Top South Island 4WD Tours

Ride a quad bike on Queenstown Hill during this ATV adventure. After a comprehensive training, hop on a fully automatic all-terrain vehicle and follow your guide over off-road trails (safety gear and all-weather clothing provided). Enjoy informative commentary and sweeping views over Queenstown. Hotel pickup and drop-off, along with refreshments, are included in this small-group tour, limited to 11 people.

Fewer People. More Wildlife. A chance to see Yellow-eyed Penguins, NZ sealions, NZ fur seals, Albatross and a wide variety of birdlife, in their natural habitat. Your small, guided tour, of no more than 10 people, will take you to our spectacular, secluded beach. Our private conservation reserve area is on our historic family farm, at Cape Saunders, on the Otago Peninsula. A wild, and untamed, dramatic environment that we are lucky enough to share with some of New Zealand's rarest species. The Clearwater family has deep roots here and is devoted to preserving and enhancing its pristine beauty. Become a part of our shared commitment to protect its natural wildlife habitats. One of the most beautiful coastal headlands and beaches in NZ" Ahipara Luxury Travel NZ

The TranzAlpine train is often referred to as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, and this tour will allow you to experience it. Enjoy the convenience of a day trip where all transport is taken care of— round-trip transfers in a luxury minivan, and a TranzAlpine train ticket are included. See Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, Lake Pearson, and get the chance to walk in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

Visit ‘The Lord of the Rings’ filming locations in Glenorchy, traveling by 4WD with an informative guide. Departing Queenstown for Middle-earth in the morning or afternoon, this half-day tour includes stunning countryside landscapes chosen by director Peter Jackson. See where famous scenes were filmed, such as the Fortress of Isengard, Lothlorien, Ithilien Camp and Forest of Amon Hen. Enjoy light refreshments and personalized attention on this small-group tour, limited to six passengers per vehicle.

The deep waters, soaring cliffs, and thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound are spectacular from all angles, and this half-day tour by air and boat takes in all the highlights. Enjoy thrilling aerial views of the Fiordland National Park on a round-trip flight from Queenstown, and marvel at Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and Mount Pembroke on a scenic Milford Sound cruise. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

See the Franz Josef Glacier from the air on a helicopter flight above ice falls, snowfields, and crevasses. Touch down on a snowfield to see the icy landscape up close, and take in sweeping views across the maritime glacier. This helicopter tour departs from a helipad in Franz Josef township.

Located in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Explore the stunning fiord by air and water during a half-day excursion. The exhilarating, round-trip helicopter flight from Queenstown includes a glacier or alpine landing. Perhaps spot dolphins, seals, and penguins during an unforgettable cruise.

See the glowworm caves of Te Anau on an underground adventure sure to charm visitors of all ages. An informative guide joins you on the 2hour and 15 minute Te Anau glowworm caves tour, starting with a cruise across Lake Te Anau. Then marvel at the shimmering illumination of thousands of glowworms as you glide through the quiet darkness of this magical underground world.

Travel from Akaroa Harbour on this shore excursion through the Banks Peninsula to Christchurch, whose city center was devastated by the 2011 earthquake. Drive past city landmarks in the old CBD and stroll the Christchurch Botanic Gardens with a knowledgeable guide. En route, take in the scenic splendor of the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Region.

Appreciate the majesty and scale of Franz Josef and Fox glaciers from the air during a 30-minute helicopter flight and snow landing. Enjoy aerial views over both glaciers from your prime position in the sky, and hear live commentary from the professional pilot before landing atop either Fox or Franz Josef. Then hop out and focus your camera lens on a glacial scene of frozen icefalls, glowing blue ice fields and plunging crevasses — considered to be among New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes.

Arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand, Milford Sound offers a sweeping landscape of jagged snow-capped mountains, shimmering fjords and lakes, towering waterfalls and emerald greenery. Travel with a small group by coach from Queenstown to Fiordland National Park to explore this lush wilderness, including a boat cruise on the Milford Sound. You also see The Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu—New Zealand's longest lake, and Lake Te Anau—the South Island’s the largest lake.

Start at Port Chalmers to experience the pure beauty of Dunedin on a fantastic tour of rich heritage, spectacular scenery. You will experience memorable landscape of Otago Peninsula with amazing string of rugged beaches, bays on a Peninsula Drive via Highcliff Road to Larnach Castle. Your tour will include an entry to the garden only of the only castle of New Zealand - Larnach castle. You will stop at the world's steepest street, local lookout point to enjoy the views of city, peninsula and harbor, University of Otago - the oldest New Zeland university, Octagon, Dunedin Railway Station and internationally significant and the oldest botanic garden in New Zealand. In addition you will join a 1 hour guided tour of Olveston historic home. The tour is designed only for small groups, so you will enjoy flexibility and comfort in a small bus. Important: this tour includes entry to castle garden only, to enter the castle building there is an extra cost $NZD20.

