Self-Guided Tours

NEW ZEALAND

15 Best Self-Guided Tours In New Zealand

New Zealand's best.

New Zealand's 15 most popular self-guided tours, in one place. What each one is actually like, who runs it, and what you will pay.

15 Best Self-Guided Tours In New Zealand

Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton - Choosing between 12.7 km and 17 km: pick the version that matches your energy

1.Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

Most Popular★ 4.8

Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound to Ship Cove, then choose a self-guided 12.7 km or 17 km Queen Charlotte Track hike with great skipper commentary.

“We missed out on the 5 day Queen Charlotte walk as it was full but the one day walk from Furneaux lodge to Punga Cove was 14 kms and a great compromise as we now have more time to explore the South Island. Communication was excellent and the staff were very attentive.”

383 reviews8.5 hoursFrom $66by Beachcomber Cruises

Check Availability →Read the review →

Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg

Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg - Getting set up: Lorelle, Greg, and a bike that feels easy fast

2.Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg

★ 5.0

Self-guided bike wine day in Renwick, Blenheim with shuttle and a cellar-door map. Comfortable bikes, 12+ tastings.

“Amazing self guided bike tour with Jo and Steve. They take such pride in their business. They help each guest to get the experience they want at the vineyards. They even offered to make reservations for tastings if required and had a PowerPRead more”

304 reviewsFrom $43.44by Wine Tours By Bike

Check Availability →Read the review →

Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu - Check-in, the Wanderer Guide, and how to plan your route

3.Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

★ 4.5

Self-guided hike through Rotorua’s Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Steam vents, Frying Pan Lake and Inferno Crater Lake with shuttle return.

“Very good! You can see different lakes and geothermal spots along the route which are definitely amazing, especially the inferno (blue as the photos). Also the hike is not difficult and is pleasant on a sunny day. There is free shuttle bus along the route as well. Definitely worth it.”

248 reviewsFrom $46.54by Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Check Availability →Read the review →

Abel Tasman National Park: Sailing and Self-Guided Walk

Abel Tasman National Park: Sailing and Self-Guided Walk - Kaiteriteri to Anchorage Bay: the 2.5-hour sail that sets the tone

4.Abel Tasman National Park: Sailing and Self-Guided Walk

★ 4.8

Sail Abel Tasman from Kaiteriteri to Anchorage Bay, then hike back to Marahau on a self-guided coastal track. Full-day $80.

“This trip was fantastic. Our sailing captain, Inky, was thorough, informative, very friendly and very competent. He was well supported by his crew, Caitlin, who was enjoying her first day on the job - although you wouldn’t know it was her first day. We set off under motorised power right on time and shortly after…”

238 reviews8 hoursFrom $80by Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures

Check Availability →Read the review →

Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour

Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour - The setup: bikes, locks, helmets, and a wine map that actually helps

5.Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour

★ 4.7

Self-guided bike tour in Marlborough with an easy flat ride, bike map, and tastings at up to 12 nearby cellar doors.

“The place I wanted to visit most for pinot gris was only accessible by taxi, so I gave up. The staff recommended wineries for Pinot Gris. I liked it so much that I bought two. The staff are very kind. thank you very much”

221 reviews1 dayFrom $41by Explore Marlborough Wine Tours

Check Availability →Read the review →

Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.

Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region. - Vines Village setup: where your day starts (and gets easier)

Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako

Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako - Price and timing: is $35.37 worth it for a self-guided visit

7.Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako

★ 5.0

Self-guided Orakei Korako geothermal boardwalk in Taupo with lake ferry transfers and the rare Ruatapu Cave thermal mirror pool.

“This was a great place to visit in our travels from Rotorua to Lake Taupo we stopped at this gem. After a ferry ride over the gorgeous lake we did a self guided hike through the trails. The geothermal activity was amazing to see up close and the cave was pretty cool too! Gorgeous hike…”

178 reviewsFrom $35.37by Orakei Korako Cave Thermal Park

Check Availability →Read the review →

Queenstown: Self-Guided Gibbston Valley Wineries Bike Tour

Queenstown: Self-Guided Gibbston Valley Wineries Bike Tour - Price and value: why $56 can work out well here

8.Queenstown: Self-Guided Gibbston Valley Wineries Bike Tour

★ 4.7

Self-guided mountain biking in Gibbston Valley with shuttle from Queenstown, e-bike or MTB, helmet, map, and wine stops at your pace.

