15 National Park Trips in New Zealand Worth Booking

1.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,621 reviews · 7 hours · from $208Our pick

You’ll cruise Lake Manapouri, cross Wilmot Pass by coach, then spend three hours aboard the Patea Explorer in Doubtful Sound. English-speaking guides explain Fiordland’s plants, wildlife, and weather. Bring rain gear, since wet weather often creates the best waterfalls. Guides such as Tony, Corina, and Ian have earned praise for clear, good-humored commentary.

“Great day on the water. We were lucky and the water was super calm. It is very remote. We only saw 2 other boats while we were out on our 2.5 hr cruise. I will say when you get off the first ferry to take the bus over the pass the sand flys are crazy. You need layer and spray. On the boats luckily while you are moving it’s fine. Personally I liked the Milford sound cruise better. I felt like on the first half the boat moves so fast you couldn’t really take anything in until you turned around and came back, which is fine. If you are looking…”

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2.Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 678 reviews · from $127Top rated

Set out from Te Anau with Fiordland Jet for a two-hour jet boat trip on the Upper Waiau River. Your skipper, such as Alex, Jade, John, or Harry, combines fast turns and 360-degree spins with local stories, Lord of the Rings locations, trout spotting, a quiet stretch on Lake Manapouri, and a short native forest walk.

“Alex was awesome. Such a good time and informative. We really enjoyed the trip and it was well worth it :)”

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3.Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · from $190

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then ride a jet boat 45 kilometers along the glacier-fed Dart River. Guides such as Jordan, Pedro, Dean, and John combine fast turns with stories about Māori heritage, native plants, wildlife, and changing river channels. The four-hour outing suits families, with lifejackets, spray jackets, and selected Queenstown transfers provided.

“What a wild ride! Lots of fun, surrounded by gorgeous scenery. I am not an adrenaline junkie, so wasn’t too sure about booking this one — but it turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip to New Zealand. Highly recommend!”

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4.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 490 reviews · from $216

Travel from Manapouri across Lake Manapouri, over Wilmot Pass by coach, then cruise remote Doubtful Sound with live nature commentary. Look for fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. The day lasts about seven hours, with food and drinks available to buy and return transport included.

“It was really special! It was raining and a bit foggy in the beginning which was cool. We sat both seals and a bunch of crested penguins. After that, the rain stopped and the sun popped out. We really got to see it all.”

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5.Waitakere Ranges Wilderness Experience Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 340 reviews · 5 hours · from $119

Join Bush and Beach for a five-hour small-group trip from central Auckland to the Waitakere Ranges and Piha Beach. Guides such as Murray, Annie, Chris, Erin, and Warren share stories about Māori culture, kauri trees, birds, and local history. Expect scenic lookouts, an easy rainforest walk, black sand, and tea with biscuits and Manuka honey.

“Murray and Chris were great, would recommend this tour!! great time and learned a lot.”

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6.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 314 reviews · 13 hours · from $277

Spend a full day reaching remote Doubtful Sound by coach, boat, coach, and boat. Your English-speaking guides share local stories as you cross Lake Manapouri, pass through rainforest on Wilmot Pass, and cruise the fiord for three hours. Bring lunch or buy food onboard, and pack for cool, wet weather.

“Absolutely breathtaking views and 100% must do worth it experience! You cannot leave the South Island without experiencing Doubtful Sounds. The whole trip was well organized and all the guides were awesome! Super friendly and helpful. Absolutely amazing experience!”

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7.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 286 reviews · from $231

From Te Anau, you’ll ride a coach, cross Lake Manapouri, travel over Wilmot Pass, and cruise Doubtful Sound aboard a catamaran. RealNZ guides provide live commentary, with chances to see bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, penguins, waterfalls, and misty peaks. The full day costs $231.47 and operates in all weather.

“Fantastic tour of Doubtful Sound! Incredible experience. Definitely get on the outside deck if you can!”

