New Zealand adventure holidays
map & highlights
New Zealand is a country just made for overland touring, where you’re never more than a few hours’ drive from the next location and the next adventure.![]()
This is also undoubtedly the best way to appreciate the incredible diversity of rugged wilderness across the two main islands, from picturesque sandy bays to vast open plains, lush rainforest to fjords where seals and dolphins play, geothermal terrain to snow-tipped mountains. And there are so many exciting ways to get out there and explore it: on foot, by kayak, mountain bike, catamaran – or see it from above by helicopter tour or skydiving. But New Zealand faces challenges with biodiversity loss and damage to ecosystems: adventure holidays here should immerse people in the natural world while also respecting it to both encourage and fund conservation.
Our New Zealand adventure Holidays
New Zealand trekking holiday
Explore New Zealand's incredible landscapes
From
£6399 to £6949
23 days
inc UK flights
New Zealand self drive holidays
Spectacular scenery and dynamic culture
From
£7367
19 days
inc UK flights
New Zealand adventure holiday
An active adventure exploring the Land of the Long White Cloud
From
£6099 to £6849
22 days
inc UK flights
New Zealand Lord of the Rings tour
Natural wonders & Lord of the Rings filming locations
From
£10900
19 days
ex flights
Doubtful Sound and South Island tour, New Zealand
Doubtful Sound & West Coast Odyssey 7 Day Small Group Tour
From
NZ $3990 to NZ $4890
7 days
ex flights
New Zealand holiday, small group
Combining the best of New Zealand's North and South Islands.
From
£5499 to £6575
22 days
inc UK flights
New Zealand hiking & adventure holiday
Hike into New Zealand's stunning south island landscapes
From
US $3895
10 days
ex flights
New Zealand self drive tour
A self-drive tour of outdoor activities & natural wonders
From
£4400
14 days
ex flights
Ross Sea Antarctic Islands cruise from New Zealand
A unique and exciting adventure to the end of the world!
From
US $23000
4 weeks
ex flights
1. Abel Tasman National Park
2. Franz Josef Glacier
3. Kaikoura
4. Milford Sound
5. Paparoa National Park
6. Queenstown
7. Rotorua
8. Taupo
9. Tongariro Crossing
10. Waitomo
2. Franz Josef Glacier
3. Kaikoura
4. Milford Sound
5. Paparoa National Park
6. Queenstown
7. Rotorua
8. Taupo
9. Tongariro Crossing
10. Waitomo
Abel Tasman National Park
1. Abel Tasman National Park
Named for the first European explorer to reach New Zealand, Abel Tasman National Park is simply idyllic territory for hiking. Guides will explain the region’s flora and fauna as you walk through native forest, between golden beaches and isolated coves. Hikes can also be combined with catamaran or kayak trips when you might encounter seals and charming blue penguins.
Franz Josef Glacier
2. Franz Josef Glacier
Steeper than nearby Fox Glacier, the Franz Josef Glacier has more dramatic ice formations, and deeper crevasses and caves (where you may see the stunning blue ice). Both glaciers are in a serious state of retreat, although you can still hike on them, or try ice climbing. But you sure won’t be alone – it can take up to 30 minutes just to park in peak season.
Kaikoura
3. Kaikoura
Flipping its history of whaling on its head, Kaikoura is now New Zealand’s premier whale-watching destination. You can also see (and swim) with dolphins off the coast here, and there is a thriving colony of fur seals. It’s possible to stay in a treehouse lodge, and help out with your hosts’ tree-planting initiative which will also encourage native birds to nest.
Milford Sound
4. Milford Sound
The most popular way to explore this 15km waterway in Fjordland National Park is by cruise. But the best way to see Milford Sound is definitely either by kayak, or by trekking – the three-day Milford Track is the most famous of New Zealand’s Great Walks but there are many shorter, less busy routes. If you do prefer to take things easier, opt for a cruise with an onboard naturalist or geologist.
Paparoa National Park
5. Paparoa National Park
A vast South Island expanse of limestone cliffs and river canyons, native rainforest, mountains and wilderness, Paparoa National Park is a superb location for walking and overnight camping. Kiwi guides will ensure you pick up the right firewood along the way, and also show you around the Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki, eroded limestone stacks pocked with blowholes that seawater spurts through.
Queenstown
6. Queenstown
Queenstown on the South Island is New Zealand adventure holidays distilled. They call it the Adventure Capital of the World – they’re not wrong. Home to the A.J. Hackett ‘Thrillogy’ (which your correspondent once smashed on his birthday), Queenstown is 100% adrenaline set against the Southern Alps. Besides bungee jumps there’s skydives, jet boating, canyoning, mountain biking and luge –avoid summer though, when locals are far outnumbered by tourists.
Rotorua
7. Rotorua
The eggy pong that pervades Rotorua is a result of all the geothermal activity under the surface – as well as being the beating heart of Maori culture this lakeside town is also famed for its hot springs and thermal mud baths. Adventurous travellers might also know it as home to the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, on the Grade V Katuna River.
Taupo
8. Taupo
The Queenstown of the North Island, Taupo offers everything from bungee jumping to skydiving, kayaking on the beautiful lake to see Maori rock carvings, and jet boating out to the thundering Huka Falls. More sedate is the famous Craters of the Moon walking trail through lunar-like geothermal terrain of steaming, bubbling craters.
Tongariro Crossing
9. Tongariro Crossing
One of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is 19.4km of epic scenery, over volcanic terrain and with a backdrop of lakes and mountains – including those that served as Mt. Doom in Peter Jackson’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. No special equipment is needed for this day trek except good-quality footwear, but you can expect to be walking in a queue for much of the time.
Waitomo
10. Waitomo
The glowworm caves of Waitomo, close to Taupo and Rotorua, are one of the North Island’s best-known natural attractions, but this small village also offers thrilling black water rafting. Travel down a subterranean river in an inner tube, leap off cascading waterfalls into the pitch darkness, and float beneath a rock canopy studded with thousands of glowworms doing their thing.
Our top New Zealand adventure Holiday
New Zealand self drive holidays
Spectacular scenery and dynamic culture
From
£7367
19 days
inc UK flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor-made and departures can be arranged all year. The sample itinerary below can be modified to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination.
This trip can be tailor-made and departures can be arranged all year. The sample itinerary below can be modified to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about New Zealand adventure or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Kelly Reid from our specialist operator Exodus shares some of her most underrated destinations in New Zealand: “It’s impressive to see how Christchurch is developing after the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, with great little bars and restaurants emerging. Queenstown and Rotorua are both flooded with tourists, and we suggest visiting less busy areas, while Auckland is quite difficult to get around and expensive. The Central Otago region on the South Island is underrated, with lots of wineries and great mountain biking and walking. I also love the beautiful Bay of Islands in the north, and Taupo and its surrounds.”
More about New Zealand adventure
Our New Zealand adventure holidays travel guide is about getting your kicks without causing harm to the environment or local communities.
Our top eight adventure activities in New Zealand range from ‘softer’ experiences such as trekking and kayaking to more extreme.
New Zealand walks are some of the finest in the world, taking you through such astonishingly diverse and awe inspiring scenery.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Tomas Sobek] [Abel Tasman: anoldent]
[Franz Josef: Jackman Chiu]
[Kaikoura: Arran Bee]
[Milford Sound: eyeintim]
[Queenstown: Michael Napoleon]
[Rotorua: Yoann Laheurte]
[Huka Falls: Ruth Hartnup]
[Tongariro crossing: Laura Smetsers]
[Waitomo caves: Rachael Horner]
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