New Zealand · 4WD & QUAD BIKE TOURS

The 15 Best Quad Bike & 4WD Tours in New Zealand

23 tours  ·  from $80 a head

High-country stations open their tracks, and several of them doubled as film locations. These 15 are compared on route length, licence requirements and how much of it you actually drive.

Queenstown ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour - Practice first, then rocky tracks and hill climbs
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour

1.Queenstown ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 842 reviews · from $197Our pick

Ride a quad bike from Queenstown to a private 650-acre park with guides such as Stefan, Ollie, Scott, and Lloyd. After safety training, you tackle rocky trails and hill climbs with views toward the Shotover River, Coronet Peak, Central Otago, and the Southern Alps. Gear, wet-weather clothing, transfers, and photos are included.

“Happened to be a small group. The trials and riding were super fun. The views on the top were outstanding. Good equipment.”

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Queenstown: Quad Biking Experience - Training is a real part of the experience
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown: Quad Biking Experience

2.Quad Biking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 436 reviews · 3h 30m · from $200

Ride 400cc automatic 4WD quad bikes across exclusive Queenstown Hill tracks with guides such as Nico, Phoebe, Ben, and Jordan. You get full training, protective clothing, mountain viewpoints, and hot chocolate with biscuits or banana bread. The 210-minute trip suits confident beginners and experienced riders, but it is physical and requires clear English communication.

“Best ever quad biking experience! Great thrill going up and down the mountain and then through the forest. Brilliant way to see superb views. Guides were brilliant. Thorough safety training given. Fully recommended!”

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Queenstown: 4WD Lord Of the Rings Half-Day Tour - Queenstown Hill and the Wakatipu Basin
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Half-Day, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown: 4WD Lord Of the Rings Half-Day Tour

3.4WD Lord Of the Rings Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 368 reviews · 4 hours · from $178

Join a small group of up to six in a Land Rover or Land Cruiser for four hours of LOTR filming sites, local stories, river crossings, gold panning, and Skippers Canyon views. Guides such as Tom, Jenny, Roger, and Adam add film-set details, geography, and history. Tea and refreshments are included, but lunch is not.

“Phoebe was a great guide and an excellent driver. The experience was great, and she was great at keeping everyone making everyone feel comfortable during the journey in between the various stops on the tour that you wish the jovial conversation wasn't taking a break until the next drive. Highly recommend the activity”

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Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour from Queenstown (half day) - Crossing the Arrow River toward the Ford of Bruinen
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour from Queenstown (half day)

4.Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour from Queenstown (half day)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 297 reviews · from $190

Ride a small 4WD from Queenstown to Lord of the Rings filming areas around Lake Wakatipu, Kawarau Gorge, the Arrow River, and Skippers Canyon. You’ll cross river tracks, try gold panning, and hear film and local stories from guides such as Nick, Ruth, Fiona, and Erin. The tour lasts about four hours and carries no more than six people.

“This was a really great little tour! Felt like we got to see unique things and driving through the river was fun.”

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Off Road Quad Bike Adventure Tour in Franz Josef - The briefing and practice ride
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Franz Josef

Off Road Quad Bike Adventure Tour in Franz Josef

5.Off Road Quad Bike Adventure Tour in Franz Josef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 285 reviews · from $105

Spend about two hours riding a quad bike, buggy, or double quad through rainforest, shallow rivers, and an old glacier riverbed near Franz Josef. Guides such as Jason, Brooklyn, Benji, and Justin teach beginners, split riders by ability, share Māori legends, and may capture free photos for you.

“It was a great afternoon. While with the money. Recommended for anyone. It's was a funny afternoon. Would do it again”

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Queenstown Hill Quad Bike Tour - Pickup from central Queenstown and the trip to the base
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown Hill Quad Bike Tour

6.Queenstown Hill Quad Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 235 reviews · from $216

Join Nomad Safaris for a small-group quad bike ride on private Queenstown Hill trails. You’ll use a fully automatic 400cc 4WD ATV, complete hands-on safety training, and ride terrain matched to your ability. Guides such as Phoebe, Jordan, Benjamin, and Nico are praised for clear coaching. Expect mountain views, photo stops, refreshments, and all-weather gear.

“Pickup went smooth and on time, the guys were veery nice and friendly, gave clear instructions on what to do and not to do on the quad bikes, then took the group up the hills to see some incredible views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Totally worth it, would do it again, no questions asked!”

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Cardrona Valley Mountain Quad Experience from Wanaka - Riding between Mount Cardrona and the Pisa Range
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

Cardrona Valley Mountain Quad Experience from Wanaka

7.Cardrona Valley Mountain Quad Experience from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 233 reviews · from $222

You’ll learn to handle a 450cc quad after a safety briefing, then follow a guide through Cardrona Valley’s dirt tracks and alpine farmland. Guides such as Phoebe, Summer, Kelly, and Hannah are praised for making first-time riders feel at ease. Expect mountain views, historic gold mining sites, and a bumpy two-hour ride.

“My 17 year old son and I had an amazing experience! Kelly was so nice and very knowledgeable about the area. An unforgettable adventure!”

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Skippers Canyon 4WD Heritage half day Tour from Queenstown - Starting in Queenstown and climbing toward the canyon
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Skippers Canyon 4WD Heritage half day Tour from Queenstown

8.Skippers Canyon 4WD Heritage half day Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 204 reviews · from $190

Join Nomad Safaris for a four-hour small-group 4WD trip from Queenstown into Skippers Canyon. Your guide handles the narrow road while you take in Wakatipu Basin views, visit the old Skippers township, cross the suspension bridge, enjoy tea and snacks, and pan for gold at Deep Creek. Guides such as Jenny, Peter, and Giv are praised for their driving and local stories.

