The best things to see and do in New Zealand
The best New Zealand experiences and guided activities. Activities for people who dislike group tours and crowds! Private guides, small passionate operators and sustainable options.
Authentic New Zealand; private hiking tours, high country cycle trails through the southern alps, individually guided birding trips on the Otago Peninsula, kayaking remotely beautiful beaches in our National Parks, listening to the stories of local Maori guides, wine tasting at some of our small boutique vineyards and tours of small gourmet providers, as well as superb golf and the world's best fly-fishing. Most of our activities are small group or private trips, locally owned and operated. We have also included iconic, must-do, experiences such as seeing the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers, Milford and Doubtful Sounds and the North Island's Volcanic Plateau.
Outdoors & Active
For people who want hike, bike, kayak on their holidays. Find the best local operators and smaller groups.
Wildlife & National Parks
Birds, whales, native bush and National Parks. Get out into the fresh air, contribute to a conservation project and learn about the unique New Zealand flora and fauna.
Lord of the Rings & Hobbit locations
For Tolkien film lovers, visit some of the locations where these epic films were made.
Gourmet & Culture
If fine wines and exceptional cuisine are your pleasure, our private or behind-the-scenes tours will help you access some delicious experiences.
Must-do locations without breaking a sweat!
Golf & Fishing
Find a fishing guide or a golf course to weave into your New Zealand trip.
Visit The Collection tab to filter by Interest or Region and to view Accommodations and Activities on a map of New Zealand.
Carino Wildlife Cruises
Paihia, Bay of Islands
Contacts:
Vanessa McKay
+64 9 402 8040 / M: 027 493 3872
/ wildlifecruises.co.nz
Ananda Tours
Waiheke Island, Auckland
Contacts:
Jenny McDonald & Brooke Robinson
+64 9 372 7530 / M: 027 233 4565
/ www.ananda.co.nz
Island Aviation (Auckland Seaplanes)
Auckland
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 9 390 1121
/ www.aucklandseaplanes.com
Kiwi Dundee Adventures
Waihi & North Island
Contacts:
John and Rose
+64 274 746 219 / M: 0274 746 219
/ www.kiwidundee.co.nz
Moutohora Island Sanctuary
Whakatane, Bay of Plenty
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 7 308 9588 / FP: 0800 733 529
/ www.moutohora.co.nz
Cruise & Fish
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Contacts:
John Hamill
+64 21 951 959 / M: 021 951 959
/ www.cruiseandfish.co.nz
Polynesian Spa
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 7 348 1328 / FP: 0508 POLY SPA
/ www.polynesianspa.co.nz
Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park
between Rotorua and Taupo
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 7 378 3131
/ www.orakeikorako.co.nz
Sail Barbary Eco Sailing Taupo
Lake Taupo, Central Plateau
Contacts:
Tiffany Battell
+64 7 378 5879 / M: 027 231 1300
/ www.sailbarbary.com
Taupo's Floatplane
Taupo, Central Plateau
Contacts:
Neil Kemp
+64 7 378 7500
/ www.tauposfloatplane.co.nz
Gannet Safaris Overland
Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay
Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Kapiti Island, near Wellington
Contacts:
Minnie Clark
+64 27 726 7525 / M: 027 726 7525
/ www.kapitiisland.com
Bularangi Motorbikes
Major Cities & Waihi
Contacts:
Ali Howie
+64 7 863 6069 / M: 021 223 5844
/ www.motorbikesnz.co.nz
Cape Farewell Horse Treks
Golden Bay, Nelson Region
Contacts:
Pamela & James
+64 3 524 8031
/ www.horsetreksnz.co.nz
Golden Bay Air
Golden Bay, Nelson Region & Wellington
Contacts:
Brenda Bownlie
+64 3 525 8725
/ goldenbayair.co.nz
R&R Kayaks
Marahau, Nelson Region
Contacts:
Rohan
+64 3 5278 197 / FP: 0508 2 BEACH (0508 223 224)
/ www.rrkayaks.co.nz
