New Zealand · NATIONAL PARKS

15 National Park Tours in New Zealand Worth Booking

33 tours  ·  from $80

The 15 best national park tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

From Manapouri: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip - Starting at Manapouri and crossing the lake
1-Day Tours, Doubtful Sound Cruises, Fiordland Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews

From Manapouri: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

1.From Manapouri: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,621 reviews · 7 hours · from $208Our pick

You’ll cross Lake Manapouri, ride a coach through rainforest over Wilmot Pass, then board the Patea Explorer for a three-hour Doubtful Sound cruise. English-speaking guides explain the fiord’s wildlife and weather. Look for dolphins, fur seals, and crested penguins, but pack for rain.

“Well organised trip with fun and knowledgable guides. Ship was well maintained and had a good variety of food and drink onboard. Plenty of viewing areas inside and outside for all passengers - boat wasn’t overcrowded, felt comfortable. Doubtful sound itself was beautiful, not as many dramatic waterfalls as Milford sound, however, still scenic and a thoroughly enjoyable day nonetheless. Beautiful views when driving across Wilmot’s Pass and plenty of opportunities to jump out and take pictures.”

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Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness - Reaching Lake Manapouri and the Quietest Moment
Boat Tours in Fiordland, Cruises & Boat Tours, Fiordland Tours, Jet Boat Rides, National Parks, Tour Reviews

Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

2.Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 678 reviews · from $127Top rated

From Te Anau, Fiordland Jet takes you by road and jet boat along the Upper Waiau River to Lake Manapouri. Expect warm gear, native forest, three Lord of the Rings filming locations, local stories, high-speed turns, 360-degree spins, and a short guided walk.

“Alex was awesome. Such a good time and informative. We really enjoyed the trip and it was well worth it :)”

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Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience - Glenorchy at the edge of the park
Boat Tours in Queenstown, Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in Queenstown, National Parks, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

3.Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · from $190

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then race and spin through the glacier-fed Dart River in Mt Aspiring National Park. Your guide handles the shallow channels, explains Māori and pioneer history, and points out native plants, wildlife, waterfalls, and film scenery. The trip lasts about four hours.

“This was an amazing thrill ride experience. Pedro our driver and guide for the trip was very knowledgeable and passionate about the surroundings we were in and passing through explaining all the views to us. It was such a fun trip and all our fellow passengers were excited about the whole experience. This is an opportunity not to miss.”

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Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri - Lake Manapouri sets a quiet tone
Boat Tours in Fiordland, Cruises & Boat Tours, Doubtful Sound Cruises, Fiordland Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

4.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 490 reviews · from $216

You cross Lake Manapouri, ride a coach over Wilmot Pass, then cruise remote Doubtful Sound with live nature commentary. Look for fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins, and enjoy a rare engine-off moment of silence. Bring layers, waterproofs, and your own snacks if you want to save money.

“It was really special! It was raining and a bit foggy in the beginning which was cool. We sat both seals and a bunch of crested penguins. After that, the rain stopped and the sun popped out. We really got to see it all.”

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Waitakere Ranges Wilderness Experience Tour from Auckland - Piha Beach and the power of the west coast
Auckland Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours

Waitakere Ranges Wilderness Experience Tour from Auckland

5.Waitakere Ranges Wilderness Experience Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 340 reviews · 5 hours · from $119

Spend five hours exploring the Waitakere Ranges and Piha Beach from Auckland with a small group, local guide, and hotel pickup. Guides such as Murray, Chris, Annie, and Warren bring the forest, Maori culture, birds, kauri trees, and west coast history to life. Expect easy bush walking, big views, black sand, tea, honey, and biscuits.

“Erin was a fantastic guide. She knew so much about the forest and the nature generally it was fascinating to listen to her. She also gave us a lot of info about the history of New Zealand. The tour gave us the opportunity to see stunning views.”

