Northern Choice (Wellington to Auckland)

Company : Contiki
Duration: 1 week to 2 weeks
Approx Costs: 500 to 1000 £ Pound (UK)

New Zealand's the land of stunning natural beauty, action-packed activities & laid back culture. Kick off this trip in the land of "The Lord of the Rings", Wellington.

Take in a dinner sunset cruise on Lake Taupo and brave the Rock'n Ropes course. In Rotorua try the 'Zorb' or skyline gondola & end the day relaxing in a Polynesian thermal pool. Black water raft the underground caves of Waitomo & in the Bay of Islands go sand dune surfing. Finally, the good times must come to an end in the country's biggest city, Auckland.

Itinerary

1 ARRIVE WELLINGTON
Check into the Abel Tasman Hotel, then the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore. Meet your fellow travelers & Tour Manager this evening.

2 WELLINGTON
You’ve got a full day to discover Wellington – its compact centre is perfect for exploring on foot.

3 WELLINGTON TO LAKE TAUPO
Spot the dramatic volcanic landscapes today that were used as backdrops in "The Lord of the Rings", when we drive past World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. The park is also home to the still active volcano, Mt. Ruapehu, which doubles as NZ’s biggest ski field. Continue on to the popular low-key resort town of Taupo. Here, there’s some of the best trout fishing in the country and some of the most amazing long-distance views of Tongariro National Park’s three volcanic peaks. Cap off your day with our optional dinner cruise out on New Zealand’s largest lake – Lake Taupo - where you can have a go at fishing! Later, back on land, play some pool at one of Taupo’s lakeside bars.

4 TAUPO TO ROTORUA
On the way out of Taupo, a visit to the raging Huka Falls will impress. Tonnes of water surge over these falls at a rate of 220,000 litres (58 000 gallons) per second. It’s a short drive to Rotorua, famous for its spurting geysers, boiling mud pools, hot springs and ‘interesting’ sulphur smell.

5 ROTORUA
This morning, get an insider look at New Zealand’s unique Maori culture & history as we tour Rotorua’s famous Ohinemutu Village with our expert local guide. You’ll learn all about the history of the Maori people, their customs & traditions, plus have the opportunity to ask questions & learn as much as possible about this amazing spot – it’s the perfect way to get in the know. With the rest of the day free to explore the way you want, you can advantage of the city's awesome thermal environment & treat yourself to a spa treatment or massage.

6 ROTORUA TO WAITOMO
This morning, we stop at the Agrodome farm show for an interactive introduction into farming and agriculture, which is New Zealand’s main industry. You’ll see sheep-shearing and watch an impressive sheepdog demo. These dogs are highly-trained and skilled at controlling livestock. We'll stop off for an included visit at Otorohanga's Kiwi House to check out New Zealand's national bird. This shy creature only comes out at night - the nocturnal enclosures at the Kiwi House mean you're guaranteed to see one. If you're lucky you'll also get to spot a tuatara - a true 'living fossil' reptile that pre-dates the dinosaurs! Next up is Waitomo and the Waitomo Caves. Famous for their incredible limestone formations and glowworms, the caves are a stunning subterranean world.

7 WAITOMO TO AUCKLAND
Today we drive through the lush farmlands of Waikato – an area that produces many of New Zealand’s best rugby players for the All Blacks - before arriving in Auckland. As New Zealand’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, Auckland is surrounded by volcanoes, islands and a stunning harbour. You’ll soon understand why this is the "City of Sails" and was once home to the America’s Cup. Here we'll show you the city spots on an included sightseeing tour before heading up the iconic Sky Tower. A VIP pass at one of our favourite nightspots awaits tonight.

8 AUCKLAND TO PAIHIA
This morning we’ll cross the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge. There are full-blown vistas of the harbour, Rangitoto, and other neighbouring volcanic islands on the way. With a stop at Parry Kauri Park, there’s time to walk through this famous reserve and see many of New Zealand’s ancient Kauri (a native tree). Some of the Kauri are 50m high and over 1000 years old. The final stop today is the small coastal town of Paihia. It’s the gateway to the Bay of Islands, one of New Zealand’s photogenic natural playgrounds.

9 PAIHIA
With a full free day here, you’ll really get to enjoy the laid-back, natural beauty of the Bay of Islands. Chill out, or choose from loads of activities on offer here.

10 PAIHIA TO AUCKLAND
Head back south to Auckland today, where your tour winds up in the city centre mid-afternoon.