On foot · NEW ZEALAND WALKING TOURS

New Zealand Walking Tours: the 15 Best Guided Walks

31 walks  ·  from $25 a head

Good new zealand walking tours fill up days ahead and the small-group ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest - Walking past Hobbit Holes with the small details in view
New Zealand Walking Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest

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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Rotorua’s Ultimate Zipline: 6 ziplines, 400 m Tandem, Cliff Walk - A controlled descent to finish the route
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Rotorua’s Ultimate Zipline: 6 ziplines, 400 m Tandem, Cliff Walk

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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Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Guided Walking Tour - Descending through the spiral entrance
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Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Guided Walking Tour

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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Rotorua: Hell's Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk - Arriving from Rotorua and planning your three hours
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Rotorua: Hell’s Gate Outdoor Mud Spa & Guided Walk

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

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

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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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks - The Milford Road is more than a transfer
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walks

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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Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau - Mirror Lakes and the first Fiordland stops
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Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

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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Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour Combo - Starting at Kaiteriteri Beach
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Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour Combo

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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Auckland: Flavours of our City Food Walk - Starting at 188 Quay Street at 2:30pm
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Auckland: Flavours of our City Food Walk

8.Auckland: Flavours of our City Food Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 371 reviews · from $127

Join The Big Foody Food Tours from 2:30 to 5:30pm for a small-group Auckland walk with local guides such as Laura, Sarah, Alex, and Jono. Expect varied tastings, city history, easy walking, artisan treats, and a final wine or beer sample near Britomart.

“Amazing day out in Auckland with Sarah. Outside of the food tour she shared a lot of helpful information and recommendations for other places to see in visit while we are in the city. You won’t leave hungry and the stops had a nice variety of food options. Highly recommend this tour on the front end of your stay in Auckland.”

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Abel Tasman National Park: Sailing and Self-Guided Walk - 2.5 hours along the Abel Tasman coast
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, National Parks, New Zealand Walking Tours, Sailing, Self-Guided Walking Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours

Abel Tasman National Park: Sailing and Self-Guided Walk

9.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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Rotorua: Hell's Gate Geothermal Walk - Fumaroles, sulfur crystals, and hot lakes
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Rotorua: Hell’s Gate Geothermal Walk

10.Rotorua: Hell’s Gate Geothermal Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 217 reviews · 1 hour · from $26

Explore Hell’s Gate on a roughly 2-kilometre self-guided walk, or join an English-language tour at 10:30 AM or 2:30 PM when available. See New Zealand’s largest active mud volcano, boiling pools, hot waterfalls, fumaroles, sulfur deposits, and a bush section. Māori carving and a mud foot pool may be available.

“Great opportunity to see things that we have never seen before.”

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Auckland: Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour - Starting at the waterfront and the city’s old streets
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Auckland: Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour

11.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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Auckland Small-Group Walking Tour with Treats - Albert Park adds breathing room and wartime history
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Auckland Small-Group Walking Tour with Treats

12.Auckland Small-Group Walking Tour with Treats

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 182 reviews · from $67

Walk Auckland’s CBD with guides such as Liz, Jo, Nina, or Debbie, visiting Queen Street, Albert Park, Britomart, and the Ferry Building. Expect 3 to 4 km of easy walking, Māori and European history, a barista drink, a local tasting, and practical food and shopping advice.

“Debbie was an excellent tour guide and we learned so much. The walking tour took us places we never would have known about otherwise.”

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Fox Glacier: Half Day Walking & Nature Tour with Local Guide - From Franz Josef to the Fox Glacier valley
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Fox Glacier: Half Day Walking & Nature Tour with Local Guide

13.Fox Glacier: Half Day Walking & Nature Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 170 reviews · 3h 30m · from $65

Walk through Fox Glacier’s mossy rainforest and glacial valley with guides such as Cliff, Mel, Bella, or Sophia. Expect a gentle three-hour outing, glacier and Mt Tasman views, geology and plant stories, a possible geothermal spring stop, and hot drinks beside the riverbed.

“Totally worth it! Great for kids who are able to walk long walks and enjoy nature at the same time! Cliff was highly knowledgeable, friendly and kind. Definitely recommended activity!”

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Stewart Island: Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise - Walking Ulva Island with a guide
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Stewart Island: Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise

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

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

Cruise from Stewart Island into Paterson Inlet, then spend about 90 minutes walking Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary with an English-speaking guide. Expect bird calls, native trees, beaches, and possible sightings of weka, robins, saddlebacks, yellowheads, seals, penguins, and seabirds.

“The entire activity was great and our guide, Natasha, was excellent. We saw many birds close up including one endangered type. Highly recommended.”

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Lake Te Anau: 3-Hour Boat Cruise with Guided Walk - From Te Anau wharf to the South Fiord
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Lake Te Anau: 3-Hour Boat Cruise with Guided Walk

15.Lake Te Anau: 3-Hour Boat Cruise with Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · 3 hours · from $86

Board Faith at Te Anau wharf for a three-hour cruise with crew such as Adam and Megan. Sail toward the South Fiord, walk through native forest to a hidden lake, then enjoy canapés and drinks in a quiet cove before returning.

“Excellent trip. Thank you to Adam, Megan, Sophie and Jodi. very interesting hearing about the history of the vessel. The children on board helped to raise the sails. Canapés were excellent quality and there was a great choice of beer, wines and other drinks. Lovely little walk to the hidden lake. Would definitely recommend.”

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New in New Zealand Walking Tours

★ 5.0Cruise & Rainforest Walk – Franz Josef GlacierFrom $9289 reviews
★ 5.0Ōtautahi: Christchurch Small-Group Inner City Food Walking TourFrom $13385 reviews
★ 5.0Auckland Food Walking TourFrom $13573 reviews
★ 4.8Rotorua: Waimangu Volcanic Valley Ticket & Self-Guided WalkFrom $38104 reviews
★ 4.9Rotorua: 6 Ziplines, 400m Tandem, Cliff Walk & Swing BridgesFrom $15293 reviews
★ 4.7Napier: Art-Deco + Te Mata Peak+ Garden Walk + Wine TastingFrom $8999 reviews
★ 4.5Milford Sound: Nature Cruise & Milford Track WalkFrom $133108 reviews
★ 4.5Milford Sound: Self-Guided Milford Track Day WalkFrom $44114 reviews
★ 4.9Fiordland: Jet Boat & Nature Walk Experience from Te AnauFrom $11697 reviews
★ 4.7Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Walk & Sailing TourFrom $122100 reviews

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