Check out our incredible adventures exploring the highlights and hidden gems of New Zealand!
Activity Level 1
What's The Rush?
I'm active and in decent shape and not looking to experience a place just through a bus window. I'm happy to slow down on the trail, soak it in and breathe in the fresh air.
Walking: 2-3 hours per day on gentle-gradient trails.
Other activities: On these trips, you'll be taking part in a range of other activities that focus less on building up a sweat and more on enjoying the finer things in life.
Activity Level 2
On the Move
Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.
Walking: 2-4 hours per day on gentle to moderate gradient trails. No multi-day hikes.
Biking: 1-3 hours, cruisy rides achievable by anyone, even first-timers. Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. snorkeling): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 3
Step It Up
I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.
Hiking: Typically, 3-6 hours per day on well-formed backcountry trails. Expect some significant gradient inclines and declines.
Altitude: Your trip may include some moderate altitude areas, though these don't form the focus of the trip and are generally manageable.
Biking: 1-3 hours on well-formed paths or roads where you can expect some hills with moderate climbs and descents.
Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. caving): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 4
Challenge Accepted
I'll let my trusty guides sweat the small things, so I can focus on my goal. Getting to the top, reaching the end, achieving my dreams! Sure, it'll be tough, but the views will be worth it.
Hiking / Trekking: Typically, 4–6-hour hikes with options for more, sometimes with limited or no vehicle support and nearly always with ascents and descents.
Altitude: Some trips at this level will reach a significant altitude. We are here to help you manage that and make your experience one to cherish for a lifetime.
Biking & Kayaking: If one, or both, of these activities are 'your thing,' there are trip options in this range, allowing you to be on two wheels or with a paddle in your hand for most of the day.
Activity Level 5
The Upper Limit
I'm ready to put in the hard work to reap the rewards. I'm a seasoned adventurer, not afraid to get my boots wet.
Trekking & Altitude: This is classic trekking, at altitude. Some might even call it 'expedition-style.' We've had folks from all walks of life achieve their dreams on our grade 5 trips, so if you're in for a challenge get in touch to find out if this is for you.
New Zealand is a paradise island-country of extremes! Accurately nicknamed “adventure capital of the world,” some of the most active volcanoes on earth have sculpted awe-inspiring mountain landscapes and breathtaking black and white beaches. Our New Zealand Vacation packages are great for families and small adult groups on a quest for adventure.
Our sister brand, Active Adventures, originates from New Zealand and has been guiding some of the best adventure tours in the country for more than 25 years - needless to say, you'll be in good hands!
Check out our incredible adventures exploring the highlights and hidden gems of New Zealand!
Experience the birthplace of bungee jumping, stargaze in the largest dark-sky preserve in the southern hemisphere, and kayak the calm, pastel waters of Okarito Lagoon. Hike the glacier-carved mountains of Fiordland National Park to pristine, freshwater lakes that reflect snow capped peaks. Whether you are hang-gliding over mountains near Queenstown or enjoying a candle-lit dinner in a picturesque National Park, New Zealand’s beauty will captivate your imagination and inspire the spirit of adventure on your next vacation.
For a destination that offers the whole family a wealth of fun activities in some of the most spectacular settings on earth, New Zealand is at the top of the list! How about a family rafting float trip in sensational Skippers Canyon near the resort town of Queenstown? Jetboating up spectacular braided rivers? Stargazing to spot the Southern Cross (not visible in the northern hemisphere!)? Hiking to a mountain hut in Mt Aspiring National Park for marshmallows over the campfire, and spotting kea along the way (New Zealand's mountain parrot)? With our specially curated vacation packages, you can plan a family vacation to New Zealand, and enjoy being together in stunning Southern Hemisphere surroundings.
The best time to visit New Zealand for warmer days and stable weather is during the summer (December-February). It's a popular time of year for hiking, biking, and all types of adventuring. If you're after fewer crowds, autumn (March-May) will take your breath away with the warm colors and - if you're lucky - snow-capped mountains.
New Zealand is a Pacific nation composed of two main islands and many smaller ones. The majority of the population is on the North Island where the country’s capital, Wellington, and largest city, Auckland, are located. The population consists of Maori, who are descendants of Polynesian settlers, and those of European descent. An increasingly multicultural nation, people from other Pacific Islands and further afield call New Zealand home.
Aside from New Zealand' epic scenery, New Zealanders, or Kiwis, enjoy excellent culture of sport, festivals, food and drink.
Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand (Aotearoa). Several waves of canoe voyages led to several centuries of isolation before initial contact with Europeans in the 1700s. As of 2022, 17% of New Zealanders are ethnically Maori, and traditional Maori culture has enjoyed a significant revival following the upheavals of the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Rugby and Cricket dominate the sporting scene. The Rugby Union Team are known as the 'All Blacks', and have the best winning record of any national team in the world, winning the first Rugby World Cup, and in 1987, and have successfully gone on to defend their title 5 times since. The All Blacks famously perform a haka, a Maori challenge, at the start of international matches.
Reflecting the mix of cultures on the islands, New Zealand’s three top music festivals offer a range of talent. 'Rhythm and Vines' on the North Island and 'Rhythm and Alps' on the South Island take place with the first sunrise of the year, showcasing the world’s best musicians at the beach town of Gisborne and the mountainous Cardona Valley. Pacifika Festival in Auckland has become the largest gathering of its kind in the world. Brass bands, drummers, ukuleles and melodic voices represent the prowess of the Pacific peoples.
New Zealand offers an impressive range of world-class food and beverages! From the intentionally acclaimed Sauvignon Blanc wine produced in the Marlborough region, to the kiwifruit (also known as kiwi) growing area of the North Island, to the delectable Bluff oysters of the Southern Ocean, New Zealand exports a range of culinary delights all over the globe. New Zealand's lamb (there are 60 million sheep to the 5 million people!), and dairy exports provide much of New Zealand's income.
New Zealanders are generally known to be a warm,welcoming, and relaxed people, with a dry sense of humor and laid-back approach to life. Kiwis are very polite and you should always "please" and "thank you" when conversing with the locals. The Maori language is an official language of New Zealand, and you will find Maori words used throughout everyday New Zealand English, and in the media. "Kia ora!" is a popular greeting, but also means thank you, is used as an acknowledgement, and a phrase of appreciation. It's not surprising with a backyard of beautiful wilderness, that outdoor sports feature heavily in the kiwi way of life, with snowsports, hiking, running and boating being the most popular.
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With New Zealand’s changeable weather and a range of activities to pack for, being prepared is the key to a great adventure. The three essentials below will help get you ready for the trip of a lifetime in the wilds of New Zealand.
Packing correctly starts with bringing the right footwear. Trainers are comfortable for short distances over flat, artificial terrain, but hiking boots or cycling shoes are the correct choice for every hiking or biking vacation. Choose practical footwear to protect your feet, avoid blisters, stay comfortable and keep your balance on rough ground.
“There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”. That is especially true in New Zealand, where interchangeable mountain weather blows warm tropical winds one day, antarctic gusts the next. Layers will help pack light but keep your options flexible for a day on the trail.
Remember the items that keep you comfy and happy on an adventure. Have you got a snug backpack and good sunglasses? Did you pack your cell phone charger and trekking poles? Rest assured your guides will bring plenty of spare sunscreen, snacks and water, but don’t forget your binoculars if they’re what bring you joy!
As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days (180 days for Africa and Himalayas trips) from your original trip start date.
It is your responsibility stay up to date on the latest visa and entry requirements for your destination. Please use the CIBT entry tracker on our website as a guideline or visit the relevant immigration webpage for more information regarding this.
For the most up-to-date recommendations please check with your doctor or travel clinic, and always go with their recommendations, as these can often change. We strongly recommend that you see a doctor, preferably one with experience in travel medicine, at least 8 weeks before your trip starts to discuss appropriate vaccinations.
It’s essential you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of personal injury, medical expenses, trip cancellation for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Insurance page for more in-depth information and insurance provider options. It’s also important to check your insurance covers all the activities you’ll be partaking in, in case you’re travelling to altitude or looking at extreme sports.
Our preferred Travel Partner Fuzion Travel can assist with you with flights and other travel arrangements. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they’ll put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star service that you’ll want to tell your friends about!
Most international flights arrive and depart from Auckland, on the North Island. Our North Island trip starts and ends in Auckland, though for our South Island trips, you'll also need flights between Auckland and Christchurch or Queenstown. This is usually easy to arrange when you reserve your international flights, and it's worth checking for internet specials online.
We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, out of the way, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of our country. The bed & breakfasts, farm stays, lodges, motels, and the occasional mountain hut we stay at have been carefully chosen because of their location and local flavour. Many of our clients have said that one of the highlights of their trip was meeting and getting to know the Kiwis who are our hosts when we travel around New Zealand. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep, and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.
On the trips that include multi-day hiking options, you’ll stay in cosy back-country huts (only for the nights of the multi-day option). This is a true kiwi wilderness experience, at the end of the day you’ll kick your feet up and share stories with your fellow travellers as the guides stoke the fire and prepare a three-course candle lit meal, all before a well-earned kip on a comfortable bed.
You won't have to camp on our scheduled trips, although we'll provide the gear if you'd like to sleep under the stars on the backpacking option in Nelson Lakes National Park or would like to include camping on a custom trip.
