Tours & experiences

Tours in New Zealand

Small-group tours, day trips, cooking classes and multi-day adventures. Every tour vetted for traveller reviews first.

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★ 5.0 (1)

✈️ Transfers

New Zealand

Crown Chauffeur First Class Tours & Transfers

When Em from our team booked Crown Chauffeur for a day moving around New Zealand, we got a straightforward luxury transport option with a driver who knows the routes. The fleet is modern and well-maintained — think comfortable seats, air conditioning, and the kind of ride that doesn't rattle or strain. It's not a tour in the traditional sense (you're not climbing mountains or wandering markets), but if you need reliable point-to-point travel with a professional at the wheel and want to skip the rental car hassle, this covers 1–12 hour stints depending on what you're after.

1 hour – 12 hoursfrom AUD $144

Hamilton Gardens & Hobbiton Exclusive Luxury Day Tour From Auckland

★ 5.0 (1)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

New Zealand

Hamilton Gardens & Hobbiton Exclusive Luxury Day Tour From Auckland

When Charlie from our BugBitten team ran this combo day trip from Auckland, we got a solid double-header: Hamilton Gardens in the morning, then the Hobbiton film set in the afternoon. It's a full day out, stretching 8–12 hours depending on pace, and it's geared toward people who want a curated experience without faffing about with logistics. The gardens are genuinely lush and thoughtfully laid out; the Hobbiton set is what you'd expect—kitschy but fun, especially if you're a film fan or keen on movie-set tourism. Mixed crowds, mostly families and couples, some international visitors. Bottled water and lunch included, plus alcoholic drinks, so you're fed and watered for most of the day.

8 hours – 12 hoursfrom AUD $768

Private Transfer from Auckland Port to Auckland Airport (AKL)

★ 5.0 (1)

✈️ Transfers

New Zealand

Private Transfer from Auckland Port to Auckland Airport (AKL)

When Em from our BugBitten team organised a private transfer from Auckland Cruise Port to the airport, it was a straightforward 30-minute run that beat the taxi queue hassle entirely. You're picked up by a nameplate-holding driver at your scheduled time and dropped directly at the airport terminal in a clean, air-conditioned car. No shared-shuttle faffing, no hidden fees tacked on at the end. Handy if you've just docked and want to skip the transport lottery, especially when you're luggage-heavy or running tight on time before a flight.

Gourmet Mystery Picnic Experience in Matakana

When Charlie from our team tried Matakana's Mystery Picnic, we got a self-guided food hunt that doubles as a getting-to-know-you adventure. You follow clues and solve puzzles across the region, collecting local food and wine as you go, before landing at a scenic spot to eat what you've gathered. It's three and a half hours of mild detective work mixed with proper tastings—the kind of thing that works well for couples, small groups, or anyone after something more interactive than a standard guided tour. Matakana itself is a charming wine village with a strong local food scene, so the whole exercise feels embedded in the place rather than imported.

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

When Noah from our BugBitten team ran the Ultimate Zipline in Rotorua, it was clear why this sits a rung above the standard canopy tour. Three hours, six ziplines (including a bonkers 400-metre tandem that hits 80 km/h), suspended walkways, and a spiral staircase around a 1,000-year-old Tawa tree set the pace in one of New Zealand's few untouched ancient forests. The crew—genuinely passionate about the place and the guests—guide you through a mix of adrenaline and forest immersion that works for couples, families, and groups after something more substantial than a quick thrill.

Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour

When Ben from our team headed out on this nocturnal bush walk, we were after one thing: glow-worms. And we found them — scattered across the dark canopy like tiny stars you could actually reach. The 3-hour tour takes you into native New Zealand forest after dark, with a guide who knows the terrain and the insects' habits. You'll walk about 2km through the understory, spot a waterfall, maybe catch some native wildlife, and finish under an actual starry sky with a hot drink. It's intimate — max 8 people — and genuinely quiet in a way few tours manage.

Wildwire Wanaka- Level 2 (4 Hours)

When Ben from our team tackled Wildwire Wanaka's Level 2 climb, we found ourselves scaling steel ladder rungs beside a thundering waterfall in the South Island's adventure heartland. This intermediate via ferrata involves roughly three hours of vertical climbing and six bridge crossings next to cascading water, finishing with a 45-minute descent through mountain bush. It's set in Wanaka's spectacular backcountry — the kind of place that draws climbers and outdoor enthusiasts year-round. You'll need moderate fitness, a head for heights, and a willingness to get your adrenaline up, but no prior climbing experience required.

