Ultimate New Zealand | Northbound | Oct 2025 - May 2026
Ultimate New Zealand | Northbound | Oct 2025 - May 2026
Ultimate New Zealand | Northbound | Oct 2025 - May 2026
21 Days Starting in Christchurch (Nz) and ending in Auckland
Visiting: Ōtautahi (Christchurch), Takapō (Lake Tekapo), Ōhau (Lake Ōhau), Kā Muriwai (Arrowtown), Takerehaka (Kingston), Te Anau, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), Tāhuna (Queenstown), Wānaka, Tioripatea (Haast), Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef), Hokitika, Arthur's Pass, Kaikōura, Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington), Ruapehu (Mount Ruapehu), Taupō Nui a Kiwa (Lake Taupō), Huka Falls, Rotorua, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Whangārei, Paihia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GZCD25
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
This epic trip uncovers every inch of these enchanting islands. Bungee and jet boat in the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown, feast on a ground-smoked Maori 'hangi' in Rotorua, stroll wine trails, visit Hobbiton, hike active volcanoes and experience the otherworldly beauty of Milford Sound in an unforgettable 21 day adventure. Drastic in beauty but humble in charm, New Zealand is here to steal your heart. Get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Ōtautahi (Christchurch) To Ōhau (Lake Ōhau) Via Takapō (Lake Tekapo)
Location: Ōtautahi (Christchurch), Takapō (Lake Tekapo), Ōhau (Lake Ōhau)
Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Lake Ōhau Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Christchurch what's up? New Zealand's South Island is the home to adventure, adrenaline and good times and we're here to take it all on. We'll stop off to see the intense milky blue waters of glacially-fed Lake Tekapo. Here we'll also get to enjoy an unforgettable Dark Sky experience, an interactive multimedia exhibition that mixes stargazing, science and traditional Māori astronomy, teaching us how the Māori people used to use stars to harvest food, and about the importance of reducing light pollution. Onto Lake Ōhau, with its glorious views of Mt. Cook. Yet another swoon-worthy location where you'll have to pick that jaw up off the ground.
Day 2: Ōhau (Lake Ōhau) To Te Anau Via Kā Muriwai (Arrowtown) And Takerehaka (Kingston)
Location: Ōhau (Lake Ōhau), Kā Muriwai (Arrowtown), Takerehaka (Kingston), Te Anau
Accommodation: The Village Inn Hotel (or similar)
Accommodation Name: The Village Inn Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Another day, another natural wonder to discover. We make a quick stop for lunch in this historic gold mining town before heading on. Our next stop today is Kingston for an authentic and important NZ farm experience. Where a charity helps local girls to learn practical farming skills and gain qualifications. Contiki makes a donation on behalf of every traveller who visits the farm, so you can help more NZ women and girls plough through barriers and get ahead in their ‘field’ just by turning up. Arriving in the stunning lakeside town of Te Anau, why not opt to take a guided jet boat trip to Fiordland National Park. From Te Anau through Lake Manapouri, it's a pretty exhilarating way to soak up the scenery. Prefer to keep you feet (or wheels) on dry land. You can also take a trip to the ethereal glow worm caves (woaahhh) or simply cycle the gorgeous trails through native bush.
Day 3: Te Anau To Tāhuna (Queenstown) Via Piopiotahi (Milford Sound)
Location: Te Anau, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound), Tāhuna (Queenstown)
Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Lylo (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
It's time to make tracks to the spectacular natural wonder of Milford Sound. Welcome to New Zealand's most stunning attraction, with a magical combination of mountain peaks, forest-clad cliffs and deep dark waters. We take an included cruise of the fiord and experience the beauty of this pristine destination by boat, the best way to see Milford Sound in all its glory. Welcome to the adventure capital of the world - Queenstown. Rest up tonight - the next few days are going to be BIG.