New Zealand is a small country - about 1000 miles from top to bottom, and only about 150 miles wide - but it's not THAT small! We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimise your time for outdoors-oriented adventure. The average driving time over the period of our Ultimate South Island trip is just over two hours a day, and we try to spend us much time as possible in the outdoors. Even so, we prefer you to be comfortable when we do have to drive. We use modern, comfortable minibuses for smaller groups, and purpose-built coaches for larger groups. For instance, we often use one of our spacious, quiet and comfortable 20-seater coaches, even though we generally only take 10-14 people per trip! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Our vehicles are fitted with good stereo systems, and we love to play New Zealand music.
Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Active Adventures New Zealand. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - sometimes we dine out, and sometimes we dine in. Breakfasts when we are starting early generally consist of cereal, yoghurt, fruit, toast, coffee and tea. When we have more time, we whip up pancakes and full cooked breakfasts. Lunches are usually picnic style with sandwiches, salad and fruit, or maybe a barbeque in some beautiful spot. Dinners are usually two or three-course meals, covering a range of styles. We easily cater to vegetarians and people with particular dietary needs.
We have several second guides whose primary responsibility, when they are not guiding, is cooking up great meals. Their cooking skills will astound you, as you enjoy a traditional Kiwi roast dinner at the shearer's quarters, or freshly seared salmon at Mount Cook, or one of a score of awesome meals on the road! When we go out to eat, we pick a nice restaurant and enjoy a night out. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!
We have two incredible guides per trip, one whom will be your driver and the other specialises as your chef! Our guests are often drawn to New Zealand by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, but what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with the locals you'll meet, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.
It goes without saying, that all the activities as described in the itineraries including hiking, kayaking and biking are included in your trip fare. We make it clear when there's an additional charge for an optional activity, like heli-hiking on Franz Josef Glacier.
We get a real variety of people on our trips and they all seem to have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors! Our group sizes range from a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 14 people, generally with a mix of singles, couples and friends.
We welcome many solo travelers on our trips – in fact, we get so many solo travelers and they always say it’s a great way to travel alone, but not actually by themselves. You’ll have an incredible adventure sharing your experiences with other like-minded travelers, and the best part is we don't charge extra for solo travelers, providing you don’t mind sharing a room. However, for bookings within 90 days of your chosen departure, a forced single supplement will apply if there is no other guest of the same gender already booked to share with.
If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room, if one is available.
Once you've booked your trip, you'll have access to a gear list in your portal on exactly what to bring along. The gear list is carefully thought out to provide you with everything you need to be warm and happy, or cool and relaxed, whatever the weather! So it is best to bring everything we recommend along, if you don't bring everything you need, we can't guarantee your comfort. The video below is a good overview of what to bring when hiking in New Zealand.
You will need proper hiking boots - trail shoes are not good enough. We'll be taking you to some awesome places where you'll be hiking over a variety of terrain, therefore your boots should have full ankle support and a stiff sole with a high profile tread. It's also important that whichever footwear you decide to bring that it's well broken-in and waterproofed before you come down. If you have good ankles that will be able to cope pretty well with varied terrain, then good hiking shoes should be fine, but if not then hiking boots will give you better support.
The type of food varies – on some occasions your guides will cook your meals and on other occasions we’ll eat out at restaurants. We also keep a generous snack basket on the bus at all times. All the food you eat, be it a traditional Kiwi barbeque, or a packed lunch to take with you on a hike, will be of top quality. All our guides have food hygiene certificates and are well practiced in the art of back country catering!
We are accustomed to catering to the following special diets:
• vegan (no meat or animal products)
• vegetarian (no meat products)
• fishatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
• no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
• gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
• lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in our pre-trip questionnaire. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online questionnaire.
The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar
Your trip fare includes all transportation, guiding, meals and activities (except any optional activities). Most people like to bring a little extra to cover a round of drinks at the pub, take home some souvenirs, book a tour and eat out on their free day in Queenstown or Auckland, and tip our guides if they've had a great time.
Usually the easiest thing to do is use your credit or debit card to withdraw money directly from your home account, in local currency. There are plenty of ATM's and banks in larger towns in New Zealand, and ATM's will accept all major credit cards and many debit cards. Cash advances are the most convenient way to get cash.
The highest elevation we get to on any of the Active Adventures New Zealand trips is about 1,500 metres (5,000 feet). So there are no real altitude issues to contend with in New Zealand though the tracks can still be quite challenging.
New Zealand Time (NZT) is the time zone for New Zealand. It is +13 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
New Zealand operates on a 230V AC system with the Plug Type I.
