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New Zealand: Sun & Steam

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  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • What's Included
  • FAQ
  • Dates

Embark on an unforgettable journey through New Zealand with the "Sun & Steam" tour, starting and ending in the vibrant city of Auckland. Experience the stunning landscapes and rich history as you travel north to Paihia, stopping at Whangarei's yacht marina and the unique Hunderwasser art centre. Discover the historical Waitangi Treaty Grounds and enjoy a classic Kiwi fish 'n' chips dinner overlooking the Bay of Islands. Adventure awaits with optional activities like parasailing and sailing. Continue to Rotorua, where you can explore geothermal wonders, participate in a traditional Maori feast, and visit the National Kiwi Hatchery. Enjoy free time to soak in hot springs or zipline through the forest. This tour offers a perfect blend of culture, adventure, and natural beauty, making it an ideal choice for those seeking an in-depth exploration of New Zealand.

Highlights
  • Explore the stunning yacht marina in Whangarei and the unique Hundertwasser art centre.
  • Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Paihia, where New Zealand became a nation.
  • Enjoy a traditional Kiwi fish 'n' chips dinner overlooking the Bay of Islands.
  • Experience the thrill of parasailing or sailing in the beautiful Bay of Islands.
  • Participate in a traditional Maori dinner and cultural performance in Rotorua.
  • Discover the geothermal wonders and bubbling mud pools of Rotorua.
  • Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery near Rotorua to learn about kiwi bird conservation.
Mode of Transport
Travel across New Zealand with ease, starting from Auckland and journeying through stunning landscapes to Paihia, Rotorua, and back to Auckland. Enjoy the convenience of organized transfers and the opportunity to explore the beautiful regions of New Zealand with your Contiki crew.
Accommodation
Stay at the Bounty Motel in Paihia and Sudima Lake Rotorua in Rotorua, offering comfortable accommodations with local charm. In Auckland, enjoy your stay at Lylo, providing a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. These accommodations ensure a pleasant and relaxing experience throughout your journey.
Optional Activities
Optional activities such as parasailing, cruising the Bay of Islands, bungee jumping, and sky jumping are not included.
Free Time Add-On Experiences
Free Time Add-On experiences in Paihia and Auckland are not included in the tour package.
Dining Summary
  • 2 Dinner (D)
  • 5 Breakfast (B)
FAQs
  • Sydney: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
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.
  • Whangarei: 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 Maori 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 Maori cultural performance, topped off with a traditional Maori 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.
Destinations
  • Australasia
  • New Zealand
Tour Types
  • Active
  • Hiking
  • Adrenaline Sports
  • Wildlife Tours
  • Cultural
  • Adventure Tours

Location: Auckland, Whangārei, Bay of Islands, Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Welcome to the land of the long white cloud: New Zealand! Time to meet your Contiki crew in Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) and cross the Harbour Bridge admiring the 'City of Sails' harbour 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 centre, 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.<br/>

Accommodation Name: Bounty Motel (or similar)

Meals: Dinner

Location: 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.<br/>

Accommodation Name: Bounty Motel (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Location: Paihia, Auckland, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Sky Tower

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 harbour 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?<br/>

Accommodation Name: Lylo (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Location: Auckland, Waikato, 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 centre 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).<br/>

Accommodation Name: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Location: 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.<br/>

Accommodation Name: Sudima Lake Rotorua (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Location: Rotorua, Auckland

Just as we were acclimatising to that funky smell, it's time to leave Rotorua. Take one last look at the bubbling geothermic mud pools before we flee. Your Trip Manager will book you into a transfer service this morning. Arriving into Auckland, we'll say goodbye to the wolf pack (sob). NZ - you've been real.<br/>

Meals: Breakfast

Included
  • Guided Tour at Waitangi Treaty Grounds
    -Enjoy a guided tour at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where New Zealand officially became a nation of two communities in 1840.
  • Free Admission to Treaty Museum
    -Receive free admission to the Treaty Museum for a deeper understanding of Kiwi history.
  • Visit to Hunderwasser Art Centre
    -Stop off at the stunning yacht marina in Whangarei and check out the quirky exterior of the Hunderwasser art centre.
  • Traditional Maori Cultural Performance
    -Experience a traditional Maori cultural performance in Rotorua.
  • Visit to National Kiwi Hatchery
    -Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery near Rotorua to learn about efforts to protect New Zealand's national bird.
  • Geothermic Mud Pools in Rotorua
    -Witness the geothermic mud pools in Rotorua, a natural wonder.

