New Zealand Panorama - Auckland to Queenstown

Credit: Bronwen Hill

Ensure you allow for a few extra days in Auckland before meeting your tour guide. There are so many things to see and do while in Auckland. Get a birds eye view from the Skytower, jump on a sail boat and explore the harbour, head over to Kelly Tarltons Aquarium or explore the village of Devonport.

After exploring Auckland at your own leisure for a few days, it is time to meet your guide and jump on the bus. We are heading to Rotorua! Not before heading to Waikato farmlands and visiting the Hobbiton Village.

Credit: Adam Bryce - Tourism NZ

You will know when you have arrived at Rotorua - just take a deep breath. Rotorua is affectionately known as 'Rottenrua' thanks to the sulphar smell in the air. Here you can see spurting geysers, boiling mud pools and hot springs. There is also the opportunity to get some speed with the luge rides and downhill mountain biking. Don't forget to take the opportunity to engage with the local population of Maori who will be happy to share with you their island culture through hangi dinner and dance performance.

Today is yours to roam as you please. There are a selection of activities to choose to fill your day:

• White Water Rafting - ranked as one of the best rivers for rafting, head on down the Kaituna River.
• Hike - take the time to get up-close to an active volcano. Hike Mt Tarawera and take in the unique volcanic landscape.
• Culture - the Maori culture has many traditions. Learn to cook food over volcanic steam vents, participate in a weaving workshop and tour the Te Pua Maori Village.

Credit: Tourism New Zealand

The national bird of New Zealand is the little Kiwi bird. Primarily nocturnal, this shy bird can run as fast as a human. The Treadright foundation, has a project at the Rainbow Springs Nature Park to contribute to the rehabilitation of Kiwi along with supplying incubators to hatch eggs - of which they get to name two of the hatchlings.

After awe-ahing at the little Kiwi birds, we will continue onto to Huka Falls for a stop of activity. 220,000 litres (that's 58 000 gallons) of water gush over Huka Falls per second. Here you have the opportunity to jump on a jet boat and ride the rapids up to the falls for an up-close viewing. Be prepared to get wet and enjoy this rushing ride!

Now that you are sufficiently thrilled by your jet boat ride, it is time to head on over to Lake Taupo. This lake-side town is anything but boring. The lake provides the opportunity to try your hand at fishing for trout, or you can get a birds eye-view of the town, lake and surrounding mountains by sky-diving. You choose!

At the end of Lake Taupo sits Tongariro National Park. The park consists of 3 volcanoes and hold dual UNESCO World Heritage status for both its cultural significance to the Māori people, as well as its outstanding natural features.

Credit: Tourism New Zealand

Here you have the opportunity to jump on a bike and cycle along the Old Coach Road and take in the picturesque landscape that New Zealand has to offer or check out filming locations from the Lord of the Rings movies.

It's time to hit the city. Windy Wellington sits at the bottom of the North Island of New Zealand. It is New Zealand's capital city and is home to the 'beehive', New Zealand's parliament building along with a few other very cool attractions such as the Te Papa Museum and lots of cafes.

Credit: Bronwen Hill

The day today is yours to explore Wellington. Casually explore the ensuring to visit the Te Papa Museum or the Weta Museum to see how New Zealand has contributed to film making in so many of today's movies - even ones you don't expect. There is also the zoo, the hop on hop off bus and more to explore in this little but cool city.

Take another day to relax, refresh and caffeinate in Wellington.

Credit: Bronwen Hill

Today you bid farewell to the North Island and take the Inter-Island ferry to the South Island. Arriving into Picton, you will jump back onboard the bus and travel through the Marlbourgh wine region.

Heading down the east coast you will be awestruck by the beauty of the coastline. Arriving into Kaikoura you will have the opportunity to learn about the wildlife that call this coastline home. You will see seals, maybe even whales and quite possibly dolphins along with a vast array of birds.

We will overnight in Christchurch, the South Islands major city.

Bidding goodbye to Christchurch, we head over the alps through Arthurs Pass. As you cross the south island you will enjoy beautiful landscapes that this high mountain pass can offer. You will arrive on the west coast of the South Island in Hokitika. Here we will stop so we can watch carvers working on the green jade.

Back on the coach, we head to the beautifully amazing town of Franz Josef.

How would you like to explore this little village? Taking a heli up onto the glacier, carving your own jade pendant or taking a boat cruise? You will get to relax and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty of the west coast of New Zealand.

The beauty is not disappearing. Back on the bus today, we will head south through Haast Pass. Haast Pass, beautified by ancient rainforests, small glaciers and waterfalls we will stop along the way for many photo opportunities.

Credit: Bronwen Hill

Lunch today will be in the ski town of Wanaka. Located on the lake and surrounded by mountains this resort is popular in the winter for skiiers and provides lots of hiking opportunities in the summer.

We will arrive into Queenstown this afternoon after passing through another wine region, the Central Otago.

Credit: Bronwen Hill

After a day of of bus travel, you are now ready for a big day of adventure. Today is yours to explore Queenstown. With so many options, you will need the next two days to fit it all in. You have the choice to take the Shotover Jet, zipline, bungy jump and the worlds originaly bungy jump location, kayak in the lake or visit the ice bar. End your day above Queenstown as you take the gondola to the top of the mountain and dine at the Skyline restaurant.

What did you not get to yesterday? Today is the day to tick them off the list.

OR

Perhaps a day trip to the beautiful Milford Sound is on the cards. Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages and is breathtaking in any weather. The fiord's cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards from as high as 1000 metres. When it rains in Milford Sound, and it often does, those waterfalls multiply with magnificent effect.

This morning exchange phone numbers and emails, it is time to bid goodbye to your new bff's. It has been an amazing 14 days exploring New Zealand and making new friends. Where in the world will you meet them for the next adventure!

Your Travel Agent Bronwen Hill has completed this tour with Contiki. It is an amazing adventure and something she remembers fondly - well maybe not the skydiving...? Connect with her to book your adventure abroad. Remember until May 31st, you get a booking bonus with her on top of the current worldwide sale!