Wild New Zealand

Are you ready for an authentic adventure-packed ride through New Zealand? We begin our journey in Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau), its largest city. It’s time to say hello to your brand new crew before we make our way to our first destination. See that cloud of steam bubbling from the ground? That’s how you know you’re in the natural wonderland of Rotorua. First up, we’ll stop by the Kiwi Hatchery to get up close with one of New Zealand’s most iconic locals and learn about the incredible conservation work helping protect this national treasure. Then it’s time to drop your bags at our lakeside Marae Special Stay before joining a traditional Māori welcome ceremony. Together, we’ll prep a traditional steamed meal — hāngī — and while it cooks, head out on an introductory tour of Ohinemutu Village to learn all about Tikanga and Kawa, Māori customs and protocols. Then it’s back to the guesthouse to enjoy a delicious hāngī dinner with the crew.

• Stay at the Marae Special Stay
• Tour the lake-side Ohinemutu Village MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® EXPERIENCE
• Learn the Art of preparing a Traditional Hāngi
• Learn all about Tikanga and Kawa MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
• Visit the New Zealand Kiwi Hatchery MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience

Morning, travellers! Fresh air, serene views and a hearty breakfast awaits. You’ve got the entire day to spend exploring this charming landscape with a hike, zipline or tour of Hobbiton - you choose. Later this evening, we'll regroup at the marae to learn about traditional Māori performing arts, including the superbly epic Haka (specially composed for Contiki!). Oh, what a day it’s been! And to think that the adventure has just begun…

• Experience Māori culture & the world-famous Haka MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience

It’s time for some more exploration. Fill up on some breakfast before we say farewell to our Māori mates. First up, a cheeky stop-off at the awesome Huka Falls to see the Waikato River flexing with seriously impressive force. Hungry? You’re free to grab some lunch at a scenic spot in beautiful Taupō (Taupō-nui-a-Tia). Then it’s back on the coach as we roll on to our next destination. Welcome to the oh-so-beautiful River Valley Lodge Special Stay. Rural NZ at its finest! This evening, feast yourself to a wholesome & traditional farm-to-table dinner.

• Stay at River Valley Lodge Special Stay
• Enjoy a Farm-to-Table Dinner MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience

Out here, the wild’s calling the shots. Today you can spend all your time on the optionals that up for grabs. Jump on an e-bike and explore the backcountry at your own pace, or level things up with a hit of white water rafting for an adrenaline rush worth every splash. Then we'll wind things down with another farm-to-table dinner, served fresh with a side of epic countryside views.

Morning Kiwis, today we’ll wave goodbye to the undulating mountains and make our way down to the coast. Today’s lunch pitstop? The cute and sunny town of Paraparaumu. Feast yourself on good food and good views before we hit the road one more time. (Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for a quick glimpse of the South Island!) As much as we've been loving the nature time, the change of scenery to New Zealand's well-cultured capital will prove an utter delight. After an orientation through the narrow streets of Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara), and a chance to explore the great food scene, a night on the town will be on the cards.

So long North Island! Today we're making tracks for your southern brother, darting across the Cook Strait via the Interislander ferry. Aaand we’re officially here. We’re in THE Abel Tasman National Park (one of NZ's most famous). Guess what? Tonight, we'll be staying in cosy little cabins right inside the national park(!). So, get ready for a non-stop show of incredible natural beauty - birds, islands, forests - you name it.

• Stay at The Barn Mārahau
• Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds on the Interislander Ferry

You’ve got the entire day to explore this natural wonderland however you like. River canyoning, skydiving, sailing and hiking are all on the cards, with golden beaches and lush rainforest waiting around every corner. This evening, we'll head to an iconic local spot perched between the national park and the waterfront. Think sunset views and plenty of pizza to fuel you up for a sunrise waka.

• Head out on the Abel Tasman Great Walk
• Eat at The Park Cafe

Buh Bye beautiful Mārahau! We’ve got a long day ahead of us. A sunrise paddle Waka? Yup. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll learn all about the ancient Māori practice (and quite possibly catch one of the best sunrise views of your lifetime!). Time for a quick lunch pitstop in this historic gold rush town, decorated by two wonderful rivers. We’ll then drive down the rugged northwest coast, passing by rainforests & beaches (on a clear day you can even see the stunning Aoraki/Mt Cook!). Yes, they’re 300 million years old. Yes, they look incredible And yes, they look like stacks of pancakes. But no, you can’t eat them. Admire (and you will) from a distance. First things first, we’ll head out to explore the famed Paparoa Track. Expect alpine tops, limestone landscapes, thriving rainforests and jaw-dropping views. Next on the agenda? An optional but highly recommended - paddleboarding and sandstone carving experience. And for dinner? Traditional Māori food. We’ll sit by a campfire and prepare a BBQ dinner of whitebait fritters (and more) and watch the starry sky gleaming above us as we settle into our beach camps. This is what dreams are made of, people.