Shoot the rapids on the Shotover River on this half-day tour from Queenstown, a great choice for thrill seekers. Under the supervision of a guide, you'll brave the wild rapids, raft through the Oxenbridge Tunnel, and drop into the Cascade Rapid. Instruction and all necessary equipment (wetsuit, life jacket, spray jacket, booties, helmet) are included.

Travel along the spectacular Milford Road on a full-day Milford Sound tour from Te Anau. Have the chance to see native wildlife like the endangered kea (an alpine parrot), seals, dolphins, and the Fiordland crested penguin. Visit Gunns Camp, take short walks to beautiful sights including the Chasm and Marian Cascade, and take a sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound. Includes entrance fees, boat cruise with live commentary, morning tea, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Drive a Quad Bike along the ancient glacial pathways of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, carved into the landscape by ice and water over thousands of years. Admire the lush landscape of the dense rainforest and reconnect with Mother Nature.

Get access to Queenstown’s most spectacular scenery during an off-road self-drive buggy tour. Follow an expert guide for 60 minutes along backcountry terrain with breathtaking views of Queenstown and beyond. Experience the thrill of driving your own 2-seater 4x4 vehicle while you rip up the trails! Helmet, gloves, and wet-weather gear are included with a roll cage and seat belts to ensure your safety.

Visit Edoras of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fame on this full-day excursion by 4WD vehicle to the peak of New Zealand’s Mt Sunday. Get a look at exclusive photos of Edoras under construction and learn from a knowledgeable LOTR guide about its transformation from tranquil countryside to mythical capital city of the Rohan people. Pose with replica props from the popular trilogy, such as Aragorn’s sword, Gimli’s axe and the flag of Rohan. Includes round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch plus a picnic lunch with sparkling wine.

Travel by TranzAlpine train to Arthur's Pass National Park, riding across the Canterbury Plains, then winding through the Waimakariri Gorge and into the heart of the Southern Alps on a day trip from Christchurch. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass Village, where you’ll explore the rainforests and mountains on short walks. This small-group tour limits the group size, ensuring a more personalized experience.

Race through the native forest canopy and see the rolling Nelson countryside from the sky in this unique flying fox experience. The Skywire is one of the longest flying foxes in New Zealand and can reach speeds of around 60 miles per hour, and this package gives you the chance to experience that speed first-hand as you rocket up and down Cable Bay hillside, through the trees and valleys.

Enjoy an off-road adventure in the wild of New Zealand on this half-day Wakatipu Basin 4-wheel drive tour from Queenstown. Cruise along off-road routes toward the Remarkables mountain range — widely used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Admire panoramic views over Deer Park Heights and the Kawarau Gorge, and then head onward to the historic gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Traverse bumpy river crossings along the Arrow River, and pan for gold on the riverbank. Then gaze over the Wakatipu Basin from Coronet Peak en route back to Queenstown.

New Zealand is known across the world for its stunning landscapes, and the North Canterbury region is no different. Drive across the region’s countryside and through native bushland on this ATV tour outside just Hanmer Springs. Take a free transport from the Hanmer Springs village centre and drive around over 6,000 hectares full of hills, streams and meadows.

If you’re looking for the best off-roading experience in New Zealand, this is it. Take a ride in our Ultimate Off-Roader, our one-of-a-kind, custom-built all-terrain vehicle that goes everywhere. It’s one of the most unique adventure experiences in Queenstown, perfect for adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers. Note to guests: the only barrier between you and the full force of gravity is your harness! Even though our experienced team knows all the best spots for twists, turns and drops, we always prioritise safety first. We provide protective gear that is regularly inspected and tested. All harnesses and safety belts in the off-roaders are routinely reviewed and kept to the highest safety standard. You’ll also sit through a safety briefing before your adventure so you can enjoy yourself in confidence. Rock climbing, cliff dropping and drifting around a specially designed course of steep gullies, boulders and some ridiculous angles is all in a day’s work for these Ultimate Off-Roaders.

This quad bike adventure is an exciting way to tour the bush-clad terrain near Nelson. After being thoroughly briefed on how to use the bikes safely, travel along 8.5 miles (14 kilometers) of tracks. You’ll be treated to beautiful views across Cable Bay, and will make plenty of stops so your guide can tell you all about the area. This is a fun outing for families and friends traveling together.