Abel Tasman Eco Tours
Marahau, Nelson Region
Contacts:
Clive, Mel & Justin
+64 3 391 0010
/ www.abeltasmanecotours.co.nz
Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle
Kaiteriteri, Nelson Region
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 3 527 8688 / FP: 0800 732 748
/ www.abeltasmanseashuttles.co.nz
Abel Tasman Charters
Stephens Bay, Kaiteriteri, Nelson Region
Contacts:
Rod & Karina Stuart
+64 27 441 8588 / FP: 0800 22 35 22
/ www.abeltasmancharters.com
Wheelie Fantastic Cycle Tours
Mapua, Nelson Region
Contacts:
Lisa & Nicky
+64 3 543 2245 / FP: 0800 22 9253
/ www.wheeliefantastic.co.nz
Wine, Art and Wilderness
Nelson Region
Contacts:
Zane Kennedy & Elissa Menzies
+64 275 776 975 / FP: 0800 326 868
/ www.wineartandwilderness.co.nz
Hop-on-Hop-off
Marlborough, Nelson & Queenstown
Contacts:
Reservations
+64 3 573 5508
/ hoponhopoffwinetours.com
Wilderness Guides
Picton, Marlborough
Contacts:
Juliet & Steve Gibbons
+64 3 573 5432 / FP: 0800 266 266
/ www.wildernessguidesnz.com
Helicopters Nelson Top of the South
Nelson & Marlborough Regions
Contacts:
Michelle Stewart
+64 3 541 9530 / M: 027 688 0311
FP: 0800 FLY NELSON
/ www.helicoptersnelson.co.nz
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Blenheim, Marlborough
Contacts:
Jo McMillan
+64 3 579 1305
/ www.omaka.org.nz
Underworld Adventures
Charleston, West Coast
Contacts:
Aidan Schurr
+64 3 788 8168 / M: 0204 014 6503
/ www.caverafting.com
Whale Watch Kaikoura
Kaikoura, North Canterbury
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 3 319 6767 / FP: 0800 655 121
/ www.whalewatch.co.nz
Encounter Kaikoura
Kaikoura, North Canterbury
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 3 319 6777 / FP: 0800 733 365
/ www.encounterkaikoura.co.nz
West Coast Waterways
Hokitika, West Coast
Contacts:
Cindy & Gavin
+64 27 4301 777
/ www.westcoastscenicwaterways.co.nz
Okarito Boat Eco Tours
Okarito, near Franz Josef, West Coast
Contacts:
Paula & Swade
+64 3 753 4223 / M: 021 049 8522
/ www.okaritoboattours.co.nz
Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
Franz Josef Glaciers, West Coast
Contacts:
Dale, Bronwyn & the team
+64 3 752 0230 / M: 027 324 4011 / FP: 0800 423 262
/ franzjoseftours.co.nz
Fox Glacier Guiding
Fox Glacier, West Coast
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 3 751 0825 / FP: 0800 111 600
/ www.foxguides.co.nz
Canterbury Trails
Christchurch, Canterbury
Contacts:
Irene Hayward
+64 3 384 6148 / M: 021 384 614
/ www.canterburytrails.co.nz
Wildsouth Discovery
Canterbury & South Island
Contacts:
Brian Lucas & Paula Sinclair
+64 3 332 3665 / M: 027 4363 068
/ www.wildsouth.com
Mt Cook Glacier Guiding
Mt Cook, South Canterbury
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 3 435 1001 / FP: 0800 68 2665
/ www.mtcookguides.co.nz
Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre
Timaru, South Canterbury
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 3 684 9141 / FP: 0800 46 83 262
/ www.teana.co.nz
Eco Wanaka Adventures
Wanaka, Southern Lakes
Contacts:
Lee Eadie
+64 3 443 2869 / FP: 0800 926 326
/ www.ecowanaka.co.nz
Ridgeline Adventures
Wanaka, Southern Lakes
Contacts:
Sarah & Mark
+64 27 390 2152 / M: 027 390 2152
/ ridgelinenz.com
Southern Alps Air
Wanaka & Makarora
Contacts:
Paul & Anne Cooper
+ 64 3 443 4385 / FP: 0800 345 666
/ www.southernalpsair.co.nz
Nomad Safaris
Queenstown, Southern Lakes
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 3 442 6699 / FP: 0800 688 222
/ www.nomadsafaris.co.nz
Cycle Ventures
Twizel, South Canterbury
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 3 398 1255 / M: 027 940 0849
/ cycleventures.co.nz
Trail Journeys
Clyde, Dunedin, Queenstown
Contacts:
John
+64 3 449 2150 / FP: 0800 030 381
/ www.trailjourneys.co.nz
Stewart Island Flights
Invercargill & Stewart Island
Contacts:
Bookings
+64 3 218 9129
/ www.stewartislandflights.co.nz
