New Zealand · SELF-GUIDED TOURS

The 15 Self-Guided Tours in New Zealand That Earn Their Price

37 tours  ·  from $12

The 15 best self-guided 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.

Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton - Cruising from Picton through Queen Charlotte Sound
Boat Tours in Picton, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Picton Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

1.Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 383 reviews · 8h 30m · from $66Our pick

Cruise from Picton with Beachcomber Cruises through Queen Charlotte Sound, stopping at Historic Ship Cove before a 12.7 km or 17 km self-guided hike. Expect skipper commentary, native bush, sound views, and a well-earned drink at Furneaux Lodge or Punga Cove.

“Excellent boat trip and good instructions about the walk and pick up points. Really recommend doing this as a way to see the Queen Charlotte Sound and learn about the area. The walk itself was lovely - especially as we had amazing weather and great views of the turquoise water through the trees. Not to be missed!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg - Starting with Lorelle, Greg, and the team
Blenheim Tours, Cycling Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours, Wine Tours in Blenheim

Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg

2.Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 304 reviews · from $43Top rated

Lorelle, Greg, and their team set you up with a comfortable step-through bike, map, helmet, wine panniers, and a short cellar-door video. Ride at your own pace between more than 12 Renwick wineries, order cheese platters, call for help if needed, and return by shuttle.

“Steve & Jo were fantastic! Don’t hesitate to book this self-guided tour. My wife’s favorite tour in NZ. Thank you, Marco”

Check availability →Read our full review

Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu - The downhill route through forest and grassland
Geothermal Park Tours, Geothermal Tours in Rotorua, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Rotorua Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Rotorua

Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

3.Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 248 reviews · from $46

Walk Waimangu Volcanic Valley independently, using the Wanderer Guide or free app to understand steaming vents, Frying Pan Lake, Inferno Crater Lake, Lake Rotomahana, native plants, and volcanic history. Choose your pace and route, then ride the internal shuttle back uphill.

“Was a lovely area Lil disappointed I couldn’t do the full walk or boat due to renovations but what I did was mesmerising. Thankful the bus journey back up and the lil tour guide chat from the driver as I went in to explore areas he’d spoken about”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

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

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❤️”

Check availability →Read our full review

Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour - Starting at The Vines Village
Blenheim Tours, Cycling Tours, Full-Day, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours, Wine Tours in Blenheim

Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour

5.Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 221 reviews · 1 day · from $41

Set out from The Vines Village with a comfortable bike, helmet, lock, and local wine map. Ride easy back roads to up to 12 wineries within 3 kilometers, stopping for tastings, food, and scenery. Hotel pickup and return from Blenheim or Renwick are included.

“a must do when in the area! the bikes were high quality and the vineyards were amazing 😍 highly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region. - Your map is the day’s real itinerary
Blenheim Tours, Cycling Tours, Full-Day, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours, Wine Tours in Blenheim

Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.

6.Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 206 reviews · from $43

Start with a free Blenheim or Renwick pickup, then set off from The Vines Village on a standard bike, tandem, kids’ bike, or e-bike. Andy, Roo, or another Explore Marlborough team member provides a safety briefing, map, and winery tips before you choose your own cellar doors and lunch stops.

“The description on Viator says they have options available for e bikes and tandem bikes. They then charged $60NZD for an e-bike when we returned (no disclaimer when they gave me the bike) and said I was wrong about the description. A bitter ending to an otherwise wonderful day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako - A boardwalk through boiling earth
Geothermal Park Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Taupo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako

7.Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 178 reviews · from $35Best value

Take a short ferry from Orakei Korako’s visitor center to a 2.5km geothermal boardwalk. Explore at your own pace, with boiling pools, mud vents, silica terraces, random geyser activity, and Ruatapu Cave. The visit lasts about two hours and suits independent walkers who prefer nature without a group guide.

