PHOTO OF THE MONTH:

Photo gallery of pictures from our ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND adventure vacation
Rimu Jan 2010
We love being based in Queenstown! It's the best playground in the world and there's always something new to try...

MEET OUR GUIDES:

ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND adventure travel guide
Gemma van Beek
"Gemma is another top chick! She was just as awesome as our lead guide. I found her to be incredibly friendly, professional, courteous. These gals made the trip for me!"
Sandra Ellis (Queensland, Australia) November 2008 Tui
News Clips and Reviews
The 25 Greatest Adventure Trips in the World: #9
National Geographic Adventure Magazine - February '03

Here's why people fly so far to hike in New Zealand: A third of the island nation is parkland, and it has just 3.8 million residents. Consequently, hundreds of miles of lightly used trails weave through rugged ranges and untrammeled rain forests. Active New Zealand's 14-day loop is billed as multisport, but most clients opt for tramping around the canyons of Punakaiki, Franz Josef Glacier, the Mount Cook Region, and other South Island beauty spots. Nights are spent in lodges, B&Bs, and a sheep shearer's cabin on a 63,000-acre farm. Read more...

Best Adventure Trips in the World
"This was our first time to take a guided trip and put ourselves totally in the hands of strangers. Initially it seemed somewhat of a risk, trusting our money to strangers on the other side of the world. The ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND staff exceeded our expectations and we hope to join them again in a couple of years."

Steve & Val Hyer (Washington, USA) February 2003 Rimu

Our New Zealand Adventure Tours

Guided adventure holidays exploring the New Zealand outdoors.

A big part of what we do is run adventurous, off-the-beaten-track, once in a lifetime trips around New Zealand – especially in the South Island where much of New Zealand's most stunning and wild scenery is found. Our adventure trips in New Zealand including plenty of hiking, biking and adventure in amazing locations, but it’s not all about being on the go all the time. We stay in comfortable accommodations, and have great local guides to show you around (and cook amazing meals!), so you’re always well taken care of. If you’re looking for your next great vacation, adventure travel is a great way to go.

ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND adventures get you off the beaten track for amazing activities. We don’t expect you to be super fit, or to have lots of experience. Travelling with us means you can enjoy a multi-day hiking trip in the mountains, or paddle a remote fjord, without having to go through lots of preparation and planning. All you need is moderate fitness and a keen interest in the outdoors – we’ll take care of the rest.

Read our New Zealand adventure travel itineraries.
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New Zealand Adventure Vacation
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Start planning the trip of a lifetime now!

Why wait? Whether you’re ready to jump on a plane tomorrow or thinking of heading to New Zealand in a year or even ten, there’s nothing stopping you from dreaming about it RIGHT NOW. Here’s how...
our New Zealand adventure brochure

Step one - request a brochure

Our brochure has heaps of info in it and keeps your travel goals front and centre. Put it on the coffee table, show friends, or rip out the (amazing) photos and put them on your fridge. Click here to Request your FREE travel brochure.

Step two - Do a bit of research

It's important to find the best travel option for you - even if it means not taking one of our trips! Have a look at what’s out there. If you want to talk with a local, give Jodi or Matty a call here in our South Island office.

Step three - Decide!

When you’re ready, decide on the best New Zealand trip for you! Then start counting down the days...

Our New Zealand Adventure Trips:

Rimu adventure tours trip mapRated the 9th Greatest Adventure Trip in the World by National Geographic Adventure!
US$3399 + tax
The Rimu is our longest running trip, now entering its thirteenth year, with constant evolution to make it as good as we can possibly make it!

  • Hike Routeburn Track, Punakaiki, Franz Josef Glacier and
    Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
  • Wilderness Backpacking in Nelson Lakes National Park, Sea Kayaking or Biking Marlborough Sounds
  • Cycle Hollyford Valley and Manapouri
  • Sea Kayak Okarito Lagoon and Milford Sound
  • Hike West Coast Beaches and Rainforests
  • Explore the lakeside village of Queenstown
  • Snorkel with Seals
Rimu Adventure Tour ItineraryRimu Adventure Tour GalleryRimu Tour ScheduleRimu Tour Brochure
New Zealand adventure
Tui adventure tours trip mapRated the best do-it-all New Zealand Travel Deal of the Year by Outside Magazine!
US$2299 + tax
The Tui is our shortest South Island trip. It’s an action-packed, adventure-oriented itinerary that works well if you are looking for an incredible adventure vacation but don’t have a lot of time to see our country, or as part of a longer trip to New Zealand.

