Real New Zealand

Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) to Rotorua

Are you ready for an authentic adventure-packed ride through New Zealand? We begin our journey in Auckland, its largest city. It’s time to say hello to your brand new crew before we make our way to our first destination. See that cloud of steam bubbling from the ground? That’s how you know you’re in the natural wonderland of Rotorua! You’ll drop your bags off at our lakeside Marae Special Stay before we join a traditional Māori welcome ceremony (paired with a delicious meal, of course) - an experience you can only do on a Contiki! Today’s all about all things Māori. We’ll take an introductory tour of the quaint Ohinemutu Village. And you’ll also learn Tikanga and Kawa - Māori customs and protocols. Afterwards, you’ve got some free time to explore this sea-side beauty before we stroll around town for some dinner. But there’s more to come. After dinner, you’ll join our Māori teachers to learn their traditional healing and spiritual practices too. Best first day ever? We think so!

Marae Special Stay

• Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
• Rotorua

Rotorua

Morning, travellers! Fresh air, serene views and a hearty breakfast awaits. You’ve got an entire day to spend exploring this charming landscape. And it's gonna be special. Because today, you'll learn traditional Māori performing arts, including the superbly epic Haka (specially composed for Contiki!). Afterwards, we'll help our hosts prepare for the steam Hangi (dinner), and end the night with a stunning cultural performance. Oh, what a day it’s been! And to think that the adventure has just begun…

Marae Special Stay

• Rotorua

Rotorua to Blue Duck Station via Taupō Nui a Kiwa (Lake Taupō)

It’s time for some more exploration. Fill up on some breakfast before we witness the traditional farewell ceremony hosted by our Māori friends. Say cheese! You’ll take a souvenir group photo too. We’re in the Kiwi land, so you know we’re making a stop at the National Kiwi Hatchery - where you’ll learn all about Kiwi conservation and get some cuteness overload from the baby chicks! Hungry? You’re free to grab some lunch at a scenic spot in this beautiful town. And then it’s back on the coach to our next destination. Welcome to this wonderful wilderness (right in the middle of a dense forest). We’ll check into our riverside Special Stay, and then take a tour of it too! And when you’re back, you’ll find a delicious dinner waiting for you. What better way to end the night than by gazing into the galaxy, surrounded by nature. Ah…this is what life’s about.

Blue Duck Station Special Stay

• Rotorua
• Taupō Nui a Kiwa (Lake Taupō)
• Blue Duck Station

Blue Duck Station

After a cosy night’s sleep in the kiwi woods, let’s hope you’re ready for some exploration. First, we’ll grab some breakfast. You can choose to spend today horse trekking into the dreamy landscapes, or even taking a bush safari. Feeling like you wanna get off the road? Hop onto a Jet Boat for a journey towards the Bridge to Nowhere. And like you guessed - how you choose to end the night is up to you too! Join a chef’s table dinner experience, or maybe cook up fresh BBQ in nature. Either way, you’re in for some woody goodness and adventure.

Blue Duck Station Special Stay

• Blue Duck Station

Blue Duck Station to Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington)

It’s time to say goodbye to the forest (just for a while). Because after breakfast, we’re heading to our first city spot!Welcome to Wellington! We’ll check into our hotel and hop straight onto our coach for a guided city tour. Put on your history hats, because you’ll also visit the Te Papa National Museum to learn all about New Zealand’s culture (and also see the colossal squid!). Afterwards, you can join a walkabout dinner as we tour the city’s streets. And spend the night away, chilling with your crew.

Abel Tasman Hotel (or similar)

• Blue Duck Station
• Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington)

Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington) to Marlborough Sounds

Pull yourself outta that cosy cosy bed. It’s time to journey from the North to South - on a ferry! Welcome to the stunning South Island. You’ve got some free time to grab a delicious lunch in Picton (possibly, at a breezy sea-side venue). You can spend today however you please, but who wouldn’t love a tour of the finest wineries in Marlborough? Later, we’ll do a walkabout dinner and spend the night at a local pub - just you and your newly made buddies. It’s gonna be a good night.

A conveniently located hotel

• Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington)
• Marlborough Sounds

Marlborough Sounds

You wish you could wake up here everyday, don’t you? Same. Maybe a free day might compensate? Looking for things to do? How about cruising through the deep blue sea? Or hiking the lush green landscape (with a picnic lunch too!). And we’ll end the day just like we did last night. A walkabout dinner and some good ol’ tunes. Sweet as.