Rotorua: Redwoods Altitude High Ropes Adventure

When Tom from our team tackled Redwoods Altitude near Rotorua, we were strapped into a continuous safety harness and guided 25 metres up into a towering redwood canopy for a 2-hour circuit. The forest here feels genuinely remote—a mix of native bush and planted giants—and you're threading across 25 suspended bridges and walkways with professional guides who layer in Māori stories and forest ecology as you go. It's a proper adrenaline hit but measured; the safety system does the work so you can focus on the views and the slightly wobbly sensation of walking on air.

Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg

When Noah from our team hired bikes through Lorelle & Greg's outfit in Renwick, we found exactly what the blurb promised: a proper self-guided wine tour that actually works. You get a comfortable cruiser, wine panniers, and a detailed map pointing you at 14 cellar doors scattered across quiet Marlborough roads — most just 5–10 minutes' pedal apart. The 7-hour window (10am–4pm or 11am–5pm) gives you real breathing room to stop, taste, chat, and soak up the vineyard vibe without feeling herded. The team's emergency backup service and free wine collection mean you can relax into the day rather than fret about logistics.

Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka

When Tom from our team took the jet boat down the Clutha River near Wanaka, we got a proper pulse-raiser. You're pinned into a small boat that tears through New Zealand's second-longest river, threading between steep glacial cliffs with the snow-capped ranges closing in around you. The 1 hour 15 minute run hits the famous Red Bridge, carves through a technical section called the Snake, and pulls off a rare tight switchback called Devils Nook before powering back upstream. It's a scenic thrill ride through raw South Island landscape—best suited to those who like their nature served fast.

15,000ft Tandem Skydive in Tauranga - Bay of Plenty

When Alex from our team strapped in for this tandem skydive near Tauranga, the real show started before the jump — a 20-25 minute scenic flight climbing toward 15,000ft with views stretching across the Bay of Plenty and beyond. On a clear day you'll spot Mount Maunganui, White Island, the Rotorua Lakes, the Coromandel Peninsula, and if you're lucky, Mount Taranaki. Then comes the freefall at 200km/h back toward the golden beaches. The whole experience runs about 90 minutes from arrival to landing. It's a solid adrenaline hit packaged with genuine scenery — one of those "did I actually do that?" moments.

CHP Bike Rentals Cromwell

When Tom from our BugBitten team hired bikes through CHP in Cromwell, we got a straightforward four-to-five-hour ride down to Clyde with shuttle support both ways. The setup is solid: modern electric and hardtail mountain bikes, helmets, and repair kits included. It's the kind of tour that suits people who want to pedal through Central Otago's landscape without the fuss of logistics — no epic climbs, no group drama, just a gentle roll through wine country and river valleys with the option to push harder if you fancy it.

4 hours – 5 hoursfrom AUD $153

★ 5.0 (236)

🐠 Water Activities

New Zealand

Dunedin WATER TAXI-Port To Port

When Charlie from our BugBitten team caught the Dunedin water taxi, what could've been a functional 10-minute crossing turned into a proper little harbour tour. You're skipping the road and heading straight across the water — the kind of shortcut that actually becomes the highlight. The skipper knows the patch: volcanic history, local bird life, the geological story of the place unfolds as you go. The vessel itself is built for comfort, heated cabin and cushioned seats mean you're not white-knuckling it in a tinny. Dunedin's harbour is stunning on approach, and from the water, the city's geology and wildlife reveal themselves differently than from land.

10 minfrom AUD $42

Auckland Small-Group Walking Tour with Treats

★ 5.0 (203)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

New Zealand

Auckland Small-Group Walking Tour with Treats

When Ben from our BugBitten team did this Auckland walk, we got a proper sense of the city's layered character in three hours flat. The route traces downtown lanes and hillier pockets where cafes, shops and street art cluster, threading together Māori and European threads without the tourist-brochure feel. Small groups (max 10) mean your guide actually talks to you, not at you. A local tasting and coffee are built in, so you're not just sightseeing—you're tasting as you go. It's pitched as a solid first day in Auckland, and for anyone keen to read the city beyond the waterfront, it delivers.