“We had a great time views were sensational our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable stopped at all the best photo opportunities”

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Queenstown Guided Self-Drive Buggy Tour - From central Queenstown to the practice area
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown Guided Self-Drive Buggy Tour

9.Queenstown Guided Self-Drive Buggy Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 181 reviews

You’ll drive a late-model 4x4 buggy from central Queenstown into rugged backcountry tracks, following guides such as Stefan, Bas, Ollie, Diego, or Lloyd. Allow 90 minutes, including training and about 60 minutes of off-road driving. Expect dust, mud, mountain views, safety gear, and a $3,000 credit-card insurance excess bond.

“Super fun buggy or quad bike riding. The tour guides are also super fun and prepare to get dusty! We recommend going to balls and bangels across the road after for food.”

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Akaroa: 4WD Safari and Guided Sea-Kayaking Experience - Preparing for the double kayaks
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Canoes & Kayaks in Akaroa, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours in Akaroa

Akaroa: 4WD Safari and Guided Sea-Kayaking Experience

10.4WD Safari and Guided Sea-Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 120 reviews · 4h 30m · from $80Best value

Ride a 4WD minivan over Akaroa’s volcanic crater rim to Flea Bay, then paddle double kayaks along Pōhatu Marine Reserve. Guides such as Ben, Kevin, and Vila share local wildlife and conservation stories while you look for penguins, fur seals, dolphins, seabirds, reefs, and sea caves. No kayaking experience is needed, but conditions decide how far you go.

“It was beautiful to be on the water in the kayaks that were easy to paddle. The scenery and wildlife spectacular. The guides were fun friendly and informative in all aspects of the trip.”

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Nelson: Guided Quad Biking Tour Through Forest and Farmland - Choosing between the 1.5-hour ride and the 2.5-hour circuit
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Nelson

Nelson: Guided Quad Biking Tour Through Forest and Farmland

11.Guided Quad Biking Tour Through Forest and Farmland

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 106 reviews · 90 - 150 minutes · from $80

At Cable Bay Adventure Park, you’ll learn to handle a quad bike before riding through forest, farmland, river flats, and up Skywire Hill. Choose a 1.5-hour Farm Forest Ride or a 2.5-hour Bayview Circuit to reach coastal lookouts over Cable Bay. Guides such as Harry, Georgia, and Fletcher add local stories and patient instruction.

“The guide was awesome, Georgia, patient at the beginning, easily explained the bikes. We totally had our money’s worth, great tour with a great guide.”

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Scenic 4WD Tour Lake Tekapo Backcountry - Meeting sheep, horses, and the people of the stations
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Lake Tekapo

Scenic 4WD Tour Lake Tekapo Backcountry

12.Scenic 4WD Tour Lake Tekapo Backcountry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · from $228

Meet your guide in Lake Tekapo for a three-hour off-road ride in a Land Rover Defender. You’ll cross private Mackenzie Basin stations, see Lake Pukaki and Aoraki Mount Cook views, meet farm animals, and enjoy tea, coffee, and snacks. Groups are limited to six, with guides such as Chris and Ben leading the way.

“It was very nice. Attached photos will speak better. Ben was nice. Only one request, more getting down from vehicles for photos opp will be more satisfying.”

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Quad Bike - Bayview Circuit - Through native forest and farm tracks
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Nelson

Quad Bike – Bayview Circuit

13.Quad Bike – Bayview Circuit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $117

Drive a quad bike through native forest, farm tracks, and hill country near Nelson on the 14-kilometer Bayview Circuit. Guides such as Fletcher, Connor, Thayla, and Luke provide safety coaching and local commentary. You’ll stop at a Cable Bay lookout for views, tea, coffee, and cookies. Solo driving is for ages 16 and up.

“Absolutely must do, was a great fun time for all. Guide was awesome both for his knowledge and the relaxed, friendly way he treated everyone, we had a couple of never riders and he got them comfortable in no time”

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Amuri Jet Adventures - Hanmer Springs Quad Biking tour - Starting with helmets, instruction, and a test track
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Christchurch

Amuri Jet Adventures – Hanmer Springs Quad Biking tour

14.Amuri Jet Adventures – Hanmer Springs Quad Biking tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · from $104

Ride single or twin-seat quad bikes across a working farm near Hanmer Springs with guides such as Peter, Pete, or Darryl. After safety instruction and a test track, you’ll tackle mud, creek crossings, hills, and open farm trails, with views toward the river canyon and snow-capped mountains. Kids can ride as passengers.

“We had an amazing time in the 2 person buggy adventuring through the farm along the river. Peter was excellent and provided plenty of opportunities for muddy fun, creek crossings and steep descents.”

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Glenorchy: 4WD Lord Of the Rings Half-Day Tour - Paradise Valley and the Forest of Lothlorien
4WD & Quad Bike Tours, Half-Day, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Glenorchy: 4WD Lord Of the Rings Half-Day Tour

15.Glenorchy: 4WD Lord Of the Rings Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 41 reviews · 4h 15m · from $178

Ride from Queenstown to Glenorchy and Paradise Valley in a small-group 4WD, stopping at Lord of the Rings sites including Isengard, Lothlorien, and Ithilien Camp. Your English-speaking local guide shares film details, while replica props add fun to the photos. Expect spectacular scenery, a lot of driving, and a 255-minute outing.

“Tour guide was lovely. Just lots of driving with little unique info in LOTR stuff.”

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