A conveniently located hotel

• Marlborough Sounds

Marlborough Sounds to Ōtautahi (Christchurch) via Kaikōura

Rise and shine! After breakfast, we’re jumping straight into our coach for a journey further down south. It’s time to soothe those hunger pangs with a good meal. And guess what? Your eyes are getting a feast too. Grab some lunch from one of the many beautiful restaurants here - with the backdrop of the sea and stunning mountains. Eclectic street art. Funky but fantastic eats. Serene river views. Christchurch has a lot to offer - and your Trip Manager will take you on a guided tour to show it all off. Finally, we’ll end the night with another walkabout dinner.

The Breakfree on Cashel (or similar)

• Marlborough Sounds
• Kaikōura
• Ōtautahi (Christchurch)

Ōtautahi (Christchurch) to Wānaka

Shake a leg, travellers! After breakfast, we'll make our way to visit another jaw-dropping spot. What. A. Beauty. Get ready to witness some of the best views of your lifetime. We’ll check into our hostel before taking on the tranquil trails of this town and grab some dinner on the way. You’ve got the entire night in this gorgeous place to spend however you like. Lucky you.

The Brownston Hostel (or similar)

• Ōtautahi (Christchurch)
• Wānaka

Wānaka

It’s adventure time! Today is yours to spend, just the way you like. Grab some breakfast at one of the many local cafes here. Rock climbing, kayaking, skydiving - there’s so much for us adrenaline junkies here. Or you could even choose to ride a water taxi for a tour of Mou Wahi Island. In the evening, take a stroll through the town and grab some dinner before you sink down into your comfy bed. What a long but fulfilling day it has been!

The Brownston Hostel (or similar)

• Wānaka

Wānaka to Patea (Doubtful Sound) via Manapōuri (Lake Manapōuri)

It’s time to say goodbye to Wānaka today. But there’s no need to shed tears just yet. Because after breakfast, we’re driving to another stunning lake. Got your camera ready? We’re hopping on a cruise to check out the impressive landscape around Lake Manapōuri. But that’s not all. We’ll also drive through the incredibly lush rainforests at Wilmot Pass. Now, this? This is natural beauty at its peak. Welcome onboard. You'll be spending tonight on a luxurious boat (with chefs on board!) So, hop on. Enjoy some afternoon tea and get ready for some more adventure! You’ll kayak through the serene waters and even plunge into the icy Fiord. And after all that adventure chasing, we’ll be back on board to feast on a chef-made dinner with local produce. And then, it’s just games, music, cruising and good times with your new mates. Fabulous.

Overnight Cruise

• Wānaka
• Manapōuri (Lake Manapōuri)
• Patea (Doubtful Sound)

Patea (Doubtful Sound) to Tāhuna (Queenstown) via Manapōuri (Lake Manapōuri)

Another day to spend exploring the Fiordland? Wow. Today, we’ll tour Doubtful Sound with a nature expert to tell us everything about this extraordinary landscape. And then, you’ll hop on a coach and get another look at Wilmot Pass. It’s time to set sail on Lake Manapōuri again, and make our journey towards the final destination of this trip. Bet you’re hungry after all that lake exploration. Don’t worry, dinner is on us today! Make sure to get some rest tonight for the adventure that awaits us tomorrow.

Nomads Hostel (or similar)

• Patea (Doubtful Sound)
• Manapōuri (Lake Manapōuri)
• Tāhuna (Queenstown)

Tāhuna (Queenstown)

Wake up like a royal in Queenstown, and start your day with a wholesome breakfast. Free time to explore is all you’ve got today - and oh gosh, there’s no end to what you can do here. Bungy jumping, canyon swings, climbing waterfalls, vineyard tours, zip lining, skydiving - we bet you’ll wanna do it all! Afterwards, you can grab some dinner with your crew before resting your travel-tired limbs for round two of the adventure tomorrow.Please Note: The Free Time Add Ons which take place on Day 13 & Day 14 can be booked for either day.

Nomads Hostel (or similar)

• Tāhuna (Queenstown)

Tāhuna (Queenstown)

You already know what we’re doing today - ticking off your bucket list! You’re free to spend the day getting some breakfast and continuing your adventure. Today, you can even choose to go on the Earnslaw Cruise to catch stunning views of Walter Peak, join a reforestation project and even get a locally-made dinner! It’s the last full day of the trip, so don’t forget to live it up.

Nomads Hostel (or similar)

• Tāhuna (Queenstown)

Tāhuna (Queenstown) to Ōtautahi (Christchurch)

After 15 days filled with adventure, culture, cities and sticks (and getting to know what New Zealand is really ‘bout) - it’s time to say goodbye. What a ride it has been! If you've chosen to get a transfer to Christchurch, hop on! And the journey has finally come to an end. Don’t forget to exchange contacts with your crew. Because after a magical journey like this one, we bet you’ll want to do it all over again.

• Tāhuna (Queenstown)
• Ōtautahi (Christchurch)