Kiwiana Panorama (Northbound)
Overview
Highlights
- Queenstown: Get your adrenaline pumping on the World's first ever (and some would say most famous) bungy jump.
- Wanaka: A lake town with views for days, surrounded by beech forests, alpine lakes, and wilderness glaciers.
- Wellington: Wellington has a café and restaurant scene like no other, and today we'll sample it for ourselves. You'd better make sure you're hungry.
- Mount Ruapehu: See even more of the sights made famous by "The Lord of the Rings."
- Mount Ruapehu: Today we'll check out Mt Ruapehu, an active stratovolcano elevated almost 2,800 metres into the air!
- Rotorua: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, we'll head to Rainbow Springs near Rotorua to learn all about the locals' efforts to protect New Zealand's adorable national bird.
- Rotorua: Wait til you see 'em. Wait til you smell 'em. These geothermic mudpools are a thing to behold.
- Rotorua: A traditional Māori cultural performance, topped off with a traditional Māori feast... this ought to satisfy even the keenest of culture vultures.
- Huka Falls: Huka falls is a jaw-jutting display of natural hydro power. Here you'll see 220,000 litres of water tumble over the waterfall... per second that is(!)
- Hokitika: The South Island is known for Pounamu (in fact, it’s even named after the stuff.) Today in Hokitika, we’ll meet with a local Māori Guide, who’ll tell us all about the connection between the illustrious greenstone and the Māori people. After that, we’ll go and check some out for ourselves.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Itinerary
Kia Ora and welcome to Queenstown. After checking in to your hotel the rest of the afternoon is yours to start discovering why Queenstown is best known as the adventure capital of the world. Tonight you'll meet up with the rest of the crew, no doubt swapping notes on which thrill seeking activity to tick off first. Let the adventure commence...
Lylo (or similar)
Today is yours to get acquainted with Queenstown and spend some time mulling over the activities up for grabs in the next two days. First stop is the legendary Kawarau Bungy Bridge, get your morning adrenaline hit with a heart pounding jump at the world home of the bu...
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 one that crams in a bungy jump and ziplining & still craves more. It's your holiday - run wild as you see fit.
Lylo (or similar)
Breakfast
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 the...
Time to return our adrenalin levels to normal and make tracks to the wild (and often wet) West Coast and it's towering glaciers. Enjoying our scenic drive we'll stop for lunch in Wanaka, a pretty ski resort town situated on a lake front and dwarfed by mountains. Thi...
This morning will be another big ol' tick off the list as 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 Maori mastercraftsman. Pounamu...
Armed with a new found appreciation for frozen water, we hop back on the coach & start making our way back to Christchurch. In the gold rush town of Hokitika we'll watch authentic carvers get to work on green jade and take a look at traditional Maori art. Back o...
We'll set off on an inspiring tour of Christchurch this morning, the city that was totally rebuilt after the Christchurch earthquake. Look out for the Cardboard Cathedral, which as the name suggests, is the only cathedral in the world to be built mostly from plain old...
We all love a free day - especially one spent in beautiful Kaikoura! We recommend taking a whale watching tour, where you'll have the opportunity to see giant sperm whales in action, as well cute seas and dusky dolphins. Other free time add-ons include a kayak trip ac...
After breakfast, we'll head back on the Contiki coach and head to our next destination. We'll stop at a seal colony, where you'll struggle not to break into a collective 'cuuuute' as you watch these guys sunning themselves on the rocks. Afterwards we'll continue on to...
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, you can opt to take a trip to Zealandia, a 225-hectare (basically massive) eco-s...
We wave goodbye to Wellington and its beautiful scenery and we prepare ourselves for our next adventure – and trust us, this one is bucket-list worthy. Known as the après-ski capital of the North island, Ohakune is a tranquil town with stupendous view. Today you have...
Wake up in the spectacular surroundings of Mt. Ruapehu with the epic views of the volcano. Today we head off to Lake Taupō!
Lakeland Resort Taupō (or similar)
Breakfast
As we leave Lake Taupō keep an eye out for even more recognisable ‘The Lord of the Rings’ backdrops. 220,000 litres (58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Just let that sink in for a minute. Wild, right? When you catch your first whiff of that… ‘un...
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...
After breakfast and a bit of caffeine, we'll head to Auckland and arrive by lunch to explore the city. Contiki coach song ideas anyone? We'll end our Contiki trip in Auckland, but not before a day of sightseeing and activities across the city. Here we've got a arra...
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Contiki.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Contiki Reviews & Ratings
Mitchell Cross
Apr 2024
Kiwiana Panorama Start ZQN
Our trip manager * Personal information removed by Feefo *, and tour driver skippy, went beyond any expectations to really engage and show off the amazing things NZ ...
Lauren Coleman
Apr 2024
Kiwiana Panorama Start ZQN
The itinerary was great and so many fun activities ava...
Nikita Jade
Feb 2024
Kiwiana Panorama Start ZQN
Contiki was the best 2 and a bit weeks of my life. We had the most INCREDIBLE tour manager and coach driver who made the trip so memorable. We travelled almost the w...
Victoria
Feb 2024
Kiwiana Panorama Start ZQN
Extraordinary if I had to choose one world for it. I 100% bungee jump
Trusted Customer
Jan 2024
Kiwiana Panorama Start ZQN
I would 100% recommend this trip for people who are traveling solo or as a couple. I made great friends and have made memories for life. I also might add that New Ze...
Other Contiki Reviews
Trusted Customer
May 2024
European Quest
Everything was a blast and a lot of fun
Trusted Customer
May 2024
The trip was great Loads of fun , the trip managers were amazing
I would for sure do another contiki
Trusted Customer
May 2024
Amazing
Was easy and straight forward
Tour Operator
We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.
No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.
We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.
With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.
About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?
Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
- 15 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner (D)
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations