The 10 Best Quad Bike & 4WD Tours in New Zealand

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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