WiFi is available almost everywhere in cities and easy enough to find in most towns/villages so you can rely on having access a few times a week during your trip. If you have data roaming switched on, then you'll be able to use the internet on your smartphone about 70% of the time during your trip, but beware of the fees! WiFi is available at some of the accommodations that you'll be staying at, usually for a small cost so check this out at each location when you arrive.
This also means New Zealand is a safe place to travel and the crime rate is low - visitors to New Zealand are held in high regard so you can expect the warmest of welcomes. . We recommend taking the same common sense
precautions you would anywhere else – just to be on the safe side! Don’t bring valuable things with you unless necessary for your trip. Keep your money and other valuables in a money belt or pouch under your clothes. Lock your bags and luggage, and leave valuable items you don’t need for the day (e.g. passports and credit cards) in the hotel safe.
New Zealand is an island nation, therefore enjoys a maritime climate with plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures. The weather can vary a lot from top to bottom and east to west, which can be a bit of a surprise for many of our visitors, who come from a continental climate where the weather is a little more predictable. Have you heard of the song "Four Seasons in One Day"? If you haven't, we suggest having a listen - it's a classic song by a kiwi group called Crowded House, and of course, the weather in New Zealand inspired the lyrics! They say, one of the reasons Sir Edmund Hillary was such an accomplished mountaineer was his ability to read the weather - his training in the Southern Alps no doubt played a large part in this!
In the far north (aka the 'winterless north') you can expect semi-tropical conditions, with a fair dosing of rain, plenty of sun and mid temperatures during the day and evening. As you head further south, the average temperature falls, though each region has its own unique characteristics. For example, you'll often hear us talking about one of our favourite spots, the West Coast of the South Island. Along this wild stretch of largely uninhabited coast, rainfall is high (coming off the Tasman Sea) and temperatures are mild, which contributes to the Jurassic-like forests you'll encounter. The Southern Alps, which divide the South Island act as a catchment for this rain (which turns to snow and glacial ice at higher elevations). By the time the clouds have reached the eastern side of the Alps, they're empty, and as they make their way down towards the plains, they warm up creating the typical nor' westerly winds.
Parts of the South Island have a sort of mini continental climate, being further from the ocean and sheltered by the alpine ranges. These areas, such as Queenstown can get hot and dry during the summer and remain cool in the evenings - perfect for some grape varieties.
Learn more about the weather down here at our best time to visit New Zealand page.
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Spring (Sep/Oct/Nov) |
Summer (Dec/Jan/Feb) |
Autumn (Mar/Apr/May) |
Winter (Jun/Jul/Aug) |
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High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
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Bay of Islands |
19 |
9 |
25 |
14 |
21 |
11 |
16 |
7 |
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Auckland |
18 |
11 |
24 |
12 |
20 |
13 |
15 |
9 |
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Rotorua |
17 |
7 |
24 |
12 |
18 |
9 |
13 |
4 |
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Wellington |
15 |
9 |
20 |
13 |
17 |
11 |
12 |
6 |
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Christchurch |
17 |
7 |
22 |
12 |
18 |
8 |
12 |
3 |
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Queenstown |
16 |
5 |
22 |
10 |
16 |
6 |
10 |
1 |
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Fahrenheit |
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Summer (Dec/Jan/Feb) |
Autumn (Mar/Apr/May) |
Winter (Jun/Jul/Aug) |
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High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
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Bay of Islands |
67 |
48 |
76 |
56 |
70 |
52 |
61 |
45 |
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Auckland |
65 |
52 |
75 |
54 |
68 |
55 |
59 |
48 |
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Rotorua |
63 |
45 |
75 |
54 |
68 |
55 |
59 |
48 |
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Wellington |
59 |
48 |
68 |
55 |
63 |
52 |
54 |
43 |
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Christchurch |
63 |
45 |
72 |
54 |
65 |
46 |
54 |
37 |
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Queenstown |
61 |
41 |
72 |
50 |
61 |
43 |
50 |
34 |
You’ll be participating in loads of amazing activities during your tour, however, you may be wondering what other cool stuff you can do before or after your trip to make the most of your time in New Zealand.
We’ve teamed up with the good folk at Everything Travel and you’re welcome to book any pre or post-trip ‘things to do’ directly with them.
For trips starting and/or ending in the South Island, check out things to do before and/or after your trip here.
For trips starting and/or ending in North Island, check out things to do before and/or after your trip here.
Make sure any activities you book are before or after your trip only as your tour itself is already filled to the brim with the adventures we offer!
There are so many great stories to come out of New Zealand, probably because the landscape and the people inspire such creativity and adventure. Here is a list, gathered from across the Active Adventures family, of recommended reads:
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With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.
