New Zealand Tours for Young Adults
4.5 stars on(8,455 reviews)- Choose from 50+ New Zealand tours
- 800+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best trips for '18 to 30 Somethings' in New Zealand
Compiled by
SteffNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar
Delve Deep: New Zealand North Island (11 destinations)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Delve Deep: New Zealand North Island was incredible! Lots of options and flexibility. Would highly recommend!”
Young adventurers aged 18+ can go blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves, tackle whitewater rafting in Rotorua (around $140), and hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The trip features craft beer tasting in Wellington and optional skydiving in Bay of Islands, plus vibrant nightlife in Auckland and Rotorua.
Duration 10 days Destinations Auckland, Whangarei, Paihia, Bay of Islands, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro National Park, Wellington Age Range up to 39 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Topdeck From $3,499
20% Off- NZ$2,799You save $700
Adrenaline seekers aged 20-35 tackle Queenstown's bungy jumping and Franz Josef's heli-hikes. World Bar's teapot cocktails, Fergburger feasts, and optional skydiving over The Remarkables round out the adventure.
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Lake Wanaka, Arrowtown, Queenstown, The Remarkables, Te AnauSee all destinations Age Range up to 39 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Topdeck From $3,939
15% Off- NZ$3,348You save $591
Travelers averaging 31 years old can spot whales in Kaikoura, kayak in Abel Tasman, and enjoy hydroslides at Hanmer Springs' thermal pools. Nights feature stays at vibrant spots like Dusky Lodge and social drinks in Christchurch's local bars.
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, Hanmer Springs Age Range 18 to 49 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Shared Operator Kiwi Experience From
15% Off- NZ$1,699
Duration 13 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Waitomo, Taupo, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Queenstown Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Shared Operator TruTravels From
15% Off- NZ$4,190
New Zealand Explorer
22 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Had such an amazing time! The tour was flexible, and everyone was so nice and accommodations were solid.”
Daiva, traveled in April
Young adventurers tackle Queenstown bungy jumping, Raglan surfing, and Franz Josef glacier hiking. Nights come alive in Queenstown and Taupo, while RockSolid hostel's climbing wall in Rotorua adds extra excitement.
Duration 14 days Destinations Auckland, Hahei, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo, Raglan, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford SoundSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Shared Operator Wild Kiwi From
15% Off- NZ$3,946+$592 upfront costs
Southern Loop
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“This tour blew all my expectations and it was awesome to check out the Upper South Island.”
Anna, traveled in May
Adventurous spirits aged 18+ can try Abel Tasman skydiving (around $290) and swimming with Kaikoura dolphins (around $180). Most travelers are around 28, sharing hostel accommodations and included breakfasts.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, Blenheim, Kaikoura Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Shared Operator Wild Kiwi From
15% Off- NZ$1,912+$287 upfront costs
Dynamic tour for ages 18-39 showcases Queenstown's legendary nightlife and optional Ice Pub Crawl. Coronet Peak offers varied ski runs, while Southern Alps skydiving and Franz Josef quad biking provide additional thrills. Shared hostel accommodations foster social connections.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Franz Josef Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Wild Kiwi From
15% Off- NZ$2,164+$325 upfront costs
Premium - South Island Escape
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“We really enjoyed our tour of South Island. It was very well organised and we all had the best time.”
Helen, traveled in February
Luxury meets adventure with optional bungy jumping and skydiving in Queenstown, glacier hiking at Franz Josef, and jet boating thrills. Social wine tasting at Mt Difficulty Vineyard and Dark Sky stargazing at Tekapo round out the experience.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Franz Josef Age Range 18 to 100 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Shared Operator Wild Kiwi From
15% Off- NZ$4,086+$613 upfront costs
Young travelers aged 18+ can tackle Kawarau Bridge bungy jump and Queenstown's adventure activities. The trip includes Lake Tekapo's Dark Sky show, optional glacier heli-rides at Franz Josef, and vibrant evenings at Skyline Restaurant overlooking Queenstown.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Lake Ohau, Ohau, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Manapouri, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Milford SoundSee all destinations Age Range up to 35 year olds Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From $2,630
19% Off- NZ$2,135You save $495
New Zealand Adventurer
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Would 100% recommend him to anyone. He goes out of his way to be a great tour guide.”