Llama Trek (Half-day) - Kaikoura Bay, Beaches & Seal Colony

When Sarah from our BugBitten team did this Kaikoura half-day trek, she walked alongside her own llama — a surprisingly intelligent companion who carried her gear in saddlebags while she navigated beaches and rocky coastal paths. The 3.5-hour outing pairs the novelty of working with these quirky animals with genuine local knowledge: your guide fills you in on Kaikoura's history and the dramatic 2016 earthquake that reshaped the landscape. It's a low-key, off-the-beaten-path experience in a stunning bay setting, mixing quirk with substance in a way that appeals to families and curious travellers after something different from standard sightseeing.

Lake Dunstan Cycleway Bike Rental With Return Luxury Shuttle

When Jake from our BugBitten team tackled the Lake Dunstan Cycleway, he found himself pedalling along one of New Zealand's most engineered rides — a 5-hour loop hugging the lake's edge with suspended sections bolted into rockface and a proper swing bridge thrown in for good measure. The trail cuts a different line to the main road between Cromwell and Clyde, so you're away from traffic noise, and the scenery speaks to the region's gold-rush and dam-building past via interpretation boards along the way. It's a serious bit of riding with serious views, best suited to folks with decent fitness and a head for heights.

Full-Day Godley Head Coastal Hike with Picnic Lunch

When Mia from our BugBitten team did the Godley Head Loop, we found ourselves on one of Christchurch's genuinely stellar coastal walks — 8–10 km of old crater rim, WWII relics, and unobstructed views across Pegasus Bay toward the Southern Alps. You're picked up from your hotel, driven to Taylors Mistake Beach, then guided through a well-trodden but stunning loop that takes about three hours of actual walking. The area feels windswept and raw in the best way; it's not crowded, and the handful of other walkers stay spread out. Lunch (hot drinks, snacks, proper picnic) is included, so you're not hauling your own supplies. Six hours start to finish is a good half-day commitment for what you get.

Waka Paddling Tour Toka Ngawha Split Apple Rock from Kaiteriteri

When Lily from our BugBitten team paddled this waka tour out of Kaiteriteri, we found ourselves on genuinely calm water heading straight for Split Apple Rock — that split boulder you've probably seen in photos. The 2-hour return paddle tracks the Abel Tasman coastline, hugging golden beaches and native forest. Our guide wove in Māori cultural context and karakia (blessings) throughout, which grounded the whole experience beyond just the paddle. It's a solid fit for mixed ages and fitness levels, and the vibe felt inclusive rather than rushed.

Fiordland Jet Boat and Biking Combo from Te Anau

When Noah from our BugBitten team ran this combo through Te Anau, it felt like the opposite of typical Fiordland tourism — small groups (11–13 per boat), no queues, and actual chat with your guide rather than just speed and spray. You're jet boating into remote waterways where Fiordland Jet holds the only commercial concession, then cycling back through the landscape. Four hours total, and it's pitched as a proper experience rather than a thrill-chasing tick-box. The region itself is moody, forested, and quiet — the kind of place that rewards showing up without crowds.

Scenic Te Mata Peak Tour by Supertrike

When Alex from our team took the Scenic Te Mata Peak Tour by Supertrike, we climbed nearly 400 metres up a dramatic peak in a three-wheeled V8 machine — proper adrenaline stuff. This two-hour jaunt departs from Napier's National Aquarium, snakes along the Hawkes Bay coastline and the Tukituki River valley, then tackles the winding ascent past Craggy Range winery and through Havelock North. At the summit, you get 360-degree views across the region, sometimes clear enough to spot Mount Ruapehu. It's quirky, thrilling, and best suited to those who fancy a birthday celebration or just want to feel the wind on the climb.

2 hoursfrom AUD $187

Spectacular Wellington: Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour

★ 5.0 (105)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

New Zealand

Spectacular Wellington: Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour

When Mia from our BugBitten team booked this private Wellington tour, Jo and Suzee—the owner-operators—picked us up and basically became our local mates for the day. They steer you past the guidebook stuff: Cable Car rides, Mt Victoria lookout views, the beaches, local spots worth eating at. It's a tight 4–6 hour loop through the capital that actually shows you how Wellingtonians live, not just the postcard version. Private transport, light snacks on board, and genuine local chat included; you're paying for flexibility and insider access, not a cattle-truck experience.

