Self Drive Holidays in New Zealand

Self driving holidays are one of the most relaxing ways of enjoying New Zealand's landscape. Many roads are scenic and traffic is low when compared to international standards. Although distances may seem short, however the roads often include hilly or winding terrain, which slow down your journey.
If you're used to driving in the city, you should take care when driving on the open country roads.

• All motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road and the unit is in Kilometers.

• There is no left turn rule as in North America.
· The speed limit on open roads is 100kmph.
· Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times, in both front and rear seats.
· Make sure that you have plenty of sleep before a long drive. Take regular breaks - one every two hours and when you feel sleepy.
· Do not drink alcohol before driving in New Zealand - drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced

Self Drive Holidays
New Zealand is easy to drive around with many signposted touring routes.

• Traffic is light
• Well maintained roads
• Great scenery

Rental car
Multiple choices of late model vehicles from well-known companies - Budget, Hertz, Avis, Europcar and others.

Second driver rule:
• AT the time of hiring a vehicle the second driver fee applies ranging between $10 -$20.

Soiling charges:
• In New Zealand it is a reserve to right to charge $50-$80 soiling fee if the vehicle is not returned with the interior in a clean condition.

Accidents and Health Insurance
• With a little care and common sense, your visit to New Zealand should be accident-free.

• In New Zealand, you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured.

• You need to purchase your own travel and medical insurance.

• New Zealand's public and private medical/hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service but it is important to note these services are not free to visitors, except as a result of an accident.

• Visitors bringing in a quantity of medication are advised to carry a doctor's certificate to avoid possible problems with New Zealand Customs. Doctor's prescriptions are needed to obtain certain drugs in

New Zealand.
• No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.

Visit - New Zealand Travel Information for more information on Self Drive Packages to New Zealand

Tourist Destinations for Indians in New Zealand

New Zealand has so many places and activities for every Indians & for every religion. Here are the list of religious places in New Zealand, specially for Indian Tourist, so every Indian traveler can continue their worship with their respective god.

Temples in New Zealand
Auckland Ganesh Temple
Subramaniyar Temple
Shree Swaminarayan Temple
Ratanadipa Buddhist Temple
Radha Krishna Mandir
Murugan Temple
Bharatiya Mandir
Thirumurgan Temple
4 Dent Place, Papakura
41A Stanhope Road Mt, Wellington
10/12 Wentworth Avenue, Papatoetoe
3075A Great North Road, New Lynn
145 New North Road, Eden Terrace
145 Church Street, Otahuhu
252 Balmoral Road, Sandringham
174 Marua Road, Ellerslie

Jain Derasar in New Zealand
New Zealand Jain Sangh
44F Portage Road, New Lynn

Gurudwaras in New Zealand
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sikh
Sangat Gurudwara Sahib Ji
Takanini Gurdwara
Shri Dashmesh Darbar
Shri Guru Singh Sabha
Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar
(Gursikh Temple)
Gurdwara Sri Guru Arjan Ji
120 Princess Street, Otahuhu
70 Takanini School Road,Takanini
158 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe
Shirely Road, Papatoetoe
100-106 Great South Road, Manurewa
132 St George Street, Avondale

Mosques in New Zealand
Al-Mustafa Jamia Masjid
Masjid Al Noor
Masjid Al Makhtoom
Masjid At-Taqwa
Masjid e Abu Bakr
Masjid e Umar
26 Mangere Road
122 Blockhouse Bay Road, Avondale
91 Westney Raod, Mangere
58 Grayson Ave, Manukau City
5B Cortina Place, Pakuranga
185 – 187 Stoddard Road, Mt Roskill

The best New Zealand tour packages from India, which has Indian cook, regional language speaking tour guide & local travel ambassador to enjoy every moment of your holidays in New Zealand.

Contact on kiwi@freedomtourism.com for more information on travel planning & packages for NZ.

Some Basic Rules & Tips for Self Drive Tour Package

Self-driving holidays are one of the most relaxing ways of enjoying New Zealand's landscape & natural beauty.

We suggest before you book your self drive holidays to New Zealand, one must check the basic rules & important tips for it,

Drive straight and you are sweet as.

