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New Zealand: Northern Choice | Northbound | Oct 2025
May 2026
Tour Description:
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 sashay our way from Auckland to Christchurch, chowing down on 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.
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Dates & Pricing
| Monday 13 Oct 25 — Friday 24 Oct 25 | Starting at $2,311 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 21 Oct 25 — Saturday 01 Nov 25 | Starting at $2,311 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 29 Oct 25 — Sunday 09 Nov 25 | Starting at $2,311 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 06 Nov 25 — Monday 17 Nov 25 | Starting at $2,311 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 14 Nov 25 — Tuesday 25 Nov 25 | Starting at $2,311 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 22 Nov 25 — Wednesday 03 Dec 25 | Starting at $2,311 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 30 Nov 25 — Thursday 11 Dec 25 | Starting at $2,361 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 08 Dec 25 — Friday 19 Dec 25 | Starting at $2,361 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 16 Dec 25 — Saturday 27 Dec 25 | Starting at $2,361 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 24 Dec 25 — Sunday 04 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,361 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 28 Dec 25 — Thursday 08 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,361 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 01 Jan 26 — Monday 12 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 05 Jan 26 — Friday 16 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 09 Jan 26 — Tuesday 20 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 13 Jan 26 — Saturday 24 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 17 Jan 26 — Wednesday 28 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 21 Jan 26 — Sunday 01 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 25 Jan 26 — Thursday 05 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 29 Jan 26 — Monday 09 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 02 Feb 26 — Friday 13 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 06 Feb 26 — Tuesday 17 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 10 Feb 26 — Saturday 21 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 14 Feb 26 — Wednesday 25 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 18 Feb 26 — Sunday 01 Mar 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 22 Feb 26 — Thursday 05 Mar 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 26 Feb 26 — Monday 09 Mar 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 06 Mar 26 — Tuesday 17 Mar 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 14 Mar 26 — Wednesday 25 Mar 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 30 Mar 26 — Friday 10 Apr 26 | Starting at $2,520 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 15 Apr 26 — Sunday 26 Apr 26 | Starting at $2,484 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 01 May 26 — Tuesday 12 May 26 | Starting at $2,484 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 17 May 26 — Thursday 28 May 26 | Starting at $2,484 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 02 Jun 26 — Saturday 13 Jun 26 | Starting at $2,484 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingDining Summary
11 Breakfast (B)
3 Dinner (D)
FAQs
Christchurch: Which Version is Northbound vs Southbound? Southbound trips start in Auckland and end in Christchurch. Northbound trips start in Christchurch and finish in Auckland. They’re both the same itineraries, just in reverse.
Included Experience
Kaikōura: 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.
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!
Mount Ruapehu: It's not a real carrot, just a statue. But standing at 7.5 meters tall, it still impresses. This famous spot in Ohakune represents all of the carrot farms (and there are plenty here) in town.
Mount Ruapehu: Today we'll check out Mt Ruapehu, an active stratovolcano elevated almost 2,800 meters into the air!
Mount Ruapehu: See even more of the sights made famous by "The Lord of the Rings."
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(!)
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.
Rotorua: A traditional Māori cultural performance, topped off with a traditional Māori feast... this ought to satisfy even the keenest of culture vultures.
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.
11 Breakfast (B)
3 Dinner (D)
FAQs
Christchurch: Which Version is Northbound vs Southbound? Southbound trips start in Auckland and end in Christchurch. Northbound trips start in Christchurch and finish in Auckland. They’re both the same itineraries, just in reverse.
Included Experience
Kaikōura: 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.
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!
Mount Ruapehu: It's not a real carrot, just a statue. But standing at 7.5 meters tall, it still impresses. This famous spot in Ohakune represents all of the carrot farms (and there are plenty here) in town.
Mount Ruapehu: Today we'll check out Mt Ruapehu, an active stratovolcano elevated almost 2,800 meters into the air!
Mount Ruapehu: See even more of the sights made famous by "The Lord of the Rings."
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(!)
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.
Rotorua: A traditional Māori cultural performance, topped off with a traditional Māori feast... this ought to satisfy even the keenest of culture vultures.
