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North Island Off-Grid

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The one that lets you experience the North Island like a local, for an authentic & unplugged discovery of heritage sites, surf towns & Maori culture

Travel Style

In-Depth Explorer

Take your time and explore in-detail each destination on this trip. Find out more

  • Duration

    7 days

  • Places

    5 places

  • Meals

    4 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners

  • Transport Style

    Coach, Ferry & Boat

  • Group Size

    Average 20 people

  • Average Group Age

    18 - 35 year olds

  • Team

    Trip Manager & Driver

Auckland, Raglan, Rotorua, Blue Duck Station, Wellington

Top Experiences

12 included & 11 free time add-ons available to add later

  • Take a behind the scenes tour of the of a Kiwi conservation project at the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter

    Included

    Rotorua

  • Master the waves with a surf lesson at the chilled surf town of Raglan

    Free Time Add-On

    Raglan

  • Visit a Māori master pounamu (jade) carver in Rotorua & learn how to carve your own masterpiece

    Free Time Add-On

    Rotorua

North Island Off-Grid

12 Inclusions

Experiences that are included with your trip

  • Learn about Tikanga and Kawa, Māori customs and protocols of the marae, in Rotorua
  • Help prepare a Māori hangi feast while listening to traditional stories around the table
  • Learn Wairua and Rongoa Māori /Romiromi, Māori spirituality and traditional healing practices, during your stay at the marae
  • Discover traditional Māori performing arts and learn a haka and a waiata at Ohinemutu marae, followed by a cultural performance
  • Take a behind the scenes tour of the of a Kiwi conservation project at the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter
  • Depart Ohinemutu with a traditional Poroporoaki, Māori farewell ceremony
  • Visit the New Zealand Kiwi Hatchery at Rainbow Springs near Rotorua and hear about their efforts to save New Zealand's adorable national bird
  • Take a lunch stop in the North Island's lakeside resort town of Taupo
  • Enjoy a fresh & sustainably-sourced farm-to-table feast at the spectacular Blue Duck Station
  • Explore the hiking trails at Blue Duck Station, along the banks of both the Whanganui and Retaruke Rivers
  • Get a guided city tour of the captivating cultural hub of Wellington
  • Visit Te Papa Museum and learn about New Zealand's rich indigenous & colonial heritage

11 Free Time Add-Ons

Optional experiences that you can choose from and pay for on your trip

  • Master the waves with a surf lesson at the chilled surf town of Raglan
  • Take a Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour along the coast of Raglan
  • Take a sunset dinner cruise along the bay of Raglan
  • Hike the unique volcanic landscape of Mt Tarawera, Rotorua NZ$149
  • Go white water rafting down the crashing Kaituna River
  • Explore native rainforest at dawn with breakfast and coffee followed by ziplining on a Contiki Exclusive Rotorua Rainforest Canopy tour (from Oct 2020)
  • Visit a Māori master pounamu (jade) carver in Rotorua & learn how to carve your own masterpiece
  • Take a half day horseriding adventure through pine forests and mountains near Blue Duck Station
  • Kayak from Whakahoro into Whanganui National Park and get picked up by jet boat later the same day
  • Take a Blue Duck Station ATV bush safari and hear about the amazing conservation work on this breathtaking landscape
  • Enjoy a unique Chef's Table 10-course fine dining experience under the night sky in Tongariro

Where I'll Stay?

Learn more about the accommodation available on this trip

  • contiki-destinations-nz-traditional-maori-marae

    Traditional Maori Marae

    Rotorua , New Zealand

    Ever wanted to learn a haka? This ornately carved Māori marae (home & meeting place for a Māori community) is as authentic as it gets. Prepare a hāngi dinner with your hosts and uncover a culture of rich traditions.

