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New Zealand: Northern Choice

Experience
Tour
Destination
New Zealand
Duration
12 days
Ages
18 to 35
Operated by
Contiki

$3,487

Overview

Just how much mind-boggling can be packed into a 12-day holiday? Quite a lot when you're prancing around New Zealand. We'll sojourn our way from Auckland to Christchurch, chowing fish'n'chips and Māori hāngi meals, watching geothermic mud pools boil & signing up for adrenalin rushes that will buzz on in our minds 'til we're old and grey.

Inclusions

Dining Summary

3 Dinner (D)

Dining Summary

11 Breakfast (B)

Included Experience

Auckland: Cameras at the ready folks, the views will be extraordinary here.

Included Experience

Auckland: With sailboats at every angle, this is a beaut view indeed.

Included Experience

Whang?rei: See the work of the visionary Austrian painter, architect and ecological activist who made New Zealand his spiritual home.

Included Experience

Paihia: The Waitangi Treaty Grounds might just be NZ's most important historical site, marking the place where the British Crown and the M?ori people signed their first accords back in 1840.

Included Experience

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.

Included Experience

Rotorua: A traditional M?ori cultural performance, topped off with a traditional M?ori feast... this ought to satisfy even the keenest of culture vultures.

Included Experience

Rotorua: Wait til you see 'em. Wait til you smell 'em. These geothermic mudpools are a thing to behold.

Included Experience

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.

Included Experience

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(!)

Included Experience

Mount Ruapehu: Today we'll check out Mt Ruapehu, an active stratovolcano elevated almost 2,800 metres into the air!

Included Experience

Mount Ruapehu: See even more of the sights made famous by "The Lord of the Rings."

Included Experience

Marlborough Sounds: Check out the sunken river valleys of Marlborough Sounds from an iconic Interislander Ferry. You'd wanna get your camera for this one!

Included Experience

Kaik?ura: We'll take a spectacular drive along the Kaik?ura Coast, and pay a visit to a nearby seal colony. Yup, it's a coastal cuteness overload.

Included Experience

Kaik?ura: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, we'll meet eco-warrior Sabrina Leucht, who has dedicated many years of her life to helping New Zealand's injured native birds... and is now working to establish the region's first wildlife hospital.

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Itinerary Teaser

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.

Day 1
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Day 12
Day 1

Auckland to Paihia via Whang?rei

Welcome to the land of the long white cloud: New Zealand! Time to meet your Contiki crew in Auckland (T?maki Makaurau) and cross the Harbour...

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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...

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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. Arriving...

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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. We'll visit the world’s...

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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...

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Day 6

Rotorua to Lake Taup? via Huka Falls

From Rotorua, we make our way to Lake Taup?, but not before a cheeky stop-off at the awesome Huka Falls. 220,000 litres (that's...

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Day 7

Lake Taup? 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...

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Day 8

Mount Ruapehu to Wellington

These landscapes are unique and the sights will leave you breathless. On route to the windy capital Wellington where we'll show you the sights of this...

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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...

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Day 10

Wellington to Kaik?ura via Picton

So long north island! Today we're making tracks for your southern brother, darting across the Cook Strait via the Inter-Island ferry. Our first port of...

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Day 11

Kaik?ura

We all love a free day - especially one spent in beautiful Kaik?ura! We recommend taking a dolphin watching tour, where you'll have the opportunity to see (or swim...

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Day 12

Kaik?ura to Christchurch

So long Kaik?ura! Arriving into Christchurch (?tautahi) almost marks the end of our adventure (sob). But not before an inspiring tour of the city that was totally rebuilt...

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and 'work & travel' company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

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Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

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3. Time to go!

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Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

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New Zealand: Northern Choice