New Zealand tours and companies for your big Kiwi adventure 2021

1. Contiki

Explore the nation from top to bottom with an array of in-depth tours each armed with free time add-ons such as canyon swinging and ice climbing so you leave with no regrets.

• Best for: Youths aged 18–35 years old
• Cost: Mid-range
• Our favourite itinerary: The 'Sweet As' South tour is a traveller's favourite that focuses on the South Island and its iconic sites, such as Milford Sound and optional adrenaline-pumping activities, such as the canyon swing in Queenstown.

Book your tour with Contiki

2. Haka Tours

With New Zealand tour names such as "Adrenalin Junkie Tour" and "Dirt Seeker MTB Tour", these experiences are for those seeking all the best thrills and spills.

• Best for: Adventure and thrill seekers aged 18+
• Cost: Budget to mid-range
• Our favourite itinerary: The Legendary NZ Tour is a crowd pleaser that blitzes across the North and South Islands over 21 days. Sandy beaches, calm lakes and Lord of the Rings movie set backdrops pepper the itinerary, which isn't without it's heart-pumping activities including the chance to abseil, jump off the highest commercial waterfall drop in the world and hike mountains for views over the Southern Alps.

3. Scenic

All-inclusive luxury comes standard with your Scenic tour. That's stylish accommodation, a wide range of dining options and exclusive activities such as America's Cup Sailing experiences. Tours of New Zealand feature a combination of land, boat and air transportation to whisk you away in the most memorable way.

• Best for: Luxury tourists and families
• Cost: High-end
• Our favourite itinerary: Scenic Splendour carries you across the landscape with little physical activity, making it ideal for all ages. In it, you'll dine on an authentic hangi dinner, stay overnight in award-winning wineries, marvel over Franz Josef Glacier and be enchanted by glow worms. Optional extras are available for more exceptional experiences such as flying over volcanoes and glaciers.

Best for Lord of the Rings tours:

• Hobbiton Tours: For the full movie set experience, you can't go past Hobbiton tours. Its located in Hobbiton on the North Island and includes the iconic "Movie Set" tour. Stick around for an Evening Banquet tour or make yours a special one with a private tour.
• Discover New Zealand: For a more in-depth lay of the land, Discover New Zealand offers tours across the country and highlights the landscape locations from the films.
• Viator: For tours as short at 70 minutes to as long as 2 days, Viator houses a range of tours throughout the country so you can pick and choose your favourites while exploring the nation your own way.

Best for glacier tours:

• Stray Tours: Hit up Stray Tours' winter expeditions for gnarly treks on New Zealand's most famous glaciers.
• G Adventures: Adventure is G Adventures' last name… literally! Hone in on its active offerings for thrills like hiking, biking, horseback riding and glacier trekking all in one tour package.
• Viator: For day trips up to specific glaciers, Viator collects the best and lets you book up-to-the-wire. Tours include helicopter rides, heli hikes and kayak adventures near the glaciers.

Best for singles:

• Contiki: Travel with like-minded souls aged 18 to 35 years old on adventure-filled itineraries.
• G Adventures: With tour groups no larger than 16 people, expect tight friendships to be made on G Adventures tours.
• Intrepid: People of all ages book Intrepid for its welcome atmosphere and adventurous mentality. Solo travellers are offered single supplements for a fee.

Best for winter and snow trips:

• Haka Tours: Spend seven days on a snow safari, hopping between resorts. There's even a heli tour for those keen to explore backcountry.
• Contiki: Plant yourself in Queenstown for a week to hone your skills on New Zealand's most renowned slopes.
• Flying Kiwi: With a snow tour that's been top rated by National Geographic, expect unique accommodation, most meals and board and the chance to push the powder of four ski fields.