New Zealand: Northern Choice | Southbound | Oct 2024 - Sep 2025
Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
NNHADM24-525
Start City:
Auckland
End City:
Christchurch
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
Budget
Tour Length:
12 days
Age Requirement:
18 - 35
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024 | Sunday, Dec 29, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Thursday, Dec 26, 2024 | Monday, Jan 06, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Monday, Dec 30, 2024 | Friday, Jan 10, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Jan 03, 2025 | Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Tuesday, Jan 07, 2025 | Saturday, Jan 18, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Saturday, Jan 11, 2025 | Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Sunday, Jan 19, 2025 | Thursday, Jan 30, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Thursday, Jan 23, 2025 | Monday, Feb 03, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Jan 31, 2025 | Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Tuesday, Feb 04, 2025 | Saturday, Feb 15, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025 | Sunday, Feb 23, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Monday, Feb 24, 2025 | Friday, Mar 07, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Tuesday, Mar 04, 2025 | Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Thursday, Mar 20, 2025 | Monday, Mar 31, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Saturday, Apr 05, 2025 | Wednesday, Apr 16, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Monday, Apr 21, 2025 | Friday, May 02, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, May 23, 2025 | Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Jun 06, 2025 | Tuesday, Jun 17, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Jun 20, 2025 | Tuesday, Jul 01, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Jul 04, 2025 | Tuesday, Jul 15, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Jul 11, 2025 | Tuesday, Jul 22, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Jul 18, 2025 | Tuesday, Jul 29, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Jul 25, 2025 | Tuesday, Aug 05, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Aug 01, 2025 | Tuesday, Aug 12, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Aug 15, 2025 | Tuesday, Aug 26, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Aug 29, 2025 | Tuesday, Sep 09, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Sep 12, 2025 | Tuesday, Sep 23, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Friday, Sep 26, 2025 | Tuesday, Oct 07, 2025 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote |
All the Tour Operator Offers & More
LOW UNPUBLISHED PRICES ON CONTIKI TOURS
Why pay full price? Call us or click above for a quick quote and save money on Contiki Tours.Tour Itinerary
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.
Countries Visited
Cities Visited
Auckland , Christchurch , Kaikoura , Lake Taupo , Mount Ruapehu , Paihia , Picton , Rotorua , Wellington
-
Day 1
Auckland to Paihia via WhangāreiWelcome 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 marina in Whangārei and check out the quirky exterior of the Hunderwasser art centre, a unique architectural project dedicated to the ecological activist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. After lunch we'll hit the road again towards 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.Accommodation: Bounty Motel (or similar)
Meals: Dinner -
Day 2
PaihiaWhether 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.Accommodation: Bounty Motel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 3
Paihia to AucklandAfter 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 for a bungee jump, climb over the iconic harbour bridge or sky jump off the Skywalk. For those who prefer to keep two feet on the ground, why not get your taste buds tingling with a multi-sensory icecream experience at Giapo?Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 4
Auckland to RotoruaWe'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 visit the incubation centre where over 2,100 kiwi chicks have been born. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a traditional Māori dinner and performance (you’ll also have the chance to get involved in the world-famous HAKA).Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 5
RotoruaThe 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 sun rise, eat some breakfast and drink coffee up in the towering trees as the birds make start their morning calls. Then, you'll get to soar 1200m through the forest on the ultimate zipline adventure.Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 6
Rotorua to Lake Taupō via Huka FallsFrom 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 Hukafalls Jet experience - a thrilling ride that will get you experiencing the full force of the falls and leave you with even more of a taste for adventure. A good thing really, given Lake Taupō is on the horizon. We arrive at Lake Taupō, the largest freshwater lake in Australasia. 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.Accommodation: Lakeland Resort Taupō (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 7
Lake Taupō to Mount RuapehuWe 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 mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd".Tonight we stay in a heritage listed building built in 1913 which is now a vibrant modern ski lodge, located at the base of a volcano, Mount Ruapehu (Ruapehu) with views unlike any other you've seen.Accommodation: Kings Ohakune (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 8
Mount Ruapehu to WellingtonThese 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 prove an utter delight. After an orientation through the narrow streets of Wellington, and a chance to explore the great food scene, a night on the town will be on the cards.Accommodation: Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 9
WellingtonReady 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 that protects over 40 rare native wildlife species. Because Zealandia is fully fenced, you'll be able to walk alongside incredibly rare birds like the hihi and the takahē. Look out for the tuatara, a prehistoric reptile known as a 'living fossil', which can only be found in New Zealand!Accommodation: Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 10
Wellington to Kaikōura via PictonSo 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 known for its marine life (among many other things), so keep your eyes peeled for whales, dolphins and seals – which we’ll check out along the way. Next up, we'll visit Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue to meet Sabrina Leucht, a local biologist who’ll teach us about local wildlife, the threats they face and how we can make a difference. Tonight, we’ll check into our seafront hotel for a relaxing evening.Accommodation: Sudima Kaikōura (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 11
KaikōuraWe 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 helicopter ride over the Kaikōura Peninsula, a kayak trip across the coastline, Quadbiking through Glenstrae Farm, and more. We'll stay another night in Kaikōura after an action-packed day, before heading to Christchurch tomorrow morning.Accommodation: Sudima Kaikōura (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 12
Kaikōura to ChristchurchSo 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 the world to be built mostly from plain old cardboard. Our time together has been nothing short of perfect, so don't leave it to long before coming back to hang with us for Contiki 2.0.
