Overview
Itinerary
Contiki crew, are you ready? ! We'll kick start the morning with an inspiring tour of the city that was totally rebuilt after the Christchurch earthquake in 2011. Look out for the Cardboard Cathedral, the only cathedral in the world to be built mostly from plain old cardboard! Next, we're back on the Contiki coach, travelling through South Island to reach Kaikoura by lunch.
We'll stop off at a seal colony on the seafront to get our daily fix of cuteness, before heading to Kaikoura Wildlife Rescue to meet a local wildlife biologist, Sabrina Leucht. She has been working to build a dedicated wildlife hospital in Kaikoura and Contiki has been helping with the fundraising! We'll learn about the types of wildlife we might encounter here, which threats they face, and what we can all do to make a difference - locally and in our own hometowns.
After a busy day of wildlife wonders, we'll check into our seafront hotel, before heading out for a spot of dinner. Did you know that Kaikoura literally translates into 'eat (kai) crayfish (koura)'? So, no prizes for guessing what type of local cuisine we'll be trying! Stay: Sudima Kaikoura (Or similar)
We wave goodbye to Wellington and its beautiful scenery and we prepare ourselves for our next adventure – and trust us, this one is bucket-list worthy. Known as the après-ski capital of the North island, Ohakune is a tranquil town with stupendous view.
Today you have the option to go mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd" or spend the day bettering your skills on the slopes or generally treating yourself to all the snowy based activities on offer, then tonight snuggle down in our Special Stay ski lodge, located in prime position at the base of Mt. Ruapehu. (B/D) Stay: Kings Ohakune (or similar)
Wake up in the spectacular surroundings of Mt. Ruapehu with the epic views of the volcano, and you have the option this morning to go mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd" before we head to Taupo. Volcanic peak views & trout fishing will seamlessly slip us into quaint lake life. But don't be fooled by the seemingly still scenery - a skydive is on the menu if that adrenaline itch needs scratching.
This evening we jump on a cruise on the lake to watch the sun set, go fishing and enjoy some eats with our Contiki fam. (B) Stay: Lakeland Resort Taupo (or similar)
As we leave Lake Taupo keep an eye out for even more recognisable ‘The Lord of the Rings' backdrops. 220,000 litres (58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Just let that sink in for a minute. Wild, right? When you catch your first whiff of that… ‘unusual' sulphur smell, you'll know we've arrived in Rotorua.
Upon arrival in Rotorua we get to learn some fascinating info on NZ's national birds, as well as watch new lives hatch right in front of our eyes! How impressed are you right now? Soak in a hotspring, go skydiving or take a canopy tour - there's plenty of time for you to make the best of this town. Tonight we enjoy a Maori cultural performance and feast on a Hāngi dinner that is sweetly roasted in the ground. (B/D) Stay: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
We'll cross Aucklands Harbour Bridge admiring the 'City of Sails' harbour before starting our journey north to Paihia. But first, a stop off at the stunning yacht marina in Whangarei. Here we'll check out the weird and wonderful Huderwassert art centre, a unique architectural project dedicated to the ecological activist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
After lunch we'll hit the road again onwards to the Bay of Islands. On arrival to the Bay of Islands we're starting off with a dose of Kiwi history on a guided tour at Waitangi Treaty grounds where in 1840 New Zealand officially became a nation of two communities. And because we like to give you that something extra, how about a free admission at the Treaty museum, in case you seek a bit more detail on Kiwi history. Tonight we'll feast like the locals as we enjoy a true Kiwiana fish'n'chips as we overlook the glittering Bay of Islands. (B/D) Stay: Bounty Motel (or similar)
Contiki crew, are you ready? ! We'll kick start the morning with an inspiring tour of the city that was totally rebuilt after the Christchurch earthquake in 2011. Look out for the Cardboard Cathedral, the only cathedral in the world to be built mostly from plain old cardboard! Next, we're back on the Contiki coach, travelling through South Island to reach Kaikoura by lunch.
We'll stop off at a seal colony on the seafront to get our daily fix of cuteness, before heading to Kaikoura Wildlife Rescue to meet a local wildlife biologist, Sabrina Leucht. She has been working to build a dedicated wildlife hospital in Kaikoura and Contiki has been helping with the fundraising! We'll learn about the types of wildlife we might encounter here, which threats they face, and what we can all do to make a difference - locally and in our own hometowns.
After a busy day of wildlife wonders, we'll check into our seafront hotel, before heading out for a spot of dinner. Did you know that Kaikoura literally translates into 'eat (kai) crayfish (koura)'? So, no prizes for guessing what type of local cuisine we'll be trying! Stay: Sudima Kaikoura (Or similar)
We wave goodbye to Wellington and its beautiful scenery and we prepare ourselves for our next adventure – and trust us, this one is bucket-list worthy. Known as the après-ski capital of the North island, Ohakune is a tranquil town with stupendous view.
