If you want to explore the best that New Zealand has to offer, whilst doing it at your own pace, then this self-drive holiday is for you. You’ll visit all of New Zealand’s popular towns and cities. You’ll spend time in the magical Rotorua, with its hot pools, exploding geysers, thermal lakes and rich Maori heritage. You’ll have the chance to explore some of New Zealand’s most well-known vineyards, glaciers and fiords, as well as getting time to enjoy its stunning beaches and coastline.
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Itinerary
2 Nights – Auckland
2 Nights – Rotorua
1 Night – Napier
1 Night – Wellington
2 Nights – Blenheim
2 Nights – Kaikoura
1 Night – Christchurch
2 Nights – Franz Josef
3 Nights – Queenstown
✈ UK – Auckland (2 Nights): First, you will fly from your chosen UK Airport to Auckland. Base yourself here for 2 nights to enjoy New Zealand’s largest city with its shops, museums and two harbours. From here you could head up to the north and visit the gorgeous Bay of Islands, a tropical beach playground, with fantastic sailing and watersports. Coromandel is also in easy reach with its rainforests and golden beaches.
🚗 Auckland – Rotorua (2 Nights): Then make your way to Rotorua for 2 nights to explore this geologically fascinating area. You can relax in bubbling hot pools, watch the exploding geysers and hike around the bright green thermal lakes. This area is also rich in Maori heritage so take time to meet the local Te Arawa people and have a tour around their village.
🚗 Rotorua – Napier (1 Night): Next, head to the beautiful town of Napier at the southern end of Hawke’s Bay for a night. Famed for its 1930’s art deco architecture, the town enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate. Visit the Deco Trust to learn more about this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site and also explore more of Hawke’s Bay. Renowned for its artisan producers, award-winning restaurants and fine wine, Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s oldest wine region and boasts over 100 vineyards and 70 wineries – many of which offer cellar-door tastings and tours.
🚗 Napier – Wellington (1 Night): Drive on to Wellington, at to the southern tip of the North Island, passing through Martinborough en route. Renowned for its boutique wineries, and most famously its Pinot Noir, visit the Martinborough Wine Centre to sample numerous wines under one roof. When you arrive in Wellington, the country’s Capital, enjoy the thriving arts scene and great restaurants along with the picturesque harbour setting.
⛴ Wellington – Blenheim (2 Nights): Take the 3 hour Interislander ferry to the South Island and head straight to Blenheim for 2 nights in the heart of the Marlborough region. Again renowned for its wineries, it is also an ideal base to explore the Marlborough Sounds via the 45-mile Queen Charlotte Track. Passing through lush coastal forests and bays with stunning views, you can either walk or cycle the entire track or simply choose a segment to explore.
🚗 Blenheim – Kaikoura (2 Nights): Drive on south along the coast to Kaikoura, the whale-watching capital of New Zealand. Enjoy a couple of days in this quaint east coast town taking in the abundance of sea life from the fur seals, to the dusky dolphins and little blue penguins. Hike the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway for magnificent coastal views with the snow-capped mountains in the background.
🚗 Kaikoura – Christchurch (1 Night): Only a 2 hour drive away is the attractive city of Christchurch with its gardens and parks. This resilient town that sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Southern Alp’s has much to offer from its Edwardian punts on the River Avon to its pop-up shops and restaurants.
🚗 Christchurch – Franz Josef (2 Nights): Crossing over to the west side of the Island you will come to the Westland National Park and the small town of Franz Josef. Home to one of the world’s steepest and most accessible glaciers, you can take a guided walk into blue ice caves and through narrow crevasses, or for the even more adventurous, take a Heli-hike to explore higher!
🚗 Franz Josef – Queenstown (3 Nights): For your final three nights, make your way to Queenstown to experience the ultimate in adrenaline-fuelled adventures! This is the home of bungee-jumping as well as the place to come for sky-diving, jet-boating and river rafting. However, if adventure activities aren’t your bag then you will still love this city sitting on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. With its dramatic alpine ranges and enthralling scenery, it was the obvious location for ‘Middle Earth’ in the Lord of the Rings films – and the perfect place to end a fantastic holiday.
✈ Queenstown- UK: On your last day you will make your way to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
Why choose eShores?

