Get ready for the ultimate two-week adrenaline rush across New Zealand, travelling from Auckland all the way to Queenstown. This trip pairs Māori culture and stunning landscapes with the chance to try adventures you've only dreamed about.
Eat with the Māori in Rotorua, hike up an active volcano, cruise on Lake Taupō and finish in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Along the way you'll see the roaring Huka Falls, the seal colonies of Kaikōura, the greenstone country around Hokitika and the alpine beauty of Wānaka. Ever tried bungy jumping, sky diving or canyon swinging? Now's your chance.
Days
- 15 days, 14 nights
Age
- 18 to 35 only
Group size
- Small group
Start / finish
- Auckland / Queenstown
Return
- See itinerary for details
Accommodation
- 14 nights, multi-share.
Transport
- The Interislander ferry across the Marlborough Sounds is included.
Meals
- Fifteen breakfasts and four dinners, including a traditional Māori feast at Rotorua. Every other meal is at your own cost.
Route
Included experiences
- Rotorua — National Kiwi Hatchery and the geothermal mudpools
- Rotorua — traditional Māori performance and feast
- Huka Falls and a Lake Taupō cruise
- Mount Ruapehu — Lord of the Rings scenery
- Wellington — the waterfront and time in the capital
- Interislander ferry across the Marlborough Sounds
- Kaikōura — coastal drive, seal colony and a wildlife hospital and native bird rescue
- Hokitika — pounamu greenstone with a local Māori guide
- Arthur's Pass village
- Wānaka
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
4.9
Based on 156 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
AI summary of 156 reviews
Travellers consistently praise the tour's comprehensive itinerary, which covers both islands efficiently and exposes participants to diverse landscapes, cultures and activities within a two-week timeframe. The quality of trip managers and drivers stands out most prominently across reviews; travellers repeatedly highlight their local knowledge, approachability, organisational skills and ability to create memorable experiences, often going beyond expectations to arrange alternative activities when weather disrupted plans. The wide range of included and optional activities—from adventure pursuits like bungy jumping, skydiving and canyoning to cultural experiences such as Maori performances and the hangi dinner—appeals to various interests, though reviewers consistently caution that activity costs accumulate substantially and require careful budgeting alongside accommodation, food and incidentals. The modular tour structure, where different groups join and depart at different points, occasionally creates challenges for group cohesion and is often cited as unexpected or unclear when booking, leaving some travellers disappointed by arriving mid-tour or experiencing the group fragment during the journey. While most accommodation is praised for convenient central locations, some specific hotels in places like Ohakune and Queenstown received criticism for poor conditions, uncomfortable rooms or lack of facilities such as air conditioning or hot water.
How we collect and publish reviews
Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.
Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.
Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.
What a trip, I loved every bit of it. Everything on the activity list was a blast and ran like clockwork. Our two trip managers were brilliant: great company, full of knowledge, and they kept the energy up the whole way.
The planning was tight and there was a huge choice of things to sign up for, each one clearly laid out and run smoothly. On the odd occasion something went sideways, the crew stepped in and kept us in the loop with a smile. Brilliant fortnight, I had a ball.
I went in with high hopes and came away with them well beaten. It was my first time with Contiki and it certainly won't be the last. Both the Trip Manager and the driver were first class, organised, full of local knowledge and good company, which lifted the whole thing. My one gripe: after the hold-up in Kaikoura, the decision to press on to Queenstown cost us a day in Franz Josef. Dropping Queenstown would have suited me and plenty of others on the bus if it meant keeping the Franz Josef time we'd originally been promised. That aside, a superb holiday.
Such a good tour. Contiki number two for me, and it lived up to the fun, the buzz and the feel of my first one, which was great to get all over again. Things ran nearly without a hitch, every place we slept was solid, and the coach was comfortable too.
A cracking Contiki. Our trip manager was excellent and the driver was a laugh. Losing or shifting a few things because of the weather is fair enough, but a couple of the activities had sold out before we even turned up, horse riding in Queenstown being one, so it would help if those were locked in ahead of time wherever the supplier allows it. Other than that, no complaints at all.
Panorama was something else. The whole way through we were immersed in what makes this country its own place, getting stuck into the culture and picking up loads about the wildlife and the conservation work going on. Our two guides were the beating heart of the tour and I can't picture doing it with anyone else. A couple of stops I'd happily have stretched out, but I wouldn't swap a single part of it or any of the experiences we packed in. If you want to cover the country quickly, learn plenty along the way and meet a busload of great people, book it.
Best time of my life, honestly. New Zealand is beautiful and going with Contiki took all the effort out of it, because nothing needed organising, it was all done for me. It's a brilliant way to meet people too and I've come home with friends for life. Our trip manager made the whole thing: she was fun, knew her stuff and explained everything clearly, and I doubt I'd have had half as good a time without her. The driver was a legend as well. I never had a single nervous moment on the road, and he's good for a drink and a yarn. I couldn't find a bad word for Contiki or the country if I tried. Perfect for anyone heading off solo for the first time.
Panorama gets full marks from me. There wasn't one stop I didn't enjoy, and what a group of people. The length felt just right for getting a proper look at both islands. I'd point anyone towards it.
Lovely bunch of people, all approachable and happy to answer whatever I threw at them. With every activity sorted on my behalf, I could switch off and just enjoy myself.
Brilliant fortnight. I got to throw myself at all sorts of adventure stuff I'd never tried before, and met a whole load of great people while doing it. It's sold me on the country, so I'll be heading back.
