Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Auckland

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation by private vehicle.

2 nights Auckland

Day 2 - Auckland

Day at leisure.

Day 3 - Auckland/Waitomo (approx. 200 km, 3 h) and Waitomo/Rotorua (approx. 166 km, 2 ½ h)

Your rental car will be delivered to your hotel at 10.00am (conditions and details at the end of this page)

Guided tour of the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves

2 nights Rotorua

Day 4 - Rotorua

Morning: Eco-thermal Tour (half-day) including Wai-o-tapu, Lady Know Geyser, Waimangu Valley

Evening: Traditional Maori concert & Hangi dinner

Day 5 - Rotorua/ Whakapapa Village (approx. 177 km, 2 ½ h)

2 nights Whakapapa

Day 6 - Whakapapa

Day at leisure (we recommend the Tongariro Crossing (approx. 7 - 8 hours, a good level of fitness & health is required)

ALTERNATIVE: Day 5: Rotorua/Napier (approx. 223 km, 3 - 3.5 h)

2 nights Napier

Day 6 - Napier

Day at leisure.

Day 7 - Whakapapa/Wellington (approx. 344 km, 5 h) or Napier/Wellington (approx. 325 km, 4 - 4 1/2 h)

2 nights Wellington

Day 8 - Wellington

Your rental car will be collected this morning

Day at leisure (we recommend a visit to Te Papa Museum)

Day 9 - Wellington/Picton/Kaikoura

Transfer from your hotel to the ferry terminal

Ferry from Wellington to Picton (approx. 3 hours)

Train from Picton to Kaikoura (approx. 2 1/2 hours)

Transfer from the train station to your accommodation

1 night Kaikoura

Day 10 - Kaikoura/Christchurch

You will be transfered to the railway station this morning where you can store your luggage.

10.00am - Whale Watch Tour by boat

Train from Kaikoura to Christchurch (departure: 3.30pm, arrival: 6.20pm)

Transfer on arrival

2 nights Christchurch

Day 11 - Christchurch

Day at leisure.

Day 12 - Christchurch/Greymouth/Punakaiki

Transfer to the railway station

Tranz Alpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth (approx. 3 1/2 hours)

Collect your rental car in Greymouth (conditions and details at the end of this page)

Drive from Greymouth to Punakaiki (approx. 45 minutes driving)

1 night Punakaiki

Day 13 - Punakaiki/Fox Glacier (approx. 240 km, 4 h)

2 nights Fox Glacier

Day 14 - Fox Glacier

Day at leisure. We recommend a half day guided glacier walk or scenic helicopter flight.

Day 15 - Fox Glacier/Queenstown (approx. 380 km, 6 h)

2 nights Queenstown

Day 16 - Queenstown

Day at leisure.

Day 17 - Queenstown/Milford Sound (approx. 291 km, 4 h)

Board your overnight cruise ship, the Milford Mariner. Departure is at 4.30pm

1 night Milford Mariner overnight cruise, private cabin with en-suite bathroom, includes dinner & breakfast

IMPORTANT: The overnight cruise only operates from 01 October - 30 May. If you are travelling between 1 June and 30 September, the accommodation will be in Te Anau with a day time cruise on Milford Sound from 1.00pm - 2.40pm. The package price will be reduced accordingly.

Day 18 - Milford Sound/Dunedin (approx. 410 km- 6 h)

2 nights Dunedin

Day 19 - Dunedin

Day at leisure.

Day 20 - Dunedin/Christchurch (approx. 360 km- 5 h)

1 night Christchurch

Day 21 - Depart Christchurch

Return your rental car at Christchurch airport

Group ICAR - Toyota Camry or similar

2.0 - 2.4L automatic, 4 or 5-door. Air-condition, radio with CD player, air bag(s), central locking. Luggage: 1 small and 2 medium suitcases.

Renter qualification: All intending drivers must present a valid full national driving licence, which has been held for at least one year . A current international driving licence must accompany driving licences issued in a language other than English. There is no extra charge for additional drivers. Minimum rental age and other requirements for additional drivers will be the same as for the renter. Additional authorised drivers must be notified to Thrifty and listed on the rental agreement.

Motor Vehicle Insurance: Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance (MVI) including third party and public liability, is included in our rates. An Accident Damage Excess (ADE) of NZD2813.00 does apply however. This excess may be reduced to NZD281.25 (at the renter's option) at the time of rental by purchasing Accident Excess Reduction (AER) at NZD19.13 per day. (Insurance costs are subject to change)

Restricted Roads: Thrifty vehicles are prohibited from the following roads:

North Island : Ninety-Mile Beach (Northland) / South Island : Skippers Canyon Road (Queenstown)

Driving on these roads constitutes a breach of the rental agreement and the renter would be fully liable for any damage to the Thrifty vehicle or Third party property occurring as a result.

Fuel: Fuel is not included in the rates. Each vehicle is supplied with a full tank of fuel, which is refilled at the renter's expense on return. If the vehicle is not returned with a full tank, the renter will be charged for the fuel required to refill the tank at the prevailing rate applicable by Thrifty Car Rental at the time.

Airport / Ferry Terminal Service charges: Rentals initiated by or commencing from airports or Interislander ferry terminal locations are subject to a nominal Airport/Ferry Service Charge (AFSC), which the hirer will pay directly to Thrifty Car Rental.