Say hello to the Tesla Model 3! Ever wanted to try out a fully electric car, and take advantage of not having to visit the fuel pump between Auckland and Queenstown? Want to travel sustainably? Did you know you can easily drive north to south from Auckland to Queenstown in a fully electric car with some great stops and sightseeing along the way? We invite you to try out the Tesla Model 3, on this self-drive North to South Tesla challenge.

The Tesla was designed and built as the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle and is a critical step in Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. The Tesla Model 3 combines industry-leading powertrain efficiency, aerodynamics and chassis technology to deliver the longest range of any comparable electric saloon car.

The Tesla Model 3 is fitted with a 15-inch media, navigation and control center, luxurious leather interior and expansive glass roof, taking the Kiwi driving experience to the next level. Enjoy uninterrupted adventures with up to 350 km of range* on a single charge, giving you the ultimate freedom to explore and experience more of NZ.

The excellent Tesla Supercharger network, which is reserved specifically for Tesla owners, allows you to conveniently charge on major routes in New Zealand. This package is carefully planned around the supercharger locations and detailed to help you on your “Tesla North to South Challenge”.

Clean, smart and sustainable, take the Tesla Model 3 on adventure to explore the unique and boutique sights of New Zealand while doing your bit to keep it green for the next generation of travelers.

Departures 01 May 2022 to 31 August 2022 Departures 01 September 2022 to 31 March 2022

The Tesla Challenge – Package Flyer Download

Package Highlights/Inclusions

Tesla Model 3, Car rental, 11 days – all-inclusive insurance and unlimited kilometres
2-night accommodation at Acacia Cliffs Lodge, Taupo – Lake View Suite including cooked breakfast and pre-dinner drinks & canapés
Entrance to Orakei Korako
2-night accommodation at Porters Boutique Hotel, Deluxe Room including cooked breakfast
1-night accommodation at Bolton Hotel, premier suite including cooked breakfast and parking
Interislander ferry, Wellington to Picton including vehicle and Interislander Plus Upgrade
1-night accommodation at Hapuku Lodge, Room or Lodge Suite including dinner (no drinks) and cooked breakfast
Christchurch Tramway Restaurant dinner
1-night accommodation at The George, Premium Executive including cooked breakfast
1-night accommodation Three Rivers Lodge B&B, Lake View room including cooked breakfast
Hot Tubs Omarama
2-night accommodation at Edgewater, Garden View including buffet breakfast

Charging your Tesla Model 3. The car is fully electric, so you never need to visit a petrol station again. On average, you can expect to get a range of 615km on a single charge (variable depending on driving styles and conditions). If you charge overnight, you can wake up to a full battery every morning. And when you’re on the road, it’s easy to plug in along the way—at any public station or with the Tesla charging network. See the map and your itinerary for the supercharging stations. At a supercharger station – your car will be charged within 15 – 20 minutes, so there will barely be time to get a coffee before you can be on your way again.

See map below, and specific details about the charging locations in the day by day itinerary.

Start & Finish Location

Auckland to Queenstown

Departure & Arrival Info

Own arrangements to Auckland and from Queenstown

Itinerary

Day 1Auckland – Hamilton – Taupo (approx. 271 km)

Drive South on SH1, following the signs for Hamilton and then the signs for Taupō
Make a stop at The Base in Hamilton to use the Supercharger
Lake Taupo is the largest freshwater lake in Australasia. It is roughly the size of Singapore and is the crater of one of the largest volcanic eruptions earth has seen in the last 5000 years.
There is a supercharger located in Taupo at 1 Kaimanawa Street to charge your vehicle
Overnight at Acacia Cliffs Lodge, Lake View Suite

Day 2Taupo - Orakei Korako – Taupo (B) (approx. 83 km)

Included: Orakei Korako: Also known as the Hidden Valley. The Silica Terraces that form the base of Orakei-Korako Geyserland and Thermal Park are believed to be the largest of its kind since the destruction of the famous Pink and White Terraces in 1886 on the edge of Lake Rotomahana beneath Mount Tarawera.
Overnight at Acacia Cliffs Lodge, Lake View Suite

Day 3Taupo – Napier – Havelock North (B) (approx. 168 km)

Continue your journey to Napier
Porters Boutique Hotel offers 42 beautifully appointed spacious guest rooms and suites. Porters Boutique Hotel is located in the heart of the Havelock North village. Nestled at the foot of Te Mata Peak, Havelock North is a thriving hub of cafés, restaurants, wineries and boutique shopping, providing the perfect destination for the traveller
There is a supercharger located at your accommodation
Overnight at the Porters Boutique Hotel, Deluxe room

Day 4Napier (B)

Day at leisure to enjoy what the region has to offer
Overnight at the Porters Boutique Hotel, Deluxe Room

Day 5Napier – Palmerston North – Wellington (B) (approx. 302 km)

Follow SH2 to Palmerston North, Here you will find a supercharger located at the Plaza shopping centre
Overnight at the Bolton Hotel, Wellington, Premier Suite

