• 1 Lunch (L)
• 6 Dinner (D)
• 5 Breakfast (B)

• Rotorua: Set on the edge of Lake Rotorua, Ohinemutu Marae is a living Maori village where you’ll be welcomed by the local iwi (tribe) and shown what life’s like – both past and present. You’ll see how geothermal energy is used for cooking and bathing, explore the beautifully carved Meeting House and iconic St Faith’s Church, and sleep Marae-style in the wharenui (meeting house) – all together in one room, just like Maori families do today. It’s an unforgettable, first-hand experience that’s equal parts grounding, eye-opening and heartwarming.
• Rotorua: Walk down to the home of the Ngati 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 Maori culture as we prepare a traditional hangi 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 Maori customs and protocols are? Learn all about their ‘layers of culture’ from the Maori themselves.
• 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: Witness Maori culture – beautiful songs, poi dance, traditional weapons. And also the spine-tingling Haka, performed exclusively for Contiki.
• Rangitikei: Tucked away in the jaw-dropping Rangitikei Valley, River Valley Lodge is where unplugged nature meets full-send adventure. You can white-water raft, horse trek, or hit the trails on an e-bike (and still be back in time for a farm-to-table dinner made from the lodge’s own backyard!). Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or just want to chill riverside with a good view and great vibes, this is rural NZ at its finest.
• 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!
• Marahau: Ocean views? Tick. Gateway to Abel Tasman National Park? Tick. Laid-back Kiwi camping vibes with a side of yoga, outdoor movies and unbeatable stargazing? Big tick. The Barn is where golden beaches meet national park magic. It’s the perfect base to explore walking tracks by day and toast marshmallows by night. Nature lovers and chill seekers, you’re gonna love this one. 
• 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.
• Marahau: Hike across this incredible national park – taking in the gorgeous views of natural rock pools, crystal clear waters and green forests along the way. 
• Marahau: Tuck into an included dinner at The Park Cafe, an iconic NZ eatery on the edge of the national park and waterfront. Watch the sun dip below the horizon as you feast on plenty of pizza and fuel up for tomorrow’s early start and sunrise waka experience.
• Punakaiki Beach Camp: Ever wanted to fall asleep to crashing waves and wake up surrounded by rainforest and ancient cliffs? It’s like camping but indoors! Welcome to Punakaiki Beach Camp. Perched between the wild West Coast and Paparoa National Park, this beachfront gem is all bonfires, Pancake Rock hikes, kayaking the Pororari River and even carving your own sandstone taonga (sacred treasure). It’s rugged, raw, and ridiculously beautiful.
• Marahau: Paddle across the river as you witness a magical sunrise. You’ll learn about how the Maori honour Te Ra (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 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)!
• 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 Maori 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.
• Haast: Ready for some incredible views? We’ll drive through the gorgeous mountains of the Gates of Haast and catch once-in-a-lifetime views of the river below. Seems like Mother nature does have a favourite!
• Doubtful Sound: The Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise takes you deep into Fiordland’s wild heart (that’s accessible only by boat and private coach!),  You’ll kayak through glossy water, hear actual silence, and spot dolphins and seals. We’re staying onboard in comfy twin-share cabins with ensuites, and there’s a chef serving up gourmet meals made with local produce and fresh seafood. It’s moody, magical, and 100% unforgettable.
• 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.
• Doubtful Sound: Switch off and soak up one of Doubtful Sound’s most memorable moments. As the boat’s engines are turned off, the fiord falls quiet and birdsong takes centre stage. It’s a rare chance to experience the sounds of nature uninterrupted, just as it may have been when Abel Tasman first arrived here in 1642.

Step into Middle-earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set, wandering past bright-door hobbit holes, vegetable patches and hedgerows that look plucked from the Shire. Your guide reveals filming secrets and how the sets were crafted for cinematic realism.

Finish with a cosy drink at the Green Dragon Inn and time for photos among Shire gardens. This is an optional excursion at additional cost, bookable on tour and subject to availability.

Walk the coastal loop to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, where sea-carved limestone stacks and blowholes thunder with incoming swells. Paths wind past flax and nikau palms to viewpoints framing layered “pancakes” against the Tasman Sea.

Discover how time, uplift and salt-laden winds sculpted this otherworldly coast over geological forces over millions of years. On swell days, plumes erupt skyward—nature’s own performance under a moody West Coast sky.

Contiki

Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery to meet New Zealand’s national bird up close and learn how rangers incubate eggs and raise chicks to boost survival rates. See purpose-built facilities and hear about predator threats and the hands-on methods that safeguard this treasured species.

