THE 10 BEST New Zealand Tours for Experienced Travelers 2025/2026

Build a personalized New Zealand trip for mature travelers?

Design a fully customized New Zealand trip with a local travel expert who understands what experienced travelers seek. From immersive cultural experiences and curated stays to flexible pacing and exclusive access.

Geoff VenningTravel Expert in New Zealand
David TupperTravel Expert in Australia & New Zealand

Start planning your Trip

Recommended by

Accommodations

BudgetSimple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Mid-rangeComfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
PremiumUpscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.

5% OFF TODAY

Remarkable New Zealand - 20 days

No booking fees

Best price guaranteed

Journey from Auckland to Christchurch on this 20-day New Zealand tour, taking in the best of the North and South islands. Discover Maori heritage in Rotorua and opt to explore Hobbiton or the Waimangu Volcano Valley. Ride a cable car over Wellington, cross the Cook Strait by ferry and hike amongst the lush scenery of Abel Tasman National Park. Explore beautiful Wanaka and the surrounding area, see pretty Te Anau lake and sail on Milford Sound. Admire towering Mount Cook, explore Queenstown independently and end your journey in Christchurch.

Sightseeing Tours

Tour Type

Small Group Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Resort

Age Range

18-55 yrs

Operated in

english

Destinations

Auckland, Punakaiki, Fox Glacier

Auckland, Punakaiki, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Te Anau, Queenstown, Twizel, Christchurch, Coromandel, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Abel Tasman National Park

5% OFF TODAY

Duration20 days

View Tour

15% OFF TODAY

Inspiring New Zealand

No booking fees

Best price guaranteed

Experience the best of New Zealand on this captivating journey. Discover Franz Josef Glacier with an expert guide and cruise Milford Sound aboard the iconic Milford Mariner. Delight in gastronomic gems and savour delectable wines, all while relaxing, restoring and recharging in some of the most picturesque special stays.

National parksLocal culture

Tour Type

Group Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Lodge

Age Range

5-99 yrs

Operated in

english

Destinations

Auckland, Christchurch, Wellingt

Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Marlborough, Lake Ohau

15% OFF TODAY

Duration13 days

View Tour

5% OFF TODAY

Wellington & South Island - 14 days

No booking fees

Best price guaranteed

Discover the very best of New Zealand’s majestic South Island in two weeks. Setting off from the capital of Wellington, you will cross the Cook Strait and reach the pretty town of Nelson. Hike amongst the stunning scenery of Abel Tasman National Park, and explore Glacier Country. Marvel at Mt Cook, take tea with locals at Lake Tekapo, and cruise Milford Sound, all before ending in Christchurch.

Sightseeing Tours

Tour Type

Small Group Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Resort

Age Range

18-55 yrs

Operated in

english

Destinations

Christchurch, Wellington, Queens

Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown, Twizel, Nelson, Punakaiki, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Te Anau

5% OFF TODAY

Duration14 days

View Tour

Auckland to Christchurch Self Drive

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

Set off on an epic self-drive adventure through New Zealand, starting in the vibrant "City of Sails," Auckland. Dive into the city's dynamic culture and breathtaking coastal scenery before heading south to Rotorua, where you’ll be captivated by its geothermal marvels and rich Maori heritage. Journey to Lake Taupo, marvel at the thundering Huka Falls, and then make your way to Wellington, New Zealand’s charming capital. Experience one of the world's most scenic ferry rides as you cross the Marlborough Sounds to Picton, where rugged coastlines and crystal-clear waters await. Explore the stunning Kaikoura Coast, renowned for its abundant marine life, before reaching the lively city of Christchurch. Continue your adventure into the heart of the Southern Alps at Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes. Feel the thrill in Queenstown, the adventure capital, and end your journey with a scenic drive through the Crown Range to the awe-inspiring Fox Glacier. This unforgettable tour seamlessly blends vibrant cities, natural wonders, and adrenaline-pumping experiences, making every moment an adventure.