“This was one of our favorite outings in Queenstown. We upgraded to e-bikes and were glad we did. I would recommend the all day excursion and e-bikes. Fabulous day taking in some stunning scenery”

128 reviews5 hoursFrom $56by Around The Basin Bike Queenstown

Check Availability →Read the review →

Half-Day Self-Guided Mountain Bike Journey through Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest

Half-Day Self-Guided Mountain Bike Journey through Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest - What the Ride Feels Like Over a Half-Day (3–4 Hours)

9.Half-Day Self-Guided Mountain Bike Journey through Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest

★ 5.0

Half-day self-guided mountain biking in Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa redwoods with helmet, Giant bikes, trail planning, and onsite support.

“Pickup procedure was super easy and directions were clear. The folks who fitted us for our bike even gave some recommendations on paths to take. Overall the mountain biking was scenic/good, but we did have one issue as the chain of one of our bikes fell off about halfRead more”

124 reviewsFrom $34by Mountain Bike Rotorua

Check Availability →Read the review →

Milford Sound: Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk

Milford Sound: Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk - Finding the Deepwater Basin boat ramp (and not ending up at the wrong terminal)

Queenstown: Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail

Queenstown: Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail - Arrow River Trail: river gorges, six bridges, and the “gold-miners” path

11.Queenstown: Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail

★ 4.8

Cycle the Arrow Bridges Trail from Arrowtown to Gibbston Wine Valley on a 15 km self-guided ride with shuttle and optional e-bike.

“The bike ride we undertook from Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley was self guided. The company provided transportation to the trail head and picked us up at the trail end. They provided bikes, maps, and general information. The trip was self-paced and perfect for my husband and me. I highly recommend this trip. It was a…”

96 reviews4 hoursFrom $56by Around The Basin Bike Queenstown

Check Availability →Read the review →

Hawkes Bay Wineries Self-Guided Bike Tour

Hawkes Bay Wineries Self-Guided Bike Tour - Getting your bike and winery map near Hastings

12.Hawkes Bay Wineries Self-Guided Bike Tour

★ 4.5

Pedal Hawke’s Bay wine country on flat trails near Hastings. Rent a bike, follow a winery map, and choose your own stops.

“Fabulous bike rental company in the middle of Hawke’s Bay wine region. Great bikes which were easy to ride on the flat bike paths. Fabulous scenery and close to lots of wineries.”

83 reviewsFrom $40.34by On Yer Bike Winery Tours

Check Availability →Read the review →

Great Escape Self-Guided Scenic Cycle Winery Tour from Napier

Great Escape Self-Guided Scenic Cycle Winery Tour from Napier - Start at 117 Marine Parade, then ride Napier’s Art Deco into the countryside

13.Great Escape Self-Guided Scenic Cycle Winery Tour from Napier

★ 4.5

Ride Napier’s 28km coast-to-vineyard route with Atea a Rangi wetlands and up to 4 winery stops, ending via a 4pm shuttle.

“12 woman on the trip. One of them had an electric bike which kept cutting out. I had a broken seat which was only discovered an hour into the trip. The broken seat ripped my trousers. Very upsetting. I feel like these things should have Read more”

75 reviewsFrom $49.65by Napier City Bike Hire & Tours

Check Availability →Read the review →

Half-Day Self-Guided Ride and Wine Bike Tour from Arrowtown

Half-Day Self-Guided Ride and Wine Bike Tour from Arrowtown - Arrow River Bridges Trail: willow trees, river bends, and suspension bridges that feel special

14.Half-Day Self-Guided Ride and Wine Bike Tour from Arrowtown

★ 5.0

Self-guided bike ride from Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley Winery with included bike and helmet, suspension bridges, and a wine cave tasting.

“A lovely morning ride, a few short uphills but overall a nice relaxing ride with lots of scenery to take in. Ride was 2.5 hours, easy ride with loads of little photo stops along the way. Lovely lunch and wine tasting at the end. Recommend bring gloves and layers (the wind chill by the river…”

71 reviewsFrom $25by Arrowtown Bike Hire

Check Availability →Read the review →

Self-Guided Queen Charlotte Track Walk from Picton

Self-Guided Queen Charlotte Track Walk from Picton - Ship Cove, Endeavor Inlet, or Torea Bay: how to choose your day

15.Self-Guided Queen Charlotte Track Walk from Picton

★ 4.5

Hike the Queen Charlotte Track from Picton with a scenic boat cruise, live commentary, and choose Ship Cove, Endeavor Inlet or Torea Bay.

“It was a beautiful hike, but glad we only did Furneux Lodge to Punga Cove as 8 miles is more than enough to get a sampling of the beauty. Fortunately it was dry; otherwise it could be challenging without good treads and hiking poles (nRead more”

70 reviewsFrom $59.58by Beachcomber Cruises

Check Availability →Read the review →

Most recent

Explore New Zealand

South Island

North Island

Adventure

Nature

Wine & Culture