4 hours – 6 hoursfrom AUD $441

The Ultimate Lake Dunstan Bike Hire And Boat Experience

★ 5.0 (103)

🏔 Adventure & Sports

New Zealand

The Ultimate Lake Dunstan Bike Hire And Boat Experience

When Noah from our team tackled the Lake Dunstan trail, it became clear why this 6-hour ride has earned its reputation. You're cycling along the dramatic shoreline of a South Island lake, on a path engineered into the rockface with 450 metres of clip-ons and a proper suspension bridge. The vibe is remote but well-maintained — mostly intermediate riders and keen outdoors types. The return leg via the Dunstan Explorer boat seals the deal: you float back upriver spotting scenery you missed from the saddle, and there's genuine history woven through information boards (think goldrush relics and NZ's largest dam). It's a grown-up's day out.

Wine Tour & Maori Culture Queenstown

When Alex from our team ran this Queenstown wine tour, we found something genuinely different — a five-and-a-half-hour blend of Central Otago wines and Māori cultural context that most local wine tours skip entirely. You hit three boutique wineries across the region, taste around 17–21 varietals, and eat cheese or salmon platters paired with the wines. The tour runs in a comfortable air-conditioned van with hotel pickup, and the commentary ties the land and its Māori heritage to what's in your glass. It's the kind of experience that shows Queenstown's wine country beyond the usual tasting-room circuit.

Jet Ski Hire Auckland - Experience the Fun with the Best Operator

When Noah from our BugBitten team hired a jet ski on Auckland's Hibiscus Coast, he found a straightforward operator who lets you set the pace — whether that's a quick 60-minute buzz around the gulf or a longer island-hopping adventure. The outfit runs a small fleet of new Yamaha machines and keeps things low-stress: safety kit, fuel, and launch are all sorted in the hire price. It's the sort of spot where you can throttle out solo or bring mates along (up to three per ski, within weight limits), and if fishing's your thing, you can pair that in too.

1 hour – 6 hoursfrom AUD $153

Heritage City and Larnach Castle Van tour with Historian Guide

★ 5.0 (81)

🛕 Culture & History

New Zealand

Heritage City and Larnach Castle Van tour with Historian Guide

When Alex from our BugBitten team booked this Dunedin van tour, we were banking on the guide's reputation — and Gregor delivered. This five- to six-hour run pairs a historian who's dug up genuinely curious stories about the city (murders, shipwrecks, colonial tangles between Scottish settlers and Kāi Tahu) with a visit to Larnach Castle, a Victorian pile on the outskirts. You're driven around in an air-conditioned van with hotel or cruise ship pickup included, stopping at key spots while Gregor narrates the dark and oddly compelling bits of Dunedin's past. It's not a typical sightseeing blur — the stories actually stick.

5 hours – 6 hoursfrom AUD $223

Tongariro Thrills: Grade 3 Whitewater Rafting Adventure

★ 5.0 (81)

🏔 Adventure & Sports

New Zealand

Tongariro Thrills: Grade 3 Whitewater Rafting Adventure

When Alex from our team ran the Tongariro River, we tackled grade 3 rapids that delivered genuine adrenaline without demanding prior experience. The four-hour expedition cuts through the heart of the Taupō region—pine forests, native bush, and volcanic scarps forming a proper backdrop. You're paddling in small crews through proper whitewater, not just floating past scenery. The river's home to endangered Whio ducks and trophy trout that locals swear are genuinely massive. It's the kind of tour that works for nervous first-timers and seasoned rafters alike, though the physicality isn't a bluff.

Wine Tour and Tastings in Hawkes Bay

When Mia from our BugBitten team booked this Hawkes Bay wine tour, she rolled up in a restored 1970 Kombi Van — the real deal, not a themed prop. Guide Craig steered them through 4 hours hitting three to four local vineyards, each stop uncorking different expressions of what makes this region tick. It's a relaxed afternoon drive through rolling vine country with tastings and cheese in tow, pitched at travellers who want to taste properly without the stuffiness.