The Bolton Hotel’s 142 guest rooms and suites are furnished in a contemporary style and feature Sky Digital television, movies on demand, high-speed Internet (including WiFi), a personal bar, and air-conditioning. Most rooms enjoy serene views of the adjacent park or downtown Wellington, and each suite has a separate bedroom, dining and living areas, laundry facilities, and kitchen with refrigerator/freezer, microwave, stovetop, oven and dishwasher. Recreation facilities include a fully equipped gym, heated swimming pool, spa pool, and sauna, and in-house Bisque restaurant offers fine dining on regional New Zealand cuisine in an elegant yet casual environment. For added convenience, hotel amenities include 24-hour reception, room service, and valet parking. There is a supercharger located at your accommodation

Day 6Wellington – Picton – Kaikoura (B, D) (approx. 146 km)

Included: Interislander Ferry Wellington to Picton – Interislander Plus Upgrade: Premium Plus lounges are the most comfortable way to travel across the Cook Strait. You’ll be treated to complimentary newspapers, the latest magazines, WIFI and a variety of teas, coffees, juices and cookies. The lounges also offer complimentary beer, wine, and snacks
Drive South on SH1 through Blenheim: the heart of the largest wine region in the country, it is worth a stop for wine tasting. From there drive South on SH1
Overnight at Hapuku Lodge Kaikoura, Lodge Suite
There is a supercharger located at your accommodation

Day 7Kaikoura – Christchurch (B, D) (approx. 195 km)

After breakfast at Hapuku Lodge, head south on the SH1, the way to Christchurch is very well signposted. Travel via the Waipara wine region. There are great options for wine tastings and lunch along the way
Included: Christchurch Tramway Restaurant: This is the only Restaurant Tram in New Zealand which can offer such a unique way to view the inner city while enjoying a delicious evening dinner. Tram 411 was built in Melbourne, Australia in 1927 and ran until 1982. The tram was then refurbished and shipped to Christchurch in 1999 and began operating as the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant in 2000
Overnight at The George, Christchurch, Premium Executive Room
There is a supercharger located at your accommodation

Day 8Christchurch – Timaru – Lake Tekapo (B) (approx. 267 km)

There is a supercharger located in Timaru at 223 Hilton Hiway, Washdyke – ensure you charge before leaving Timaru as there is no station in Tekapo
Overnight Rivers Lodge B&B, Lake View Room

Three Rivers Lodge is modern, purpose-built accommodation located 1.5km or 2-minute drive from Tekapo village. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide picturesque views of the lake and surrounding mountains with no interruptions as the land between the Lodge and the lake is all reserve land

Day 9Lake Tekapo – Omarama – Wanaka (approx. 210 km)

You will find a supercharger located by Hot Tubs Omarama. Soak in the tubs while your car charges
Included: Hot Tubs Omarama: Soak in the view with your loved one or up to 8 people. You can control the temperature of the hot tub, so it is at your liking. Your private hot tubs are filled with fresh mountain water with no harsh chemicals added. The wooden tubs have been crafted from sustainably harvested Canadian Western Red Cedar while the stainless-steel inner provides a smoother comfort. You can relax knowing everything is sustainably sourced. Sit back and take in the beautiful Omarama landscape. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit. You will be given a towel at the time of check-in
Overnight at Edgewater Resort, Wanaka, Garden View Room

Day 10Wanaka (B)

Day at leisure to enjoy what the region has to offer
Edgewater Resort, Wanaka, Garden ViewRoom

Day 11Wanaka – Queenstown (B) (approx. 65 km)

Driver the short section through the Crown Range via CARDRONA – one of the highest and most scenic roads in the country
On your way, make a stop for photos at Cardrona Hotel and then at Crown Terrace for a unique view of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and “The Remarkables” Mountain range
Drop off your car at the airport in Queenstown

Photos

Package Terms and Conditions

Sales by 31 March 2023

Contact New Zealand Traveller for full details of this specific itinerary, inclusions and area highlights.
Package fares are NZD, per person, share twin, based on current promotional fares which are subject to change without notice, based on two people travelling together and share accommodations.
Package fares are made up of individual components from multiple suppliers and each component is subject to availability at the time of booking.
Deposit required: $250 per person at time of booking
Final payment: Due 35 days prior to departure
Terms & Conditions may vary by package and/or have specific requirements. Full details provided at the time of quoting/booking confirmation.
All New Zealand Traveller packages are subject to General Terms & Conditions.
Cancellation:

Deposit is refundable less a $50 per person admin fee up to 35 days prior to departure.
Final payment is due 35 days prior to departure all monies paid are non-refundable

Passenger information form to be completed.

Covid 19 policy

Where cancellation is due to NZ Government restriction on travel because of Covid-19 outbreaks either nationally or regionally, the following cancellation policy applies:

If Covid-19 is present within the NZ community, and NZ Government travel restrictions result in the guest being unable to travel, the booking will be postponed and rescheduled where possible. Refunds are subject to approval from the suppliers with a handling fee of $50 per person for the booking. NB: Covid-19 policy does not apply for voluntary cancellations by individuals.

New Zealand Travellers – Tesla ‘North to South’ Challenge

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