Day 1 – Welcome to Auckland
Feel the excitement build as your flight lands at Auckland Airport, where you will be met…
Tranzalpine Train
New Zealand by Road & Rail
17 day Self Drive Holiday – from £2199
With flights from £3499
Explore both islands by combining three of New Zealand’s most spectacular railway journeys, with a self drive route around the Fiordland National Park and a cruise on Milford Sound.
Highlights:
- Enjoy time in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown
- Travel the length of North Island on the Northern Explorer train
- Board the Coastal Pacific train to travel from Picton to Christchurch
- Cross the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine railway
- Relax on a Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Your Itinerary
Expand All
Feel the excitement build as your flight lands at Auckland Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Sudima Auckland
Day 2 – Auckland
A full day to explore the city of sails. Relax in one of the city’s waterfront…
A full day to explore the city of sails. Relax in one of the city’s waterfront cafes or take an optional day cruise to Waiheke Island. Collect your rental car today.
Sudima Auckland
Day 3 – Rotorua
Make your own way to Rotorua through the undulating lush green rolling hills along the Geothermal…
Make your own way to Rotorua through the undulating lush green rolling hills along the Geothermal Highway.
Distinction Rotorua
Day 4 – Rotorua
Today is free for you to explore this fascinating geothermal town, where steam rising from the…
Today is free for you to explore this fascinating geothermal town, where steam rising from the ground and mud pools bubble! There are a host of activities of offer to help you explore the region and in the evening we recommend experiencing a traditional Maori Hangi Feast.
Distinction Rotorua
Day 5 – Auckland
Make your way back to Auckland. Return your rental car to the Auckland City Depot on…
Make your way back to Auckland. Return your rental car to the Auckland City Depot on arrival. Make your own way to your hotel.
Sudima Auckland
Day 6 – Northern Explorer Train
You will get a coach transfer to Auckland Rail Station and depart on the
You will get a coach transfer to Auckland Rail Station and depart on the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington – the national capital of New Zealand.
Rydges Wellington
Day 7 – Wellington
A full day at leisure to explore the nation’s capital, Wellington. Perhaps take a ride on…
A full day at leisure to explore the nation’s capital, Wellington. Perhaps take a ride on the cable car up to the Botanical gardens, or visit Te Papa – the national museum of New Zealand.
Rydges Wellington
Day 8 – Costal Pacific Train
This morning you’ll be transferred from your hotel to the Ferry Terminal Depot. Board the InterIslander…
This morning you’ll be transferred from your hotel to the Ferry Terminal Depot. Board the InterIslander Ferry for your journey across Cook Strait to Picton. On arrival into Picton, you will connect with the Coastal Pacific Train for your scenic journey down the East Coast to Christchurch.
Crowne Plaza
Day 9 – Mt Cook
This morning collect your rental car. Drive South and make your way to the village of…
This morning collect your rental car. Drive South and make your way to the village of Mt Cook.
The Hermitage Hotel
Day 10 – Queenstown
This morning is at your leisure before driving from Mount Cook to Queenstown.
This morning is at your leisure before driving from Mount Cook to Queenstown.
Copthorne Resort Lakefront, Queenstown
Day 11 – Milford Sound
Enjoy a full day coach tour to Milford Sound where a nature cruise on the Sound…
Enjoy a full day coach tour to Milford Sound where a nature cruise on the Sound is included. There is the option to return to Queenstown by scenic flight (at extra cost).
Copthorne Resort Lakefront, Queenstown
Day 12 – Queenstown
Full day in Queenstown at your leisure. There’s plenty to do here, including guided walks, cycle…
Full day in Queenstown at your leisure. There’s plenty to do here, including guided walks, cycle rides, spa treatments and wine tours. You can pre-book your Queenstown activities before you travel.
Make sure to also leave a little time to relax and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery.
Copthorne Resort Lakefront, Queenstown
Day 13 – Franz Josef
Make your way to Franz Josef Glacier to take in the impressive sight of the massive…
Make your way to Franz Josef Glacier to take in the impressive sight of the massive ice flow.
Scenic Hotel, Franz Josef
Day 14 – Greymouth
Make your way from Franz Josef to Greymouth on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast.
Make your way from Franz Josef to Greymouth on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast.
Copthorne Greymouth
Day 15 – TranzAlpine Train
This afternoon return your rental car to the rental car counter at the Railway Station. Depart…
This afternoon return your rental car to the rental car counter at the Railway Station. Depart on board the scenic TranzAlpine Train for your journey across Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch transfer to your hotel.