Self-drive or vehicle rental

Tour Type

Independent Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Resort

Age Range

8-99 yrs

Operated in

English

Destinations

Auckland, Christchurch, Fox Glac

Auckland, Christchurch, Fox Glacier, Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, Mount Cook National Park, Queenstown

Duration13 days

View Tour

5% OFF TODAY

Enchanting New Zealand - 16 days

No booking fees

Best price guaranteed

Taking in the best of the North and South Islands, spot birdlife at the Coromandel Peninsula, learn about Maori heritage in Rotorua, explore the volcanic valley of Waimangu, visit charming seaside towns and trendy cities, discover the golden coves and turquoise lagoons of Abel Tasman National Park, opt for a helicopter ride over Fox Glacier, and cruise Milford Sound on this 16 day escorted group tour of New Zealand.

Sightseeing Tours

Tour Type

Small Group Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Resort

Age Range

18-55 yrs

Operated in

english

Destinations

Auckland, Queenstown, Punakaiki

Auckland, Queenstown, Punakaiki, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Te Anau, Whitianga, Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Nelson

5% OFF TODAY

Duration16 days

View Tour

10% OFF TODAY

New Zealand's Southern Drift

No booking fees

Best price guaranteed

Explore New Zealand's stunning South Island on a small group tour. Embark on an unforgettable overnight cruise in majestic Milford Sound and explore adventurous Queenstown. Enjoy overnight stays surrounded by breathtaking mountains and lakes. From the shores of Lake Wanaka and Lake Ohau to the wild West Coast, this compact tour of the best of the South Island is a breathtaking journey of epic proportions.

Tour Type

Group Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Lodge, Resort

Age Range

5-99 yrs

Operated in

english

Destinations

Christchurch, Lake Ohau , Queens

Christchurch, Lake Ohau , Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Fox Glacier

10% OFF TODAY

Duration9 days

View Tour

10% OFF TODAY

Untamed New Zealand

No booking fees

Best price guaranteed

Experience the very best of New Zealand on this small-group adventure from Auckland to Christchurch. Highlights include an unforgettable overnight cruise in majestic Milford Sound, immersive Māori cultural encounters in Rotorua, a guided Art Deco walking tour in Napier, wine tasting at a boutique Wairarapa vineyard, and engaging local connections - from a fifth-generation beekeeper to the Pavlova Queen of Lake Tekapo. Add in aviation history, farm shows, and breathtaking landscapes, and you’ve got an untamed journey to remember.

Adventure

Tour Type

Group Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Lodge, Resort

Age Range

5-99 yrs

Operated in

english

Destinations

Christchurch, Auckland, Lake Oha

Christchurch, Auckland, Lake Ohau , Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Fox Glacier, Rotorua, Napier, Wairarapa, Wellington, Blenheim

10% OFF TODAY

Duration17 days

View Tour

Ross Sea Odyssey - M/V Greg Mortimer

No booking fees

Best price guaranteed

Experience one of the most remote, historic sectors of the deep South in comfort on this exploratory expedition aboard the luxurious Douglas Mawson. Your journey begins in the subantarctic, where yellow-eyed penguins waddle through wizened rata forests and royal albatross nest amid megaherb moors. Cross the Antarctic Circle and cruise the pack ice, keeping watch for emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge, orcas patrolling for prey and snow petrels soaring against a backdrop of the vast Antarctic Ice Sheet. Embrace the spirit of adventure as you continue along the Victoria Land Coast and into the Ross Sea, where the Antarctic Ice Sheet flows into the world's largest floating ice shelf. These are historic waters, where the explorers of the Heroic Age staged their bold assaults on the South Geographic Pole. Hear the stories of their expeditions and attempt to land at some of their remarkably well-preserved huts. Navigate through gleaming pack ice - alive with Weddell and leopard seals, Adélie and emperor penguins Revel in the richness of the unique Ross Sea ecosystem - part of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area Visit rowdy beaches - crowded with harems of New Zealand sea lions Explore rata forests - where rare yellow-eyed penguins can be found Reflect on the remarkable achievements of the Heroic Age explorers - visit some of their historic huts

