PRESS PLAY · NEW ZEALAND AUDIO TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 new zealand audio tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you book.
Cruise with Beachcomber Cruises from Picton to Ship Cove, then walk either 17 km to Furneaux Lodge or 12.7 km to Punga Cove. Expect native bush, sound views, historic sites, and skipper commentary, with time for a drink or meal before the return boat.
“Great day on the sound. Solid vessel to get us out there. Very knowledgeable guide.”
Start in Renwick with Lorelle, Greg, and their team, who fit you with a comfortable bike, map your route, and explain nearby cellar doors. Ride quiet roads and bike paths between tastings, collect bottles in a wine pannier, and return by shuttle to Blenheim or Renwick.
“Jo and Steve provided great guidance on creating a memorable biking wine tasting route. Their bikes were comfortable and well maintained. It’s a great way to enjoy the Marlborough wine region!”
Set out on a self-guided walk through Waimangu Volcanic Valley near Rotorua. Use the Wanderer Guide or free app to follow trails past Frying Pan Lake, Inferno Crater Lake, steaming vents, forests, and Lake Rotomahana. Choose a shorter route or spend up to four hours exploring, then ride the internal shuttle back uphill.
“I loved hearing the birds, seeing the earth bubbling, rumbling through the ferns and greenery. There were not many people on the route which made it fabulously intimate.”
Sail from Kaiteriteri with a skipper such as Inky, Claudia, or Nick, passing Split Apple Rock and seal colonies before landing at Anchorage Bay. Bring lunch, swimwear, and hiking shoes for a self-guided 3.5 to 4-hour walk through native bush and beaches to Marahau.
“Friendly and professional staff. Magnificent landscapes. Unfortunately, there were no seals that day. The 3h walk back it's a must do!”
Explore Marlborough by bike with Explore Marlborough Wine Tours. You get a helmet, lock, route map, safety briefing, and local advice, then ride between up to 12 wineries near the Vines Village. Pickup from Blenheim and Renwick hotels is included, with e-bikes, tandems, and winter van support available for an extra fee or seasonal use.
“Everything was great! We should’ve biked counter clockwise instead because we had a long stretch from Allan Scott to FROMM only for FROMM not to have room — and then we had to bike another long stretch after. Would’ve been awesome if the company could help secure a few spots at each winery although I get that might be challenging :)”
Start with hotel pickup and a short bike briefing at The Vines Village, then follow a wine map through Marlborough’s cellar doors, restaurants, and country roads. Choose a standard bike, tandem, kids’ bike, or e-bike, with bottle collection and roadside support included.
“Fun activity and Roo our driver/guide was great. Lots of choices of wineries too, best to book slots at some otherwise you might miss out.”
Drive a two-seater or family four-seater buggy on guided bush tracks above Queenstown. You’ll train first, then follow guides such as Stefan, Bas, Ollie, or Diego through muddy terrain to mountain viewpoints above Lake Wakatipu. Helmets, eye protection, gloves, and wet-weather gear are provided.
“Fantastic tour, would love to do this one again. We have done tours like this all over the world but this one is the best!”
Take a short ferry across the lake, then follow a 2.5km boardwalk through Orakei Korako’s steaming geothermal country. You’ll see bubbling mud, hot pools, silica terraces, geysers and Ruatapu Cave. The visit is self-guided, so you set the pace, but expect steps and no toilets on the main walk.
“The site was well organised & easy to follow had a great time would definitely recommend it to others.”
Ride from Arrowtown or Arrow Junction along the Arrow and Kawarau rivers to Gibbston’s wineries, cheesery, and tavern. You choose the stops, pace, and bike type. Staff provide a safety briefing, map, helmet, and shuttle back to Queenstown, with pickup at a set afternoon time.
“We had a lovely day riding around the wineries-Ray day , well managed and easy instructions. Round the basin do an excellent job”
You’ll collect a Giant mountain bike and helmet at Mountain Bike Rotorua, near the Whakarewarewa Redwoods visitor center. Staff will help choose a route through 160 km of trails for different abilities. This self-guided half-day hire gives you freedom to ride at your own pace, with mechanical support and an onsite café.
“Pickup procedure was super easy and directions were clear. The folks who fitted us for our bike even gave some recommendations on paths to take. Overall the mountain biking was scenic/good, but we did have one issue as the chain of one of our bikes fell off about halfRead more”
Take a short boat ride from Deepwater Basin to Sandfly Point, then walk the flat Milford Track to Giant Gate Falls and back. Geoff and the Fiordland Outdoors crew handle the transfer, while you set your own pace through beech and rimu forest, beside clear water and under a busy canopy of native birds.
“Great way to experience part of the Milford track. I did a day hike and the watertaxi worked perfectly. Reliable, on time, friendly.”
Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley on a self-guided walk from Rotorua. Follow trails past Frying Pan Lake, Inferno Crater, Echo Crater, hot springs, native forest, and Lake Rotomahana, then use the included shuttle to shorten the route or return to the visitor centre.
“Great sites to see and very friendly staff. Highly recommend”
Take the wheel of a two-seat Yamaha 4x4 buggy on old forestry tracks near Rotorua. Your guide handles the first half, then you drive through the forest to high lookouts above the lakes. A driver’s license, covered shoes, warm clothing, and a short safety course are required.
“Great fun! The vehicles were nice and very capable. Beautiful trails and an excellent guide to lead us. Highly recommended.”
Take a 25-minute shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown, then ride 15 km downstream along the Arrow and Kawarau rivers. Choose a standard bike or e-bike, cross three suspension bridges and the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, and finish near a Gibbston winery before returning by shuttle.
“It was well organized and the bike ride was amazing!”
Start at 11 am near Ash Ridge Wines and spend about six hours cycling Hawke’s Bay’s flat wine trails at your own pace. Choose stops such as Sileni Estate, Trinity Hill, and Te Awa. Bring extra money for tastings, and note that wine pickup is offered in summer only.
“Fabulous bike rental company in the middle of Hawke’s Bay wine region. Great bikes which were easy to ride on the flat bike paths. Fabulous scenery and close to lots of wineries.”
Pick a walk, a drive, a ticket or a game.
