Northern Highlights

Northern Highlights

Featuring: Northern New Zealand

Length: 10 days
Accommodations: Resort, Lodge, Hotel
as per itinerary
Meals: Dinner, Breakfast
as per itinerary
Sightseeing: n/a
Transportation: n/a
Next Tour: September 01, 2008
Request a booking See all dates & rates
Return to Tour

Itinerary

  1. Day Icon-day1 Depart for New Zealand

    Fly over the international date line on your way to New Zealand.

  2. Day Icon-day2 Auckland to Bay of Islands

    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.

  3. Day Icon-day3 Bay of Islands

    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".

  4. Day Icon-day4 Bay of Islands to Waitomo

    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.

  5. Day Icon-day5 Waitomo to Rotorua

    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.

  6. Day Icon-day6 Rotorua to Taupo

    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, enjoy a parasail high over the lake or challenge gravity on the Rock n' Ropes. Tonight maybe try fishing and later enjoy the famous local nightlife.

  7. Day Icon-day7 Taupo to Wellington

    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.

  8. Day Icon-day8 Wellington

    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.

  9. Day Icon-day9 Wellington to Christchurch

    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 ready for the spectacular views along the Kaikoura Coastline. If we're lucky, we'll spot one of the many seal colonies in this area. Later enjoy free time in Christchurch.

  10. Day Icon-day10 Christchurch

    Say a final farewell to your new friends as your trip ends this morning after breakfast.

Tour Map

Highlights

All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour price!

Included
  • Auckland: Cross Auckland's Harbour Bridge; See the impressive city skyline & Sky Tower; See the 'City of Sails' harbor made famous by the America's Cup
  • Parry Kauri Park: Walk through native Kauri Forest
  • Bay of Islands: Paihia & Waitangi sightseeing tour; See the Tribal Lands of the Nga Puhi Maori
  • Waitomo: Visit Waitomo & a traditional New Zealand country pub; Enjoy a pizza party
  • Rotorua: City sightseeing tour; Visit the Agrodome farm to see the World renown sheep show
  • Huka Falls: Visit the mighty falls
  • Taupo: View Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake; Walk through the Wairakei 'Craters of the Moon'
  • Tongariro National Park: See the active volcano Mt. Ruapehu; Dramatic drive through the Volcanic landscape made famous in the 'Lord of the Rings'
  • Wellington: Visit Mt. Victoria & enjoy the panoramic views; City sightseeing tour; See more of the sights made famous in the 'Lord of the Rings'
  • Cook Strait: Cruise the scenic Marlborough & Queen Charlotte Sounds
  • Picton: Drive through New Zealand's largest wine growing region
  • Kaikoura Coast: Spectacular coastal drive & visit a seal colony
Accomodations
  • Accommodations as per itinerary
  • Breakfasts (B) and Dinners (D) as per itinerary
Contiki Difference
  • Experienced Tour Managers and Drivers
  • Modern air-conditioned coach
  • Free Contiki ëTravellers Guideí information book
  • Free Contiki document wallet.

Optional Excursions

Rotorua

Rainbow Springs (NZ$22)
Beautiful walk through native bush, aviaries and trout filled streams. Chance to see Kiwi and Tuatara.
Skyline Gondola And Luge Rides (NZ$32)
Skyline cable car and 2 included rides on the worlds first commercial luging track.
Zorbing (NZ$44)
Become a zorbonaut as you travel in a large transparent ball down a hillside, either on your own, with a friend (or two) or with a bucket of water. Prices range from $44 depending on dry, wet, multiple, with Zorb Pak / without etc. www.zorb.com
Hangi And Concert (NZ$49)
Traditional Maori feast and cultural performance at the Lake Plaza Hotel in Rotorua. Duration 2 hours.
Te Puia (NZ$35)
Enter the world of the Maori at the epicentre of native culture in NZ, and discover what makes this area and it’s people unique. www.tepuia.com

