot Museum or Wanaka’s puzzle world.

Day Six

After a night in Wanaka, drive through the central South Island to Mt Cook village, surrounded by New Zealand's highest mountains. Stay the night in the National Park and the following day take a tour to the Tasman Glacier. Your boat ride on the terminal lake will take you to the face of the glacier while icebergs drift around you - this is a very unique excursion as very few glaciers have a terminal lake. Following your tour, continue on to Christchurch for a night.

Day eight.

The next morning the TranzAlpine Train will take you from Christchurch on a stunning ride into the foothills of the Southern Alps. Spend two nights in Arthur’s Pass, where you can simply relax at your accommodation or take part in the many leisure activities available - tour a working high country farm, go hiking or horse trekking for example.

Day 10 sees you back on the TranzAlpine for the remainder of the journey over to the South Island's rugged West Coast. Spend two nights on the 'Coast' a particularly beautiful part of New Zealand. Here you can visit the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, or try mountain biking, kayaking or caving.

Move on to sunny Nelson on Day 12 for a relaxing three night stay. Embark on a guided kayaking trip into the Abel Tasman National Park on Day 13. This kayak trip allows you to see one of New Zealand’s most scenic spots from the water, explore tucked away coves and perhaps even see seals. The following day is free for you to spend at leisure in Nelson, exploring local artist’s studios, relaxing at the beach, or visiting the World Of Wearable Arts Museum.

Depart Nelson on Day 15.

Suggested Family Itinerary – Family Exploration - a 10 day holiday

Day one - Auckland

Collect your rental vehicle on arrival in Auckland. Spend the afternoon sailing on Waitemata Harbor, even trying your hand at the helm and assisting the crew to trim the sails – the ideal way to discover Auckland, also known as the ‘City of Sails’.

Spend 1 night in Auckland before driving to Rotorua the next day.

Spend 2 nights in Rotorua with a full day at leisure in the centre of this extensive thermal region full of geysers, bubbling mud pools and steaming, sulphurous lakes. You may like to try some of Rotorua’s fun adventure activities such as luging (like tobogganing but without the snow!) or zorbing. Take in a farm show or tour a Kiwi conservation facility. Of course there are plenty of thermal attractions to visit and a Maori cultural performance and hangi (Maori feast) are recommended.

Fly south to Christchurch on Day 4.

Christchurch is known as the Gateway to Antarctica with many expeditions to the ice departing from here each season – learn more about the continent with a visit to the International Antarctic Centre whilst in Christchurch.

Day 5

After a night in Christchurch enjoy the spectacular drive through the central South Island to Lake Tekapo. This evening take a special tour to the Mt John Observatory where you can view the spectacular night sky, which is extraordinarily clear in the mountain air of Tekapo.

After a night’s stay in Tekapo, continue on to Wanaka with a stop at Mt Cook National Park on the way. At Mt Cook join a trip up to the Tasman Glacier where your boat will take you across the terminal lake, passing icebergs, to the face of the glacier.

After a night in Wanaka drive the short distance on to Queenstown for a three night stay.

While in Queenstown experience the thrill of a Shotover Jet Boat ride and take a steam boat ride across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak station to learn more about high country farming in New Zealand.

Depart Queenstown on Day 10.

These are of course just suggestions. Your own interests, time, budget and other considerations will all be considerations we take into account when preparing your family vacation.

Family

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