• Stay at Punakaiki Beach Camp
• See the Sunrise Aboard a Waka MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
• Cruise through the Wild Beauty of Buller Gorge
• See the Pancake Rocks
• Discover Punakaiki Beach
• Hike the Paparoa Track
• Feast on a Whitebait BBQ dinner

Punakaiki - you’ve been mesmerising. But we’ve got more wonders waiting to be explored! We'll pull up for lunch in glorious Franz Josef (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), probably one of the most beautiful places you'll ever have set your eyes on. A bold statement we know, but well deserved. Our first piece of NZ eye-candy comes in the form of Haast Pass (Tioripatea), beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls. Note how the scenery changes as we roll towards Queenstown through the Southern Alps and region of Otago. What. A. Beauty. Get ready to witness some of the best views of your lifetime. We’ve satisfied our inner adventurer, now it’s time to rest our travel-tired limbs.

• Drive through the Show-Stopping Haast Pass

It’s adventure time! Today is yours to spend just the way you like. Rock climbing, hiking, skydiving - Wanaka is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. When evening rolls around, why not check out one of the local restaurants, or grab some takeaway and head down to the lake’s edge, and watch the sun dip behind Mount Aspiring National Park? It's the perfect way to wrap up your day.

It’s time to say goodbye to Wānaka today. But there’s no need to shed tears just yet. Because we’re driving to yet another stunning lake. Got your camera ready? We’re hopping on a cruise to check out the impressive landscape around Lake Manapōuri. But that’s not all. We’ll also drive through the incredibly lush rainforests at Wilmot Pass. Now, this? This is natural beauty at its peak. Welcome onboard. You'll be spending tonight on a luxurious boat (with chefs on board!) So, hop on. Enjoy some afternoon tea and get ready for some more adventure! You’ll kayak through the serene waters, plunge into the icy Fiord and tour Doubtful Sound (Patea) with a nature expert to tell us everything about this extraordinary landscape. And after all that adventure chasing, we’ll be back on board to feast on a chef-made dinner with local produce. And then, it’s just games, music, cruising and good times with your new mates. Fabulous.

• Stay on the Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
• Cruise through the serene Lake Manapōuri
• Drive through the Rainforest on Wilmot Pass
• Enjoy Some Afternoon Tea & Traditional Cakes
• Kayak through the Spectacular Fiordland
• Plunge into an Icy Fiord
• Tour Doubtful Sound with a Nature Expert
• Feast on a Homemade Dinner

Another day exploring Fiordland? Don’t mind if you do. Today, you’ll hop on a coach for another look at Wilmot Pass before returning to the waters of Doubtful Sound. But the real highlight? Out on the fjord, when the boat’s engines are switched off and all you can hear is the sound of native birdsong echoing through the wilderness. Epic is an understatement. It’s time to set sail on Lake Manapōuri again, and make our journey towards the final destination of this trip. Welcome to Queenstown (Tāhuna)! Make sure to get some rest tonight for the adventure that awaits us tomorrow.

• Experience the 'Sound of Silence'

Free time to explore is all you’ve got today - and oh gosh, there’s no end to what you can do here. Bungy jumping, canyon swings, climbing waterfalls, vineyard tours, zip lining, skydiving - we bet you’ll wanna do it all! Afterwards, you can grab some dinner with your crew before resting your travel-tired limbs for round two of the adventure tomorrow. Please Note: The Free Time Add Ons which take place on Day 13 & Day 14 can be booked for either day and your Trip Manager will arrange this for you.

You already know what we’re doing today - ticking off your bucket list! You’re free to spend the day continuing your adventure. Today, you can even choose to have dinner at the Skyline restaurant which has panoramic views of Queenstown. It’s the last full day of the trip, so don’t forget to live it up.

After 15 days filled with adventure, culture, cities and sticks (and getting to know what New Zealand is really ‘bout) - it’s time to say goodbye. What a ride it has been! You may choose to finish up in Queenstown. But if you've chosen to get a transfer to Christchurch, hop on! And the journey has finally come to an end. Don’t forget to exchange contacts with your crew. Because after a magical journey like this one, we bet you’ll want to do it all over again.