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8.Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · from $215

Travel from Wanaka into the Matukituki Valley by shuttle and jet boat, with spins, mountain views, and stops in deep pools. A 50-minute guided walk leads through beech forest to waterfalls and glacier-fed streams. Guides such as Ben and James share local knowledge. The easy-to-moderate outing lasts about four hours.

“We have had a number of excellent, exciting experiences on this trip to NZ... but far and away, this was the best so far. Fun, beautiful, fabulous boat driver, knowledgeable and concerned with everyone's comfort and safety. If you do only one excursion ... make it this one.”

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9.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 242 reviews · from $287

Travel from Queenstown by coach, ferry across Lake Manapouri, and coach over Wilmot Pass to remote Doubtful Sound. Cruise for about three hours with live commentary and chances to spot fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. Guides such as Blake, Chao, Craig, and Pete have earned praise for local stories and humor.

“Just as advertised,,,a very full day that was well managed and kept on schedule with so many changes in transportation. I might emphasize there won't be any stops in the first two hours and the food options quite limited. It's mentioned but bRead more”

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

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

Sail from Kaiteriteri along Abel Tasman’s golden coast, passing Split Apple Rock and New Zealand fur seals, then leave the catamaran at Anchorage Bay for a self-guided walk to Marahau. Skippers such as Inky, Claudia, Frank, and Nick have led outings with friendly, well-informed commentary. Bring lunch, water, layers, and sturdy walking shoes.

“Great day in Abel Tasman National Park. Fantastic ‘guides’ Nick and Claudia, very personable and knowledgable, and a great laid back atmosphere on board. I highly recommend this trip.”

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11.Stewart Island: Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 2h 30m · from $86

Cruise Paterson Inlet from Stewart Island, then spend about 90 minutes walking Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary with a specialist guide. Look for weka, robins, saddlebacks, yellowheads, seals, penguins, and sea birds while learning about native plants, Māori history, and European settlement. Guides such as Karen, Jan, and Natasha are known for sharp bird-call skills and lively explanations.

“This was a really interesting and informative tour and was lucky enough to see Stewart Island robins, Kaka,Weka,Kerry and Bellaire on Ulva Island. Grace was a grest guide and we would highly recommend this tour to potential visitors to Stewart Island”

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12.Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Walk & Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 100 reviews · 6 hours · from $122

Take a water taxi from Kaiteriteri to Anchorage Bay, walk the Pitt Head loop and Te Pukatea Bay, then join an afternoon yacht sail back along the coast. English-speaking crew such as Inky, Claudia, Nick, Frank, and Angela have led trips, with chances to swim, spot fur seals, and even help sail the boat.

“We loved the hike from Anchorage Bay and the scenery getting there was amazing. Nick was one of the skips he was neat. He and his off sider (?) Claudia (Canadian girl) just made the trip. Would I do it again... definately.”

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13.Full-Day Sailing Adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · from $167

Spend about seven hours sailing from Kaiteriteri through Abel Tasman National Park. You’ll pass Split Apple Rock, spot fur seals at Adele Island, stop at Anchorage Bay for lunch and a forest walk, and may swim along the way. Small groups and guides such as Marco, Stef, and Claudia add a personal touch.

“Great crew, memorable sights and stops and you get to swim. We’ve taken a few of these one day trips on catamarans and this one was memorable.”

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14.30-Minute Fiordland National Park Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 30 min · from $230

Join Southern Lakes Helicopters for a 30-minute flight above Fiordland’s Kepler Mountains. You’ll see the Kepler Track, hidden lakes, Te Anau’s rural basin, and the Main Divide, with a mountain landing beside a beautiful tarn. The pilot provides English commentary, and the small group is limited to six people.

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15.Tasman Glacier & National Park Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 20 reviews · 40 min · from $379

Take a 40-minute helicopter flight over Aoraki Mount Cook National Park with Southern Lakes Helicopters. You will follow the full length of the Tasman Glacier, pass hanging ice and mountain huts, and land on the glacier for photos and a moment of silence. English commentary, a safety briefing, and a professional pilot are included.

“It was too good, worth it totally! Special shout out to our captain Toby Morris - very humble and experienced navigator. Kudos”

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