Meals: Breakfast
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 11 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
- Christchurch: Which Version is Northbound vs Southbound? Southbound trips start in Auckland and end in Christchurch. Northbound trips start in Christchurch and finish in Auckland. They’re both the same itineraries, just in reverse.
Included Experience
- Auckland: Cameras at the ready folks, the views will be extraordinary here.
- Auckland: With sailboats at every angle, this is a beaut view indeed.
- Whangārei: See the work of the visionary Austrian painter, architect and ecological activist who made New Zealand his spiritual home.
- Paihia: The Waitangi Treaty Grounds might just be NZ's most important historical site, marking the place where the British Crown and the Māori people signed their first accords back in 1840.
- Paihia: A dinner of fish 'n' chips, enjoyed while overlooking the Bay of Islands in Paihia. Is this heaven? No sir, it's just salt and vinegar.
- Rotorua: A traditional Māori cultural performance, topped off with a traditional Māori feast... this ought to satisfy even the keenest of culture vultures.
- Rotorua: Wait til you see 'em. Wait til you smell 'em. These geothermic mudpools are a thing to behold.
- Rotorua: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, we'll head to National Kiwi Hatchery near Rotorua to learn all about the locals' efforts to protect New Zealand's adorable national bird.
- Huka Falls: Huka falls is a jaw-jutting display of natural hydro power. Here you'll see 220,000 litres of water tumble over the waterfall... per second that is(!)
- Mount Ruapehu: Today we'll check out Mt Ruapehu, an active stratovolcano elevated almost 2,800 metres into the air!
- Mount Ruapehu: See even more of the sights made famous by "The Lord of the Rings."
- Kaikōura: We'll take a spectacular drive along the Kaikōura Coast, and pay a visit to a nearby seal colony. Yup, it's a coastal cuteness overload.
- Kaikōura: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, we'll meet eco-warrior Sabrina Leucht, who has dedicated many years of her life to helping New Zealand's injured native birds... and is now working to establish the region's first wildlife hospital.
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Each person is allowed one "check-in," and one "carry-on." Remember to take all valuables with you as "carry-on", because electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, jewelry, business documents and money are not covered by the airlines' liability, so always carry them aboard with you.
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
Airfare from your point of origin to and from the trip is not included in the land price.
Overall Rating
3.9
Accommodations
3.8
Itinerary
4
Professional Staff
4.2
Repeat with Operator
4
Value for Money
3.8
We were lucky that the group of people with were good, but it was a large group tour and did have some of the downfalls of a trip of that nature, like frequent breaks for the bathroom, difficulty when eating out together, and getting things on and off the coach. The trip was still great and a good value for the money.
It was a good value and the experiences included were worth it. The only part that wasn't the best were the accommodations as it was hit and miss. Half of the hotels on the trip were okay, and the other half were really nice.
I had an amazing trip!
-
-
-
Operator: GlobusStarts
AucklandEnds
QueenstownDays
13From
$4919 -
Operator: GlobusStarts
AucklandEnds
QueenstownDays
13From
$4359
AffordableTours.com® does not itself offer, service or administer the Travel Packages, and the ultimate terms and conditions of any Travel Package made available via the Site Offerings (including the prices quoted in connection with same) will be determined by the applicable Third-Party Travel Service Provider. AffordableTours.com® does not represent or warrant that the Price Quotes are accurate, up-to-date or free of error, or that same will be honored by the applicable Third-Party Travel Service Providers. All Price Quotes, Travel Package availability, Travel Package details/itinerary and other Content are subject to change without notice. All travel details published by and through the Site Offerings should be confirmed directly with the applicable Third-Party Travel Service Provider prior to making any travel plans. Reliance on any information made available to you by and through the Site Offerings is solely at your own risk.
Call Us 1-800-935-2620
How It Works
Vacationing has never been easier or cheaper with the help of a dedicated travel consultant from AffordableTours.com
1. Free Quote
Find your perfect trip on our website and simply request a free quote. Need to speak to a live person? Call us 7 days a week at 1-800-935-2620. No robots here!
2. Dedicated Travel Consultant
Your personal travel consultant will reach out and be your point of contact for your entire travel experience from start to finish. Did we mention you'll be working with an award winning team? Sweet!
3. Low Price Guaranteed
Because we're one of the largest sellers of travel, we're able to give you a discount on your vacation package. No one beats our prices!
4. Stress Free Travel
Knowing you got a great deal, all that's left is for you to pack your bags and enjoy your vacation!
Prepare to spend more than usual on a Contiki tour.