Gain insight into threatened species recovery and the role community conservation plays across Aotearoa. This educational encounter deepens appreciation for the kiwi’s nocturnal world and the dedicated guardians working to protect it for future generations.

Cross the Cook Strait aboard the Interislander Ferry, gliding past forested headlands, sheltered bays and seabird-dotted waters. Deck views open onto the intricate coves of the Marlborough Sounds as the coastline unfurls like a green tapestry.

Settle into the rhythm of the voyage with sea air and sweeping photo ops. This classic crossing links the cultural buzz of Wellington with South Island’s wild beauty—an iconic passage where landscapes shift in spectacular slow motion.

Sample the famed Paparoa Track, moving from lush podocarp forest to open viewpoints over river gorges. Trails reveal limestone karst, fern-fringed creeks and bird song that follows you through the green.

Hear how this Great Walk honours landscape and community while opening new access to rainforest ridgelines. It’s a concentrated slice of West Coast wilderness—ideal for walkers seeking big scenery with a gentle gradient.

Gather seaside for a relaxed feast featuring the West Coast delicacy: the whitebait fritter. Fresh-off-the-plate flavours meet salty air as you enjoy a BBQ dinner by the campfire with the surf as your soundtrack.

Swap stories under a sky bright with stars and feel the day’s hikes soften into cosy contentment. This simple, shared meal captures the coast’s character—sea, sand and good company at a West Coast beach.

Journey through Haast Pass, where sinuous roads thread between glacier-fed rivers, beech forest and towering peaks. Short trailheads invite you to step out and feel spray drifting from fern-draped cascades.

Trace the route Maori and early explorers once travelled, watching landscapes shift from rainforest to high country. Expect sweeping viewpoints, braided riverbeds and time to pause for photos and reflection across this storied alpine corridor.

Settle into a Doubtful Sound overnight cruise with comfortable cabins and chef-led dining as cliffs rise like cathedrals around you. Join a guided excursion to kayak beneath cliffs, spotting seals, penguins or playful dolphins in mirror-calm water.

As dusk gathers, share a chef-prepared dinner highlighting local produce. In the morning stillness, the captain cuts the engines for the famed fiord silence—only birdsong and distant waterfalls, an elemental moment you’ll carry long after leaving Fiordland.

Soar between ancient trees on a zipline through native forest, gliding past mossy trunks and fern canopies while guides share ecology and conservation stories. Elevated platforms reveal geothermal steam rising beyond the treeline.

Feel the rush of cool air and birdsong at eye level with the canopy. This conservation-led experience balances adrenaline with insight. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Choose your adventure: e-bike the backcountry trails for rolling hill climbs and ridge-top views, or horse trek high-country ridgelines with a sure-footed mount leading the way. Guides tailor the pace to suit the group.

Expect crisp air, big skies and moments to dismount for photos over the Rangitikei Valley. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Venture deep into granite gorges on canyoning—abseiling beside waterfalls, sliding natural chutes and leaping into clear pools. Wetsuits, helmets and expert guides keep the focus on fun and flow.

Between obstacles, look up to fern-fringed cliffs and sunlit forest crowns. It’s an immersive way to feel the park’s geology and water up close. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and conditions dependent.

Skim the coastline on a relaxed voyage, where crew invite you to hoist the sails or simply lounge on deck. Bays, islands and granite headlands slide by as the water shifts through shades of jade and cobalt.

Drop anchor for a beach stop and a quick swim if conditions allow. A breezy, scenic counterpoint to hiking days. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Glide upriver on a stand-up paddleboard as nikau palms and limestone cliffs mirror in calm water. Back at camp, learn to carve a sandstone taonga, shaping a keepsake guided by local techniques.

This creative combo channels West Coast nature into movement and making—gentle, engaging and proudly hands-on. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and river-level dependent.

Answer the call of adventure with a bungy jump in the world capital of adrenaline. Choose iconic sites such as Kawarau Bridge or the Nevis, each serving up a different blend of height, river gorge scenery and pure rush.

Briefing, harnessing and countdown build the moment—then it’s sky, wind and elation. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and subject to availability.

Dial up the thrill on a canyon swing, launching from a cliff into a vast arc above a roaring river. Go solo or tandem, forwards or backward—the drop is a heart-in-throat moment followed by soaring exhilaration.

Staff coach your technique and capture the action as alpine walls rush by. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Fly platform to platform on a zipline through beech forest, pairing speed with sweeping views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Guides add natural history snippets between each gravity-powered glide.

This is light-impact adventure with big scenery—ideal if you love fresh air and smooth thrills. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Tour boutique vineyards to sample regional wines, from crisp aromatics to the region’s famed Central Otago pinot noir. Cellar hosts share terroir tales—schist soils, big temperature swings and mountain air that shape concentrated flavours.