Day 4: Tāhuna (Queenstown)
Location: Tāhuna (Queenstown)
Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Lylo (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and spend some time mulling over the activities up for grabs in the next two days. First stop is the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge, get your morning adrenaline hit with a heart pounding jump at the world home of the bungy. Later, take a stroll around beautiful Queenstown, nestled in the Southern Alps this stunning town has plenty to offer other than adventure activities.
Day 5: Tāhuna (Queenstown)
Location: Tāhuna (Queenstown)
Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Lylo (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
It's times like this that you really start to work out what sort of traveller you are. And human for that matter. You might be the one trailing through wine country and exploring wine cellars and caves, or you may be that one that crams in a bungy jump and ziplining & still craves more. It's your holiday - run wild as you see fit.
Day 6: Tāhuna (Queenstown)
Location: Tāhuna (Queenstown)
Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Lylo (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
With our last day in adrenalin city edging closer, this is the time to push yourself to the limits and jump over any mental barriers you've put up around yourself. Embrace the spirit of adventure and conquer those niggling fears once and for all. For those who did their dash yesterday, a day staying mellow and enjoying this beautiful region will prove more than sufficient. Tonight you can choose to jump on a gondola and to wine & dine atop of the highest restaurant in Queenstown, Skyline. What a way to end our time here!
Day 7: Tāhuna (Queenstown) To Kā Roimata O Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef) Via Wānaka And Tioripatea (Haast)
Location: Tāhuna (Queenstown), Wānaka, Tioripatea (Haast), Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef)
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Time to return our adrenalin levels to normal and make tracks to the wild (and often wet) West Coast and it's towering glaciers. Enjoying our scenic drive we'll stop for lunch in Wānaka, a pretty ski resort town situated on a lake front and dwarfed by mountains. This town is fast becoming one of NZ's most popular spots, and a trip to the 'Dough Bin' for a luscious pie should be high on the list today. Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass, beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll away from Queenstown through the Southern Alps. Playing host tonight is the town of Franz Josef, home to some of NZ's finest natural beauty with bushlands and glaciers that almost reach the sea. Tomorrow we'll be out and about making the most of it - who's excited?
Day 8: Kā Roimata O Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef)
Location: Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef)
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Rainforest Retreat (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning will be another big ol' tick off the list as we take to the ice of Franz Josef Glacier. We've got a heli ride over the glacier up for grabs, or the opportunity to carve your own Pounamu (jade) pendant, under the tuition of a Māori mastercraftsman. Pounamu is sacred to the Māori people, and this is a great way to learn about its cultural significance, while also creating a beautiful please of jewellery.
Day 9: Kā Roimata O Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef) To Ōtautahi (Christchurch) Via Hokitika And Arthur's Pass
Location: Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef), Hokitika, Arthur's Pass, Ōtautahi (Christchurch)
Accommodation: The Breakfree on Cashel (or similar)
Accommodation Name: The Breakfree on Cashel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Armed with a new found appreciation for frozen water, we hop back on the coach & start making our way back to Christchurch. In the gold rush town of Hokitika we'll watch authentic carvers get to work on green jade and take a look at traditional Maori art. Back on the coach we're coastline bound to one of the islands most jaw-droppingly beautiful spots... Take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps. Tonight we'll sleep well in Christchurch, drifting off to the pleasant memories of NZ's natural beauty that seasoned our day.
Day 10: Ōtautahi (Christchurch) To Kaikōura
Location: Ōtautahi (Christchurch), Kaikōura
Accommodation: Sudima Kaikoura (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Sudima Kaikōura (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We'll set off on an inspiring tour of Christchurch this morning, the city that was totally rebuilt after the Christchurch earthquake. Look out for the Cardboard Cathedral, which is the only cathedral in the world to be built mostly from plain old cardboard! After that, it's another jaw-dropping drive up to the top of the South Island. The coach cuts across the Canterbury Plains to Kaikoura. We'll arrive in Kaikōura, known for whales & dolphins, so have those cameras at the ready as we roll around the coast. We'll visit Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue to meet a local wildlife biologist, Sabrina Leucht, who has been working to build a dedicated wildlife hospital. We'll learn about the wildlife we might encounter here, the threats they face, and what we can do to make a difference. After a busy day, we'll check into our seafront hotel, then head out for dinner. Did you know that Kaikōura literally translates into 'eat (kai) crayfish (koura)'? So, no prizes for guessing what type of cuisine we'll be trying!