  • Hike Routeburn Track, Franz Josef Glacier and
    Mt Aspiring National Park
  • Cycle Hollyford Valley and Manapouri
  • Sea kayak Milford Sound
  • Scenic mountain flight to Siberia Hut
  • Jet boat ride up the Wilken River
  • Explore the lakeside village of Queenstown
Tui Adventure Tour ItineraryTui Adventure Tour GalleryTui Adventure Tour ScheduleTui Tour Brochure
New Zealand adventure
Kauri adventure tours trip mapHint! Combine the 5-day Kauri with the 8-day Tui to make a two week North and South Island trip.
US$1599 + tax
Our Kauri trip packs loads of adventure into just five days. It allows you to see the 'other side' of New Zealand and we’ve designed it with departure dates that line up with most of our South Island trips.

  • Explore volcanoes and Maori culture
  • Hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing
  • Hike mountains, beach and headland
  • Bike Whakarewarewa Forest
  • Hiking alongside Rotorua's lakes
  • Caving in Waitomo


Kauri Adventure Tour ItineraryKauri Adventure Tour GalleryTui Adventure Tour ScheduleKauri Tour Brochure
New Zealand adventure
New Zealand is at its most dramatic in winter – the snowline is a lot lower, which makes the mountains look amazing, and we get plenty of crisp, clear blue-sky days due to New Zealand’s mild maritime climate.

  • Multi-Day Sea Kayak/Cycle at Manapouri and Milford Sound, or Ski/Snowboard in Queenstown
  • Overnight hike to Copland hot pools
  • Hike Fox Glacier, Mt Aspiring and Aoraki/Mt Cook National Parks
  • Explore the lakeside village of Queenstown
  • Sea Kayak Okarito Lagoon
Winter Rimu Adventure Tour ItineraryWinter Rimu Adventure Tour GalleryWinter Rimu Adventure Tour ScheduleWinter Rimu Tour Brochure
New Zealand adventure
Xtreme Rimu adventure tours trip mapThis trip was designed by guide and multisport athlete, Jim Hawkridge.
US$3999 + tax
Over the years we’ve received many requests for an extreme version of our classic Rimu trip. Well – here it is. A trip guaranteed to get your heart pumping and your endorphins flowing.

  • Hike Cascade Saddle, Mt Aspiring National Park
  • Bike Queen Charlotte Track, Hanmer Forest and Craigieburn Skifield
  • Swim with Dusky Dolphins
  • Sea Kayak Abel Tasman National Park
  • Hike Mt Owen and Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park


Xtreme Rimu Adventure Tour ItineraryXtreme Rimu Adventure Tour GalleryWinter Rimu Adventure Tour ScheduleXtreme Rimu Tour Brochure
New Zealand adventure
Xtreme Rimu adventure tours trip mapThis trip was designed by guide, Lynette Warmington and was named one of the Best 25 New Trips by National Geographic Adventure Magazine.
US$3499 + tax
This trip has a big wildlife focus – dolphins, seals, penguins, kiwi, kea, whales, albatross, sea lions – these are just a few of the many amazing creatures you can see on this trip. It’s a great option for keen wildlife photographers, and those that enjoy seeing creatures in their natural environment.

  • Three-day Hump Ridge Guided Walk
  • Cruise Doubtful Sound
  • Visit Dunedin - home to some of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife!
  • Swim with Dolphins, Whale Watch, Visit Penguins
  • Hike Peel Forest, Kaikoura Peninsula, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
  • Visit Kiwi Sanctuary


Hoiho Adventure Tour ItineraryHoiho Adventure Tour GalleryHoiho Adventure Tour ScheduleHoiho Tour Brochure
New Zealand adventure
Request a free adventure brochure