The trip as a whole was really good. Here are a few things I picked up on my first Contiki that might help someone else. The pace is quick, so the best approach is to roll with it and say yes to as much as you can, but do plan your money, because the activities aren't cheap. Above all, enjoy it. Mine was a modular trip, which meant my first day was day three for two other groups (Ultimate NZ and Sweet As South NZ). Walking into that is hard work and you feel you have to try twice as hard to be accepted. If you can, start where the trip starts. Contiki doesn't spell this out clearly and it left a few of us confused and irritated. That said, everyone was lovely. You're all chasing the same experiences, so people fold you in and you do feel welcome. The free time add-ons are tricky, because you want to do every one but there's neither the time nor the cash. Which ones you pick is down to you, though having a mate along makes them better. I ended up on one alone without realising, and when I asked my Trip Manager to swap I was told no, which stung. Coming back to the hotel afterwards, everyone was off doing their own thing, so it got a bit lonely until the group reformed. More group activities would help, because with so much going on there were people I barely spoke to. Talk to everyone early, since the days fly and some people's trips end before yours. Once the friendship groups settle, the room shares tend to stay put. Budget properly, as food, drinks, gifts and odds and ends mount up fast. And fly in a day or two early, ideally to the same hotel, because people connect on social media beforehand and ten of them may already be meeting up the night before. Great experience, glad I did things I'd never normally do, and I'd go again with a few changes.
Loved it. The people were lovely and both the guide and the driver were great value. Everything ran to plan without a single hiccup, and there was always someone on hand when we needed them. I'll be booking another.
Most of the places we stayed were fine, though the so-called special stay at Ohakune didn't feel special in any way. On the plus side, there was a good spread of activities and free time add-ons, and they'd clearly been thought through.
For the time you've got, this is a clever way to cover New Zealand. I was really pleased at the weight given to the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER and Maori culture experiences, and hearing how seriously the country takes its environment and its indigenous heritage was a highlight. The mix of full-throttle and low-key activities worked well too. There was room to sit quietly and take in the scenery on your own, and also to throw yourself into the adrenaline stuff alongside everyone else.
The people I travelled with made the whole thing, no question, and there were loads of activity choices. One change I'd ask for: put the weight limits for each activity in the itinerary before people book, so nobody turns up excited and then finds out on the day that they're not allowed to do it.
What a trip. The sheer range of scenery blew me away, from huge lakes and mountains to beaches, volcanoes, snow and rolling green hills, and plenty more besides. The people I met were wonderful and I felt looked after and secure the whole way through. Our trip manager was fantastic, and I've never been driven more carefully in my life.
New Zealand sat at the top of my list for years and this trip lived up to every bit of it. It was obvious early on that we'd landed a good group, because everyone was welcoming and nobody ever got left behind. The trip manager and driver joined in with all the social stuff and added plenty to it. Canyoning, white water rafting and a bungy jump were never things I expected to tick off, and doing them there was unreal. I also used my free time in Queenstown and Wellington to hunt down the Lord of the Rings spots I'd wanted to see. Hard to imagine anything topping it.
Fantastic trip. I met a load of people on the same wavelength and did some unforgettable things. Our tour manager and our bus driver couldn't have been better; they threw themselves into everything and made each part of the tour better for it.
For a first go at solo travel, you couldn't pick better. If I'd realised it was a modular trip I'd probably have gone with Ultimate NZ instead and got more days out exploring. Still, I'd happily recommend it, and our two trip managers were superb.
Such a good fortnight. Our trip manager and driver were both brilliant, and the group I ended up with was the best part, with some of them likely to be friends for years. Start to finish it was pure fun, and there's nothing I'd criticise.
The route and the places it takes you are excellent, and you come away feeling you've actually seen New Zealand rather than skimmed it. Our trip manager and driver both knew the country inside out, which lifted the experience enormously. If throwing yourself off things isn't your idea of fun, as it isn't mine, there's still plenty on the included list and among the paid add-ons to keep you busy. An easy way to reach the prettiest corners of the country, and well worth doing.
Our guide was terrific. Wherever we pulled up, she knew exactly what was worth doing. She and the driver made a great pair and between them gave us a trip I'll never forget. There wasn't a moment I didn't enjoy.
Really good trip. Travelling on my own, I still got to meet plenty of people and see a country I didn't know at all. It nudged me well past my comfort zone and left me with a much better feel for New Zealand and its culture. Worth doing.
I had a genuinely excellent time. You cover an enormous amount of the country and see a lot of different sides of it, and I was struck by how varied both the activities and the landscapes were. I also liked being treated as a grown-up rather than a child at summer camp. Our trip manager expected us to look after ourselves and was respectful with it, while still keeping us on schedule when that mattered. There are things that could be better. Four nights in Queenstown is a sensible amount of time, but LyLo isn't the place to spend them when everyone is lugging a full suitcase. Cramped, windowless rooms are par for the course in a hostel and fine for a night, but as our base for the longest stop of the trip it was miserable, with nowhere to put anything and barely room to turn around. The meals that came with the trip let the side down as well, and what we were given in Franz Josef was barely edible. Nobody expects Michelin stars, but this is a holiday and eating what felt like prison food dragged on me. The thing I hadn't grasped when booking was how central the add-ons are. The description reads as though they're optional upgrades, whereas in practice, if you're not signed up at a stop, you've got nothing to do. Our trip manager handed out lists of places to eat, shop and visit, but I'd expected more structure built into the trip itself. When you're in a town for under a day, sorting your own entertainment is awkward. I understand the add-ons are where the money is, but the trip needs to stand up without them. As it was, the lack of guidance left me feeling my time wasn't well spent, and that what I'd signed up for wasn't quite what had been advertised. All that said, I'd do another Contiki. Bonding with the group made it special.