“This was the BEST geothermal walk in the region! We were lucky enough to see 2 x geysers while there (they occur randomly from 35 mins to months apart) and one of only 2 geothermal caves in the world! If you only see one geothermal area - pick this one!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Queenstown: Self-Guided Gibbston Valley Wineries Bike Tour - Getting started at Searle Lane
Bike Tours in Queenstown, Central Otago Wine Tours, Cycling Tours, Guided, Queenstown Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Queenstown: Self-Guided Gibbston Valley Wineries Bike Tour

8.Self-Guided Gibbston Valley Wineries Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 128 reviews · 5 hours - 450 minutes · from $56

Ride the Gibbston Valley Wine Region independently after a Queenstown shuttle, bike fitting, and safety briefing. Follow the Arrow and Kawarau rivers to cellar doors, Kinross, Gibbston Tavern, Monte Christo, Mount Rosa, and The Church. Choose a standard bike or add an e-bike for the hills, then arrange pickup from the winery that suits your afternoon.

“An enjoyable day, was well organised and good fun. The trail is fairly easy to follow with some breathtaking views of course. The wineries are expensive, they are trying to make a living though and probably recovering from lost custom during covid times. The bike was great, I chose an ebike for a bit of extra oomph, the saddle isn't comfortable but I've never rode a bike that is. I would recommend this day out to all you don't need to be super fit just able to ride a bike competently. Thank's to around the basin 😃”

Check availability →Read our full review

Milford Sound: Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk - From Deepwater Basin to Sandfly Point
Guided, Milford Sound Cruises, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours

Milford Sound: Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk

9.Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 114 reviews · 3h 30m · from $44

Take a short boat ride from Deepwater Basin to Sandfly Point, then walk the flat Milford Track to Giant Gate Falls and back. You set the pace on this self-guided outing, with an English-speaking boat host handling the crossing. Allow about 3.5 hours in all.

“Self guided. Our boat guide was awesome, kind, helpful with information, a great driver and treated people as individuals with great respect!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Rotorua: Waimangu Volcanic Valley Ticket & Self-Guided Walk - Arriving from Rotorua or Taupo
Geothermal Park Tours, Geothermal Tours in Rotorua, Guided, Rotorua Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Rotorua

Rotorua: Waimangu Volcanic Valley Ticket & Self-Guided Walk

10.Waimangu Volcanic Valley Ticket & Self-Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 104 reviews · from $38

Walk Waimangu Volcanic Valley at your own pace, choosing trails from 45 minutes to four hours. See Frying Pan Lake, blue Inferno Crater Lake, Echo Crater, hot springs, steam vents, native bush, and Lake Rotomahana, with a shuttle to cut the uphill walking.

“Great sites to see and very friendly staff. Highly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

Queenstown: Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail - Arrowtown, gold-mining routes, and the first kilometres
Bike Tours in Queenstown, Cycling Tours, Guided, Queenstown Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail

11.Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 96 reviews · 4 hours · from $56

Take a 25-minute shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown, then ride 15 km downstream on a wide gravel trail beside the Arrow and Kawarau rivers. Cross six bridges, pass the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, stop at a Gibbston cellar door, and return by shuttle. Choose a standard bike or e-bike.

“The bikes were very good quality, comfortable to ride & the sights along the way were fantastic! Very well organised & the introductory session was very good. We had a group of 4, 2x e-bikes & 2x standard bikes. We had lots of fun on the e-bikes & those with standard bikes had a workout !! Recommend you definitely do this activity.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hawkes Bay Wineries Self-Guided Bike Tour - The value of a $40.34 rental
Bike Tours in Napier, Cycling Tours, Guided, Napier Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours in Napier, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hawkes Bay Wineries Self-Guided Bike Tour

12.Hawkes Bay Wineries Self-Guided Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 83 reviews · from $40

Pick up a bike, helmet, and winery map near Ash Ridge Wines, then follow flat Hawke’s Bay Trails between Bridge Pa Triangle and Gimblett Gravels wineries. Ride for four to six hours, pay tasting fees as you go, and use roadside support if needed.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Great Escape Self-Guided Scenic Cycle Winery Tour from Napier - Askerne, Te Mata, and Black Barn
Bike Tours in Napier, Cycling Tours, Guided, Napier Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours in Napier, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours, Wine Tours in Napier

Great Escape Self-Guided Scenic Cycle Winery Tour from Napier

13.Great Escape Self-Guided Scenic Cycle Winery Tour from Napier

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · from $49

Start at 10am in central Napier, collect your bike, helmet, map, lock, and bag, then follow mostly separated trails through wetlands and Tukituki vineyards. Stop at up to four wineries before a 4pm shuttle returns you from Black Barn. Tastings and food cost extra.