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.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYChristchurch to Kaikōura
Welcome to Christchurch (Ōtautahi)! Contiki crew, are you ready?! We'll board the coach, traveling through South Island to reach Kaikōura by lunch. We'll stop off at a seal colony on the seafront to get our daily fix of cuteness, before heading to Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue to meet a local wildlife biologist, Sabrina Leucht. She has been working to build a dedicated wildlife hospital in Kaikōura and Contiki has been helping with the fundraising! We'll learn about the types of wildlife we might encounter here, which threats they face, and what we can all do to make a difference - locally and in our own hometowns. After a busy day of wildlife wonders, we'll check into our seafront hotel, before heading out for a spot of dinner. Did you know that Kaikōura literally translates into 'eat (kai) crayfish (koura)'? So, no prizes for guessing what type of local cuisine we'll be trying!
Kaikōura
We all love a free day - especially one spent in beautiful Kaikōura! 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 across the coastline, and more. We'll stay another night in Kaikōura after an action-packed day, before heading to Wellington tomorrow morning.
Kaikōura to Wellington
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 Wellington, the capital of NZ since 1865, when it replaced Auckland. Almost thirty years later, Wellington parliament was the first in the world to allow women the right to vote. A pretty cool city all in all.By the afternoon, we'll have reached Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara), just in time for a tour of the city. After an orientation through the narrow streets of Wellington, and a chance to explore the great food scene, a night on the town will be on the cards.
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 Australians). Caffeinated and refreshed, you can opt to take a trip to Zealandia, a 225-hectare (basically massive) eco-sanctuary that protects over 40 rare native wildlife species. Because Zealandia is fully fenced, you'll be able to walk alongside incredibly rare birds like the hihi and the takahē. Look out for the tuatara, a prehistoric reptile known as a 'living fossil', which can only be found in New Zealand!
Wellington to Mount Ruapehu
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 the option to go mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd" or spend the day bettering your skills on the slopes or generally treating yourself to all the snowy based activities on offer, then tonight snuggle down in our Special Stay ski lodge, located in prime position at the base of Mount Ruapehu (Ruapehu).
Mount Ruapehu to Lake Taupō
Wake up in the spectacular surroundings of Mt. Ruapehu with the epic views of the volcano. Today we head off to Lake Taupō!Here we are in Lake Taupō (Taupō Nui a Kiwa). Volcanic peak views & trout fishing will seamlessly slip us into quaint lake life. But don't be fooled by the seemingly still scenery - a skydive is on the menu if that adrenaline itch needs scratching. This evening we jump on a cruise on the lake to watch the sun set, go fishing and enjoy some eats with our Contiki fam.
Lake Taupō to Rotorua via Huka Falls
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… ‘unusual’ sulphur smell, you’ll know we’ve arrived in Rotorua. Upon arrival in Rotorua we get to learn some fascinating info on NZ's national birds, as well as watch new lives hatch right in front of our eyes! How impressed are you right now? Soak in a hotspring, go skydiving or take a canopy tour - there's plenty of time for you to make the best of this town. Tonight we enjoy a Māori cultural performance and feast on a Hāngi dinner that is sweetly roasted in the ground.
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 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.
Rotorua to Auckland
Ta-ra, Rotorua! We're headed to Auckland, where there's an array of awesome Free-Time Add-Ons to choose from.Welcome to Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau)! Adrenaline junkies, get ready for a bungee jump, climb over the iconic harbor 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 ice cream experience at Giapo?
Auckland to Paihia via Whangārei
We'll cross Aucklands Harbor Bridge admiring the 'City of Sails' harbor before starting our journey north to Paihia. We'll stop off at the stunning yacht marina in Whangārei to check out the quirky exterior of the weird and wonderful Hunderwassert art center, a unique architectural project dedicated to the ecological activist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. After lunch we'll hit the road again onwards to the Bay of Islands.We'll start 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 included admission to the Treaty museum for more detail on Kiwi history. Tonight we'll feast like the locals and enjoy a true Kiwiana fish'n'chips as we overlook the glittering Bay of Islands.
Paihia
Whether it's parasailing or a catamaran cruise - 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.
Paihia to Auckland
Feeling salty and sun-kissed we'll wave goodbye to beautiful Paihia & sashay our way back down NZ in the direction of Auckland. Our adventure comes to an end in Auckland today. Make sure you swap contact deets and start planning the next adventure. Anyone for 'Straya?
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