Not Included
  • Optional Activities
    -Optional activities such as parasailing, cruising the Bay of Islands, bungee jumping, and sky jumping are not included.
  • Free Time Add-On Experiences
    -Free Time Add-On experiences in Paihia and Auckland are not included in the tour package.
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
Upon returning to Auckland, you can choose from a variety of Free-Time Add-Ons such as bungee jumping, climbing the iconic harbour bridge, sky jumping off the Skywalk, or enjoying a multi-sensory ice cream experience at Giapo.
In Rotorua, you will visit the world's largest kiwi bird conservation project and enjoy a traditional Māori dinner and performance, with the opportunity to participate in the world-famous HAKA.
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
On the first day, you will meet your Contiki crew in Auckland and cross the Harbour Bridge. You'll stop at the yacht marina in Whangārei and visit the Hunderwasser art centre. In the Bay of Islands, you'll have a guided tour at the Waitangi Treaty grounds and enjoy a fish 'n' chips dinner overlooking the Bay of Islands.
In Paihia, you can choose from activities like parasailing or cruising the Bay of Islands on Carino. There are various Free Time Add-On experiences available to make the most of your time there.
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
The Rotorua Dawn Canopy Tour is recommended, where you can watch the sunrise, have breakfast, and drink coffee in the trees, followed by a 1200m zipline adventure through the forest.
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
Yes

Dates Price Availability
06-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
06-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
06-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
14-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
14-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
14-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
22-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
22-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
22-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
30-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
30-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
30-Oct-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
07-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
07-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
07-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
15-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
15-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
15-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
23-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
23-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
23-Nov-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
01-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
01-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
01-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
09-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
09-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
09-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
17-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
17-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
17-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
21-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
21-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
21-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
25-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
25-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
25-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
29-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
29-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
29-Dec-2026
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
02-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
02-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
02-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
06-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
06-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
06-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
10-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
10-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
10-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
14-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
14-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
14-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
18-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
18-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
18-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
22-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
22-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
22-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
26-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
26-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
26-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
30-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
30-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
30-Jan-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
03-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
03-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
03-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
07-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
07-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
07-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
11-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
11-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
11-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
15-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
15-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
15-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
19-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
19-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
19-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
27-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
27-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
27-Feb-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
07-Mar-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
07-Mar-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
07-Mar-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
23-Mar-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
23-Mar-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
23-Mar-2027
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08-Apr-2027
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08-Apr-2027
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08-Apr-2027
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24-Apr-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
24-Apr-2027
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24-Apr-2027
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10-May-2027
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10-May-2027
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10-May-2027
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26-May-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
26-May-2027
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26-May-2027
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27-May-2027
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27-May-2027
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27-May-2027
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05-Jun-2027
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05-Jun-2027
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05-Jun-2027
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10-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
10-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
10-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
17-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
17-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
17-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
19-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
19-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
19-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
24-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
24-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
24-Jun-2027
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26-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
26-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
26-Jun-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
01-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
01-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
01-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
03-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
03-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
03-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
08-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
08-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
08-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
10-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
10-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
10-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
15-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
15-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
15-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
17-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
17-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
17-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
24-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
24-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
24-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
29-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
29-Jul-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
29-Jul-2027
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31-Jul-2027
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31-Jul-2027
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31-Jul-2027
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12-Aug-2027
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12-Aug-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
12-Aug-2027
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14-Aug-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
14-Aug-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
14-Aug-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
26-Aug-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
26-Aug-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
26-Aug-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
28-Aug-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
28-Aug-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
28-Aug-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
09-Sep-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
09-Sep-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
09-Sep-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
11-Sep-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
11-Sep-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
11-Sep-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00
25-Sep-2027
for 0 Nights 		Multi-share (Mixed sex) £845.00
25-Sep-2027
for 0 Nights 		Single £1690.00
25-Sep-2027
for 0 Nights 		Twin £1040.00

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This tour is operated by Contiki

6 days from £845 pp exc.flights; Enquire
Start:Auckland, New Zealand
Finish:Auckland, New Zealand
Suitable for: 18-35
Physical rating:Medium
Diets:Vegetarians
Tour operated in: English
map
Tour Reference: RZAD26
Contact us
1 Email enquiry {{formText}}
Thank you for your enquiry, one of our specialists will be in touch shortly.
2 Call directly 0203 7939446