Explore North Island Trips
New Zealand Adventure Collections
See more of New Zealand by experiencing both the North Island and South Island.
Experience the Best of New Zealand with our Back-to-Back Offer
For 30 years we've been sharing our homeland, New Zealand, with travelers from around the world!
Explore the very best of both the North Island and South Island with our Back-to-Back Offer. Book any two New Zealand trips and save 10% on one trip, plus enjoy a free connecting flight between adventures. Terms and conditions apply.
From your first question to your final trail, our friendly team is here to help, making planning, logistics, and travel between the North and South Islands easy.
The Ultimate Back-to-Back Trip Collection
The Complete Exploration of New Zealand: Go back-to-back on the Ultimate South Island Adventure and the Ultimate North Island Adventure.
Combining volcanic landscapes, golden beaches, Great Walks, glaciers, fiords, and unforgettable cultural experiences.
Popular 14-day New Zealand Trip Collections
New Zealand's Natural Wonders Journey: Go back-to-back with the Classic South Island and North Island Volcanic Adventures
Experience the incredible forces that shaped New Zealand, from active volcanic landscapes to towering mountains and deep fiords.
North to South New Zealand Journey: Go Back-to-back on the Northland and Classic South Island Adventures.
From ancient kauri forests and island-studded bays to alpine passes, Milford Sound, and the Southern Alps, this journey showcases New Zealand's remarkable diversity.
Recommended 20+ Day New Zealand Trip Collections
New Zealand Fire & Ice Collection: Go Back-to-Back on the Ultimate South Island and the North Island Volcanic Adventures.
Combine geothermal wonderlands, glowworm caves, and volcanic peaks with glaciers, alpine trails, and Milford Sound.
New Zealand's Coastlines, Peaks & Fjords: Go Back-to-back and combine the Northland and the Ultimate South Island Adventures.
Discover two of New Zealand's most treasured regions, where subtropical coastlines meet soaring alpine landscapes.
The Complete New Zealand Walking Journey: Go Back-to-back and combine the NZ Walking and Ultimate North Island Adventures.
Experience New Zealand at a rewarding pace, from golden North Island beaches and volcanic trails to the South Island's most beautiful walks.
The Local Experts
New Zealand Guided Tours with the Original "Kiwi" Adventurers
Active Adventures began right here in New Zealand almost 30 years ago, with a handful of local hikers and a deep love for wild places.
Those roots still shape every trip we lead. Our New Zealand guided tours are led by Kiwi (New Zealand) guides who know the trails, the weather, the stories, and the quiet corners locals love most.
You’ll explore the big-name highlights and the hidden gems, from North Island volcanic landscapes and ancient forests to South Island glaciers, fjords, alpine valleys, and Great Walks.
This is our home. We’d love to show it to you.
FAQs About Visiting New Zealand
Our preferred Travel Partner Fuzion Travel can assist with you with flights and other travel arrangements. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they’ll put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star service you’ll want to tell your friends about!
Most international flights arrive and depart from Auckland, in the North Island. Our North Island trip starts and ends in Auckland, though for our South Island trips, you'll also need flights between Auckland and Christchurch or Queenstown. This is usually easy to arrange when you reserve your international flights, and it's worth checking for internet specials online.
It is your responsibility to stay up to date on the latest visa and entry requirements for your destination. Depending on your country of origin and the type of passport you hold, you may require a visa or other endorsement to enter New Zealand.
You can find essential travel advice, including passport and visa information, security details and local regulations, on the government website of your home country.
Here are some helpful links:
- United States of America: US Department of State Travel Advice
- Canada: Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisories
- United Kingdom: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice
- Australia: Government of Australia Smart Traveller
- Residents of other countries should refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.
For the most up-to-date recommendations please check with your doctor or travel clinic, and always go with their recommendations, as these can often change. We strongly recommend you see a doctor, preferably one with experience in travel medicine, at least 8 weeks before your trip starts to discuss appropriate vaccinations.
Accommodation
We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, out of the way, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of our country. The bed & breakfasts, farm stays, lodges, motels, and the occasional mountain hut we stay at have been carefully chosen because of their location and local flavor. Many of our clients have said that one of the highlights of their trip was meeting and getting to know the Kiwis who are our hosts when we travel around New Zealand. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep, and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.
On the trips that include multi-day hiking options, you’ll stay in cozy back-country huts (only for the nights of the multi-day option). This is a true kiwi wilderness experience, at the end of the day you’ll kick your feet up and share stories with your fellow travelers as the guides stoke the fire and prepare a three-course candle lit meal, all before a well-earned kip on a comfortable bed.
You won't have to camp on our scheduled trips, although we'll provide the gear if you'd like to sleep under the stars on the backpacking option in Nelson Lakes National Park or would like to include camping on a custom trip.
