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Ultimate New Zealand (Bus Tour)

Summary:

Geysers and glaciers. Māori settlements, mighty cities and majestic mountains. If NZ doesn't impress you with its diverse beauty, nothing will. Cruising from Auckland in the north to Christchurch in the South – with stop-offs in Rotorua, Wellington, Queen...

Duration
21 Days
Cities
9
Next Departure
05-May-2025
Starting at
± EUR 2,860.00
Price per day
± EUR 136.00
Tour Type
Tour Type

  • Overview
  • Dates and Details
  • Map, Destinations
  • Contiki
 
Operator
Contiki
Tour
Ultimate New Zealand
Travel Style
Bus Tour
Participants
Tour for Young Adults
Age Group
18 - 35 Years
Categories
tour category: Fishingtour category: Boattour category: Kayaktour category: Bicyclingtour category: Sailingtour category: Walkingtour category: Naturetour category: Safari

Summary

Geysers and glaciers. Māori settlements, mighty cities and majestic mountains. If NZ doesn't impress you with its diverse beauty, nothing will. Cruising from Auckland in the north to Christchurch in the South – with stop-offs in Rotorua, Wellington, Queenstown and more top class adventure spots along the way – this one is the ultimate adventure, offering up over 65 optional activities from whale watching to skydiving and beyond.

Map: Ultimate New Zealand (Contiki)

Short Itinerary / Route

Day 1
Auckland To Paihia Via Whangārei
Day 2
Paihia
Day 3
Paihia To Auckland
Day 4
Auckland To Rotorua
Day 5
Rotorua
Day 6
Rotorua To Lake Taupō Via Huka Falls
Day 7
Lake Taupō To Mount Ruapehu
Day 8
Mount Ruapehu To Wellington
Day 9
Wellington
Day 10
Wellington To Kaikōura Via Picton
Day 11
Kaikōura
Day 12
Kaikōura To Christchurch
Day 13
Christchurch To Franz Josef Via Arthur's Pass And ...
Day 14
Franz Josef
Day 15
Franz Josef To Queenstown Via Haast And Wānaka
Day 16
Queenstown
Day 17
Queenstown
Day 18
Queenstown
Day 19
Queenstown To Te Anau Via Milford Sound
Day 20
Te Anau To Lake Ōhau Via Kingston And Arrowtown
Day 21
Lake Ōhau To Christchurch Via Lake Tekapo

Travel Cities (9): Auckland, Christchurch, Franz Josef Glacier, Lake Tekapo, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington

Highlights

Dining Summary

  • 6 Dinner (D)
  • 20 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.
  • Sydney: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.

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.
  • Hokitika: The South Island is known for Pounamu (in fact, it’s even named after the stuff.) Today in Hokitika, we’ll meet with a local Māori Guide, who’ll tell us all about the connection between the illustrious greenstone and the Māori people. After that, we’ll go and check some out for ourselves.
  • Arthur's Pass: Check out the village that has been a haven for mountain climbers for over a century. Better keep your camera ready and eyes peeled - because this is spot where you might be able to get a glimpse of rare alpine parrots AKA Keas.
  • Wānaka: A lake town with views for days, surrounded by beech forests, alpine lakes, and wilderness glaciers.
  • Milford Sound: Cruise along the glassy waters and get the kind of view people write poems about. You'll soon see why it's a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Te Anau: Today we’ll visit a local farm in Te Anau to support the Fairlight Foundation, which works to advance women in Agriculture. We’ll learn all about farming, as well as the Fairlight Foundation and the work that they do.
  • Arrowtown: A historic gold mining town, Arrowtown is known as one of the cutest towns in New Zealand, so see for yourself on a walking tour that covers all the best things to see in Arrowtown.
  • Lake Tekapo: See the church on the shores of Lake Tekapo with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks - and get that iconic Insta pic too!
  • Lake Tekapo: We'll stop at Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and Geraldine... and watch happily on as NZ's astonishing natural beauty takes your breath away.
  • Lake Tekapo: The Dark Sky Experience combines Māori astronomy, storytelling and science together in one truly unique interactive display.

Travel Package

 

Coming from

 

Going to

Tour...

Auckland

Arrow Going To

Lake Tekapo

Group ToursThis is an Organised Group Tour: the itinerary has been predefined by the tour operator. The tour destinations, duration, accommodations, departure dates and the price are fix. You can join, enjoy and meet other people.

Memberships and Financial Protection

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