A superb Contiki, and Brit and Chris deserve a lot of the credit. It was run tightly, the activities were spot on, and everything was explained clearly enough that you always knew where you stood. My fellow travellers were a lovely, friendly bunch too.
A thoroughly good time in New Zealand with Contiki. The activities were great and so were the hours left free to do my own thing, and I liked getting around the country's towns and cities. I'll be telling friends and family to book it.
The stops and the optional excursions were outstanding. Accommodation was more of a mixed bag: most of it sat right where the action was, an easy walk from everything, but one or two places were seriously tight on space. If you can stretch to a room of your own on this one, do it.
Great experience overall. A few of the activities cost a fair bit, but I'd pay again for them. The organisation was faultless, Ashley as trip manager was excellent, and Chris did a fine job behind the wheel.
Absolutely loved it and I'd tell anyone to book. My one regret is not adding the extra days and doing Ultimate NZ instead. The trip managers and drivers we had were a top team, their energy never dipped and they made it a laugh throughout. Take the optional extras if you can, especially the ones in Queenstown and Franz Josef, which are perfect if you're after adrenaline. I'd happily do the whole thing again tomorrow. Book it.
No holiday has come close to this one. We were all travelling solo over Christmas and New Year and the group looked out for each other from the off. Our trip manager and driver were both terrific and made it genuinely memorable. I'd say take every optional extra going, since I signed up for so many that the days weren't long enough. The skydive at Franz Josef took my breath away, with the Tasman Sea on one side and the glacier on the other, and the helicopter flight is a must as well. Both quad bike trips were superb, and then there was swimming with dolphins, the bungy, the canyon swing, canyoning and funyaks, and the list keeps going. Do the lot. My only change would be more time in Wanaka and less in Christchurch and Wellington, which were both pretty lifeless over the holidays.
Being a Kiwi, I wasn't convinced this would be worth my money. One day in and every doubt had gone. The balance of fun, adventure, culture, learning and simple good moments was just right. From the first morning our trip manager pushed us all to make the most of it, get to know each other and say yes to things, never with any pressure, just plenty of help working out what each of us actually wanted from the trip. The bus days, the included stuff, the optional extras and even the free days turned into something special, with the trip manager rounding us up for bowling and mini golf, a walk up Mt Vic and pizza on the beach. Panorama had everything I could have hoped for. I'm already eyeing next year so I can drag my friends along.
Adventure, adrenaline, a proper look at the culture, great activities and some seriously good food and drink, the trip had the lot. I had a wonderful time and I'd sign up all over again.
The whole thing was a joy and I never had to worry about a single detail, thanks to a first-rate trip manager and driver. Every one of the free time add-ons was worth doing. I'd point anyone towards it.
I didn't waste a minute of this one. It struck a neat balance between adrenaline, nights out and time to do nothing at all. Between them, the driver and the trip manager kept everything running without a snag. For covering a lot of New Zealand in not much time, it's hard to beat.
I had a wonderful time. Every place we stopped at was worth the trip, and the guides looking after us were kind, genuinely helpful and full of useful information. Put this one on the must-do list.
Superb from start to finish, with more highlights than I can list. Our travel manager and bus driver were both outstanding and added a lot to the adventure. I came home with friends for life, having seen one of the loveliest countries going. I'd recommend it without hesitation.
Our guide was the making of this trip, endlessly patient, helpful, happy to accommodate anyone and just a thoroughly good bloke. You come away with a proper sense of both the North and South islands, and there are as many optional activities as your wallet and your interests can handle. Both islands were superb, though the South edges it for sheer scenery. Kaikoura was a gorgeous little stop that most visitors to New Zealand miss out on, and I'm glad it was on the route, because it was genuinely breathtaking. Our driver was excellent too, skilled on the road and happy to pull over when it was worth it.
Honestly a brilliant trip. The group was a good size and the rooms between Auckland and Kaikoura were far better than I'd expected from a Contiki. Our trip manager was excellent and the driver was great as well. If New Zealand is on your list, it's a toss-up between this one and the Big Tiki, and this was the right size for me.
Faultless in every way. The trip manager and driver were both great, the dinners that came included were good, and I've nothing bad to say about the activities or the places we went. Full marks, and I'd do the lot again.
Having a trip manager and driver that good lifted the whole thing. You cover an enormous amount of a gorgeous country alongside people who are every bit as keen as you are. Easily one of the best things I've ever done.
Our trip manager and our driver, Skippy, went well past what anyone could have asked of them. They threw themselves into showing off the best of the country and made sure the once-in-a-lifetime activities were booked in for anyone who wanted them. Getting a whole group's days organised is a feat in itself, and on top of that Skippy and Mads were so welcoming and full of life that being part of it was a pleasure.
Those two-and-a-bit weeks were the best of my life. Our tour manager and coach driver were phenomenal and are a big part of why it stuck with me. In a little over a fortnight we crossed almost the whole of New Zealand, tried every activity going, and I met people who feel like family now. I can't find the words for how grateful I am, and it was worth every cent. Book it, and go tell the world.
A genuinely wonderful experience. Our trip manager and driver were both locals, and their knowledge of their own country gave the whole thing something extra on top of being great fun to be around. The group was lovely too. I'd recommend this trip and Contiki generally, and I'm already thinking about the next one. If I could change anything, it'd be a longer stay in Kaikoura.
