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New Zealand: Northern Choice | Southbound | Oct 2025
Sep 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 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.
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Dates & Pricing
| Monday 06 Oct 25 — Friday 17 Oct 25 | Starting at $2,328 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 14 Oct 25 — Saturday 25 Oct 25 | Starting at $2,328 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 22 Oct 25 — Sunday 02 Nov 25 | Starting at $2,328 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 30 Oct 25 — Monday 10 Nov 25 | Starting at $2,328 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 07 Nov 25 — Tuesday 18 Nov 25 | Starting at $2,328 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 15 Nov 25 — Wednesday 26 Nov 25 | Starting at $2,328 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 23 Nov 25 — Thursday 04 Dec 25 | Starting at $2,378 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 01 Dec 25 — Friday 12 Dec 25 | Starting at $2,378 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 09 Dec 25 — Saturday 20 Dec 25 | Starting at $2,378 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 17 Dec 25 — Sunday 28 Dec 25 | Starting at $2,378 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 21 Dec 25 — Thursday 01 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,378 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 25 Dec 25 — Monday 05 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,378 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 29 Dec 25 — Friday 09 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,378 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 02 Jan 26 — Tuesday 13 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 06 Jan 26 — Saturday 17 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 10 Jan 26 — Wednesday 21 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 14 Jan 26 — Sunday 25 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 18 Jan 26 — Thursday 29 Jan 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 22 Jan 26 — Monday 02 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 26 Jan 26 — Friday 06 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 30 Jan 26 — Tuesday 10 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 03 Feb 26 — Saturday 14 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 07 Feb 26 — Wednesday 18 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 11 Feb 26 — Sunday 22 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 15 Feb 26 — Thursday 26 Feb 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 19 Feb 26 — Monday 02 Mar 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 27 Feb 26 — Tuesday 10 Mar 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 07 Mar 26 — Wednesday 18 Mar 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 23 Mar 26 — Friday 03 Apr 26 | Starting at $2,538 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 08 Apr 26 — Sunday 19 Apr 26 | Starting at $2,502 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 24 Apr 26 — Tuesday 05 May 26 | Starting at $2,502 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 10 May 26 — Thursday 21 May 26 | Starting at $2,502 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 26 May 26 — Saturday 06 Jun 26 | Starting at $2,502 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 06 Jun 26 — Wednesday 17 Jun 26 | Starting at $2,502 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 20 Jun 26 — Wednesday 01 Jul 26 | Starting at $2,502 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 27 Jun 26 — Wednesday 08 Jul 26 | Starting at $2,502 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 04 Jul 26 — Wednesday 15 Jul 26 | Starting at $2,439 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 11 Jul 26 — Wednesday 22 Jul 26 | Starting at $2,439 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 18 Jul 26 — Wednesday 29 Jul 26 | Starting at $2,439 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 25 Jul 26 — Wednesday 05 Aug 26 | Starting at $2,439 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 01 Aug 26 — Wednesday 12 Aug 26 | Starting at $2,439 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 15 Aug 26 — Wednesday 26 Aug 26 | Starting at $2,439 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 29 Aug 26 — Wednesday 09 Sep 26 | Starting at $2,439 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 12 Sep 26 — Wednesday 23 Sep 26 | Starting at $2,439 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 26 Sep 26 — Wednesday 07 Oct 26 | Starting at $2,439 | 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
3 Dinner (D)
11 Breakfast (B)
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
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.
Rotorua: A traditional Māori cultural performance, topped off with a traditional Māori feast... this ought to satisfy even the keenest of culture vultures.
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.
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(!)
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."
Kaikōura: We'll take a spectacular drive along the Kaikōura Coast, and pay a visit to a nearby seal colony. Yup, it's a coastal cuteness overload.
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.
3 Dinner (D)
11 Breakfast (B)
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
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.
Rotorua: A traditional Māori cultural performance, topped off with a traditional Māori feast... this ought to satisfy even the keenest of culture vultures.
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.
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(!)
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."
Kaikōura: We'll take a spectacular drive along the Kaikōura Coast, and pay a visit to a nearby seal colony. Yup, it's a coastal cuteness overload.
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.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYAuckland to Paihia via Whangārei
Welcome to the land of the long white cloud: New Zealand! Time to meet your Contiki crew in Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) and cross the 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 and check out the quirky exterior of the Hunderwasser art center, 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.
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 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
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 in Auckland we've got a array of awesome Free-Time Add-Ons to choose from. 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 icecream experience at Giapo?
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 largest kiwi bird conservation project, watch the birds roam, stand in a human-sized kiwi burrow and even visit the incubation center where over 2,100 kiwi chicks have been born. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a traditional Māori dinner and performance (you’ll also have the chance to get involved in the world-famous HAKA).
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 Lake Taupō via Huka Falls
From Rotorua, we make our way to Lake Taupō, but not before a cheeky stop-off at the awesome Huka Falls. 220,000 litres (that's 58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Just let that sink in for a minute. Wild, right? Even wilder still is the Hukafalls Jet experience - a thrilling ride that will get you experiencing the full force of the falls and leave you with even more of a taste for adventure. A good thing really, given Lake Taupō is on the horizon. We arrive at Lake Taupō, the largest freshwater lake in Australasia. 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 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 North Island. Today you have the option to go mountain biking along one of NZ's most picturesque track, "the Old Coach Rd".Tonight we stay in a heritage listed building built in 1913 which is now a vibrant modern ski lodge, located at the base of a volcano, Mount Ruapehu (Ruapehu) with views unlike any other you've seen.
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 city.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, 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, we'll 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 Kaikōura 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 call on the South Island will be Picton (Waitohi), the gateway to wine country. Sauv blanc, anyone? Kaikōura is known for its marine life (among many other things), so keep your eyes peeled for whales, dolphins and seals – which we’ll check out along the way. Next up, we'll visit Kaikōura Wildlife Rescue to meet Sabrina Leucht, a local biologist who’ll teach us about local wildlife, the threats they face and how we can make a difference. Tonight, we’ll check into our seafront hotel for a relaxing evening.
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 seals and dusky dolphins. Other free time add-ons include a thrilling helicopter ride over the Kaikōura Peninsula, a kayak trip across the coastline, Quadbiking through Glenstrae Farm, and more. We'll stay another night in Kaikōura after an action-packed day, before heading to Christchurch tomorrow morning.
Kaikōura to Christchurch
So long Kaikōura! Arriving into Christchurch (Ōtautahi) almost marks the end of our adventure (sob). But not before an inspiring tour of the city that was totally rebuilt after the Christchurch earthquake. Look out for the Cardboard Cathedral, the only cathedral in the world to be built mostly from plain old cardboard. Our time together has been nothing short of perfect, so don't leave it to long before coming back to hang with us for Contiki 2.0.
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.