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From Queenstown: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip - Wilmot Pass, where the rainforest takes over
1-Day Tours, Day Trips in Queenstown, Doubtful Sound Cruises, National Parks, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

From Queenstown: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

6.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 314 reviews · 13 hours · from $277

Travel from Queenstown to Doubtful Sound by coach, boat, and rainforest road. Guides such as Brian, Craig, and Danny provide local stories, while the three-hour cruise offers waterfalls, silence, and possible penguin, seal, and dolphin sightings.

“our guide Craig was fantastic: excellent driver and a great specialist on New Zealand history”

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Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau - Lake Manapouri starts the scenic portion
Boat Tours in Fiordland, Cruises & Boat Tours, Doubtful Sound Cruises, Fiordland Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau

7.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 286 reviews · from $231

Travel from Te Anau by coach, boat, coach, and catamaran to reach Doubtful Sound. Expect live commentary, rainforest and alpine views, a quiet wilderness cruise, and possible sightings of bottlenose dolphins, seals, and Fiordland penguins.

“Great trip with an excellent company. Everything about the excursion was perfect. A beautiful place to see the sound.”

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Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka - What the jet boat ride is really like
Boat Tours in Wanaka, Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in Wanaka, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Wanaka, Wanaka Tours

Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

8.Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · from $215

From Wanaka, you’ll ride a jet boat up the glacier-fed Matukituki River, enjoy spins and mountain views, then take a 50-minute guided walk through beech forest to waterfalls and streams. Guides such as Ben and James add local insight. The four-hour trip suits people with moderate fitness.

“Fabulous tour! Had a blast on the jet boat and walk. Loved the Captain - very interactive. Highly recommended tour!”

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Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown - Crossing Lake Manapouri to West Arm
Boat Tours in Queenstown, Cruises & Boat Tours, Doubtful Sound Cruises, National Parks, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown

9.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 242 reviews · from $287

Travel from Queenstown to remote Doubtful Sound by coach, two catamaran rides, and Wilmot Pass. A skipper and nature guide explain the fjord as you watch for seals, dolphins, penguins, waterfalls, and forested peaks. The day costs $287.95 and runs about 12 hours.

“We had quite the day! First of all the weather the day we were scheduled was bad and it was rescheduled to the following day. They informed us that since our tour was rescheduled we would need to rent a car and drive to Lake Manapouri ourselves as they had no room on a bus for us. We had to basically beg for money off the excursion since we had to hire a car for $250 for the day. We finally received $132 off 4 days after the fact with multiple phone calls and emails. So once we arrived it was lovely and a very long day. It rained nonstop…”

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Abel Tasman National Park: Sailing and Self-Guided Walk - Getting from Marahau to Kaiteriteri
Abel Tasman Tours, Boat Tours in Abel Tasman, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, National Parks, Sailing, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman National Park: Sailing and Self-Guided Walk

10.Abel Tasman National Park: Sailing and Self-Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 238 reviews · 8 hours · from $80Best value

Sail from Kaiteriteri with skippers such as Inky, Claudia, or Frank, passing Split Apple Rock and fur seals before reaching Anchorage Bay. Bring lunch, swim gear, and good walking shoes for a self-guided 3.5 to 4-hour walk through beaches, bush, and lookouts to Marahau.

“Very well organized! An incredibly friendly woman picked us up, took us to Kaiteriteri and gave us informations about the tour and the village... The cruise was, of course also due to the very fine weather, just amazing... The crew - captain and Smutje - were professional and extremely nice. We learned a lot about NZL's nature and people's endeavors to protect it and about the country's history... Finally I disembarked in Anchorage for the walk back to Marahau through the Abel Tasman Nationalpark - breathtaking... Loved that trip, I highly recommend it! Dagi❤️”

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Stewart Island: Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise - The cruise through Paterson Inlet
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours

Stewart Island: Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise

11.Stewart Island: Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 2h 30m · from $86

Cruise from Stewart Island through Paterson Inlet, hearing Māori and European settlement stories before a gentle 1.5-hour guided walk on Ulva Island. Guides such as Karen, Jan, Sarah, and Britney are praised for spotting bird calls, explaining native plants, and keeping the walk welcoming.