Two Contikis in, and this one wins hands down. The pairing of our guide and our driver was unreal. She knew her stuff and was lovely with it, and between the two of them they made the trip everything it could be. The add-ons were a great laugh as well. I'd recommend it to anybody.
Both our manager and our driver got properly stuck in with us, whether it was an activity or something in our free time, and they always had good suggestions for what to do at each stop. I can't speak highly enough of the pair of them.
If you're heading off alone or as a pair, this is the one to book. I made good friends and came home with memories I'll keep. And the country itself is ridiculously beautiful, and a lot of fun with it.
The trip was everything I'd hoped for. My advice: read a few reviews first, turn up with a rough plan of what you fancy doing, then be ready to tear it up and join in with something on a whim. There's a good spread of activities and enough downtime to just chill. Cam, our Trip Manager, was superb, knowing the country well and with enthusiasm that rubbed off on everyone. My only two gripes are that my dietary requirements didn't reach the right people at the start, and that Cam had to head off midway through, although he did return and Mads filled in brilliantly while he was away. One tip: if you're prone to travel sickness, grab a seat near the front.
A great trip. Loads of culture, lovely people, and the crew looking after us were excellent. The add-ons were good fun too, white water rafting and the canyon swing among them.
Our trip manager was great company as well as being on top of everything. The activities were brilliant, with the dolphin encounter at Kaikoura and the Hobbiton visit standing out for me. If you want to see both islands, this is the one to pick.
A beautiful country, and the time given to each stop felt about right, never rushed and never dragging. Our trip manager and driver were both excellent, full of local knowledge and the reason everything ticked along so smoothly.
New Zealand is a stunning country, and seeing it on a tour made it stick with me all the more. Alongside what comes with the trip there's a long list of extras to pick from, including skydiving, a bungee jump and plenty of chances to get into the local culture. Our trip manager was relaxed and friendly, and nobody in the group got left out.
Brilliant trip manager and a great driver, and I felt at ease the entire time. However they squeezed the schedule together, it worked, because we somehow got through everything. No idea how they pulled it off, but it was superb.
We landed on a really good Trip Leader and bus driver, both of them approachable and full of knowledge about the places we went. The tour turned out better than I'd expected.
The trip was better than incredible. New Zealand is a stunning country and I'd tell anyone to get there at some point. Our guide was lovely and always on top of the details, from what time to be where to exactly where we were meeting. I had an absolute blast.
Pat and Emily kept it running smoothly start to finish and the whole group had a brilliant time. Looking after people is clearly what they do best, and the company should hold on to them both.
Overall well run, though heavy on paid add-on time. I'd rather have hiked and explored more, so I did a lot of that on my own. The guides were lovely. The group got cliquey at times and I'd prefer under 40 people to 50. Still recommend it, but come ready to party. Good sightseeing, and plenty to fill a day if you skip an optional.
Couldn't have hoped for a better holiday. Nick and Madz were spot-on guides and I'm grateful I ended up on their trip — the secret missions stood out. Hope to travel with them again.
A once-in-a-lifetime trip. Brit, our trip manager, was a total star, and Hendrick's has to be the finest driver going.
Really slick organisation. Huge credit to Brit, our trip manager — she made it fascinating, gave us a warm New Zealand welcome and lined up brilliant places and activities.
Such a beautiful country. Our trip manager and coach driver were kind, funny and really knew Aotearoa. It moves fast but covers plenty. Tasty breakfasts and dinners included, some genuinely eye-opening activities, and optional extras to suit everyone.
Mads and Nick were brilliant the whole way through. Everything was well planned, and Mads went out of her way for us — when weather forced a cancellation she always had other ideas ready. It was my first Contiki and the format really worked for me: easy to meet people, but you keep your independence and can go off and see the cities yourself.
What an incredible fortnight. Our two trip managers were gems and the way the itinerary was put together worked really well. I didn't want it to finish, and I'll spend the rest of the year itching to get back to New Zealand with Contiki. I came home with new best friends and a love for a country I'd never felt before.
I enjoyed it so much that I extended mid-trip, upgrading from the module I'd booked to the full trip. Meg, our trip manager, and Dylan, the driver, struck the right balance of fun, approachable and professional. This was my fourth Contiki — I've been with Topdeck and Intrepid too, but Contiki has something the others don't and remains my favourite. We learned a lot about Maori and modern culture, and whenever weather knocked out an optional, Meg had a replacement ready. She handled everyone's dietary needs brilliantly too. Dyl kept the coach spotless and drove some genuinely tough roads like a pro. Accommodation varied nicely, and Kaikoura in particular won me over. I'd happily do the whole thing again. You can see the company cares about sustainability, conservation and getting travellers to actually become friends. Well worth it.
A brilliant experience with a great driver and trip manager — activities and accommodation all sorted, and they handled any question or hiccup that came up.
So much fun, largely thanks to the people on it, including Meg P and Pat, our trip manager and driver. For New Zealand I'd say it's one of the best trips going: you get both islands, the inclusions are good, and it never feels rushed.
Good spread of activities, both included and optional, and all of them fun. Meg and Pat were great company — full of background on each place, clear on what each activity involved, and full of tips for our free days.
Britt, our guide, was brilliant — endless facts, and everything ran like clockwork. Faultless, and so was the rest of the trip. I'd do it again.
Loved it — we packed in so much, met brilliant people and came home with a pile of memories. Weather cancelled a couple of things, but our guide handled it like a pro.
As I said, I loved every bit of it: new friends, my first taste of another country, and plenty of fun, adventurous activities.
