New Zealand: Sun and Steam
From CAD $1,490
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
Over 20 optional adventures & a banquet of inclusions; this is going to be a week to remember. The brave will hurl themselves down a hill in an inflated Zorb ball, the more chilled will take a boat cruise around the Bay of Islands. Then we'll all compare notes of Hobbits, fish 'n' chips, the Haka over a few drinks in the city of Auckland.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 5 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
- 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.
Trip Details
Product Code: 17003
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 220.895A
Starts: Auckland, New Zealand
Finishes: Auckland, New Zealand
Duration: 6 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,490 ($248 /day)
Itinerary
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.We'll stop off at the stunning yacht marina in Whangārei and check out the quirky exterior of the Hunderwasser art centre, a unique architectural project dedicated to the ecological activist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. After lunch we'll hit the road again towards the Bay of Islands.On arrival to the Bay of Islands we're starting 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 a free admission at the Treaty museum, in case you seek a bit more detail on Kiwi history. Tonight we'll feast like the locals as we enjoy a true Kiwiana fish'n'chips as we overlook the glittering Bay of Islands.
Accommodation: Bounty Motel (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
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.
Accommodation: Bounty Motel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
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. Arriving in Auckland we've got a 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 icecream experience at Giapo?
Accommodation: Lylo (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
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. We'll visit the world’s largest kiwi bird conservation project, watch the birds roam, stand in a human-sized kiwi burrow and even visit the incubation centre where over 2,100 kiwi chicks have been born. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a traditional Māori dinner and performance (you’ll also have the chance to get involved in the world-famous HAKA).
Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Just as we were acclimatising to that funky smell, it's time to leave Rotorua. Take one last look at the bubbling geothermic mud pools before we flee. Your Trip Manager will book you into a transfer service this morning. Arriving into Auckland, we'll say goodbye to the wolf pack (sob). NZ - you've been real.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, March 2024
This trip was an absolute blast! From start to finish, it was packed with adventure, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Every activity kept us engaged, from parasailing, hiking, zip-lining, and rafting to exploring hidden gems in the area. The itinerary was well-balanced, giving us the perfect mix of excitement and relaxation. Big shoutout to our trip managers and drivers for making everything run smoothly! If you’re looking for a fun, adventurous trip, this one is a must. Can’t wait for the next one! Booking this trip was an absolute breeze! The process was seamless from start to finish, with clear instructions, great communication, and hassle-free payments. Everything was well-organized, and we didn’t have to worry about a thing—accommodations, activities, and transportation were all handled smoothly. It was great knowing that all the details were taken care of, allowing us to just show up and enjoy the adventure. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a stress-free booking experience. Can’t wait to book again!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/23/2024
Emily - Traveled, March 2024
The tour was super fun. The trip manager and bus driver was amazing and super well informed. Reservations team was super helpful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/23/2024
Justine - Traveled, August 2024
I had so much fun on my first Contiki and really made our trip special! NZ is a beautiful place and Contiki makes getting around very easy. Super easy!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/24/2024
Chiara - Traveled, June 2025
Everything about this trip was amazing, the planning, accommodations, the svenery, the activities including free time are ons and the trip manager and drivers. Everyone on the trip made sure that everyone on the tour was included and was having a good time. I wish I chose a longer tour because 6 days was no where near enough I just wanted more from the moment it ended. Easiest holiday I’ve ever booked in my life.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/27/2024
Megan - Traveled, April 2024
I loved the people, the places and the staff made such the short trip a fabulous time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/28/2024
Caileigh - Traveled, March 2024
Accommodation and food were both amazing. All methods of transportation were of high quality. Probably need a bit more independency next time, and more sleep ins. Trip manager was very good with communication & made me feel welcome. Overall I had a great experience, looking forward to my next Contiki.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/27/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, December 2024
A quick trip around the north island, giving a little taster of New Zealand with great included and add-on activities. Something for everyone to do.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/29/2024
Jordan - Traveled, November 2024
This was my first Contiki tour, and I absolutely loved it! I am definitely going on more tours with Contiki in the future. The trip was incredibly well-organized, offering a fantastic balance of exciting activities and relaxing free time. New Zealand (NZ) was such a lovely country to visit. I embarked on this trip as both a first-time solo traveler and a first-time international traveler, and Contiki truly felt like a big, happy family. I stepped outside my comfort zone, trying countless new activities and delicious foods.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2024
Adam - Traveled, December 2024
This trip was great. Overall, a solid 7.9/10. The trip organiser was amazing (if you get just know you’ve won the lottery in tour guides), and everything was so packed in it felt like you got a whole 2 1/2 week holiday done in just 6 days. However, it should be written somewhere that this trip is modular, meaning you’re actually just joining other people who are on the longer trip. At times, it can feel like you’re just ‘ guests’ on “their trip”, rather than being on your own. For the amount of money you pay that was a bit sad. Speaking of the money, please note that all your paying for is accomodation, travel between locations, breakfasts and 3-4 dinners on this trip. Everything else, you pay for. I did a lot of the optional extras (because honestly, if you didn’t you just sit in the hotel.. alone.. whilst everyone else does stuff..), and because of this I spent over $2,000 on extra activities, food, transport, and alcohol. Just remember that. I know I’ve spoken about all that was bad about the trip, but honestly.. that’s all negative there is to say. Everything else was great. The trip was amazing, the tour organiser was super knowledgeable and a great chat, and the people you’ll meet along the way are incredible. Whilst they might be expensive, the optional extras were so so so so fun and definitely worth the time. Overall, 7.9/10, would do again - will be doing Sweet As South in November :) Booking experience was easy and simple. Their “pay in instalments for free” thing is a bit misleading, because while you can pay interest free.. you have to pay a small fee to open an account. Pro tip: if you have the money, PayPal will let you pay it in 4 instalments, and you don’t have to pay a monthly fee to have a PayPal account.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2024
Marnie - Traveled, September 2024
The trip was extremely fun and stress free for a first time traveller. I was extremely nervous to meet new people but everyone there was so lovely and I liked that our tour manager had meet and greets. The bus rides were fun and so were the group dinners. I would certainly go on another Contiki again. It's a great way to meet new people and now I have friends that I keep in contact regularly after the trip has finished. My trip was easy to book with no issues. I was also able to extend from my current trip which was a seamlessly stress free process too.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/22/2024
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