“A totally amazing trip to Ulva Island and the nature walk was spectacular. Karen & India were fantastic guides, so knowledgeable about the island, the flora and birds. It was a truly magical experience. Highly recommend and would definitely do again if I visited.”

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From Queenstown: Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat Experience - The Queenstown to Glenorchy drive takes you halfway there
Boat Tours in Queenstown, Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in Queenstown, National Parks, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

From Queenstown: Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat Experience

12.Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 123 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $178

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then ride the Dart River by jet boat through Mt Aspiring National Park. Your English-speaking guide shares Maori legends, local history, and film locations. Choose the two-hour self-drive option or four-hour package with return transport.

“Lots of fun and a great adrenaline rush! The handrails were burning my hands in the rear seat so Andreas turned the heat down but they got hot again. Seems there’s a problem with the heater on the last seat rail in the smaller boat.”

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Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Walk & Sailing Tour - The 30-minute cruise to Anchorage Bay
Abel Tasman Tours, Boat Tours in Abel Tasman, Cruises & Boat Tours, National Parks, Sailing, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Walk & Sailing Tour

13.Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Walk & Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 100 reviews · 6 hours · from $122

Start at Kaiteriteri, cruise by water taxi to Anchorage Bay, then walk the Pitt Head loop and Te Pukatea Bay before sailing back at 1:30pm. Expect friendly English-speaking crew, possible swims, fur seals, coastal views and a six-hour outing for $122.

“Good captain/ guides (Inky and Claudia), beautiful area, good company, nice hike and sail! Highly recommend! Lynn”

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Abel Tasman National Park: Day Sailing Adventure with Lunch - Sailing past Abel Tasman’s golden coastline
Abel Tasman Tours, Boat Tours in Abel Tasman, Boat Tours in Nelson, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, National Parks, Nelson Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Abel Tasman National Park: Day Sailing Adventure with Lunch

14.Abel Tasman National Park: Day Sailing Adventure with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 84 reviews · from $158

Sail from Kaiteriteri with an English-speaking skipper through Abel Tasman National Park. Expect Split Apple Rock, fur seals, islands, beaches, and one hour at Anchorage Beach for lunch, swimming, or a short walk. The catamaran lets you relax, learn the ropes, or help sail.

“Fantastic day on the sea… we saw many seals & the guides were very knowledgable. Great stop for lunch at Anchorage. Would highly recommend as a major trip highlight.”

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Full-Day Abel Tasman National Park Hiking Tour with Cruise - Forest tracks, plants, birds, and local stories
Abel Tasman Tours, Boat Tours in Abel Tasman, Boat Tours in Nelson, Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Hiking & Trekking, National Parks, Nelson Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full-Day Abel Tasman National Park Hiking Tour with Cruise

15.Full-Day Abel Tasman National Park Hiking Tour with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · from $371

Travel from Nelson to Kaiteriteri, cruise into Abel Tasman National Park, then hike forest tracks and golden beaches with a guide such as Al, Lucy, Angelika, or Zane. Expect about 8 hours, lunch, snacks, hotel pickup, and a group capped at six.

“This was even better than we expected it to be! Angelika, our guide, was great - she told us everything we wanted to know about local flora and fauna, made sure everyone was able to keep up and kept us well-fed and hydrated throughout the day. Also, her picking us up in town was really convenient, as we were travelling by bus and train, and getting to Kaiteriteri and beyond would have been impossible otherwise. Would definitely recommend this tour to others hoping to explore Abel Tasman, one of the most beautiful parts of NZ - which is saying something :)”

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New in National Parks

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★ 5.0Stewart Island: Guided Wilderness WalkFrom $11810 reviews
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★ 4.9Lake Tekapo Scenic 4WD Cass Valley Wilderness TourFrom $20813 reviews
★ 4.8Tasman Glacier & National Park Scenic FlightFrom $37920 reviews
★ 5.0Abel Tasman National Park: Waka & Walk TourFrom $4173 reviews
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