4 hoursfrom AUD $233

Spectacular Wellington: Half Day Private Sightseeing Tour

★ 5.0 (79)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

New Zealand

Spectacular Wellington: Half Day Private Sightseeing Tour

When Charlie from our team booked this Wellington half-day private tour, we got exactly what was promised: a local's-eye view of the capital without the tour-bus shuffle. Jo and Suzee, who run the show themselves, steer you through the city's best bits—Cable Car rides, Mt Victoria lookout, the beaches—while dropping genuine local knowledge and stories. The whole thing runs 2–3 hours with pick-up from your accommodation or the port, and it's built to flex around what you actually want to see rather than a rigid itinerary. It's a private tour, so it's just your crew and your guides, which changes the whole vibe.

2 hours – 3 hoursfrom AUD $356

Scenic Guided eBike Tour Ride to the Lake

★ 5.0 (76)

🌿 Nature & Wildlife

New Zealand

Scenic Guided eBike Tour Ride to the Lake

When Ben from our team took this scenic eBike loop around Queenstown, it became clear why electric bikes suit this region so well. You're on a pedal-assist Premium eBike covering terrain that'd tire you out on a regular bike, but the motor handles the grunt work. The three-hour ride weaves through the countryside surrounding Queenstown—rolling farmland, lakeside sections, hidden corners locals know—with plenty of stops to soak in the landscape and hear stories about the area's history and ecology. It's pitched at beginners finding their feet on eBikes, but experienced riders still get something from it.

Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

When Mia from our team tackled the Kaituna River with Rotorua Rafting, she found a proper adrenaline hit wrapped around one of New Zealand's most dramatic stretches of water. You'll paddle through subtropical rainforest and rocky canyons, hit the standout Tutea Falls, and if you're keen, swim through some gnarly rapids. The tour suits both first-timers and seasoned paddlers, runs about 2.5 hours total (an hour on the river itself), and finishes with a free sauna to ease the sting out of tired muscles. It's Grade 5 white water, so this isn't a gentle float.

White Water Rafting - Kaituna Cascades, The Originals

When Charlie from our team ran the Kaituna Cascades, we found ourselves bouncing down what genuinely feels like New Zealand's most playful stretch of whitewater. This 2-hour rafting run takes you through a narrow canyon with a series of raftable waterfalls and proper rapids — the kind of technical terrain that's become the signature draw for serious paddlers and keen amateurs alike. Kaituna Cascades started here and still runs the show, with two owner-guides who've built a tight operation around keeping things fun and safe. The water runs warm most of the year, and the whole setup — guides from extreme kayak backgrounds, custom-built kit, full wetsuit getups — meant we spent less time worrying and more time actually enjoying the ride.

Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness

When Em from our team took this jet boat out into Fiordland National Park, it felt like having a local mate show us around their backyard — except the backyard is one of New Zealand's most dramatic river systems. This two-hour journey with Fiordland Jet is genuinely different from the typical jet boat circus: they're the only commercial operator on these waterways, so you're not queuing behind tour groups or fighting for photo spots. The pace is unhurried, the scenery is legitimately spectacular, and the whole vibe is built on actually getting to know the area and the people running the show, rather than ticking boxes.

2 hoursfrom AUD $174

The Classic: our most popular electric bike tour of Auckland's Highlights

★ 5.0 (548)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

New Zealand

The Classic: our most popular electric bike tour of Auckland's Highlights

When Jake from our team took this electric bike tour around Auckland, it was a proper urban primer on the city. You'll pedal through iconic spots and neighbourhoods locals actually hang in, all while sitting on a lightweight e-bike that handles the volcanic hills without killing your legs. The three-and-a-half-hour loop keeps groups tight — max six riders plus a guide who knows the place — and includes the bike, helmet, headset for on-ride commentary, and a rain jacket if the sub-tropical weather decides to turn. It's small-group touring done right, with minimal faffing and maximum sightseeing.

Rotorua Ziplines - Zipline Over Waterfalls - Free Sauna

When Lily from our BugBitten team tackled Rotorua Ziplines, she found herself soaring above the Ōkere Falls in the Bay of Plenty—a 2.5-hour adventure that combines ziplines, swing bridges, and forest boardwalks with genuine Ngāti Hinerangi cultural context. The experience sits in pristine native bush where you're flying between canopy points, and there's a deliberate ecological angle: every guest plants a native tree as part of the operator's reforestation push. It's not a thrill-seeker-only affair; the setup caters to a broad fitness range, though it does come with real physical demands and some definite health caveats.