Crowne Plaza
Day 16 – Christchurch
Spend a full day at leisure in Christchurch.
Spend a full day at leisure in Christchurch.
Crowne Plaza
Day 17 – Farewell from Christchurch
Tour ends with a transfer to Christchurch Airport.
Tour ends with a transfer to Christchurch Airport.
Your Itinerary
Day 1
|
Welcome to Auckland
Feel the excitement build as your flight lands at Auckland Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Sudima Auckland
Day 2
|
Auckland
A full day to explore the city of sails. Relax in one of the city’s waterfront cafes or take an optional day cruise to Waiheke Island. Collect your rental car today.
Sudima Auckland
Day 3
|
Rotorua
Make your own way to Rotorua through the undulating lush green rolling hills along the Geothermal Highway.
Distinction Rotorua
Day 4
|
Rotorua
Today is free for you to explore this fascinating geothermal town, where steam rising from the ground and mud pools bubble! There are a host of activities of offer to help you explore the region and in the evening we recommend experiencing a traditional Maori Hangi Feast.
Distinction Rotorua
Day 5
|
Auckland
Make your way back to Auckland. Return your rental car to the Auckland City Depot on arrival. Make your own way to your hotel.
Sudima Auckland
Day 6
|
Northern Explorer Train
You will get a coach transfer to Auckland Rail Station and depart on the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington – the national capital of New Zealand.
Rydges Wellington
Day 7
|
Wellington
A full day at leisure to explore the nation’s capital, Wellington. Perhaps take a ride on the cable car up to the Botanical gardens, or visit Te Papa – the national museum of New Zealand.
Rydges Wellington
Day 8
|
Costal Pacific Train
This morning you’ll be transferred from your hotel to the Ferry Terminal Depot. Board the InterIslander Ferry for your journey across Cook Strait to Picton. On arrival into Picton, you will connect with the Coastal Pacific Train for your scenic journey down the East Coast to Christchurch.
Crowne Plaza
Day 9
|
Mt Cook
This morning collect your rental car. Drive South and make your way to the village of Mt Cook.
The Hermitage Hotel
Day 10
|
Queenstown
This morning is at your leisure before driving from Mount Cook to Queenstown.
Copthorne Resort Lakefront, Queenstown
Day 11
|
Milford Sound
Enjoy a full day coach tour to Milford Sound where a nature cruise on the Sound is included. There is the option to return to Queenstown by scenic flight (at extra cost).
Copthorne Resort Lakefront, Queenstown
Day 12
|
Queenstown
Full day in Queenstown at your leisure. There’s plenty to do here, including guided walks, cycle rides, spa treatments and wine tours. You can pre-book your Queenstown activities before you travel.
Make sure to also leave a little time to relax and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery.
Copthorne Resort Lakefront, Queenstown
Day 13
|
Franz Josef
Make your way to Franz Josef Glacier to take in the impressive sight of the massive ice flow.
Scenic Hotel, Franz Josef
Day 14
|
Greymouth
Make your way from Franz Josef to Greymouth on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast.
Copthorne Greymouth
Day 15
|
TranzAlpine Train
This afternoon return your rental car to the rental car counter at the Railway Station. Depart on board the scenic TranzAlpine Train for your journey across Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch transfer to your hotel.
Crowne Plaza
Day 16
|
Christchurch
Spend a full day at leisure in Christchurch.
Crowne Plaza
Day 17
|
Farewell from Christchurch
Tour ends with a transfer to Christchurch Airport.
Your Self Drive Includes:
16 nights’ accommodation
Air conditioned car
Northern Explorer, TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific rail journeys
Milford Sound Nature Cruise and InterIslander ferry
Flights & More
With FREEDOM, you can book your New Zealand by Road & Rail self drive holiday and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.
You can also personalise your holiday. Why not add:
- An upgrade to deluxe hotels from £975
- Extra nights in Auckland, Queenstown or Christchurch
- A stopover to New Zealand in Dubai, Singapore or other destination
Next Steps
Please get in touch with our New-zealand Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
New Zealand by Road & Rail
17 day Self Drive Holiday – from £2199
With flights from £3499
All prices are per person, based on 2 sharing a double or twin room, and include pre-booked accommodation, air-conditioned car and unlimited kilometres. Hotels specified are subject to availability and may be substituted by one of a similar or higher standard. Seasonal supplements may apply.
The Coastal Pacific operates from September to April.
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