    2 nights

  • contiki-destinations-nz-blue-duck-station

    Blue Duck Station

    Ruapehu, New Zealand

    Chase some waterfalls or explore on horseback this beautiful farm in the wilderness of Ruapehu

    2 nights

  • 6 nights

    All accommodation is included on this trip

    2 nights in Hotel, 2 nights in Special Stay - Marae, 2 nights in Special Stay - Blue Duck Station

About this trip

Want to experience New Zealand's North Island like a local? This adventure brings you into New Zealand's wilderness, with unforgettable local experiences every single day. Take jet boat tours, learn to surf, hike up volcanoes, learn the ways of the  Māori tribe in Rotorua and stargaze to your heart's content - and that's a small sample of the adventures awaiting you. This is the North Island unplugged, and it's utterly unforgettable. 

Buy With Confidence

  • Only $99 deposit to book*

    For a limited time, reserve your space now with a deposit of only $99, pay the rest 45 days before departure

  • Pay over time, interest free

    Can't pay in full? We've got you covered with our Part Pay Program

  • No booking fee, no change fees

    Change your travel dates or even your trip for free

  • Financing available with UpLift

    Book now, pay later when you're eligible for Uplift

From staying at an authentic Maori marae in Rotorua to learning about wildlife conservation at Blue Duck Station in the Ruapehu District, this trip boasts an incredible 5 Special Stays to bring you even closer to New Zealand's unique beauty and heritage.

Map & Itinerary

  • Start location
  • End location
  • Trip day
  • Via location
  • River route
  • Plane route

Nights spent per location

  1. Auckland

  2. 1 1 night

    Raglan

  3. 2 2 nights

    Rotorua

  4. 2 2 nights

    Blue Duck Station

  5. 1 1 night

    Wellington

DAY 1 - Auckland to Raglan

Auckland

Welcome to Auckland! We'll meet and greet in New Zealand's largest city today, before setting off on our first adventure.

Raglan

Surf's up! Welcome to the laid-back town of Raglan, set along the mesmerising Manu Bay. As well as an easy-going surf culture and word-class swells, Raglan is a tight-knit and eco-conscious community. The people who live here champion numerous green initiatives to ensure the town has an environmental impact, and we'll learn how the residents keep green before hitting the waves. You can do as the locals do and opt for some surf lessons, or if you're after something a bit different, Stand Up Paddle Boarding is a great way to explore the coast with a bit more stability. As the evening draws in, we'll have the option to end our first day in style, with a cruise and dinner while we watch the sunset along the bay. NZ - you've stolen our hearts already, and we're just getting started.

Stay

Sunset Motel

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

  • Master the waves with a surf lesson at the chilled surf town of Raglan

  • Take a Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour along the coast of Raglan

  • Take a sunset dinner cruise along the bay of Raglan

DAY 2 - Raglan to Rotorua

Raglan

See ya, Raglan; what a cool little town you are. Don't be too sad, though - we're headed onto Rotorua next.

Rotorua

When you catch your first whiff of that .. 'unusual' sulphur smell, you'll know we've arrived in Rotorua. Famed for its spurting geysers, bubbling hot springs and lush canopies, Rotorua is a natural wonderland, and then some. It's also home to the Ngāti Whakaue Māori tribe, who will be our hosts for the next two nights. That's right, this is the first Special Stay of our trip, a traditional lakeside Marae, which is a traditional, ornately carved Māori home. Our hosts will make use feel welcome as they teach us Tikanga and Kawa, their customs and protocols. We'll then help them in the preparation of the steam Hangi (dinner) as they tell stories around the kitchen table. After a meal, we'll learn about Māori spirituality and healing practises, before the moment you've been waiting for. Yep, put on your best war face, as you're about to learn a haka! After showing you the ropes, our hosts will show us how it's done with their own cultural performance. Pinch yourself, it doesn't get much more authentic than this.

