New Zealand Walking Tours: the 10 Best Guided Walks

1.Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,577 reviews · from $74Our pick

Walk through the 12-acre Hobbiton Movie Set with a professional guide, seeing Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn. Hear film stories, take photos, and finish with a complimentary Southfarthing beverage. Morning and afternoon departures are available, and the tour is wheelchair accessible.

“Fabulous experience. Difficult to believe you were on a film set. The attention to detail was unbelievable.”

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2.Rotorua’s Ultimate Zipline: 6 ziplines, 400 m Tandem, Cliff Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,557 reviews · from $166

Fly through Rotorua’s ancient native forest on six ziplines, including a 400m tandem run reaching up to 80 km/h. You’ll cross swing bridges, floating stairs, and a volcanic walkway 50m above the valley, with guides such as Jacob, Reuben, Mitch, and Nina keeping the day safe and lively.

“Wonderful first experience but the lines were simply not long enough! Thank you for the amazing ride!”

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3.Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,249 reviews · 1h 30m · from $69

Walk through Ruakuri Cave with an English-speaking guide such as Anna, Jayden, Garth, or Jetta. Expect a spiral entrance, glowworms close to the walkway, limestone formations, underground water, and time for photographs. The route is wheelchair and stroller accessible, but backpacks are not allowed.

“Outstanding. The Ruakuri caves are amazing and beautifully set out. My wife has mobility issues and I took her on the tour in a wheelchair. There were no problems negotiating the caves owing to the very well organised walkways. I want to give a special bouquet to our tour guide whose leadership was also outstanding. Although clearly not NZ born (UK lady) she had a far better knowledge of the caves, their history and cultural significance than we who have spent 9 decades living in our country of birth. I regret that I cannot remember her name, but she led the 10-00 am tour on Friday 3rd October. It should…”

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4.Rotorua: Hell’s Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,140 reviews · 3 hours · from $68Best value

Walk through Hell’s Gate’s steaming geothermal reserve, with an optional guided tour led by guides such as Liam, Tee, Zia, and Ngati. Then enjoy a 20-minute mud bath, sulphur spa, cool plunge pool, and Māori carving session. Allow three hours and bring old swimwear.

“wood carving experience was a highlight. the man running the carvings was very informative of the culture and had the most beautiful spirit. thankyou”

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5.From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 845 reviews · 1 day · from $164

Travel from Te Anau in a small group of up to 15 with guides such as Geoff, Olivia, Ross, or Jeff. Ride the Milford Road, stop for short forest walks and views, enjoy a packed lunch, then cruise Milford Sound on a smaller boat toward the Tasman Sea.

“It was nice having the tour guide discuss some history along the drive, as well as some knowledge regarding native plants.”

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6.Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 712 reviews · from $192

Set out from Te Anau with a local guide such as Jacob, Geoff, Helen, or Hari for a full day through Fiordland. You’ll ride a small minivan, stop for short forest and alpine walks, enjoy a picnic lunch, and cruise Milford Sound on a small boat that reaches the Tasman Sea.

“Perfect day tour for a taste of Milford Sound. Our guide, Jake, clearly loves his job and sharing his Milford Sound experience with tourists. We made lots of stops (including for coffee!) and he was willing to accommodate any requests from people on the tour. Jake has a deep understanding and knowledge of the history of the area, as well as personal experience living in Milford Sound. One of our favorite tours in New Zealand so far!”

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7.Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 704 reviews · 1 day · from $74

Cruise the Abel Tasman coast with live commentary, pass Split Apple Rock and Adele Island’s fur seals, then choose a self-guided walk between golden beaches, forest, lookouts, Cleopatra’s Pool, and Anchorage. English-speaking crew handle the timed water-taxi return.

“An amazing day out the walking was harder than I thought it was going to be but managed and really proud of myself. Saw loads of wildlife and scenery was stunning.”

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

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

Sail from Kaiteriteri with a skipper such as Inky, Claudia, or Frank, passing Split Apple Rock and New Zealand fur seals. After lunch at Anchorage Bay, follow the marked coastal track through bush and beaches to Marahau on a self-guided walk of about 3.5 to 4 hours.

“Was a fantastic day, with lots of excitement!! Great sail, saw some seals and tour guides made it worthwhile while we lost and found our anker again! The walk was very enjoyable and it was a fantastic day”

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9.Auckland: Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 202 reviews · 3 hours · from $122

Walk Auckland’s downtown with a local English-speaking guide such as Sarah, Jono, Clare or Alex, stopping for cheeses, restaurant dishes, Kiwi classics, artisan chocolate and a local drink. The three-hour route links the waterfront with the city’s oldest areas and provides enough food for lunch.

“I loved the upscale restaurants we visited of real New Zealanders businesses. Very unique flavours, interesting upgrades .. all made with real home ingredients. Lovely company meeting fellow travellers and 2 Kiwis who were surprised to learn so much about Auckland — despite being native to Auckland!!”

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

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

Start at Kaiteriteri with a water-taxi ride to Anchorage Bay, walk the Pitt Head Loop and Te Pukatea Bay, then join a yacht or catamaran for afternoon sailing. English-speaking crew members may include Inky, Claudia, Nick, Frank, or Angela. Lunch is optional.

“Excellent - Frank and Angela made the sailing trip so enjoyable for us. They let us have a swim and even sail the boat. Great day out.”

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