Waitomo’s Hidden Gem: Small-Group Off the Beaten Track Tour

When Mia from our team tackled Waitomo's off-the-beaten-track cave tour, she found herself scrambling through a private cave system in the rolling Waikato hills—no tour buses, no crowds, just glowworms by the millions lighting up limestone walls. The 3-hour-15-minute outing takes you through native bush, into a secluded cave network where you'll boulder-hop, wade creeks, and spot those tiny bioluminescent creatures in their element. It's intimate stuff: max 8 people per group, a local guide with genuine knowledge, and the kind of quiet you don't get at Waitomo's busier attractions. The vibe is genuine Kiwi hospitality; the payoff is caving that feels like discovery, not tourism.

Lake Taupo 12,000-Foot Tandem Skydiving

When Charlie from our team strapped in for this Lake Taupo tandem jump, we got a proper sense of why this drop zone has been running since 1992. You're up at 12,000 feet with 40 seconds of freefall, watching the North Island's coastline roll beneath you—lakes, farmland, forest all at once. The operation feels practiced and safe; they've jumped over 300,000 people. It's two hours total, including the pre-jump chat and gear-up, though the actual sky time is the main event. Friends and family can watch from the ground, which beats doing this solo.

2 hoursfrom AUD $287

Milford Sound Full Day Tour from Te Anau with Cruise

★ 5.0 (420)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

New Zealand

Milford Sound Full Day Tour from Te Anau with Cruise

When Mia from our BugBitten team ran the Milford Sound full-day tour from Te Anau, she spent nine hours in a seriously comfortable small-group vehicle heading down the Milford Road, then cruising for two hours through the sound itself. The Milford Road is a legendary drive through fjord country—dense native bush, waterfalls, mountains that feel close enough to touch—and the tour hits all the classic viewpoints plus a few quieter stops. You get three optional short walks built in, then board the Milford Haven for a proper cruise with restaurant seating and the option to grab lunch while scanning the water for wildlife. The vibe is relaxed, not rushed.

9 hoursfrom AUD $288

Half Day in Middle Earth - Lord of the Rings Tour

★ 5.0 (366)

🚌 Day Trips & Sightseeing

New Zealand

Half Day in Middle Earth - Lord of the Rings Tour

When Lily from our team ran this half-day tour, we wound through Central Otago's film locations hunting down Lord of the Rings scenes. The guides—self-proclaimed Rings nerds—navigate you past the Ford of Bruinen, Gladden Fields, and other spots where Peter Jackson's crew actually filmed, stopping in Arrowtown, Gibbston Valley, and around Lake Hayes. The region feels properly cinematic: tussocked hills, golden willows, vineyard sprawl. You're bundled in a vehicle for about 4.5 hours total, hopping out at lookouts and valley vistas to get photos with replica props and hear set stories. It's pitched at fans who want the real filming geography without pretence.

Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura

When Noah from our BugBitten team tackled EcoZip's half-day adventure in Kaikōura, he got five ziplines strung across 2.2km of farmland and native bush, plus a bumpy 4X4 river crossing in a custom Unimog. It's a tight 3.5 hours from central Kaikōura, with the Seaward Range looming over everything—the kind of place where you're genuinely in the landscape rather than gliding above it. The outfit bundles conservation work (tree planting when it's on) with the adrenaline, so there's a purpose beyond the thrill. It's not a massive operation, which shapes the whole feel.

Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Trek (Intermediate level+)

When Lily from our BugBitten team saddled up for this 3.5-hour trek near Wanaka, she found a proper high-country horse ride — not a walk-and-plod. You head into the Cardrona Valley mountains for proper trotting and cantering through big scenery: the Pisa and Crown Ranges, ski area views, all capped off with a stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a drink. It's intermediate-level riding country, pitched at folks with some saddle time or solid fitness and nerve. The guides match horses to your ability, and helmets and tuition are sorted. Twenty minutes from Wanaka makes it a genuine half-day escape.

3h 30mfrom AUD $593

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