New Zealand: Northern Choice (Southbound)

12 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Group Tour
Just how much mind-boggling can be packed into a 12-day holiday? Quite a lot when you're prancing around New Zealand. We'll sojourn our way from Auckland to Christchurch, chowing fish'n'chips and Māori hāngi meals, watching geothermic mud pools boil & signing up for adrenalin rushes that will buzz on in our minds 'til we're old and grey.
26% OFF
$2,808
From$2,080
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    Just how much mind-boggling can be packed into a 12-day holiday? Quite a lot when you're prancing around New Zealand. We'll sojourn our way from Auckland to Christchurch, chowing fish'n'chips and Māori hāngi meals, watching geothermic mud pools boil & signing up for adrenalin rushes that will buzz on in our minds 'til we're old and grey.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range18 to 35 years
Flights and transport
Start CityAuckland
End CityChristchurch (Nz)

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 40

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Auckland to Paihia via Whangārei

Welcome to the land of the long white cloud: New Zealand! Time to meet your Contiki crew in Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) and cross the Harbour Bridge admiring the 'City of Sails' harbour before starting our journey north to Paihia.We'll stop off at the stunning yacht ma...

Day 2: Paihia

Whether it's parasailing or cruising the Bay of Islands while sailing on Carino - today's (idyllic) list of optionals reads like a who's who of adventure. This area is filled with natural beauty and is sure to inspire your inner wild child. Make the most of the Free Time Add-On experiences on offer - tomorrow we head back to the big city vibes.

Bounty Motel (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 3: Paihia to Auckland

After breakfast this morning, feeling full, salty and sun-kissed we wave goodbye to Paihia & sashay our way back down NZ in the direction of Auckland. Arriving in Auckland we've got a array of awesome Free-Time Add-Ons to choose from. Adrenaline junkies, get ready...

Day 4: Auckland to Rotorua

We'll drive through the lush farmlands of Waikato, an area that produces many of New Zealand's best Rugby players for the All Blacks. We'll visit the world’s largest kiwi bird conservation project, watch the birds roam, stand in a human-sized kiwi burrow and even visi...

Day 5: Rotorua

The day is yours to roam free in this geothermal paradise. Soak in a hot spring, go white water rafting or hike up a volcano. The options are limitless and the decisions are yours. We recommend the Rotorua Dawn Canopy Tour, exclusive to Contiki, where you'll watch the...

Day 6: Rotorua to Lake Taupō via Huka Falls

From Rotorua, we make our way to Lake Taupō, but not before a cheeky stop-off at the awesome Huka Falls. 220,000 litres (that's 58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Just let that sink in for a minute. Wild, right? Even wilder still is the Hukafall...

Day 7: Lake Taupō to Mount Ruapehu

We drive through the central plateau to the southern end of the Tongariro National Park, Ohakune is known as the aprés ski capital of the North Island. Today you have the option to go biking along the Mangawhero cycle track.Tonight we stay in a heritage listed buildin...

Day 8: Mount Ruapehu to Wellington

These landscapes are unique and the sights will leave you breathless. On route to the windy capital Wellington where we'll show you the sights of this city.As much as we've been loving the nature time, the change of scenery to New Zealand's well-cultured capital will ...

Day 9: Wellington

Ready to explore Wellington in all its glory? Today, why not head to a local cafe and try the famed flat white coffee in its city of origin (sorry Australians). Caffeinated and refreshed, we'll take a trip to Zealandia, a 225-hectare (basically massive) eco-sanctuary ...

Day 10: Wellington to Kaikōura via Picton

So long north island! Today we're making tracks for your southern brother, darting across the Cook Strait via the Inter-Island ferry. Our first port of call on the South Island will be Picton (Waitohi), the gateway to wine country. Sauv blanc, anyone? Kaikōura is know...

Day 11: Kaikōura

We all love a free day - especially one spent in beautiful Kaikōura! We recommend taking a whale watching tour, where you'll have the opportunity to see giant sperm whales in action, as well cute seals and dusky dolphins. Other free time add-ons include a thrilling he...

Day 12: Kaikōura to Christchurch

So long Kaikōura! Arriving into Christchurch (Ōtautahi) almost marks the end of our adventure (sob). But not before an inspiring tour of the city that was totally rebuilt after the Christchurch earthquake. Look out for the Cardboard Cathedral, the only cathedral in th...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,080
Price per day$173
Last Updated: 2/10/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Room (Shared)
Single Room
Availability
20 Mar 2025
31 Mar 2025
$2,128
$3,080
05 Apr 2025
16 Apr 2025
$2,358
$3,429
12 Apr 2025
23 Apr 2025
$2,080
$3,032
21 Apr 2025
02 May 2025
$2,096
$3,048
14 May 2025
25 May 2025
$2,080
$3,032
23 May 2025
03 Jun 2025
$2,096
$3,048
20 Jun 2025
01 Jul 2025
$2,620
$3,810
04 Jul 2025
15 Jul 2025
$2,295
$3,366
11 Jul 2025
22 Jul 2025
$2,295
$3,366
18 Jul 2025
29 Jul 2025
$2,295
$3,366

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Mar 2025

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Active New Zealand

The views were insane, especially when we saw the snow on the mountains. The hikes were so much fun, and Queenstown had so much to do – from adventure activities to ...

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • Bounty Motel (or similar)
  • Lylo (or similar)
  • Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
  • Lakeland Resort Taupō (or similar)
  • Kings Ohakune (or similar)
  • Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
  • Sudima Kaikōura (or similar)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 3 Dinner (D)
  • 11 Breakfast (B)
Age Requirements
18 to 35 years
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
contiki-NHAD25

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