One to One Service
Our experienced personal travel consultants will ensure you find the most suitable holiday, whilst taking care of every last detail. Everything from start to finish will be effortless.

100% Tailor Made
We can use any hotel, in any destination, so we will craft an itinerary to suit your exact needs. Also, as we can provide any itinerary, the only holiday we'll offer, is the one that's right for you.

Fully Protected
Our ATOL bonding provides you with the financial protection you need and as a member of the Travel Trust Association, you'll have 100% financial protection. Covering you for any eventuality.

Competitive Pricing
As a tour operator & travel agent, we'll search the market to ensure that we find you the best price. Also as an online business, we can ensure our prices are as competitive as possible.






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Noel
Michelle at eShores was fantastic, she provided us with in depth knowledge of Thailand and helped us tirelessly to develop our once in a lifetime 26 tour of the best of Thailand.
Posted 48 minutes ago -
Frances
Kadie is there for us on every occasion and delivers whatever we are looking for in an efficient and friendly way that cannot be beaten.
Posted 1 week ago -
Grant
I contacted eShores on a reccomendation and I was not dissapointed. The level of service was the best I have encountered. Needless to say we have booked our holiday with them. A special thanks to Laura who was very helpful and understanding of our needs. Many Thanks Grant J
Posted 1 week ago -
Anthony
As always, a thoroughly professional service. We have booked a number of times through e shores and they endeavour to go the extra mile to ensure complete satisfaction
Posted 1 week ago -
Julie
We cannot thank Emily at eShores enough for her outstanding service in planning our holiday to Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi next March. From the moment we made our initial enquiry online, she was quick to follow up with a phone call. Emily listened attentively as we shared our interests in multiple-centre destinations and our preferred travel dates. With her first-hand experience in one of the locations, she provided invaluable advice that helped us make informed decisions. She sent us an initial quote that included various hotel options across different budgets, allowing us to choose what suited us best. Throughout the planning process, we exchanged numerous questions and queries, and Emily always responded with warmth and patience, making us feel that nothing was too much trouble. Her approachable and supportive communication made the experience enjoyable, and we felt guided every step of the way. Thanks to Emily, we have a fantastic booking in place, complete with all transfers from the airports to our hotels organised seamlessly. We’re extremely excited about our upcoming trip without the stress of planning it ourselves. We highly recommend Emily and eShores to anyone looking to book a holiday. Thank you, Emily, for making this process so easy and enjoyable! Best wishes, Julie and Paul Jackson
Posted 1 week ago -
DerekMichael
Prompt and efficient service, catering to our requirements.
Posted 2 weeks ago -
Rebecca
We haven't taken our holiday, yet but to date our consultant, Rachel, has been fantastic! Rachel has delivered on all communication promises, always contacting us as promised. She has been more than happy to answer all questions, even daft ones, and been incredibly professional at all times. If our holiday is as good as the service recieved to date then we will be thrilled to bits.
Posted 2 weeks ago -
Anonymous
Efficient, helpful and friendly service from Nick who understood what we were looking for and made excellent suggestions. Easy booking process.
Posted 2 weeks ago -
CarolynMary
I have only just booked my trip to Italy with eShores and paid my deposit. I hope that all will go well in September but I can't comment on that yet. However, I can comment about your travel advisor, Nick. He has been absolutely excellent throughout. I originally contacted you in November about a different holiday in Italy but had to pause proceedings when my inheritance didn't come through soon enough. Nick had designed and tweaked the trip and was so patient and helpful with my questions and changes. Then when I changed the trip in April again he was so helpful and patient. He is a credit to your company!
Posted 2 weeks ago -
Latif
Laura , spent alot of time as i changed holiday location pleased , booked for september 2025 to Eastern Algarve. paid deposit. request for balance 12 weeks before travel. British Airways holiday bookings ask for balance 4 weeks prior to travel . eShores ought to mirror BA for competitinion,
Posted 2 weeks ago



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Your personal travel consultant will get to know your needs, ensuring they find you the most suitable holiday, at the best price!