Day 11: Kaikōura
Location: Kaikōura
Accommodation: Sudima Kaikoura (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Sudima Kaikōura (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 seas and dusky dolphins. Other free time add-ons include a kayak trip across the coastline, and more. We'll stay another night in Kaikōura after an action-packed day, before heading to Wellington tomorrow morning.
Day 12: Kaikōura To Te Whanganui A Tara (Wellington)
Location: Kaikōura, Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington)
Accommodation: Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we'll head back on the Contiki coach and head to our next destination. We'll stop at a seal colony, where you'll struggle not to break into a collective 'cuuuute' as you watch these guys sunning themselves on the rocks. Afterwards we'll continue on to Wellington, the capital of NZ since 1865, when it replaced Auckland. Almost thirty years later, Wellington parliament was the first in the world to allow women the right to vote. A pretty cool city all in all.
Day 13: Te Whanganui A Tara (Wellington)
Location: Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington)
Accommodation: Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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, you can opt to 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!
Day 14: Te Whanganui A Tara (Wellington) To Ruapehu (Mount Ruapehu)
Location: Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington), Ruapehu (Mount Ruapehu)
Accommodation: Kings Ohakune (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Kings Ohakune (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 15: Ruapehu (Mount Ruapehu) To Taupō Nui A Kiwa (Lake Taupō)
Location: Ruapehu (Mount Ruapehu), Taupō Nui a Kiwa (Lake Taupō)
Accommodation: Lakeland Resort Taupo (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Lakeland Resort Taupō (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up in the spectacular surroundings of Mt. Ruapehu with the epic views of the volcano. Today we head off to Lake Taupō!
Day 16: Taupō Nui A Kiwa (Lake Taupō) To Rotorua Via Huka Falls
Location: Taupō Nui a Kiwa (Lake Taupō), Huka Falls, Rotorua
Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
As we leave Lake Taupō 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 Māori cultural performance and feast on a Hāngi dinner that is sweetly roasted in the ground.
Day 17: Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 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.
Day 18: Rotorua To Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
Location: Rotorua, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Lylo (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Ta-ra, Rotorua! We're headed to Auckland, where there's an 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 ice cream experience at Giapo?
Day 19: Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) To Paihia Via Whangārei
Location: Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Whangārei, Paihia
Accommodation: Bounty Motel (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Bounty Motel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We'll cross Aucklands 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 to check out the quirky exterior of the weird and wonderful Hunderwassert 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.We'll start 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 included admission to the Treaty museum for more detail on Kiwi history. Tonight we'll feast like the locals and enjoy a true Kiwiana fish'n'chips as we overlook the glittering Bay of Islands.
Day 20: Paihia
Location: Paihia
Accommodation: Bounty Motel (or similar)
Accommodation Name: Bounty Motel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Whether it's parasailing or a catamaran cruise - 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.
Day 21: Paihia To Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
Location: Paihia, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Feeling salty and sun-kissed we'll wave goodbye to beautiful Paihia & sashay our way back down NZ in the direction of Auckland. Our adventure comes to an end in Auckland today. Make sure you swap contact deets and start planning the next adventure. Anyone for 'Straya?
Check out our Q&As
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How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
Fully Protected
All our holidays are fully financially protected.
Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
Range
Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.
We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
Expert Knowledge
We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
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Multi award-winning agency with almost 50 years experience.
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We look after you every step of the way.