Stay

Marae (Special Stay)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

  • Learn about Tikanga and Kawa, Māori customs and protocols of the marae, in Rotorua

  • Help prepare a Māori hangi feast while listening to traditional stories around the table

  • Learn Wairua and Rongoa Māori /Romiromi, Māori spirituality and traditional healing practices, during your stay at the marae

  • Discover traditional Maori performing arts and learn a haka and a waiata at Ohinemutu marae followed by a cultural performance

DAY 3 - Rotorua

Rotorua

The day is yours to roam free in this remarkable landscape. If you're feeling active, hike up volcanic Mt Tarawera or go White Water Rafting in the Kaituna River. Alternatively, you can take a Pounamu (jade) carving lesson with a local Māori master craftsman. This stone is sacred to the Māori people, and as well as being an incredible cultural experience, you get a beautiful piece of jewellery at the end of it. Another optional highlight today is the Rotorua canopy tour. This will see you rise with the dawn and watch the sunset from a platform high up in the trees. After a coffee and some breakfast, you'll then harness up and soar through the treetops on your zipline. It's an enthralling way to experience Rotorua's stunning scenery. In this natural playground, the options are limitless and the decisions are yours.

Stay

Marae (Special Stay)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

  • Take a behind the scenes tour of the of a Kiwi conservation project at the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

  • Hike the unique volcanic landscape of Mt Tarawera, Rotorua

    NZ$149

  • Go white water rafting down the crashing Kaituna River

  • Explore native rainforest at dawn with breakfast & coffee followed by ziplining on a Contiki Exclusive Rotorua Rainforest Canopy tour (from Oct 2020)

  • Visit a Māori master pounamu (jade) carver in Rotorua & learn how to carve your own masterpiece

DAY 4 - Rotorua to Blue Duck Station

Rotorua

Leaving Rotorua behind, we'll stop off at the Treadright-supported New Zealand Kiwi hatchery, where we'll meet New Zealand's adorable but vulnerable national animal. We'll learn all about the incredible conservation effort being made for New Zealand's native birds, and also get the cuteness overload when we see some of the chicks. Then, staying on theme, we're headed to Blue Duck Station.

Blue Duck Station

Another day, another Special Stay! Blue Duck station is nestled in the wilderness of the Ruapehu District, surrounded by Whanganui National Park. The site aims to conserve New Zealand's endangered wildlife, particularly its birdlife. Some of the kiwis we met earlier are released into the area surrounding the Station. Tonight, we'll enjoy an included farm to plate dinner, with produce harvested on the farm and meat that's been hunted in the surrounding bush. It's as sustainable as it gets, and it's utterly delicious.

Stay

Blue Duck Station (Special Stay)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

  • Depart Ohinemutu with a traditional Poroporoaki, Māori farewell ceremony

  • Visit the New Zealand Kiwi Hatchery at Rainbow Springs near Rotorua and hear about their efforts to save New Zealand's adorable national bird

  • Take a lunch stop in the North Island's lakeside resort town of Taupo

  • Enjoy a fresh & sustainably-sourced farm-to-table feast at the spectacular Blue Duck Station

DAY 5 - Blue Duck Station

Blue Duck Station

Rise and shine, we've got endless options for an adventure filled day today. With over 5,000 acres of tracked land, the land surrounding the station is perfect for hiking or horse trekking, as you traverse bush canopies, pine forests and mountain passes. You could kayak the Whanganui river (with a return journey by Jet Boat for the sake of your tired arms), or maybe take a bush safari. On this adventure you'll learn what the Blue Duck station is all about as you hear about their conservation work and even kayak to the Kaiwhakauka falls in summer - eyes peeled for the blue duck itself! In the evening, there's an option to try the Chef's Table fine dining experience. Under the summer night's sky, framed by Mt Ruapehu, you'll enjoy a 10 course degustation menu, with every ingredient sourced from the local land.

