10 Self-Guided Tours in New Zealand to Build a Day Around

1.Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 383 reviews · 8h 30m · from $66Our pick

Cruise from Picton to Ship Cove, hike the Queen Charlotte Track through native bush, and return by water for a full day in Marlborough Sounds.

“Great walk although a long day for my poor feet! Beautiful scenery all along the way. FYI there is a small shop at Resolution Bay, selling icecream, coffee and cake. Yes, cake! BYO keep cup for free tea/coffee on the boat. Cups bot provided as they kept blowing off the boat into the pristine Sound! The beer at Furneaux Lodge at the end was the perfect end to an excellent NZ outdoor experience.”

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2.Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 304 reviews · from $43Top rated

Cycle quiet Marlborough roads between Renwick wineries with bikes, wine panniers, shuttle service, tasting tips, and flexible self-guided routes.

“Jo and Steve provided great guidance on creating a memorable biking wine tasting route. Their bikes were comfortable and well maintained. It’s a great way to enjoy the Marlborough wine region!”

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3.Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 248 reviews · from $46

Walk Waimangu Volcanic Valley at your own pace, seeing steaming lakes, Inferno Crater, native bush, and Lake Rotomahana with a shuttle back.

“Was a lovely area Lil disappointed I couldn’t do the full walk or boat due to renovations but what I did was mesmerising. Thankful the bus journey back up and the lil tour guide chat from the driver as I went in to explore areas he’d spoken about”

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

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

Sail past seals and Split Apple Rock, then walk from Anchorage Bay through Abel Tasman National Park to Marahau for $80.

“The boat was enjoyable and hosts and skipper were great. It was not overbooked so room to move around the boat easily. The walk back was easy and mostly shaded with access to beach stops. Would recommend”

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5.Marlborough: Full-Day Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 221 reviews · 1 day · from $41

Cycle Marlborough’s flat vineyard roads, visit up to 12 nearby wineries, and enjoy a flexible self-guided wine day with hotel transfers.

“Roo was a fantastic driver/bicycle set up & tour/map guide! Even though it was cold and rainy, we had a great time, got some exercise and drank good wine. 🍷 Cheers!!”

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6.Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 206 reviews · from $43

Cycle Marlborough’s flat vineyard roads at your own pace with bike hire, hotel pickup, wine map, bottle collection, and winery choice.

“Andy presented us with a map and gave a quick guide on the local area vineyards. Unfortunately it was very busy as a cruise ship was in and we hadn’t booked any wine tours or lunch in advance. Managed to get lunch as we booked straight away: a lot of people were happy to have platters though. We also did tasters on our own.”

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7.Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 178 reviews · from $35Best value

Explore Orakei Korako’s geysers, mud pools, silica terraces, and rare geothermal cave on a flexible self-guided walk near Taupo.

“Very different experience to thermal pool site previously visited. Less touristy a good alternative to the Rotarua site. Small cafe onsite but be warned no toilets on explore site. The crossover by boat provides a good view of the area. The site is Read more”

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8.Hawkes Bay Wineries Self-Guided Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 83 reviews · from $40

Ride flat Hawke’s Bay trails between top wineries, with bike, helmet, map, and summer wine pickup included for $40.34.

“Fabulous bike rental company in the middle of Hawke’s Bay wine region. Great bikes which were easy to ride on the flat bike paths. Fabulous scenery and close to lots of wineries.”

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9.Great Escape Self-Guided Scenic Cycle Winery Tour from Napier

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · from $49

Cycle 28km from Napier through wetlands, coast, river trails, and Hawke’s Bay wineries, with bikes, maps, backup, and a 4pm shuttle included.

“We loved the bike ride, it allowed us to travel at our own pace and stop where we wanted. Appreciated having 4 wineries to tour and if you set it up the bike Co. Will pick up your wine.”

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10.Cape Winery Cycle Tour – 6 wineries, self-guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · from $96

Cycle Hawke’s Bay’s wine country on a self-guided six-hour tour with bikes, scenic trails, four to seven winery options, and Napier transport.

“Great day out! Must do if you’re in the region & willing and able. E-bike option makes it easy! We bought wine and just put it in the little bags on the bike which were fine. Only thing to note is that some wineries were already in Winter mode in May (either shut or opening later) so keep that in mind!”

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