New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most spectacular natural scenery, and is perfect to explore over the warm Christmas season. Discovering the diverse summer landscapes through a self-drive holiday on the country’s themed highways is fast gaining popularity amongst those seeking a unique and adventurous getaway. The North Island offers the ultimate beach and volcanic routes, which feed out of Auckland; The Thermal Explorer Highway journeys across New Zealand’s natural beauties including Lake Taupo, the active volcano Ruapehu, the thermal city of Rotorua and the Waikato region. Travellers can make their Auckland return via the Pacific Coast Highway, which provides spectacular seasonal views of seaside villages and dramatic coastline decorated with flowering pohutakawa, known as New Zealand’s Christmas tree. The slow-paced Twin Discovery Tour Route, at about 800km long, also offers a picturesque round-trip of Northland, the Bay of Islands, the Hokianga and New Zealand’s Far North, packaging the region’s highlights into one leisurely drive. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s South Island offers jaw-dropping alpine scenery, icy glaciers and exquisite wildlife experiences that create exceptional self-drive options. The famous ‘Treasured Pathway’ or Marlborough Nelson Heritage route traverses through the northern end of the South Island, including the magnificent Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand’s ‘sunshine capital’ of Nelson, Kahurangi National Park and Abel Tasman National Park, before finishing at the South Island’s most northern tip. For those looking to explore the South Island’s dramatic “Middle-earth” scenery, the Southern Scenic Heritage Highway route cruises from Queenstown through some of New Zealand's most beautiful alpine country, including Te Anau, the South Island’s largest lake famous for its glow-worm caves and local seafood delicacies, to Fiordland National Park, finishing up in the city of Dunedin. Those wanting to extend their route can take a drive from Dunedin along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, for a chance to catch a glimpse of the penguin, albatross and seal colonies settled along the coast. And for those wanting the ultimate combination of recreation and nature, the Alpine Pacific Triangle connects three of the South Island's must-see locations; from the Hanmer Springs thermal spas set amidst snow-capped mountains, providing the ultimate Christmas wonderland, to the experience of a lifetime in Kaikoura, with world-renowned whale watching. This journey concludes at the Waipara Valley giving travellers a true taste of the New Zealand wine region. “There’s nothing quite like a road trip for creating long-lasting travel memories. In New Zealand, driving allows you to the chance to cruise through famous landscapes, stopping at great attractions as you go, with your favourite people, or favourite music, as company. Our roads are safe, well sign-posted and guaranteed to take you past some of the most spectacular scenery in the world – from rugged coastlines, to untouched forests, to rolling vineyards and dramatic mountain ranges,” said Nick Mudge, Regional Manager South & South East Asia, Tourism New Zealand. Even for those hard-pressed for time, there are a number of short yet exciting itineraries that lead through New Zealand’s most famous landscapes and attractions – making it easy for couples, groups and families to get in the driving seat this Christmas. Details of self-drive holidays and suggested routes are available at http://www.newzealand.com/sg/trips-and-driving-itineraries/top-nz-trips/ , or plan your own route using the following travel time and distance calculator http://www.newzealand.com/sg/travel-times-and-distances-calculator/
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