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Real New Zealand

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

$4,271

Overview

Show-stopping scenery. Timeless tradition. Awesome adventure. Time to discover New Zealand like never before. In 15 incredible days, you’ll go from traditional Māori towns to the incredible Abel Tasman National Park and even drive down the rugged west coast of the South Island. With dreamy landscapes of River Valley, plenty of adrenaline-pumping adventures in Queenstown and even witnessing geothermal activity IRL, this is as real as it gets.

Inclusions

Dining Summary

  • 1 Lunch (L)
  • 4 Dinner (D)
  • 4 Breakfast (B)

Included Experience

  • Rotorua: Walk down to the home of the Ng?ti Whakaue tribe at Ohinemutu. Check out their cooking methods, hot water vents and even outdoor bathing sheds.
  • Rotorua: Roll up your sleeves and dive into M?ori culture as we prepare a traditional h?ngi feast together. From heating the stones to layering the food underground, you’ll learn how this iconic steamed meal has been made for centuries. And of course, enjoy the flavours of Aotearoa the way locals have for generations.
  • Rotorua: Ever wondered what the M?ori customs and protocols are? Learn all about their ‘layers of culture’ from the M?ori themselves.
  • Rotorua: Witness M?ori culture - beautiful songs, poi dance, traditional weapons. And also the spine-tingling Haka, performed exclusively for Contiki.
  • 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.
  • Rangitikei: Dig into a wholesome organic dinner, made with locally-grown produce. You'll also get to explore the gardens and see where the food is grown. This is as fresh as it gets!
  • Wellington: Kick back and soak up the views as we cross between the North and South Islands aboard the Interislander Ferry, drifting past forested hills, hidden bays, and sparkling blue waters.
  • M?rahau: Our home for tonight? A camp right at the doorstep of NZ's most pristine and youngest national parks. Think: golden beaches, starry skies and enough natural beauty to keep you satisfied for a lifetime.
  • M?rahau: Hike across this incredible national park - taking in the gorgeous views of natural rock pools, crystal clear waters and green forests along the way.
  • M?rahau: Paddle across the river as you witness a magical sunrise. You'll learn about how the Maori honour Te R? (the sun) and the timatanga (beginning) from the moana (ocean).
  • Westport: Buckle up for one of NZ’s most scenic drives as we wind our way through Buller Gorge. Think lush rainforest, dramatic river canyons, and views that’ll have you glued to the window the whole way. It’s not just a road trip, it’s nature showing off.
  • Punakaiki: Explore the historical Paparoa Track, passing by river gorges, forests, limestone cliffs and non-stop jaw-dropping views. It's one of NZ's most famous walks for a reason!
  • Punakaiki: Taste a M?ori classic delicacy - a whitebait fritter (basically - an omlette with whitebait)! We'll enjoy a BBQ dinner at Punakaiki Beach Camp and settle down by a campfire to enjoy it with the crew.
  • Punakaiki Pancake Rocks: These rock formations didn’t just pop up overnight! They’ve been shaped by karst and coastal erosion over millions of years, thanks to ancient sea creatures, shifting tectonic plates, and ocean forces. Nature's finest work? Quite possibly.
  • Punakaiki: Come check out this beautifully rugged west coast beach - perfect for your photo ops (with a sunset backdrop)!
  • W?naka: This historical pub is one of the oldest ones in all of New Zealand! It's also one of the last standing buildings from the gold rush era. And it's also where we'll grab dinner tonight.
  • Doubtful Sound: Hop on a boat (with a viewing deck!) for a ride across New Zealand’s second largest lake. Rugged cliffs, beautiful bays and serene waters - you won’t find this kinda natural beauty anywhere else.
  • Doubtful Sound: Hop on our private coach to ride over the Wilmot Pass that can only be reached by boat. Be prepared to witness a kaleidoscope of stunning rainforest scenery and waterfalls.
  • Doubtful Sound: Sip some refreshing tea and chef-made cakes that are traditional to New Zealand, all on board a cruise.
  • Doubtful Sound: A guided kayaking tour is the ultimate way to get up close to the beautiful waters of Doubtful Sound. Jaw-dropping waterfalls, dolphins, penguins, seals - there’s no end to astonishing sights here.
  • Doubtful Sound: Ready for the coolest once-in-a-lifetime experience? It’s time to jump into glacial waters at Doubtful Sound.
  • Doubtful Sound: This is your chance to learn all about the land, flora and fauna around this Fiordland. Best part? You’ll have a nature specialist to give you all the details.
  • Doubtful Sound: Fill up on some delicious chef-made food made with local ingredients, on board a cruise.

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Find your travel tribe

Book & get early access to your group, start planning meet-ups, and make new friends before your journey begins.

Itinerary Teaser

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! Drop your bags off at our lakeside Marae Special Stay before we join a traditional Māori welcome ceremony. Then we'll get together to prep a traditional steamed meal - hangi. And while it's cooking, head out for an introductory tour of Ohinemutu Village & learn all about Tikanga and Kawa - Māori customs and protocols. Then, it's back to the guesthouse to reap the reward of our prep, and enjoy a delicious hangi dinner with the crew. Best first day ever? Quite possibly.

Day 1
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Day 7
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Day 15
Day 1

Auckland to Rotorua

Are you ready for an authentic adventure-packed ride through New Zealand? We begin our journey in Auckland (T?maki Makaurau), its largest city. It’s time to say hello...

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Day 2

Rotorua

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...

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Day 3

Rotorua to Rangitikei via Taup?

It’s time for some more exploration. Fill up on some breakfast before we say farewell to our M?ori friends. We’re in the Kiwi land, so...

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Day 4

Rangitikei to Wellington via Paraparaumu

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...

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Day 5

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 6

Wellington to M?rahau via Motueka

So long North Island! Today we're making tracks for your southern brother, darting across the Cook Strait via the Interislander ferry.As zesty as its famous...

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Day 7

M?rahau

You’ve got the ENTIRE day to explore this natural wonderland just the way you like. River canyoning, skydiving, sailing, hiking - the options are endless. With its golden sandy...

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Day 8

M?rahau to Punakaiki via Kaiteriteri and Murchison

Buh Bye beautiful M?rahau! We’ve got a long day ahead of us.A sunrise paddle Waka? Yup. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll...

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Day 9

Punakaiki to W?naka via Franz Josef and Haast

Punakaiki - you’ve been mesmerising. But we’ve got more wonders waiting to be explored!Yes, they’re 300 million years old. Yes, they look...

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Day 10

W?naka

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...

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Day 11

W?naka to Doubtful Sound via Lake Manap?uri

It’s time to say goodbye to W?naka today. But there’s no need to shed tears just yet. Because after breakfast, we’re driving to...

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Day 12

Doubtful Sound to Queenstown via Lake Manap?uri

Another day to spend exploring the Fiordland? Wow. Today, you’ll hop on a coach and get another look at Wilmot Pass. It’s time...

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Day 13

Queenstown

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...

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Day 14

Queenstown

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...

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Day 15

Queenstown to Christchurch

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...

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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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Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

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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Partner network

We have over 100's of partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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