My Contiki trip was brilliant. Covid meant a small group and quieter attractions, which honestly made it better. Cam, our guide, was passionate and full of insight, which made seeing New Zealand with him a lot of fun — always ready with a recommendation and happy to hang out with us. Dylan, the driver, was friendly and keen to know everyone too. Good accommodation, and the pace was right: time to wander, but we still saw a huge amount. A great balance of fun and sightseeing.
I've given four stars because it's a great way to travel solo and cover a lot of ground quickly and safely. This was my first big trip alone and I wanted to enjoy it without working out where to go next, how to get there or where to sleep. Being New Zealanders, the guide and driver knew their stuff. Our trip manager was organised, made sure everyone was signed up for their add-ons, and took us to local spots for a good night out. The driver was approachable and helpful with ideas for free time. The one thing I'd change is more group activities at little or no cost — everything felt go-go-go and everything cost money. I knew about the optional extras but hadn't realised how busy it would be, or that they were basically the only way to experience places. Without an add-on booked you had to make your own fun. There were around 50 of us — I had no idea groups were that big — and I never got to know half of them. Discount vouchers for local food places would help; eating out is expensive and adds up fast, so I often bought supplies from supermarkets. From Canada, $3200 plus flights, extras and food climbs quickly; I spent about another $4k on top of the Contiki price. My advice to others: budget extra for free-time add-ons, take plenty of photos and video of the endless scenery, but stay in the moment because it flies by. No regrets at all — I absolutely loved it and I'll be back in New Zealand one day.
Superb itinerary and activities — so packed that I wanted to squeeze in everything I could. Our trip manager and bus driver went well past what I expected. I'd recommend Contiki to anyone.
Chelsea, my trip manager, and Al, the driver, were excellent — helpful, full of knowledge and a lot of fun. Some of the included accommodation could have been better, but the included activities and the stops we made were great.
Superb itinerary. My only gripe: I'd have liked more detail up front. I booked a couple of things for after the tour, assuming I couldn't do them on it — turns out I could.
Rae, our trip manager, and WeeMan, our driver, were wonderful — kind, caring, and they put on extra group activities so we could spend time together. Easy to approach and always ready to help. A brilliant way to see New Zealand and get a feel for the culture. I'd do it all again.
Brilliant from start to finish. Sam had everything organised and gave great tips on activities and places to eat. Quick pace, but you see enough of both islands to work out where you'd return. As a first-time solo traveller I'd recommend it, and I'd book another Contiki.
New Zealand is fantastic, with no shortage of fun things to do. Our trip manager knew loads, was great fun and always up for a chat.
I loved it — New Zealand is stunning. My group was a nice mix of people who wanted to party and people who turned in early, and I came away with some great friends. Everyone was warm and welcoming from the outset, which gave the tour a family feel we all valued. It was my first trip abroad and, coming from Australia, I'd recommend it to nervous travellers because so much feels familiar. What we didn't realise is that ours is a modular tour, with people joining and leaving along the way. I was lucky to start at the very beginning on the Sweet As South, but others joined in Queenstown, half the group left us at Christchurch, and a fresh group began there for the Northern Choice. Had we known, we'd have chosen differently so we could stay together longer. Most of the party crowd left in the south, so the northern leg felt flat, and there's less going on up there — a disappointing finish. Budget for the add-ons: about $1,000 a week, more if you plan on skydiving three times. In some towns there's nothing else to do. Ohakune, a ski town, was my least favourite — in summer there's little beyond mountain biking and the accommodation was ordinary. Two nights in Taupo, an hour away, would have been better. Wellington didn't do much for me either; without the Lord of the Rings tour there isn't much on. My highlights were all in the south. The Franz Josef heli hike is one of the best things I've ever done, worth every cent. I adored Queenstown and four nights was perfect. Ohau, our first night, was beautifully peaceful, and Milford Sound is special. Our guide and driver were knowledgeable, flexible and patient. I'll be back in the south, and I'm grateful to Contiki for organising a safe, easy trip that took the stress out of it. They just need to advertise the modular tours clearly.
My Kiwiana trip was superb — a New Zealand highlight every day, and the whole thing was packed and hugely memorable. Ollie our bus driver and Lucy our trip manager were lovely; they made the long drives fun and built in plenty of small stops at hidden gems. The optional list was great, though some descriptions weren't accurate and oversold what you'd actually be doing: a 'hike with an optional crater run' turned out to have a compulsory crater run, and if you didn't fancy running it you sat at the start watching everyone else. I'd have saved money knowing what each optional really involved. Otherwise, amazing — highly recommend.
There was always something going on, and even in the quieter moments I was happy just taking in how beautiful the scenery was.
An absolute blast. Dean Jordan on the wheel and Sam Sinclair as trip manager were superb — the two of them made the trip what it was. Knowledgeable, upbeat and hilarious together, they went out of their way for anyone struggling and dealt with one very awkward situation calmly and professionally. The trip itself beat my expectations; the activities were thrilling and showed off the best of what you can do in New Zealand. I'd recommend it without hesitation — friends recommended it to me, which is why I booked.
I worked out what the same trip would have cost us independently and it came to twice as much, before food. Genuinely good value — recommend it.
The best fortnight of my life. I arrived in New Zealand with no expectations and was blown away. Every inclusion was a proper chance to get into the culture, and the optional activities ran from adrenaline hits to seeing the landscape up close. I travelled alone, made friends within minutes and they'll be friends for life. Brit, our tour manager, was exceptional and made us all feel like family. Ten out of ten.