Transport
New Zealand is a small country - about 1000 miles from top to bottom, and only about 150 miles wide - but it's not THAT small! We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimize your time for outdoors-oriented adventure. The average driving time over the period of our Ultimate South Island trip is just over two hours a day, and we try to spend us much time as possible in the outdoors. Even so, we prefer you to be comfortable when we do have to drive. We use modern, comfortable minibuses for smaller groups, and purpose-built coaches for larger groups. For instance, we often use one of our spacious, quiet and comfortable 20-seater coaches, even though we generally only take 10-14 people per trip! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Our vehicles are fitted with good stereo systems, and we love to play New Zealand music.
Meals
Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Active Adventures New Zealand. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - sometimes we dine out, and sometimes we dine in. Breakfasts when we are starting early generally consist of cereal, yoghurt, fruit, toast, coffee and tea. When we have more time, we whip up pancakes and full cooked breakfasts. Lunches are usually picnic style with sandwiches, salad and fruit, or maybe a barbeque in some beautiful spot. Dinners are usually two or three-course meals, covering a range of styles. We easily cater to vegetarians and people with particular dietary needs.
We have several second guides whose primary responsibility, when they are not guiding, is cooking up great meals. Their cooking skills will astound you, as you enjoy a traditional Kiwi roast dinner at the shearer's quarters, or freshly seared salmon at Mount Cook, or one of a score of awesome meals on the road! When we go out to eat, we pick a nice restaurant and enjoy a night out. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!
Guides
We have two incredible guides per trip, one whom will be your driver and the other specializes as your chef! Our guests are often drawn to New Zealand by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, but what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with the locals you'll meet, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.
Find the New Zealand Collection That's Right for You
Whether you prefer relaxed walks with more time to soak up the scenery, rewarding days on the trail, or a multisport adventure that adds biking, kayaking, and other active experiences to the mix, you can combine our New Zealand trips to create a journey that matches your pace and interests. Pairing two adventures together enables you to experience more of New Zealand's incredible diversity, from ancient kauri forests and geothermal wonderlands to alpine peaks, glaciers, and fiords. Whatever your ideal balance of activity and exploration, there's a New Zealand journey designed just for you. Check out our Back-to-Back Bundle for the full sweep of New Zealand.
Not sure where to start? We’ll help you find the trip that feels right.
Getting to New Zealand
New Zealand might feel like a world away, but it’s closer than you think — just a 12-hour direct flight from the Pacific Coast of North America. Major airlines, including Air New Zealand (our national carrier), offer non-stop flights to Auckland on the North Island and Christchurch on the South Island from cities like New York, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Vancouver.
Need a hand with your travel plans? Like to arrange a tropical stopover? Our trusted partners at Fuzion Travel are here to help make getting to and from New Zealand hassle-free and easy.
When's the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?
New Zealand is beautiful through much of the year.
Summer, from December to February, brings long days and warmer weather. Spring, from September to November, means fresh green valleys, waterfalls, and snow on the peaks. Fall, from March to May, often brings crisp mornings, golden light, and quieter trails. The majestic Southern Alps and the volcanic peaks of the North lsland look magical over the winter months of June to August.
The best time to visit New Zealand? It comes down to the moments you’re chasing. Long golden evenings, crisp alpine mornings, quiet trails, or a little bit of everything. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll be here to show you the way.
What's the difference between the North Island and South Island of New Zealand?
The North Island brings volcanic trails, geothermal valleys, Māori culture, ancient forests, warm coastlines, and emerald lakes.
The South Island brings mountains, glaciers, fjords, braided rivers, and many of New Zealand’s most iconic hiking trails.
Choose the North Island for culture, warmth, and volcanic landscapes. Choose the South Island for big alpine drama and classic New Zealand hiking tours.
Plan Your New Zealand Adventure
Dreaming of a New Zealand adventure vacation? Start with our free brochure.
Inside, you’ll find routes, maps, activities, trip styles, and ideas to help you choose the right adventure. From Great Walks to hidden coastlines, it’s a simple way to picture your journey before you go.
Travel in Complete Comfort
Getting from one breathtaking destination to the next in New Zealand means road travel is essential. That’s why having comfortable, reliable transport plays a big role in making your adventure vacation enjoyable.
We own and operate our very own fleet of medium-sized coaches — perfectly suited for New Zealand’s unique roads. They’re ideal for accessing the country’s iconic highlights and venturing off the beaten track to the lesser-known places most travelers miss.
So sit back, relax, and let us take the wheel. Your New Zealand adventure is calling — and we’ll make sure you travel in comfort and style.
New Zealand Adventure Tours & 'Great Walks' Experiences
Our New Zealand adventure tours include some of the country’s most loved trails, along with quieter places you may never find on your own.
You might hike through the Southern Alps on a Great Walk, cross swing bridges above clear rivers, kayak Ōkārito Lagoon, cruise Milford Sound, or walk golden coastal tracks in Northland.
These moments are the heart of the trip. The pause at the lookout. The laugh on the climb. The silence when the view says everything.
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Highlights from our New Zealand Adventure Tours