Tour Type

Small Group Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Hut, Ship Cabin

Age Range

16-99 yrs

Operated in

english

Destinations

Dunedin, Ross Sea, Macquarie Island

Duration25 days

View Tour

10% OFF TODAY

New Zealand's Northern Gems

No booking fees

Best price guaranteed

From Wellington's vibrant charm to Rotorua’s geothermal wonders and Auckland’s harbour-side sparkle, every day brings new discoveries. Take a tour through Napier’s Art Deco streets, visit Rotorua, where bubbling mud pools, a traditional pounamu carving workshop, and a Māori cultural performance under the glow of the Pohutu Geyser, await. Discover an immersive All Blacks Experience in Auckland before heading to the breathtaking Bay of Islands and then celebrate it all at dinner with your new-found friends.

AdventureLocal culture

Tour Type

Group Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Resort

Age Range

5-99 yrs

Operated in

english

Destinations

Auckland, Wellington, Napier, Ro

Auckland, Wellington, Napier, Rotorua, Bay Of Islands

10% OFF TODAY

Duration10 days

View Tour

Subantarctic Discovery - Douglas Mawson

No booking fees

Best price guaranteed

Discover the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Australian and New Zealand Subantarctic Islands on this in-depth expedition to one of the most rugged regions of this part of the world. Witness rich endemic birdlife flourishing on Stewart and Ulva Islands, including the iconic brown kiwi and friendly flightless weka. Celebrate under the crimson blossoms of the flowering rata, affectionately known as the southern Christmas tree. Experience the majesty of Fiordland's deep Sounds and Zodiac-cruise the craggy coast of the Snares and wander through enchanting rata forests on the Auckland Islands, where you can spot endemic mollymawks and hear stories of the early sealers, settlers and explorers. Explore the antipodean subantarctic - a sanctuary for millions of breeding albatross, penguins and seals. Discover the delicate subantarctic ecosystem and albatross nesting ground - of mystical Campbell Island Visit rowdy beaches - crowded with harems of New Zealand sea lions Explore rata forests - where rare yellow-eyed penguins can be found

Polar expeditions and cruise

Tour Type

Small Group Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Ship Cabin

Age Range

16-99 yrs

Operated in

english

Destinations

Dunedin, Macquarie Island, Stewa

Dunedin, Macquarie Island, Stewart Island, Fiordland National Park, The Snares

Duration15 days

View Tour

New Zealand Tours for Experienced Travelers

Build a personalized New Zealand trip for mature travelers?

Page 6 of 65 Experienced Travelers Trips in New Zealand with 211 Reviews

Page 6 of 65 Experienced Travelers Trips in New Zealand with 211 Reviews

Remarkable New Zealand - 20 days

Inspiring New Zealand

Wellington & South Island - 14 days

Auckland to Christchurch Self Drive

Enchanting New Zealand - 16 days

New Zealand's Southern Drift

Untamed New Zealand

Ross Sea Odyssey - M/V Greg Mortimer

New Zealand's Northern Gems

Subantarctic Discovery - Douglas Mawson

Europe

Asia

South America

Africa

North America

Oceania

Polar

Food, wine, events and nightlife

Adventure and sport

Wildlife, landscapes and nature

Boat tours, water sports and marine wildlife

Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history

Air tours, road trips and transfers

Beach, romance, getaways and relaxation

Special interests and hobbies

New Zealand Tours for Experienced Travelers

Build a personalized New Zealand trip for mature travelers?

Page 6 of 65 Experienced Travelers Trips in New Zealand with 211 Reviews

Page 6 of 65 Experienced Travelers Trips in New Zealand with 211 Reviews