• Always STOP at Stop signs or Red Traffic light.
• GO Green, Orange Prepare to STOP.
• Strictly NO HORN, it's considered as an abusive gesture to other driver
• Street limit 50, Motorway 100, few roads are drive to condition.
• Give way to Traffic from Right
• NO stopping on Motorways, only in EMERGENCY with Boot OPEN, Hazard Lights on
• Be courteous to let public bus go first, they will Thank You with dashing hazard lights
• NO MOBILE PHONE's while you drive. Stop and talk.
• NO driving around with your fngertips or one hand etc unsafe styles. Both hands on steer, no crossover hands.
• Use mirror, 15 second every mirror to look for safe driving.
• No changing lanes without at least 3 signals notice.
• In event of an accident, be calm call the tour operator and let them handle. No arguments. Just take the other vehicle's number plate and photos of events if possible.
• Follow the various road signs for your safe holiday. If it says 30 speed limit then drive at 30. If it says stop then please do it
• NO Rubbish throwing from Moving Car (use bins when stop comes)
• Overtaking is strictly NOT PERMITTED, unless it is PASSING LANE on highways
• To Park in general parking slot only. NOT TO PARK IN DIABLED YELLOW CAR PARKING AT ANY TIME
• Lock your car at all times. Don't encourage thieves. Do not leave any valuables in the car
• ZEBRA (Pedestrian) Crossing has always first right. STOP if anyone wants to cross roads
• Use Pedestrian Button, if you want to cross roads. It's not safe without your turn to cross roads
• Footpath is for only WALK, not to drive cars, NOT EVEN in ANY EMERGENCY
• Railway Crossing has only one sided barrier and up/down's automatic with bells warning while train passing by, however it's always recommended to LOOK FOR TRAINS at crossing, always
• NO RACING or COMPETITION on any road at anytime
• LOOK for Animals on road and drive safe. You may face Kiwi (in night), Cats, Duck, Horse, Rabbit and many more. They don't know road rules, we do.

For more information on Self Drive, kindly visit - New Zealand Information link on Freedom Tourism website

White Heron Sanctuary Tours - Franz Josef - New Zealand

When you plan to visit Franz Josef do not forget to visit beautiful white heron at Waitangi roto Nature Reserve. It is a must visit place at Franz Josef, the best time to visit heron is during summer between September to early March. Enjoy your family holidays with white heron( kotuku), royal spoonbill and little shag, without this your holidays will be nearly incomplete, so don't forget to visit heron and yaa don't forget to click pictures for your memories at Franz Josef glacier visit.

Visit Information about White Heron Sanctuary Tours

Tour time: Around 2.5 Hours
Adults: $110 per person
Child: (12 years and under)$45
Minimum boatload 4 adults and maximum 12 adults
Tour Timings: 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm (For sufficient demand we can organize extra tours)

For more details and travel packages for Franz Josef, visit - FreedomTourism.com

Photo credits to - whiteherontours.co.nz

Explore Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo lies in New Zealand's central South Island & the heart of the Mackenzie Country. 

Lake Tekapo is the second-largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north–south. Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water.

Church of Good Shepherd

The Church was built in 1935 as a place of worship for the pioneer families of the Mackenzie country. Located on the shores of Lake Tekapo, this church always attracts a crowd of tourists keen to capture this historic church


Glacier Boat Tour

The only tour of its kind in New Zealand. A memorable and amazing encounter on the terminal lake of New Zealand's largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. View icebergs of all shapes and sizes that periodically tear away from the glacier face.


Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking

The Mackenzie Country's Lake Tekapo contains some of New Zealand's most picturesque and natural scenery. Teal blue lake water and chiselled mountains are amongst the Mackenzie's jewels.


Mt John Observatory

Stargazing and astrophotography with Earth and Sky in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. We provide guided day and night sky tours at Mt John Observatory and Cowan's Hill.


Tekapo Springs Hot Pools

Tekapo Springs is a recreation facility set in the stunning setting of Mt John in Lake Tekapo. Tekapo Springs is dedicated to providing the ultimate experience for the whole family and to lift your spirits.

Explore Lake Tekapo for more details at Freedom Tourism

Stewart Island - New Zealand

Stewart Island is the third-largest island of New Zealand. It lies 30 kilometers south of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait.

Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, the original Maori name, positions Stewart Island firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Translated as "The Anchor Stone of Maui's Canoe", it refers to the part played by this Island in the legend of Maui and his crew, who from their canoe (the South Island) caught and raised the great fish, (the North Island).

Its permanent population is 381 people as of the 2013 census, most of whom live in the settlement of Oban.

For more information do visit - Stewart Island

Contact for New Zealand tour packages from India & you can also customize trave plan with self drive tour package contact -  kiwi@freedomtourism.com

Sightseeing in Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington city is Nestled between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills, it is a capital city of New Zealand & famous for its arts, heritage, culture and native beauty. A creative, cosmopolitan city, Wellington combines the sophistication of a capital with the warmth and personality of a village.

Wellington was recently named "the coolest little capital in the world" by Lonely Planet.

Wellington has number of places to visit, here are few of them,

Museum Of Te Papa

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, located in Wellington.