Today you have the option to go mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd" or spend the day bettering your skills on the slopes or generally treating yourself to all the snowy based activities on offer, then tonight snuggle down in our Special Stay ski lodge, located in prime position at the base of Mt. Ruapehu. (B/D) Stay: Kings Ohakune (or similar)
Wake up in the spectacular surroundings of Mt. Ruapehu with the epic views of the volcano, and you have the option this morning to go mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd" before we head to Taupo. Volcanic peak views & trout fishing will seamlessly slip us into quaint lake life. But don't be fooled by the seemingly still scenery - a skydive is on the menu if that adrenaline itch needs scratching.
This evening we jump on a cruise on the lake to watch the sun set, go fishing and enjoy some eats with our Contiki fam. (B) Stay: Lakeland Resort Taupo (or similar)
As we leave Lake Taupo keep an eye out for even more recognisable ‘The Lord of the Rings' backdrops. 220,000 litres (58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Just let that sink in for a minute. Wild, right? When you catch your first whiff of that… ‘unusual' sulphur smell, you'll know we've arrived in Rotorua.
Upon arrival in Rotorua we get to learn some fascinating info on NZ's national birds, as well as watch new lives hatch right in front of our eyes! How impressed are you right now? Soak in a hotspring, go skydiving or take a canopy tour - there's plenty of time for you to make the best of this town. Tonight we enjoy a Maori cultural performance and feast on a Hāngi dinner that is sweetly roasted in the ground. (B/D) Stay: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
We'll cross Aucklands Harbour Bridge admiring the 'City of Sails' harbour before starting our journey north to Paihia. But first, a stop off at the stunning yacht marina in Whangarei. Here we'll check out the weird and wonderful Huderwassert art centre, a unique architectural project dedicated to the ecological activist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
After lunch we'll hit the road again onwards to the Bay of Islands. On arrival to the Bay of Islands we're starting off with a dose of Kiwi history on a guided tour at Waitangi Treaty grounds where in 1840 New Zealand officially became a nation of two communities. And because we like to give you that something extra, how about a free admission at the Treaty museum, in case you seek a bit more detail on Kiwi history. Tonight we'll feast like the locals as we enjoy a true Kiwiana fish'n'chips as we overlook the glittering Bay of Islands. (B/D) Stay: Bounty Motel (or similar)
Trip Inclusions
- Wellington: Check out the cafe & restaurant scene in Wellington, voted the coolest little capital in the world
- Mount Ruapehu: See more of the sights made famous in the "The Lord of the Rings"
- Mount Ruapehu: See an active stratovolcano with Mt Ruapeh
- Rotorua: Visit the New Zealand Kiwi Hatchery at Rainbow Springs near Rotorua and hear about their efforts to save New Zealand's adorable national bird
- Rotorua: See (and smell) Rotorua's bubbling geothermic mud pools
- Rotorua: Experience a traditional Māori cultural performance and feast on a ground-smoked hāngi dinner
- Huka Falls: Visit the awesome Huka Falls
- Auckland: See the 'City of Sails' harbour made famous by the America's Cup
- Paihia: Get a dose of history with a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Paihia: Fill up on a dinner of fish 'n' chips (Kiwi style) overlooking the Bay of Islands in Paihia. This is probably what heaven feels like.
- Whangarei: See the work of the visionary Austrian painter, architect and ecological activist who made New Zealand his spiritual home.
- 11 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
- 9 nights in Hotels, 1 night in Special Stay, 1 night in Hostel
- Expert Trip Manager + Driver Team + Local Guides
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
- Wellington: Check out the cafe & restaurant scene in Wellington, voted the coolest little capital in the world
- Mount Ruapehu: See more of the sights made famous in the "The Lord of the Rings"
- Mount Ruapehu: See an active stratovolcano with Mt Ruapeh
- Rotorua: Visit the New Zealand Kiwi Hatchery at Rainbow Springs near Rotorua and hear about their efforts to save New Zealand's adorable national bird
- Rotorua: See (and smell) Rotorua's bubbling geothermic mud pools
- Rotorua: Experience a traditional Māori cultural performance and feast on a ground-smoked hāngi dinner
- Huka Falls: Visit the awesome Huka Falls
- Auckland: See the 'City of Sails' harbour made famous by the America's Cup
- Paihia: Get a dose of history with a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Paihia: Fill up on a dinner of fish 'n' chips (Kiwi style) overlooking the Bay of Islands in Paihia. This is probably what heaven feels like.
- Whangarei: See the work of the visionary Austrian painter, architect and ecological activist who made New Zealand his spiritual home.
- 11 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
- 9 nights in Hotels, 1 night in Special Stay, 1 night in Hostel
- Expert Trip Manager + Driver Team + Local Guides
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Brochure
Contiki Worldwide (2023-24)
Brochure
Contiki Worldwide (2024-25)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Contiki. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Contiki. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