“Make sure you book your tastings as they can be all booked when you turn up or understaffed. Young men at bike rental were very helpful and friendly!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Self-Guided Queen Charlotte Track Walk from Picton - Leaving Picton by boat through Queen Charlotte Sound
Guided, Picton Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours

Self-Guided Queen Charlotte Track Walk from Picton

14.Self-Guided Queen Charlotte Track Walk from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · from $59

Cruise from Picton through Queen Charlotte Sound, then walk a selected section of the Queen Charlotte Track at your own pace. Choose Ship Cove, Endeavour Inlet, or Torea Bay. Beachcomber Cruises handles drop-off and pickup, with live commentary and a return to Picton around 5:30 to 6:00pm.

“Very trustworthy captain a boat trip. Well the nature is just brilliant. Views of Marlborough Sound are indescribable awesome!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Self-Guided Cycling Adventure - Picking up the bike at Kiwi Journeys
Bike Tours in Nelson, Cycling Tours, Full-Day, Guided, Nelson Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours in Nelson, Tour Reviews

Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Self-Guided Cycling Adventure

15.Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Self-Guided Cycling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · from $80

Start at Kiwi Journeys in Nelson at 9 a.m., collect a comfort bike, helmet, pannier, repair kit, odometer, and map, then ride at your own pace toward Mapua. Stop for wine, beer, food, or peanut butter, cross by ferry, and return by shuttle.

“This is a great ride with lots of different views along the way. We enjoyed lunch in Mapua at the end and the company employees are very friendly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Self-Guided Tours

★ 5.0Spooners Tunnel to Nelson One Day Cycle Self Guided TourFrom $1134 reviews
★ 5.0Magical Mapua Self Guided One Day Cycle TourFrom $764 reviews
★ 4.0Cycle to Wineries – Half Day, self-guidedFrom $4012 reviews
★ 5.0Self Guided Martinborough Wineries Bike TourFrom $5524 reviews
★ 5.0Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk – Milford SoundFrom $4617 reviews
★ 3.5Explore Dunedin: Self-Guided Audio Tour AdventureFrom $133 reviews
★ 4.5A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Auckland’s Hidden StoriesFrom $1115 reviews
★ 4.4Self-Guided Tunnel to Town Cycling Tour via MapuaFrom $939 reviews
★ 5.0Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk from Lake Te AnauFrom $805 reviews
★ 5.0Great Taste Beer Tour by Bicycle (Self-guided)From $8018 reviews
★ 4.5Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Cycling Self-Guided AdventureFrom $7723 reviews
★ 5.0Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tastingFrom $12126 reviews
★ 3.0Discover Picton: Self-Guided Audio TourFrom $158 reviews
★ 4.5Discover Napier Earthquake: Self-Guided Audio TourFrom $154 reviews
★ 4.5Explore Auckland: Self Guided Audio TourFrom $1512 reviews

Keep browsing

Milford Sound Cruises106Hobbiton Movie Set Tours105Māori Cultural Tours83Helicopter Tours98Wine Tours184Waitomo Tours104
Scroll to Top

Explore New Zealand

Pick a coastline, a crater rim or a cellar door.

On the water

Milford SoundWhale WatchingSea KayakingSailingEvery Boat Trip

Up high

Helicopter FlightsScenic FlightsSnow LandingsSkydivingBungy

Underground and thermal

Waitomo CavesThermal ParksWai-O-TapuHot PoolsStargazing

Culture and film

Maori CultureHobbitonWeta WorkshopMuseumsWine Tours