Brilliant trip. I saw a huge amount of New Zealand at a pace that never felt hurried. The included activities and optional extras were superb, and our trip manager found great spots in each town. Brit and Louis were excellent together. Recommend it to anyone considering New Zealand.
Kiwiana Panorama beat anything I'd pictured. My tour manager was fantastic and the group were a great, like-minded bunch. Days were laid out sensibly with plenty of free time in every stop to go off exploring, and we were pointed at the best food and activities. The coach legs were broken up with good breaks in different places. If you want to cover the best of New Zealand, go for it.
A fantastic time. Everyone was friendly, and the tour manager was easy to talk to and knew each place inside out.
I made loads of friends and came home with happy memories — and a serious case of the travel bug. Both islands are crammed with adventure: skydiving, canyoning (leaping down waterfalls, abseiling, ziplining, all on one river), bungy jumping, Zorbing, mountain biking. At the same time, Kiwiana Panorama takes you on gorgeous walks to waterfalls and up to snow-capped peaks, plus Maori cultural performances, astonishing glow worm caves and lakes so turquoise no filter could improve them. That's the short version; there's plenty more. Do one island and you'll love it, but do both if you can — the whole country is beautiful and good fun. Honestly nothing I'd complain about. One tip: it can be cold well into summer and it rains whatever the season, so pack warm trousers and a jumper even for a summer departure.
Great trip, and we covered a lot of New Zealand. The one change I'd make is an extra night in Christchurch to break up two long coach days. Hannah, our trip manager, was excellent — she set clear expectations for every activity and the accommodation, and had loads of suggestions for our free days.
Amazing trip — a great way to cover a lot of New Zealand quickly and meet brilliant people. Sam our trip manager and Dylan our driver were both excellent: helpful, knowledgeable and good fun. The included activities were all good, I just wanted more of them. I enjoyed every optional I did, though they're pricey. There's a fair bit of driving, but we stopped plenty of times in beautiful spots. Accommodation and the included meals were mostly good, some really good. The only part I hated was the eight-bed pod in Queenstown — cramped and windowless, so quite claustrophobic.
A great way to take in some of New Zealand's best scenery. Budget for the activities — a few are unmissable but they aren't cheap. Do the bungy jump; nothing has ever frightened me more.
Amazing trip. Lucy and Weeman were superb at telling us about each new place and what was worth doing there. A great way to see the country.
Absolutely brilliant. Saul and Pat, our guide and driver, clearly cared and we had a laugh the whole way. Lovely group too. Recommend it.
Better than I'd expected. Endless things to do and all of it fun. Our trip manager was superb — friendly, approachable and a big help when we were booking activities.
Great activities, and family dinners were always somewhere nice. Bryce, our tour manager, knew the land and culture inside out, pointed us at good places to check out, and was laid back but keen to help.
Plenty of sightseeing and activities across both islands in one short package. A few Lord of the Rings stops were cool, and we fitted in a decent amount of snowboarding despite not being on the ski trip. Some extras I'd really wanted weren't running, for reasons outside anyone's control, but I found other things to do.
Amazing trip, from the scenery to the people. New Zealand is beautiful, the South Island especially. Do one of the swings in Queenstown. Up north, Rotorua is packed with things to do once you're past the rotten-egg smell — the rafting and the included hangi dinner are terrific. Sam, our guide, made everyone feel included and did his best when weather forced cancellations, with Pat driving and keeping us entertained. Go in winter for the snow.
A good trip overall with a good tour manager and driver, though the modular format and the South Island accommodation let it down a little — don't count on hot water. Still, a great time with great people.
Rotorua needs longer — far too much to do there. Add-on time was good, included activities just okay. Trip manager and driver were both friendly and happy to help.
If you want a taste of everything New Zealand offers, this is it — especially for adrenaline junkies. Even in bad weather, Bryce our tour manager and Louis our driver had good alternatives ready, so nothing was lost.
I loved this trip and didn't want it to end. Bryce, our trip manager, and Louis, our driver, kept everything running while making it genuinely entertaining. There were loads of great activities, some well outside my comfort zone but all worth doing, lovely people on tour and brilliant dinners and nights out. New Zealand feels like a second home now.
Fantastic trip, great scenery and itinerary. Our tour manager was passionate, full of information and made everyone feel at home. I made wonderful friends and won't forget it.
All brilliant. If the helicopter options matter to you, go spring or summer — plenty were cancelled on my winter trip. Still a wonderful time, I felt safe throughout and met great people.
Saul, our trip manager, was superb — friendly, funny and clued up, and every recommendation he gave us landed. The trip was well put together and there was never nothing to do, with a huge choice of add-on activities. The one downside was people joining and leaving mid-trip, which made it harder for the group to gel. One or two hotels were poor, Kings' in Ohakune especially, but others were far better than expected, so it evened out. All up, a stunning trip.
An easy, enjoyable trip with all the transport and activities booked for me. Saul the guide and Josh the driver were great and helpful with anything I asked. New Zealand is beautiful and full of culture, and the trip really digs into that, particularly on the North Island. Good itinerary, though I'd have liked Dunedin on it. The optional extras are worth what they cost.
Well run, great experiences and activities, and I met wonderful people. The trip managers and drivers knew their stuff and were a pleasure to be around.
A great trip. I'd recommend Contiki and would travel with them again. Our guide knew a huge amount and taught us plenty about New Zealand culture, which I loved. A lot of optionals were cancelled by weather and it would have helped if he'd suggested alternatives nearby, but otherwise excellent.