AnyaMurdoch, traveled in January
Young adventurers aged 18+ can try zorbing from approx. $40 in Rotorua, surf Raglan's waves, venture into Waitomo caves from around $150, and try Abel Tasman skydiving from around $300. Nights are spent in social dorms at RockSolid Rotorua and JUCY Snooze.
Duration 14 days Destinations Auckland, Hahei, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo, Raglan, Christchurch, Punakaiki, Abel Tasman National Park, Kaikoura Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Physical Rating Easy Room Type Shared Operator Wild Kiwi From
19% Off- NZ$3,903+$585 upfront costs
What people love about New Zealand Tours for Young Adults
- New Zealand Explorer
Ben is amazing!!!! If you have him as your guide you’re in for a great trip
Brilliant experience with great people and tour guide
NZ Adventure South
Had an awesome time exploring New Zealand with Wild Kiwi. Our guide Hamish was awesome and went out of his way to accommodate everyone on our tour. There were 14 of us onboard and the bus which was a nice balance. I have a couple of dietary requirements for breakfast that were taken into account. We did a helicopter tour of the west coast which was an amazing highlight.
Southern Voyager
What our customers ask about New Zealand Tours for Young Adults
Where are the best places for nightlife and socializing with other young travelers?
Queenstown stands out as New Zealand's nightlife hub with more than 100 bars and clubs around the lake area. World Bar and Cowboys draw regular crowds of travelers. For those heading north Wellington's Cuba Street offers a mix of craft beer spots and music venues while Auckland's Viaduct district features waterfront bars popular with locals and visitors alike. One TourRadar reviewer mentioned: "The nightlife in Queenstown was incredible - our whole tour group would meet up at Fergburger then hit the bars together. Such great memories!"
Are solo travelers common on New Zealand young adult tours?
Solo travelers dominate the young adult tour scene in New Zealand with statistics showing they make up to 83% of tour participants. The tours cater well to independent travelers through shared rooms at places like YHA hostels and group activities that create natural opportunities to meet others. A TourRadar traveler confirmed: "I don't usually choose organised tours as they are too busy but with Wild Kiwi we were like a little family."
What type of accommodation can I expect on young adult tours in New Zealand?
The accommodation mix typically includes hostels lodges and hotels that foster social interaction. JUCY Snooze Christchurch provides modern pod-style rooms while The Barn in Abel Tasman offers beachfront stays with shared spaces for group gatherings. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The accommodation was social but comfortable - we had movie nights in the common rooms and made friends with other young travelers staying there."
What are the best adventure activities for young adults in New Zealand?
Queenstown leads the way for adventure seekers with options from bungy jumping at Kawarau Bridge to white water rafting on the Kaituna River. Beyond Queenstown travelers can try skydiving over Lake Taupo surfing in Raglan kayaking through Abel Tasman National Park or taking on the Tongariro Crossing. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "I've never had so much fun in my life and I never imagined I'd get to push myself to do 6 new things I've never done before (white water rafting zip lining sky diving bungee jumping cave exploring and surfing)."
How long should young adults plan to stay in New Zealand?
Most visitors need 8-14 days to properly explore either the North or South Island. Tour options like Wild Kiwi's "Big South" 14-day journey or Stray's 11-day "Weka" route provide enough time to see key sites and enjoy activities without rushing. As one TourRadar traveler said: "Two weeks was perfect - enough time to do all the activities we wanted without rushing plus make great friends along the way."
What's the best time of year for young adults to visit New Zealand?
Summer months (December to February) bring the best weather but also peak crowds and prices. Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May) offer pleasant temperatures fewer tourists and good conditions for outdoor activities. One TourRadar reviewer recommended: "We went in April and it was perfect - warm enough for activities but not too crowded plus we got amazing photos of the autumn colors around Lake Tekapo."
More about New Zealand
New Zealand South Island toursNew Zealand North Island toursMilford Sound toursSummerFall / AutumnWinterSpringNew Zealand Travel Guide | All You Need to KnowBest 2 Week New Zealand Itineraries 2025/2026 (with Reviews)Best 3 Week New Zealand Itineraries 2025/2026 (with Reviews)Weather in New Zealand in 2025/2026What is the best time to visit New Zealand in 2025/2026?