Interludes of vineyard views and cheese boards keep the pace leisurely. A refined counterpoint to adrenaline days. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Ride the Skyline Gondola high above Queenstown for twilight colours over peaks and lake. Settle in for a panoramic dinner where picture-window views pair with a generous spread of Kiwi favourites and international dishes.

Between courses, step outside to watch the lights glitter across T ahuna. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and subject to availability.

Experience a warm traditional Maori welcome (powhiri) with local hosts at Ohinemutu on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Join the crew to prepare a hangi feast, learning how heated stones and earth-steaming lock in smoky, tender flavours. As evening settles, sleep Marae-style in the wharenui, sharing one communal space as stories and laughter drift into the night.

Explore living culture through tikanga and kawa (customs and protocols), and admire intricate carvings and lakefront vistas. With the village as your classroom, this is an intimate window into community life and a powerful connection to Aotearoa’s traditions.

Witness a stirring showcase of traditional performing arts featuring waiata (song), poi and weaponry displays that trace whakapapa (ancestry) and storytelling through rhythm and movement. Feel the energy crest during a spine-tingling Haka, performed exclusively for your group.

Gain context for each element from your hosts—how actions, voice and percussion communicate pride, unity and challenge. This evening blends artistry and meaning, offering a memorable cultural encounter grounded in authenticity and respect.

Pause at the thunderous Huka Falls to watch the Waikato River blast through a narrow volcanic gorge in a surging ribbon of turquoise. Boardwalks and lookouts bring you close to the spray as water churns and foams beneath your feet.

Capture the drama of the Waikato River’s blue surge as it hurtles toward Lake Taupo. Rugged rock, native bush and the falls’ constant roar set a compelling scene for those who love to pause for photos and reflection.

Stroll the lodge’s kitchen gardens before sitting down to a wholesome farm-to-table dinner celebrating ultra-fresh produce, local meats and seasonal herbs. With the Rangitikei River nearby and hills rolling to the horizon, dinner tastes even better with countryside stillness all around.

Hear how regenerative practices nurture the Rangitikei countryside and reduce food miles. Exploring the organic gardens adds flavour to every bite—this is rural hospitality where provenance and place shine on the plate.

Hike a section of Abel Tasman National Park, tracing golden bays and sculpted granite headlands beneath a canopy of manuka and rimu. Tracks roll gently between beaches and bush, with frequent chances to dip your toes in crystal-clear shallows.

Learn how the park’s golden-sand bays formed and why this coastline shelters abundant birdlife. The blend of native forest, tidal inlets and turquoise water creates a serene rhythm perfect for walkers and photographers alike.

Settle in at the edge of the national park for dinner at The Park Cafe, a beloved local spot where wood-fired flavours meet relaxed beach-town vibes. Big skies and sea breezes dial the atmosphere to blissfully unhurried.

Watch sunset over the bay tint islands and headlands in soft pinks and golds. It’s the ideal fuel—and mood—for the early start ahead, with friendly service and a menu tuned to coastal cravings.

Paddle a traditional canoe on a sunrise waka paddle, gliding over glassy water as dawn paints the Abel Tasman coast. Learn paddling rhythms and stories that honour Te Ra (the sun) and the connection between people and moana (ocean).

Guides share cultural context and coastal lore while the horizon brightens. This mindful voyage blends teamwork, song and sea to deepen understanding of place—an uplifting start woven with tradition and respect for nature.

Cruise Lake Manapouri, New Zealand’s serene, island-studded lake framed by jagged peaks. Then board a private coach over the remote Wilmot Pass, a road hemmed by dripping ferns, mossy trunks and tumbling waterfalls.

This backdoor approach to Fiordland sets a contemplative tone—glass-calm waters, shifting cloud and the hush of beech rainforest and waterfalls. It’s an atmospheric prelude to the fiords that lie beyond.

Tackle the Rangitikei River on a white-water raft, threading emerald pools and surging rapids framed by steep papa (claystone) cliffs. Professional guides handle the lines while you paddle, splash and laugh your way downstream.

Between rapids, float beneath swallows and sheer canyon walls for a sense of scale and solitude. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and weather dependent.

Leap into alpine vistas on a skydive over Wanaka, freefalling above braided rivers, sapphire lakes and the snow-dusted Southern Alps panoramas. Tandem instructors handle the technicals—your job is to breathe, whoop and take it all in.

After chute deployment, float through silent air with time to trace peaks and valleys from a bird’s-eye view. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and weather dependent.