Ultimate New Zealand

Day 1  Auckland to Paihia      
Welcome 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.    

Day 2  Paihia              
Whether 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.    

Day 3  Paihia to Auckland      
After 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.  

Day 4  Auckland to Rotorua      
We'll drive through the lush farmlands of Waikato, an area that produces many of New Zealand's best Rugby players for the All Blacks.  

Day 5  Rotorua            
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 6  Rotorua to Lake Taupo        
From Rotorua, we make our way to Lake Taupō, but not before a cheeky stop-off at the awesome Huka Falls.

Day 7  Lake Taupo to Mount Ruapehu              
We 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 biking along the Mangawhero cycle track.  

Day 8  Mount Ruapehu to Wellington        
Today, travel to Wellington to take in the city sights. These landscapes are unique and the sights will leave you breathless.  

Day 9  Wellington    
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, 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!    

Day 10  Wellington to Kaikoura                
So long north island! Today we're making tracks for your southern brother, darting across the Cook Strait via the Inter-Island ferry.    

Day 11  Kaikoura                
We all love a free day - especially one spent in beautiful Kaikōura! We recommend taking a dolphin watching tour, where you'll have the opportunity to see (or swim with) dusky dolphins. Or even kayaking across the coastline! We'll stay another night in Kaikōura after an action-packed day, before heading to Christchurch tomorrow morning.
   
Day 12  Kaikoura to Christchurch      
We'll arrive in Christchurch (Ōtautahi) by lunch-time, where we'll take 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!  

Day 13  Christchurch to Franz Josef        
Leave Christchurch this morning and take in the beautiful scenery as we wind our way across the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps.

Day 14  Franz Josef                
This morning 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 15  Franz Josef to Queenstown              
With a new appreciation for frozen water, we'll hop on the coach & continue to Queenstown, with a few cheeky stops along the way.  

Day 16  Queenstown    
Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and check out the activities up for grabs in the next two days. Take a stroll around beautiful this stunning town, nestled in the Southern Alps that has so much to offer.    

Day 17  Queenstown    
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 guy that crams in a bungy jump and ziplining & still craves more.

Day 18  Queenstown    
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.  

Day 19  Queenstown to Te Anau via Milford Sound        
Alright, it's time to return our adrenaline levels to a normal level and make tracks to the spectacular natural wonder of Milford Sound.    

Day 20  Te Anau to Lake Ohau via Kingston and Arrowtown    
Today visit Kingston and stop at Arrowtown for lunch before heading to the spectacular Lake Ohau, offering vast views across to Mount Cook.    

Day 21  Lake Ohau to Christchurch            
We're moving on to Christchurch but not before one final stop at the glacier-fed Lake Tekapo (Takapō), admiring the crystal clear water.