New Zealand
April 13, 2122
New Zealand is an amazing setting for a Classic Drive, nowhere else has such a range of stunning roads, breathtaking scenery and great food, all in such a compact area.
As with all Driving Adventures tours this trip is all about having a good time. Nice cars, good friends, brilliant roads in some of the most beautiful locations on earth in company with like-minded adventurers. The tour represents the highest standards of organization, first-rate hotels and exquisite dining. There are even road books and a programmed Sat-Nav units detailing the exact route. I will also be there as a guide to smooth the way and ensure that each guest has the best experience possible.
These are events organised as rallies, but without the restrictions and limitations of a competition event. There is no competition timing. Guests are given detailed road books that explain the correct route as well as a short history of the areas travelled. Roads are selected for the driving enjoyment. Unlike competition events, guests will be free to set their own agenda for the day. You can choose between a sleep-in and a leisurely breakfast or an early start with stops along the way to more closely inspect the local colour or you could short cut the scheduled route and hurry to your destination for a swim or spa before dinner with the group. It IS your holiday. The tour package includes, all Hotels and breakfast each morning.
The Tour Schedule
Day 1
Christchurch – Franz Josef
369.8 Km
We head west out of Christchurch across the Canterbury Plain and over Arthur’s Pass then down the west coast to the village of Franz Josef.
Day 2
Franz Josef – Arrowtown
339.3Km
There is time to check out the Franz Josef Glacier, even take a helicopter flight if the weather is good before heading further down the west coast towards Haast. We then turn into the mountains for some truly spectacular scenery and driving through Wanaka and Cardrona to the picturesque village of Arrowtown a few Kms from Queenstown.
Day 3
Arrowtown – Te Anau
177Km
A nice short day, so there is plenty of time to explore the sights around Queenstown before heading through the mountains and into the farmland around the lakeside town of Te Anau.
Day 4
Te Anau – Milford Sound-Invercargill
410Km
An early start today so that we are ahead of the tour buses on the amazing road into Milford Sound. This is one of the best drives you can do anywhere in the world. Spectacular “Lord of the Rings” scenery and a wonderful flowing road along glacial valleys and over the peaks. There is time for a cruise on Milford Sound before heading back to Te Anau and then on towards the very south of the island and into Invercargill.
Day 5
Invercargill – Dunedin
242Km
There is some wonderful farmland just out of Invercargill that we traverse on our way to the Catlins, a beautiful well-kept secret corner of the South Island. There are waterfalls, lookouts and small coastal hamlets that we take in before hitting the main highway on our way into Dunedin. This is a beautiful city that has blossomed since the Christchurch earthquake as it appears many business’ have moved here.
Day 6
Dunedin – Arrowtown
297Km
There are some fun roads just north of Dunedin but today is all about the open roads through the high plains of Central Otago. Gorgeous! Home tonight is the Millbrook Golf Resort on the outskirts of Arrowtown.
Day 7
Arrowtown
Rest Day
Tough decisions to be made today. Do you hit a little white ball around Millbrook or head back up the mountain to Cromwell for a visit to the Highlands Motorsport Park and then onto lunch at one of the local wineries where they produce the highly prized Central Otago Pinot Noir? Tough choice.
Day 8
Arrowtown – Lake Tekapo
252Km
We farewell Arrowtown by heading over the Crown Range to Cardrona and Wanaka on our way to Lake Tekapo with plenty of time along the way for a side trip out to the base of Mt Cook.
Day 9
Lake Tekapo – Christchurch
249Km
Yet more picturesque scenery through farmland to the bottom of the Canterbury Plains where we track close to the foothills of the Southern Alps as a fitting farewell to the stunning roads of New Zealand before turning at last back towards Christchurch.
Organisation
Driving Adventures is David Thomas. David has been passionate about driving since he was old enough to hold a steering wheel. He has driven from London to Sydney, through the Andes and much of South and Central America, across deserts and deep into rainforests. He has won rally stages in the Himalayas. Raced successfully at Bathurst and taught thousands of people advanced driving skills through his own school and as head of the NSW Police Driver Training School. He has driven in movies and videos and has been organising and conducting tours since 1990. If anyone can show you how to have a good time in a car, it is David.
Cars
Performance rental cars are not that plentiful in New Zealand however, in recent years we have secured a good supply of MX5s, Minis and a range of other fun cars. Let me know what you would prefer, and I will assist in locating a suitable car for you.
$3,250
Per Peson – Twin Share
$6,500
Per Car
The Cost
The tour includes all accommodation, a cooked breakfast each morning, a comprehensive roadbook, a Sat-Nav unit with our route programmed in and myself to lead and smooth the way for you.
The tour is priced at $3,250/person/twin share or $6,500 per car.
Every effort will be made to maintain the advertised pricing but any large movement with the exchange rate may require an adjustment.
Booking
There are limited places available for this tour. Places on the tour will be allocated on a first in basis. To secure a place you will need to provide an initial non-refundable deposit of $5,000. Further non-refundable deposits will be required on the lead up to the tour. Usually 6 months and then 3 months prior to the tour.
