New Zealand Tours & Trips

Our TourRadar customers keep coming back to tell us about three activities they particularly love on the South Island. In Queenstown, even travelers who get nervous about heights end up loving the Canyon Swing - it sends you gliding like a pendulum through a deep gorge in a mix of free-fall and smooth swinging motion. The cycling routes near Wedderburn have gained quite a following; the trails take you through sprawling valleys and past towering mountains that could be straight from a movie set. And right there in Wedderburn, you can try your hand at curling - it's a proper Kiwi tradition where you'll learn to slide stones across ice with surprising skill and strategy. While these spots are excellent year-round, spring and autumn tend to be really pleasant with mild weather and fewer tourists, though winter brings its own magic with snowy peaks and warm, cozy evenings indoors.

The North Island really delivers on New Zealand's natural marvels and cultural heritage. Our tours regularly get amazing feedback about the Waitomo caves, where tiny glowworms create what looks like an underground starry night in the limestone chambers. Over in Rotorua, you'll find nature at its most active - mud pools bubble away while geysers shoot up from the earth in an impressive display of geological forces. The bright blue waters of Huka Falls thunder through a narrow gorge near Taupo, making quite an impression on visitors. The cultural side comes alive when our guests join Māori communities for traditional hangi feasts and genuine local connections. For both film buffs and casual tourists, the Hobbiton Movie Set offers a remarkably detailed slice of Middle Earth with its cozy hobbit holes and lovingly maintained gardens. Many of our travelers prefer visiting the thermal areas in winter when steam creates mysterious scenes, while summer visitors tend to mix these sites with nearby trails and outdoor activities.

Discover amazing wildlife and landscapes in Milford Sound. Most travelers enjoy exploring our Milford Sound adventures in September, making it the most popular time of the year.

Journey over the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train, let loose in the adventure capital of Queenstown, gaze in awe at the West Coast glaciers, or conquer part of the Te Araroa trail. There's so much to see and do on the pictureque New Zealand South Island.

Experience New Zealand's breathtaking landscapes by hiking in the striking Milford Sound, the gem of Fiordland National Park, boating through the luminous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, or trekking the Franz Josef Glacier.

If you prefer two wheels, New Zealand's cycling routes show you a completely different side of the country. The Otago Rail Trail is particularly good for multi-day rides, taking you through old gold mining country on gentle gradients. Our cycling groups love how the routes mix exercise with culture - you'll pedal past wooden trestle bridges from the gold rush era and through Ranfurly with its Art Deco buildings. For something quite different, try the Alps to Ocean route that starts near Aoraki/Mt Cook and rolls through Mackenzie Country. These tours work really well because you can choose between guided sections and riding at your own pace, with support vehicles never far away. Daily rides cover between 23 and 55 kilometers, so you'll want to be comfortable on a bike but won't need professional-level fitness.

Take in the picturesque landscapes and remarkable sights on a guided Coach / Bus adventure of New Zealand. There are 57 vacation packages to choose from, that range in length from 3 days up to 23 days. The most popular month for these tours is February.

The South Island's explorer tours run 7-10 days and really let you get into New Zealand's varied landscapes. You'll find yourself hiking Tongariro National Park trails and spending nights in Franz Josef Glacier village, with plenty of flexibility built in. Our travelers tell us they love how the days mix scheduled activities with free choice - one day you're crafting your own pounamu pendant, the next you're picking between glacier walks, kayaking trips and also natural hot springs. The Lake Tekapo dark sky reserve turns out to be perfect for night sky viewing, while Queenstown makes an ideal hub for both guided trips and solo wandering. The local guides make a real difference here - they know exactly when to visit Instagram spots like #thatwanakatree for perfect shots and can quickly adjust routes when the weather shifts.