North Island New Zealand Self Drive • Freedom Destinations
Geothermal Highway

Touring the North

6 day Self Drive – from £559

With flights from £1659

A well-planned self drive tour from Auckland to Wellington via Napier, Lake Taupo and the steaming geysers and springs of the Rotorua thermal region.

Highlights:
  • Explore the harbour city of Auckland
  • Marvel at the mud pools, geysers and hot springs of Rotorua
  • Visit New Zealand’s capital, Wellington
  • Gaze across Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake
  • Try the local vintage in the Napier wine region

Your Itinerary

Expand All
Auckland

Day 1 – Welcome to Auckland

Arrive into Auckland International Airport and get a private car transfer to your hotel. Spend the…

Arrive into Auckland International Airport and get a private car transfer to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Auckland.

Situated on a narrow isthmus between two beautiful harbours, Auckland the ‘city of sails’ is New Zealand’s largest city with a population of over 1 million. Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, so aptly named by the Maoris as the ‘ sea of sparkling waters’, has brought prosperity to the city. Besides being New Zealand’s main shipping port, Auckland is also the main terminal for overseas traffic. The warm sunny climate, with its generous and evenly distributed rainfall is ideal and there are beautiful parklands and garden reserves throughout. The many miles of coastline provide Aucklanders with the means to enjoy their favourite sport of yachting.

    Skycity Hotel
Auckland
Hot Springs, Rotorua, New Zealand

Day 2 – Rotorua

Collect your car this morning to make your way to Rotorua. Spend the remainder of the…

Collect your car this morning to make your way to Rotorua. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Rotorua, the centre of the intense thermal activity in New Zealand. The city itself is situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua and excellent stream and lake fishing abounds. Geysers, pools of boiling mud, crystal springs and hot mineral water and richly coloured craters make Rotorua one of the world’s great tourist attractions.

    Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua
Hot Springs, Rotorua, New Zealand
Huka Falls

Day 3 – Taupo

More thermal wonders today as you make the short drive to Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake,…

More thermal wonders today as you make the short drive to Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, and the dramatic Huka Falls nearby. There’s time to stop en route at the bubbling champagne pools of Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland or the more remote Orakei Korako with its colourful silica terraces.

    Lakeland Resort Taupo
Huka Falls
Winery, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand

Day 4 – Napier

Make your way to Napier. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Napier. The…

Make your way to Napier. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Napier. The centre of the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand, Napier is renowned for both its Art Deco architecture and also for its wine industry. It is said to be one of the warmest regions in the country with warm summers and mild winters. There are many activities from adventure seeking, wine tasting to just browsing around the local art deco shopping areas.

    The Nautilus, Napier
Winery, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
View from Mount Victoria, Wellington

Day 5 – Wellington

Make your way to and spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Wellington. Wellington,…

Make your way to and spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Wellington. Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand lies at the southern end of the North Island. On the shores of a magnificent harbour and surrounded by the rugged beauty of green hills, it is one of the most scenic cities.

Some of the best views are obtained from the hilltops especially from Mt Victoria lookout, which can be conveniently reached by a short taxi ride. Public buildings of interest are the Dominion Museum and National Art Gallery, parliament buildings and the Alexander Turnbull library. The newest attraction in the ‘capital’ is New Zealand’s National Museum. Named ‘Te Papa’ (our place) it contains a wealth of information on New Zealand’s past, present and future, many interactive exhibits, multi-media databases and fascinating collections. A must see while in Wellington.

    Travelodge
View from Mount Victoria, Wellington
Wellington

Day 6 – Farewell from Wellington

Tour ends with returning your rental car to the airport or city or ferry depot. Depart…

Tour ends with returning your rental car to the airport or city or ferry depot. Depart Wellington on your own arrangements.

Wellington

Your Itinerary

Day 1

|

Welcome to Auckland

Arrive into Auckland International Airport and get a private car transfer to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Auckland.

Situated on a narrow isthmus between two beautiful harbours, Auckland the ‘city of sails’ is New Zealand’s largest city with a population of over 1 million. Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, so aptly named by the Maoris as the ‘ sea of sparkling waters’, has brought prosperity to the city. Besides being New Zealand’s main shipping port, Auckland is also the main terminal for overseas traffic. The warm sunny climate, with its generous and evenly distributed rainfall is ideal and there are beautiful parklands and garden reserves throughout. The many miles of coastline provide Aucklanders with the means to enjoy their favourite sport of yachting.

    Skycity Hotel
Auckland

Day 2

|

Rotorua

Collect your car this morning to make your way to Rotorua. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Rotorua, the centre of the intense thermal activity in New Zealand. The city itself is situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua and excellent stream and lake fishing abounds. Geysers, pools of boiling mud, crystal springs and hot mineral water and richly coloured craters make Rotorua one of the world’s great tourist attractions.

    Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua
Hot Springs, Rotorua, New Zealand

Day 3

|

Taupo

More thermal wonders today as you make the short drive to Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, and the dramatic Huka Falls nearby. There’s time to stop en route at the bubbling champagne pools of Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland or the more remote Orakei Korako with its colourful silica terraces.

    Lakeland Resort Taupo
Huka Falls

Day 4

|

Napier

Make your way to Napier. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Napier. The centre of the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand, Napier is renowned for both its Art Deco architecture and also for its wine industry. It is said to be one of the warmest regions in the country with warm summers and mild winters. There are many activities from adventure seeking, wine tasting to just browsing around the local art deco shopping areas.

    The Nautilus, Napier
Winery, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand

Day 5

|

Wellington

Make your way to and spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Wellington. Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand lies at the southern end of the North Island. On the shores of a magnificent harbour and surrounded by the rugged beauty of green hills, it is one of the most scenic cities.

Some of the best views are obtained from the hilltops especially from Mt Victoria lookout, which can be conveniently reached by a short taxi ride. Public buildings of interest are the Dominion Museum and National Art Gallery, parliament buildings and the Alexander Turnbull library. The newest attraction in the ‘capital’ is New Zealand’s National Museum. Named ‘Te Papa’ (our place) it contains a wealth of information on New Zealand’s past, present and future, many interactive exhibits, multi-media databases and fascinating collections. A must see while in Wellington.

    Travelodge
View from Mount Victoria, Wellington

Day 6

|

Farewell from Wellington

Tour ends with returning your rental car to the airport or city or ferry depot. Depart Wellington on your own arrangements.

Wellington

Your Self Drive Includes:

5 nights’ accommodation
Air-conditioned car

Flights & More

With FREEDOM, you can book your Touring the North self drive 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 £375

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.

Touring the North

6 day Self Drive – from £559

With flights from £1659

All prices are per person and based on 2 sharing a double or twin room. Price shown based on low season travel from May to September, subject to availability. Hotels specified are subject to availability and may be substituted by one of a similar or higher standard. Supplements will apply if alternative hotels are booked.

A one way fee of $150 will be charged locally for your car hire.

Map

Touring the North Map