Bay of Islands

Awesome Adventures (NZ$99)
A full day tour from Pahia in the Bay of Islands to Cape Reinga (NZ's northern most point) via 'Ninety Mile Beach'. Offroading, sand dune 'surfing', great scenery, fish'n'chips. 0730am - 1930pm www.awesomenz.com
Cape Brett Cruise (NZ$69)
Half day launch trip out to the famous 'Hole in the Rock' with cultural, historical and geographical content. Also, potentially, the chance to spot dolphins. www.fullers-bay-of-islands.co.nz
Carino Day Sailing (NZ$85)
Catamaran sailing in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Island hop, swim, snorkel, bar-b-q lunch, search for dolphins. 10am – 1630pm. www.sailingdolphins.co.nz
Coastal Kayaks (NZ$49)
4 hour kayaking adventure from the ocean shore through the river system to, and under, Haruru Falls. Fair standard of fitness required. www.coastalkayakers.co.nz
Dolphin Adventures (NZ$99)
Specifically a tour for those wanting to see dolphins although not guaranteed (85% success rate) and getting the opportunity to swim with them. Half-day tour. www.awesomenz.com
Excitor (NZ$69)
'Fastboat' trip to, and through, the 'Hole in the Rock' and back via Russell. www.excitor.co.nz
Horse Trek'n (Forest (NZ$65), Volcano (NZ$80))
Horse riding for the beginner or the experienced in the beautiful Bay of Islands and surrounds. www.horsetrekn.co.nz
Sail NZ (NZ$99)
Full day exploring in the Bay. First, you’re off by launch ‘hunting’ for dolphins and then, after a relaxing sojourn with lunch on an island, you’re ‘blasting’ for the afternoon on ‘The Edge’ – a huge catamaran under full sail. www.explorenz.co.nz

Taupo

Parasailing (NZ$89)
On Lake Taupo, winch system so you don't get wet.
Rock'N'Ropes (NZ$65)
Adventure 'confidence' course with series of trapezes, high wires, tight ropes etc. Allow 3 hours.
Contiki Huka Combo - Jet Boat & Scenic Flight (NZ$169)
40 minute jet boat ride on the Waikato River to Huka Falls. Includes 360 degree turns plus 7 minute scenic helicopter flight.
Dinner / Party Cruise (NZ$65)
Evening launch trip on Lake Taupo with the opportunity to fish, dine and karaoke. Approx. 4 hours (6pm - 10pm).
Huka Jet (NZ$89)
30 minute jet boat ride on the Waikato River to Huka Falls. Includes 360 degree turns.

Waitomo

Ruakuri Caves Tour (NZ$45)
Newly opened caves with a tour that gives you a more extensive insight into cave formations and glowworm activity. 3 hour. www.tradeinfo-thlonline.com
Waitomo Caves Tour (NZ$32)
One hour guided tour of the famous glowworm caves at Waitomo. Fully guided, walking tour with exit by boat. www.waitomocaves.co.nz
Black Water Rafting (NZ$89)
Following a cave system underground whilst sitting in a tyre inner tube (rubber ring). Some walking, some floating, some glowworm spotting. 3.5 hour tour. www.blackwaterrafting.co.nz

Wellington

Seal Coast Safaris (NZ$75)
Eco-touring in a 4WD vehicle along DOC (Department of Conservation) coast line, viewing unusual rock formations, seal colonies and other native bird and animal life. Duration 2 hours.
Wellington Rover ('Hop on / hop off' NZ$40/ 'Rover Ring Tour NZ$150)
An extended Wellington sightseeing tour with the opportunity to 'hop on / hop off' along the way. Or you can also book the 'Rover Rings Tour' which is an all day tour to LOTR locations incl. lunch.
Optional Dinner (NZ$27)
At 'Blend' restaurant and bar. Lively, funky venue for dining and socialising with 'special' Contiki menu and welcome drink.
Kapiti Quad Bikes (NZ$125)
Hotel pick up, than along the Kapiti Coast to rugged bushland for an hour and a half long quad bike experience in the bush. Includes morning / a'noon tea.
Wairarapr Wine Trail (NZ$129)
A full day excursion from Wellington by taxi, coach and train to Martinborough and Wairarapa 'wine country'. Includes hotel pick ups / drop offs, lunch, afternoon tea and, of course, some sampling.