The trip went so smoothly and we know that was because you had taken care of so many details. ...
Colin and Amelia M
Australia
by The Travel Group
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Self Drive New Zealand Movie Trail

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Until recently, New Zealand has been one of the best kept secrets in the film world. It's quite possibly the only place on earth where, within a few hours, you can move from sub-tropical rainforests to snowy alps, to lush green farmland, sandy beaches, craggy coastlines, high country sheep and cattle stations, citrus groves or the steel and glass towers of major cities. Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Whale Rider, The Last Samurai, Vertical Limit and The Piano are just a few of the big name productions filmed in New Zealand. We invite you to journey through the spectacular landscapes, and even visit some of the movie set locations on this incredible journey of New Zealand Movies and Film.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Bush and Beach Wilderness Tour
• Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
• East Cape ‘Whale Rider’ Movie Tour
• 2 nights in capital city of Wellington – ‘Movie Central’
• Experience the Dart River Jet Boat Safari
• 24-hour 7-day Customer Assistance

ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive Auckland 
Welcome to Auckland! We recommend an afternoon Great Sights Discover Auckland tour.

Day 2 - Auckland
Today, take a Bush and Beach Wilderness tour through the Waitakere Ranges to KareKare beach, where the award winning movie ‘The Piano’ was filmed. Discover the fascinating local history, flora and fauna of the region and take the opportunity to stroll on an unspoiled black sand beach.

Day 3 - Auckland / Matamata / Rotorua 
(145 miles/234 kms) Drive south today to Matamata, home of Hobbiton. The Hobbiton movie set has been returned to its natural state. However, hobbit holes and some structures from the film set are still present. Your tour guide will escort you through the ten-acre site, recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton movie set was created.

Day 4 - Rotorua
A day at leisure to explore the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, immerse yourself in the local culture or simply relax at the famous Polynesian Spa. Tonight, enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert.

Day 5 - Rotorua / Gisborne 
(178 miles/ 287 kms) Depart Rotorua and drive through the coastal heart of the Eastern Bay of Plenty, and on to Gisborne, the most easterly city in New Zealand. Experience being in the first city in the world to see the sun of each new day. This is also the town nearest to the location of Whale Rider the movie!

Day 6 - Gisborne / Napier 
(134 miles/216 kms) Take a guided tour with Hone Taumaunu, cultural consultant to the ‘Whale Rider’ to Whangara, the place where the movie was filmed. Visit the home where much of the filming actually took place and listen to the story that inspired the film. Travel south to the Art Deco city of Napier in the afternoon.

Day 7 - Napier / Wellington 
(212 miles/332 kms) Hawkes Bay is one of the largest grape growing regions in New Zealand. This morning, visit to a local winery before continuing onto Wellington.

Day 8 - Wellington
Spend the day exploring Greater Wellington with a focus on the film locations used during filming of Lord of the Rings movies with your friendly guide. A picnic lunch is included.

Day 9 - Wellington / Christchurch 
(211 miles/340 kms) Cruise across the Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Begin your journey south through vineyards and coastal Kaikoura before reaching Christchurch

Day 10 - Christchurch / Aoraki-Mount Cook 
(206 miles/331 kms) Today you will cross the Canterbury Plains, through MacKenzie country via Lake Tekapo. Continue on to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Dinner is included this evening at the Hermitage Hotel’s award winning Panorama restaurant.

Day 11 - Aoraki-Mount Cook /Queenstown 
(163 miles/263 kms) We recommend a scenic flight over Mount Cook and some of New Zealand's finest alpine scenery (weather permitting). This afternoon continue on to Queenstown, traveling through some of the alpine backdrops made famous in the movie ‘Vertical Limit’.

Day 12 - Queenstown
This morning, join the world famous Dart River Safari. A jetboat ride, short guided bush walk and backroad adventure take you through Paradise and the Dart Valley, both key locations used during the filming of The Lord of the Rings. A total wilderness experience.

* Terms and conditions -

Tour prices quoted may be subject to alteration due to hotel availability and flight costs

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
  • Return Air New Zealand in Pacific (economy) class from Vancouver. Transportation between Vancouver and Los Angeles will be operated by Air Canada
  • 11 Nights Superior Hotel Accommodations based on double occupancy
  • Executive Sedan Car Hire
  • Sightseeing tours as indicated in the itinerary above
  • Excludes government fees and taxes
  • Further restrictions may apply

OTHER OPTIONS:
Bed & Breakfast accommodation
Luxury Lodges accommodation
Luxury Car, Chauffeur Driven & Escorted coach tour options also available

POST DATE 2009

Until recently, New Zealand has been one of the best kept secrets in the film world. Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Whale Rider, The Last Samurai, Vertical Limit and The Piano are just a few of the big name productions filmed in New Zealand. We invite you to journey through the spectacular landscapes, and even visit some of the movie set locations on this incredible journey of New Zealand Movies and Film.