A good first look at New Zealand. I got to little spots and walks I'd probably never have found wandering about by myself, and I didn't have to think about transport or the next stop, yet there was still free time to explore each place how I wanted. Worth the money and the flight. One note: a heads-up about how the season affects certain add-ons would help — the title says Queenstown to Auckland Summer, but it's winter down there.
New Zealand was incredible — the view changed every couple of seconds. Bryce Steel, my trip manager, and Dean (Weeman), our bus driver, were brilliant, and how much they knew about their own country amazed me daily. Their personalities made the whole thing better. When a free-time activity fell through, the two of them put their heads together and sorted out what we'd do instead. A great team — I'd travel New Zealand with them again.
Amazing trip — loads of inclusions, which I loved, and the free-time add-ons were just as good. Rae, our trip manager, was a gem, easy to talk to and made me feel completely comfortable. Masso, our driver, was outgoing and fun.
Good itinerary, but only if you do optional activities in each place; otherwise some towns leave you on your own with few alternatives. Four days in Queenstown detached us from the tour a bit too. I'd stagger it — add small group inclusions, or two nights in Wanaka then three in Queenstown.
Of all the New Zealand options this struck me as the pick, since you cover most of both islands and the price feels generous for how much you see.
Brilliant fortnight. I'd done group travel before but never with this company, so my expectations were high. Our group turned out larger than I'd pictured, though never chaotic, and while names took a while to stick, nobody was hard to approach. The one awkward bit was people peeling off and new ones arriving across my two weeks. I get why it's set up that way, but walking into a crowd of 40 who'd already had a week together felt strange for a day or so. Beyond that, honestly nothing to grumble about: cracking guide, hilarious driver, and a top bunch of travellers.
What a trip. Lucy our tour manager and Weeman driving kept everyone laughing and showed us a real kiwi spirit. Great group, all friendly. Severe weather forced a change of route and it was handled seamlessly: one of the best places we stayed the whole time, good food options and stunning views. I only wish we'd had longer in the North Island. Adding Wai-O-Tapu in Rotorua to the optional list would be a big plus; we went anyway and it was the highlight of the trip for me. Already planning my next New Zealand trip! <3
Trip manager, no complaints, and most activities were good fun. Not the cycle: 20km over rocky ground, unannounced, and I'd have skipped it had I known. The funyaks aren't worth that price.
The activities pushed me well past my limits, the rivers and scenery were astounding, and several spots stayed with me long after I flew home.
Waiho bridge being out never once worried us: still good beds, still a ball. Josh is a legend. More than six stars.
Sixteen days and you tick off every New Zealand highlight. The driving is a joy in itself with loads of photo stops, good places to sleep and plenty to throw yourself into. A top group plus a local trip manager and driver made it.
Josh and Dylan really are the dream team. A state of emergency was declared on the west coast of the South Island partway through, and those two looked after us brilliantly, rustling up emergency beds and keeping us busy through the whole unexpected adventure (bit of a hobbit reference there?). I'd travelled with contiki once before and this beat it hands down. Our group gelled, the route is spot on, and I've been banging on about my two weeks in NZ to everyone at home, half of whom are now pricing up their own.
Adored this loop of New Zealand and I'd tell anyone weighing it up to book. Such an easy, hassle free way to see a beautiful country and meet like minded people who become friends for life. Bryce, our tour manager, was amazing: organising activities, keeping us entertained on the bus and at every stop, and fielding any question thrown at him. Masso at the wheel was just as good. Dream team!!
Contiki planned the whole thing well. Some attractions aren't included, so check the itinerary if there's something you're set on. Pack something smart too, since we had five or six smart casual nights out.
Travelling solo with a backpack, I'd had my heart set on New Zealand, and this delivered. It felt like a family and it ran like clockwork thanks to Saul James, our trip manager. Having somebody else do the planning for once was bliss, very “cruisy”. I met wonderful people and came away with friendships I hope to keep for life. The country is stunning, and the optional extras meant plenty of adrenaline along the way. Going from the North Island down to the South is the way to do it. I loved it enough that I booked a second Contiki in Australia not long after getting home. Our group was roughly half Australian and half from everywhere else, with far more women than men. The beauty of it is the freedom: pile on every add on and barely sit still, or skip the lot and wander off exploring on your own. Dinner, a bar or a club was on offer most nights with zero pressure to join, though I usually did, and it was a riot. I cannot recommend it enough!!!!! Loveeeddd itttt
Money well spent, no question. For what it cost, the hotels were all pretty decent, and the activities thrown in surprised me too.
Loads bundled in, plenty of optional extras on top, and you can carry on to finish at Christchurch if it suits. Very good trip!
Dylan drove us and struck the balance well, sensible when it counted but more than happy to muck in with the fun. Chels knew her stuff and pointed us at all the best food and sights. A great trip with a great crowd.
As I said, the balance of inclusions against free time add ons was pitched just right. Susie our trip manager and Josh driving were both amazing, and I'm itching to get back to NZ. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Felt like I saw a lot of the country and its culture. Few travel days, and I fitted in loads of optional extras without missing group activities or getting worn out. Good mix of adventure and downtime, and a good mix of people.
Unbeatable experiences with a crowd all on the same page and up for fun. Nothing more I could want; I loved every second, and the guides and drivers are top notch.
Stunning scenery and a cracking tour. The one change I'd make is to let the longer Contiki version finish in Queenstown, and use those spare days working down through the places that currently come afterwards.
Had a great time. Rae ran things well and got everyone involved. My one gripe: several tours shared the bus, so people started and finished at different points. I joined at Queenstown three or four days in, and by then everyone seemed bonded already.