Old Saint Pauls Cathedral

Welcome to Wellington Cathedral, in the Anglican Diocese of Wellington. Situated within the parliamentary precinct of New Zealand's capital city,














Moutn Victoria Summit

Watch the Cook Strait ferries sail into the harbour and the planes go in and out of the airport. Mount Victoria's original Maori name is Tangi Te Keo.











Zealandia

Zealandia is a must-see eco-attraction and groundbreaking restoration project: a nature lover's paradise and a sanctuary by the city! See some of New Zealand's rarest birds, reptiles and insects living wild in their natural environment, including hihi, tuatara, saddleback, kākā and (at night) little spotted kiwi.







There are number of restaurants with different tasty Indian food items & cuisines available for food lovers,

For more information do visit - Wellington New Zealand

For Holiday tour packages & customize tour plan with self drive contact -  kiwi@freedomtourism.com

Hamilton City - New Zealand

Hamilton is New Zealand's largest inland city, located on the banks of the Waikato River, which is the country's longest river. Hamilton city has a rich history & contrasting splendors.

Hamilton city has spectacular tourist attractions & activities for travelers, ranging from Gardens, Villages & Air Balloon ride.

Lets find out few of them,

Hamilton Gardens

Explore the stunning Paradise Garden Collection, visit Te Parapara - New Zealand's first traditional Maori garden, picnic with the family or catch one of the many exciting events staged here each year.


Hobbiton Village

Discover the real Middle-Earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata in the North Island of New Zealand. On the most picturesque private farmland you can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies in a fascinating two-hour guided tour.


Hot Air Ballooning

A hot air balloon ride over Waikato NZ is a most tranquil and sublime experience! Breathe in the still, crisp early morning air as your hot air balloon gently rises above sleepy Hamilton and then drifts out to the green pastures of the Waikato.

Find out more details about Hamilton New Zealand

Contact for New Zealand tour packages from India at kiwi@freedomtourism.com

Note: Images are copyright by their respective owners.

Most iconic landmarks - Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua) is one of the Far North region’s most iconic landmarks with its serene beauty. It is generally considered the separation marker between the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. At the northernmost tip of the Cape is a gnarled pohutukawa tree, believed to be over 800 years old, and according to Maori oral history, the spirits of deceased Maori leap from this tree into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.

Things to do

Te Paki Stream 

Te Paki Stream - Famous for its massive sand dunes and shallow driveable streambed, the stream runs through the 7 square kilometre sand dunes of the Te Paki Recreational Reserve.


Ninety Mile Beach Cape Reinga Tour

A visit to New Zealand is not complete without a journey to the very top of the North Island – Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua). Uncover the wild beauty of this vast and untouched region that is rich in Maori culture and tradition.

For more information please visit - Cape Reinga

Looking to visit Cape Reinga, check out the exclusive New Zealand Travel Packages from India

Dunedin Tourist Attractions

Dunedin is the principal city of the Otago region of New Zealand. Dunedin is the largest city in the South Island and sits on the hills and valleys surrounding the head of Otago Harbour.

Dunedin is a region of unique landscapes and fascinating cultural history.

List of tourist attractions in Dunedin

Lanarch Castle 

Lanarch Castle is known for its exciting, scandalous and tragic history, magnificient carved ceilings. Min. 2 years required to visit this place


Chinese Gardens

The design of the garden evolved over a period of 8 years. Garden is in the traditional YUANLIN style. Min. 1 hr required to visit this place


Cadbury World

Much like our products, the Cadbury story in New Zealand, Min. 2 hrs required to visit this place

For more information please do visit - Tourist Attractions in Dunedin

Create your Holiday Route Plan with Freedom Tourism

Freedom Holiday got a great tool where you can customize your holidays and create a route plan for your family vacation. As name suggest 'FREEDOM', you have complete freedom to choose your places & destinations where you can enjoy your vacation. Once you create your route plan Freedom Tourism team will come in to action and according to your route plan suggest possible changes where you can save time and money.

It has very simple process where you can create custom Trip planning for your New Zealand holidays.

1. Go to http://www.freedomtourism.com/select/city

Select your desire cities where you want to travel & Click on NEXT

2. You will have Hotel category options, select hotel category you want to stay & Click on NEXT

3. You will have food options, select your food options & Click on NEXT

4. Transport options are available, select what type of transport facility you need & Click on NEXT

5. List of activities are there, select activities and places you want to visit based on your earlier city selection & Click on Finish

6. Your Trip plan is ready

After this trip plan creation, Freedom Team will work on that plan and get in touch with you to explain & give you complete tour itinerary

See how simple is this? So what you waiting for you Plan your holidays and create your holiday trip to New Zealand.

Contact Freedom Tourism Today!

Visit the available New Zealand vacation packages