Stay

Blue Duck Station (Special Stay)

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

  • Explore the hiking trails at Blue Duck Station, along the banks of both the Whanganui and Retaruke Rivers

FREE TIME ADD-ONS

  • Take a half day horseriding adventure through pine forests and mountains near Blue Duck Station

  • Kayak from Whakahoro into Whanganui National Park and get picked up by jet boat later the same day

  • Take a Blue Duck Station ATV bush safari and hear about the amazing conservation work on this breathtaking landscape

  • Enjoy a unique Chef's Table 10-course fine dining experience under the night sky in Tongariro

DAY 6 - Blue Duck Station to Wellington

Blue Duck Station

We're headed out of the wilderness today and into the compact cultural hub of Wellington.

Wellington

With its stunning hook-shaped harbour and vibrant food scene, Wellington is a city like no other. After getting acquainted with the place with an included city tour, we'll visit the National Museum of Te Papa, before heading into town to explore the food & nightlife scene.

Stay

Abel Tasman Hotel

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

  • Get a guided city tour of the captivating cultural hub of Wellington

  • Visit Te Papa Museum and learn about New Zealand's rich indigenous & colonial heritage

DAY 7 - Wellington

Wellington

This morning our adventure comes to an end (sob). Hug it out with your New Zealand crew. We're sad to say goodbye, but memories of what we've experienced will put stupid grins on our faces for years to come.

Short on time?

This trip can be booked in smaller or bigger sections, so you can pick your dream adventure, tailored for you

1 Country, 9 Days

South Island Off-Grid

NEW TRIP

Visiting 8 places

1 Country, 15 Days

New Zealand Off-Grid

NEW TRIP

Visiting 12 places

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions group

Are flights included in my trip?

International flights to/from the destination your trip starts and ends in are not included in the cost of the trip, and must be purchased separately. You can book these independently if you want to shop around for the best quote, or through your travel agent.

Any flights you take during your Contiki are included in the cost of your trip. On certain Australian trips we use planes to get you from A to B as quickly as possible, and all of this is included.

What documents do I need to travel?

Depending on your nationality, you may require visas to enter Australia & New Zealand. You are fully responsible for obtaining all necessary visas prior to the departure of your trip. Contiki is not legally permitted to knowingly allow anybody who does not have a valid visa (if required) to join a trip. Visa & other entry & exit conditions such as currency, arrival/ departure taxes, customs & quarantine regulations change regularly, so make sure you stay up-to-date before you travel. See here for more info: https://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/immigration-and-visas
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/options/visit
It is also essential that you have any necessary vaccinations & comply with all laws of the countries visited.

What are the luggage restrictions?

On our Australia & New Zealand trips, you can bring one bag or suitcase of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”), with a max weight of 20kg (44lbs) plus one piece of hand luggage suitable as a carry-on for flights.

What do the Contiki team do?

People are at the heart of everything we do, and our team is what makes our trips the best. Our worldwide On-Road Team, locally based staff & network of Local Guides are all extensively trained & widely travelled, & are the best in the business. But we know it’s not just about training, it’s about passion & our team have it in their blood. 
Your Trip Manager is like your walking, talking guidebook – just for you. They plan your itinerary every day, organise your food and accomodation and book your Free Time Add ons, and because they know everything about where you’re going, you will too. Your Drivers are the experts on getting you from A to B efficiently and safely in Australia & New Zealand. They know their way around like the back of their hands & they’ll drop you at your door & unload your bags for you. Local Guides provide specialist knowledge when you need it, like when you’re journeying into the bush, and will always help you avoid the tourist traps.

How do I redeem the % off deal?

Our great deals and offers are only in market for a limited time are subject to pay in full deadlines. If you cannot pay in full by the specified date shown alongside the offer/deal you can still  lock in the trip date of your choice at our Standard Price where normal payment terms of pay in full 45 days prior to your trip departing apply.  Visit the deals page for the full terms & conditions. Discounts apply to the land portion of your trip price only (this excludes taxes, included flight costs, extra accommodation & optional activities. Your trip price does not include the costs of international flights that start or end your trip).