Great trip manager and driver, and a real variety of activities. Ticked off plenty of my bucket list, and it's why I fell for New Zealand.
So much comes bundled in, and the scenery is out of this world. On top of that there's plenty you can bolt on to make it better still.
Both islands, a taste of everything, and two weeks is a good size. Loved the add ons and inclusions, and the food was great :)
More included meals would have been welcome. They only appear in the remoter places where there's nowhere else to eat anyway.
A fantastic trip. What's included is good, and the optional me-time list is long, so put extra cash aside for it. Our trip manager was a fountain of local knowledge and knew exactly where to eat, and our bus driver did a great job. Well worth doing.
Two nights at Ohakune was one too many; a night, or just a stop, would do. Better to spend that night with the group in Auckland.
I'd have liked a lower price. A few of the included meals and activities weren't ones I could join, and an alternative being offered would have been good.
Our guide was great and talked us through everywhere we stopped. The driver was so friendly and helped make it such a good time. Plenty of time in each spot for the length of trip I had. An absolute blast, and I'll book another contiki soon.
Perfect tour with the best activities, so much fun. Well worth doing. I'll be back in new zealand and I'll do another contiki down the track.
Good value bar a couple of things. Every place on my NZ bucket list was covered and it gave a real taste of what the country offers. Strong inclusions, especially the Maori experience and dinner at Rotorua and the Shotover Jet at Queenstown, plus some great me-time extras. Downsides: the Queenstown accommodation was disappointing, unsafe and unclean among other issues. The photographer there took a poor group shot and $19 for something I'd have shot better stung. Dinner at the Franz Josef lodge wasn't worth eating; consider dropping it.
No complaints about the tour itself; the state of the rooms was what dragged it down. With no air conditioning we asked more than once for fans and got nowhere. Sweltering rooms made for a pretty miserable stay.
Some of the beds let it down, Queenstown and Ohakune especially. The trip itself was brilliant though: good me-time options, good inclusions, and a great snapshot of the country. I now know where I want to linger next visit.
Cracking trip. Our tour manager could turn her hand to anything and looked after every one of us. The driver was a gent, not just at the wheel but on the nights out and the sightseeing too. Every hotel was an easy walk from the middle of town, which matters far more than people realise, and none of them were uncomfortable. Being part of the Contiki crew in NZ was a joy; it's a lovely country with wonderful scenery and exciting things to do. The trip made reaching so many towns and sights simple. Two weeks was never going to be enough, but I made the most of every day and I'll be back one day. It also introduced me to travellers from all over, and I hope to see them again in their countries or mine. What I wouldn't pay for again is the OGO at Rotorua: too dear, too little time, and the field was so busy we queued for ages. One go is fair enough, but I wouldn't bother with two or three because you may not get the chance to use them. Ziptrek at Queenstown isn't worth it either. Under a hundred dollars I'd say yes, but two hundred for the identical activity is far too much. Spend it on rafting or canyoning instead.
Plenty for your money. Just pick which optional experiences you want before you fly, so you've still got cash left at the end :)
Terrific trip, terrific tour manager, terrific crowd. Friends made and things done I'd never have pictured myself doing.
Saw plenty of both islands, Hobbiton, Lake Taupo, Franz Josef and Queenstown included. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, and friendships I expect to keep for life.
The price stacked up really well: transport, beds, the included activities and a few meals would all have cost me more to arrange on my own. Handing the whole thing over to somebody else made it far less of a headache as well, since all we had to do was turn up.
First rate guide and driver. They got us everywhere safely, made sure we enjoyed it, and shared plenty of interesting detail on our stops and the country we drove through.
Isobel, our guide, is what made this Contiki memorable. Taking 30-odd people from all sorts of countries and getting them excited about New Zealand's landscapes and culture takes a particular personality, and she had it.
Five stars, because it was a phenomenal trip. Kicking off in the South was absolutely the right call. Everything we did was spot on and Katie, our trip manager, had it all organised beautifully. They could party as hard as anyone and still get the job done. Do the full route if you can, because start late and you'll have missed the best of the beginning, with your contiki family just sending you photos and videos of the rest of theirs. Worth every penny.
Good trip across both islands at a nice pace. One negative: the 13-hour day from Wellington to Christchurch with a pretty horrible ferry. I'd break off and fly that leg.
A properly adventurous contiki. Loads of different activities to choose from, or just a relaxed dinner with the group. NZ is beautiful and south to north was a great way round.
Loved it. No shortage of thrills, and the group rallied round to push each other into facing their fears. The places we stayed and the small towns we stopped in were great too. The people you meet shift your whole outlook. Our trip manager and driver knew their stuff, helped out, and were a laugh.
Another traveller put it best: a contiki is a hostel on wheels. Most food, the beds and the transport are covered, and rather than meeting people then parting, everyone comes with you. That cuts both ways. Pros: no planning stress, and if you like company it's an easy way to make friends. Cons: the activity planning isn't creative or efficient, you're tied to their schedule and you're on a bus a lot. Group tours aren't for me so I probably won't book again, but it suited our needs at the time and I still loved seeing a beautiful country.
New Zealand is awesome!! My extras were the Ledge Bungy, Luge, Milford Sound, Te Papa Museum, Ice Bar and pub crawls, plus a few other bits. Some cost more than others, but overall they were affordable and good value.
The Contiki was amazing. I travelled safely and did things I'd never have dreamt of alone. Great way to go and great friends made!
With only so much leave to play with, the length of this one suited me perfectly, and it packed in everything I'd hoped to do in New Zealand.
