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.
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.
“This is a great trip and the Queen Charlotte Track is amazing and definitely a must do, we even saw dolphins on the way!”
Self-guided bike wine day in Renwick, Blenheim with shuttle and a cellar-door map. Comfortable bikes, 12+ tastings.
“What a great way to visit some wineries, and biking between them is a good way to slow things down a bit and enjoy the beautiful scenery and a leisurely pace. We started with the farthest Winery, Allan Scott, and really enjoyed that place. Read more”
Self-guided hike through Rotorua’s Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Steam vents, Frying Pan Lake and Inferno Crater Lake with shuttle return.
“The valley offered one of the most spectacular and memorable walks we've taken. The paper guide for the walk was very informative. Our lake cruise was excellent with descriptions given by the skipper. Café staff were helpful. Sandwiches were tasty and the coffee was good.”
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…”
Self-guided bike tour in Marlborough with an easy flat ride, bike map, and tastings at up to 12 nearby cellar doors.
“Great wine tour! We got a map and some information about the wineries and some recommendations before getting on the bikes which was really helpful.”
Cycle Marlborough wine country from Blenheim with free pickup, electric or tandem bikes, and a mapped route between nearby wineries.
“We were given a map with all the local vineyards, what types of wine they provide and possible routes to use. We managed to visit 4 different places and sampled 20 wines which was definitely enough! Tastings costed around $15-$25pp for 3-7 samples. Would highly recommend.”
Self-guided Orakei Korako geothermal boardwalk in Taupo with lake ferry transfers and the rare Ruatapu Cave thermal mirror pool.
“Boat ride across to the other side felt like we were going to a private island of steaming geothermal pools and mud pools, an adventure off the mainland. Really enjoyed the walk around, close-up to the action and nature but still safe on the trail. It was bigger than we expected and lots to see,…”
Self-guided mountain biking in Gibbston Valley with shuttle from Queenstown, e-bike or MTB, helmet, map, and wine stops at your pace.
“Fabulous day! Brilliant communication from tour guide! Very easy to follow ride, great winery options! Highly recommend day trip! Thank you !”
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”
Self-guided Milford Track day walk with a short water taxi, then an easy hike to Giant Gate Falls at your own pace.
“Lovely day for a short hike, water taxi was great to get us to the start of the track. Scenery was spectacular!”
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 bikes were very good quality, comfortable to ride & the sights along the way were fantastic! Very well organised & the introductory session was very good. We had a group of 4, 2x e-bikes & 2x standard bikes. We had lots of fun on the e-bikes & those with standard bikes had a workout…”
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.”
Ride Napier’s 28km coast-to-vineyard route with Atea a Rangi wetlands and up to 4 winery stops, ending via a 4pm shuttle.
“The bike hire company was wonderful! Very helpful and nice. We loved how they picked us up at the last winery and brought us back to our busses, as well.”
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…”
Hike the Queen Charlotte Track from Picton with a scenic boat cruise, live commentary, and choose Ship Cove, Endeavor Inlet or Torea Bay.
“Great opportunity to experience hiking the Queen Charlotte Track on a day trip with a very convenient drop-off and pick-up at certain points of the track . The boat ride there through the Sounds is also very nice, we had the opportunity to see some seals and dolphins on the way.”
