Grand Explorer

North Island and South Island, including Auckland, Bay of Islands, Christchurch and Milford Sound

Map & Sightseeing List

18 days

Total Price From* $87 per day: $1575 per person

*Based on twin share.

Meals: 15 6
Transportation: n/a
Accommodation: Resort, Lodge, Hotel, Overnight Cruise

Daily Itinerary Grand Explorer

Depart for New Zealand Days 1 and 2

Fly over the international date line on your way to New Zealand.
Auckland to Bay of Islands Day 3
Today will be the day for awesome scenery, great fun and extreme adventure that take on new meanings! Meet your Contiki crew and view the beauty of Auckland’s famous harbour as we cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Heading towards the subtropical region of Northland, we’ll explore Parry Kauri Park before checking into our Resort in Paihia. In the evening get to know your fellow travellers during dinner.
- Resort
- Dinner
Bay of Islands Day 4
A day of adventure and fun. The day is yours to enjoy the overwhelming beauty of the Bay of Islands. How about a Catamaran cruise through the “Hole-in-the-Rock”, maybe sail to a deserted island for lunch, perhaps travel along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga at “lands end”.
- Resort
- Breakfast
Bay of Islands to Waitomo Day 5
We head south, stopping in Auckland for lunch before travelling through the lush Waikato farming region to Waitomo, home of magical limestone formations and sparkling Glow-worms. Tonight there’s the chance to meet the local characters.
- Lodge
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Waitomo to Rotorua Day 6
There will be time today, if you wish, to visit the Glow-worm grotto or try underground cave rafting. Then we’ll visit the Agrodome farm show, on our way to the thermal area of Rotorua. Maybe try the Zorb or end the day by relaxing in a Polynesian thermal pool, before taking in an optional Maori Hangi meal and concert.
- Lodge
- Breakfast
Rotorua to Taupo Day 7
What a day for your travel diary, along the steaming Wairakei Valley to the raging Huka Falls before continuing to our exclusive resort beside New Zealand’s largest lake – Taupo. This afternoon you’re free to wander the shops, challenge gravity on the Rock n’ Ropes or try finishing. Tonight be sure to check out the famous local nightlife.
- Resort
- Breakfast
Taupo to Wellington Day 8
The mountains of Tongariro National Park provide a spectacular sight on the way to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. A scenic waterfront drive to the top of Mt Victoria acts as the perfect introduction to this cosmopolitan city famed for its cafes, restaurants and trendy bars.
- Hotel
- Breakfast
Wellington Day 9
A full day to explore the city and its surrounding area. Take your time to enjoy the amazing Museum of New Zealand, known as Te Papa ‘Our House’. Maybe do some shopping or see the sights of the Lord of the Rings trilogy or just relax in one of the city’s many cafes. Later this evening join us for a walkabout dinner.
- Hotel
- Breakfast
Wellington to Christchurch Day 10
Board the Inter-Island ferry and do the north to south island hop through Marlborough Sound and Cook Strait to Picton. Then make sure your camera has film for the spectacular views along the Kaikoura Coastline. If we’re lucky, we’ll spot one of the many seal colonies in this area. Then, via the Canterbury Plains, we’ll head towards the city of Christchurch.
- Hotel
- Breakfast
Christchurch to Franz Josef Glacier Day 11
We’ll cross the spectacular Southern Alps via majestic Arthur’s Pass and take in the jade greenstone carving at Hokitika. Then we’ll journey along the South Island’s rugged coast to the awesome Westland National Park, home to Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
- Hotel
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown Day 12
Today there’s the chance to explore the incredible Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers with professional guides that will be on hand to show you the beauty of this natural wonder. We’ll then journey through Haast Pass to Queenstown and our lodge high above Lake Wakatipu. Hold onto your hat - Queenstown beckons!
- Lodge
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Queenstown Days 13 and 14
Leisure is probably the wrong word as Queenstown is known as the ‘Adventure-Adrenaline capital of the world’, one of those places that you can literally do as much or as little as you like. A number of options to astound you await! Ever tried Bungy jumping, Sky diving, Jet boating, River boarding, White water rafting, Helicopter riding, Luging, Canyon Swinging, Four wheeldriving, Hiking???? Be extreme! Action by day, action by night - that’s Queenstown. Yes, when you’ve dried off and caught your breath, it’ll be time to experience Queenstown’s legendary nightlife, and there’s no shortage of venues for dining and socialising - why not try an optional meal at the world famous Skyline gondola complex.
- Lodge
- Day 13
- Breakfast
- Day 14
- Breakfast
Queenstown to Milford Sound Day 15
Need an adrenalin boost? We’ll take you to a bridge to jump off! The bungee jumping bridge provides a hair-raising, gob-stopping adrenalin rush. It is one of the options on this tour that separates the tourists from the purists. Pure fun. Pure rush. Why don’t you try it? After this we travel to Fiordland National Park, where we head through the Homer Tunnel (D’OH!) for our first view of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound. Then it’s all aboard the Milford Wanderer, for an overnight cruise taking in all the beauty of the fjord. There’s the chance to kayak and see whales, dolphins and penguins along with towering mountains and breathtaking waterfalls. It’ll be an evening to treasure!
- Overnight Cruise
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Milford Sound to Lake Ohau Day 16
In the morning we’ll breakfast on board before heading back to the mainland. We travel past Lake Te Anau and the Clutha River to Arrowtown for the chance to find gold. Then we head to the Southern Alps to our lodge at Lake Ohau which affords views over Australasia’s tallest peak, Mt Cook.
- Lodge
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Lake Ohau to Christchurch Day 17
If heights don’t scare you (we saw you bungee jump two days ago), then why not take the option of a spectacular glacier flight over Mt Cook? Later, we’ll head through the MacKenzie country, home to the sheep industry. to Christchurch where you may join us for an end-of-tour, we-must-keep-in-touch-what-tour-are-you-taking-next, dinner.
- Hotel
- Breakfast
Finish Christchurch Day 18
Say a final farewell to your new friends as your trip ends this morning after breakfast.
- Breakfast