Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

120 FLY DRIVE DAY 1-2: UK TO AUCKLAND Overnight flight to Auckland. DAY 3: AUCKLAND Upon arrival in Auckland, collect your rental car and check-in to your hotel. Later, spend some time exploring New Zealand’s largest city. DAY 4-5: AUCKLAND TO THE BAY OF ISLANDS (3HR DRIVE) Drive to the Bay of Islands, enjoying the scenery along the way. Your hotel is in the seaside town of Paihaia. Enjoy a leisurely cruise round the Bay or take the car along the scenic route up to Cape Reinga. DAY 6: BAY OF ISLANDS TO AUCKLAND (3HR DRIVE) Return to Auckland with enough time to get a feel for this cosmopolitan ‘City of Sails’. DAY 7-8: ROTORUA (3HR DRIVE) Journey to Rotorua through the lush valley of Waikato. Situated in one of the most active volcanic regions in the world, Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland of bubbling mud pools, hot springs and steaming geysers. In the afternoon why not visit the Mitai Maori Village and learn about New Zealand’s native culture. DAY 9: ROTORUA TO TONGARIRO (2HR DRIVE) Today’s drive will take you to New Zealand’s oldest protected park, Tongariro. DAY 10-11: WELLINGTON (4HR 30MIN DRIVE) Travel through picturesque countryside as you drive southwards towards Wellington. Upon arrival spend time exploring this charming city, located on a spectacular natural harbour. DAY 12: BLENHEIM (3HR FERRY, 20MIN DRIVE) Drop your car off and board the Interislander ferry to the picturesque port city of Picton. Pick up your new car and make the short drive to Blenheim. DAY 13: KAIKOURA (2HR DRIVE) Today drive to Kaikoura, crossing the Marlborough hills and down to the spectacular coastline road that hugs the shore all the way to Kaikoura town. DAY 14-15: CHRISTCHURCH (2HR 40MIN DRIVE) Travel to Christchurch where you can discover the botanical gardens and sights of this rejuvenated city. DAY 16: MOUNT COOK (4HR DRIVE) Another memorable drive through gorgeous scenery, crossing the Canterbury Plains and into the Mackenzie Basin, arriving at the lake and town known as Tekapo. Continue on to Lake Pukaki in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. The soaring peak of the iconic mountain towers over Aoraki Mount Cook Village. DAY 17-18: QUEENSTOWN (3HR DRIVE) Drive to the alpine resort of Queenstown. While in the city you could take a gondola ride to Bob’s Peak or go kayaking on Lake Wakatipu. DAY 19-20: TE ANAU (2HR DRIVE) Weave through snow-capped mountains en route to the delightful lakeside town of Te Anau. Close by is the silent Fjord of Milford Sound where you can take a cruise past waterfalls, wildlife and towering cliffs. DAY 21-22: DUNEDIN (3HR 30MIN DRIVE) Head to Dunedin, a centre for culture and arts as well as gateway to the charming Otago Peninsula. DAY 23: CHRISTCHURCH (4HR 30MIN DRIVE) The last leg of your trip will not disappoint because it’s a memorable drive, starting with beautiful coastal scenery as you head north out of Dunedin. Continue through Oamaru, one of New Zealand’s most charming and best preserved towns, and on to Timaru and Temuka. At Winchester take the ‘Inland Scenic Route’ for the final unforgettable stretch to Christchurch, with the awesome peaks of the Southern Alps looming ahead of you. A fitting end to an epic journey! DAY 24: CHRISTCHURCH TO THE UK Drop off your car at the airport for your flight home. FOR YOU TO KNOW: For all Fly Drives The Excess Reduction Plan includes: Car hire on an unlimited basis and excess reduction (NZ$402.50). Airport/Wharf fee and one additional driver also included. New Zealand is the pinnacle of natural beauty and our carefully mapped routes guide you past the absolute highlights. With your car rental, flights, ferry and accommodation covered, it’s just up to you to drive between each destination. NEW ZEALAND FLY DRIVE 24 days from £2,399pp SUGGESTED HIGHLIGHTS ✔ Kauri forests and the Bay of Islands ✔ The wine county of Blenheim ✔ Whale watching near Kaikoura ✔ Botanical gardens in Christchurch ✔ Explore Mount Cook National Park ✔ The silent grandeur of Milford Sound ✔ Cultural sights in Dunedin ✔ Volcanic hot springs in Rotorua ✔ Walk up Mount Victoria in Wellington ✔ Explore Abel Tasman National Park ✔ The immense Franz Josef Glacier ✔ Discover the romantic Lake Tekapo ✔ Cruise through Milford Sound past waterfalls and dramatic cliffs UPGRADE YOUR CAR Group D - Intermediate Auto Sedan Holden Cruze or similar from £89 2.0 - 2.4 Litre Engine, Automatic transmission, 4 doors, Air conditioning, Power Steering, Dual airbags, ABS brakes, max 5 people Boot Capacity: 2 large suitcase and 2 overnight bags INCLUDED IN THE PRICE • The Interislander Ferry from Wellington (North Island) to Picton (South Island) • 3 & 4 ★ hotel accommodation at each destination along your chosen Fly-Drive • Car rental for the duration of your trip CAR RENTAL INCLUDED Sub Compact Holden Spark or similar. 1.3 - 1.4 litre engine, manual or automatic transmission, 5 doors. Boot Capacity: 1 medium suitcase and 1 overnight bag ACCOMMODATION Auckland 2 night 4 ★ Auckland City Bay of Islands 2 nights 4 ★ Hotel Bay of Islands Rotorua 2 nights 4 ★ Ibis Rotorua Tongariro 1 night 3 ★ Park Hotel Ruapehu Wellington 2 nights 4 ★ Distinction Wellington Blenheim 1 night 4 ★ Scenic Hotel Marlborough Kaikoura 1 night 4 ★ The White Morph Christchurch 3 nights 3 ★ Ibis Christchurch Mount Cook 1 night 4 ★ The Hermitage Queenstown 2 nights 3 ★ Heartland Hotel Te Anau 2 nights 4 ★ Distinction Luxmore Hotel Dunedin 2 nights 3 ★ Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin To book or for further information visit your local travel agent or call us FREE on 0800 408 0556