Top South Island 4WD Tours

The Westland Tai Poutini National Park has been shaped by the flow and freezing of water over millennia. Experience the park’s ancient pathways up close with a quad bike ride over the lush landscape on this off-road adventure tour. Take in sights of the distant Southern Alps and Franz Josef Glacier as you ford shallow rivers and sped through dense rainforests.

Fans of the Lord of the Rings movies won’t want to miss this fun half-day tour to various filming locations in the Southern Alps. You’ll enjoy exclusive access to private Arcadia Station and will also visit the beautiful Mt. Aspiring National Park. Be amazed by the natural beauty while reliving your favorite movie scenes. Don an LOTR costume and sword too, if you like.

Get impressive views of Queenstown that you can’t access any other way when you drive a 2-seater 4x4 all-terrain vehicle off-road on a small-group guided tour. Instead of letting someone else take the lead, get behind the wheel yourself, without the risk of getting lost. A family 4-seater option is available for parents and kids aged 4 to 16. Helmets, gloves, and wet-weather gear are included for safety and comfort.

Set out on a thrilling ATV adventure, just five minutes from downtown Queenstown. Begin with a short training session before riding through a private 650-acre adventure park with a guide, navigating rugged trails and hill climbs that lead to panoramic views over the Shotover River, Coronet Peak, Central Otago, and the Southern Alps. Tours are tailored to the group’s skill level, with small group sizes ensuring personalized guidance. All your gear is included for ease, and finish your experience with complimentary photos.

Explore New Zealand’s rugged countryside by ATV and enjoy plenty of off-road adventure on this fun 2-hour tour in Hanmer Springs. Choose a morning or afternoon tour to suit your needs. Then, open the throttle and zoom along winding dirt tracks with a guide. Spin along riverbanks and over creek crossings, and follow farmland trails into the wilderness.

The TranzAlpine train is often referred to as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, and this tour will allow you to experience it. Enjoy the convenience of a day trip where all transport is taken care of— round-trip transfers in a luxury minivan, and a TranzAlpine train ticket are included. See Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, Lake Pearson, and get the chance to walk in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

Enjoy an off-road adventure in the wild of New Zealand while visiting filming locations from the Lord of the Rings trilogy on this half-day excursion from Queenstown. Take in beautiful scenery while you see visit key spots used as the Misty Mountains, Minas Tirith, and the Pillars of the Kings, and stop to pan for gold on the Arrow River.

This ATV adventure is an exciting way to tour the bush-clad terrain near Nelson. After a thorough briefing on how to use the bikes safely, travel along 8.5 miles (14 kilometers) of tracks. You’re treated to beautiful views across Cable Bay, and make plenty of stops so your guide can tell you all about the area. This is a fun outing for families and friends traveling together.

See the Franz Josef Glacier from the air on a helicopter flight above ice falls, snowfields, and crevasses. Touch down on a snowfield to see the icy landscape up close, and take in sweeping views across the maritime glacier. This helicopter tour departs from a helipad in Franz Josef township.

Thrill seekers will enjoy this fun adventure activity combo that includes jet boating and off-roading near Queenstown. Be amazed by the speeds you’ll get to in the four-seater Jet Sprint boats, which can accelerate to 62 miles (100 kilometers) per hour in just 2.5 seconds. Follow this with a ride on land in a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can venture over the most rugged terrain. The activity starts at 2696 Gibbston Highway, Gibbston.

See the glowworm caves of Te Anau on an underground adventure sure to charm visitors of all ages. An informative guide joins you on the tour, which starts with a cruise across Lake Te Anau. Then marvel at the shimmering illumination of thousands of glowworms as you glide through the quiet darkness of this magical underground world.

Let a guide navigate the Skippers Canyon on this 4WD tour and avoid the risk of self-driving this treacherous but rewarding road, round-trip from Queenstown. The route affords dramatic views over the Wakatipu Basin and Shotover River Valley. Cross Skippers Bridge into the namesake township and stop at Deep Creek to try your hand at gold panning. The half-day trip includes light refreshments and hotel pickup.

Visit Edoras of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fame on this full-day excursion by 4WD vehicle to the peak of New Zealand’s Mt Sunday. Get a look at exclusive photos of Edoras under construction and learn from a knowledgeable LOTR guide about its transformation from tranquil countryside to mythical capital city of the Rohan people. Pose with replica props from the popular trilogy, such as Aragorn’s sword, Gimli’s axe and the flag of Rohan. Includes round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch plus a picnic lunch with sparkling wine.

Tour the western end of Queen Charlotte Sound on a half-day paddling adventure from Picton. Settle into your sea kayak and follow an expert guide from the waterfront to sheltered coves and remote beaches. Search the waters for eagle rays, cormorants, little blue penguins, New Zealand fur seals, and dolphins while you learn about the natural history of the Marlborough Sounds.

Skippers Canyon is a dramatic slice of Otago high country, with steep cliffs and incredible views. Instead of joining a group of strangers, experience the canyon the way you want on this private tour in a luxury 4WD. Drive down the precarious Skippers Canyon Road and take your time exploring scenic highlights like Hell’s and Heaven’s Gates, Lighthouse Rock, and the Shotover River. Learn about the canyon’s rich gold rush history from your certified driver/guide.

We are local Dunedin Tour operators with 10 years of business experience focus on the customized Private Tours around Dunedin area and beyond. We offer and provide you the most flexible and personalized Dunedin and Otago Peninsula wild life Tours. We have been providing personalised private tours since 2015, backed by years of experience and now proudly partnering with Viator to serve global travellers recently. We know Dunedin like the back of our hands and we will allow you to enjoy every hidden spots in Dunedin and freedom to move at your own pace. We are friendly ,knowledgeable, reliable and happy to meet new customers from around the world.

If you’re looking for the best Off-Roader experience in New Zealand, this is it. Take a ride in Oxbow’s Ultimate Off-Roader, our one-of-a-kind, custom-built, all-terrain vehicle that goes everywhere. The Ultimate Off-Roader is a 4-Seater, 4WD, 4-wheel steer vehicle with an extremely low centre of gravity, allowing them to practically go anywhere! After custom-designed compact sporting field set against one of New Zealand’s most magnificent backdrops. Equipped with eight automatic clay target throwers to suit all abilities; it also includes the run-away rabbit across the ground (don’t worry, it’s not the real thing!)

Two off-road experiences in one session. Start with 30 minutes on a self-drive quad bike on a private 35-acre training ground - no licence or prior experience needed, and your guide adjusts the ride to your level. Then swap to the passenger seat in a 1000cc Honda buggy for 30 minutes through the 650-acre Adventure Park, climbing to elevated viewpoints with panoramic views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. - Self-drive quad biking on a private 35-acre training ground - no licence needed - 30-minute guided buggy ride through the 650-acre Adventure Park to panoramic viewpoints - Beginner-friendly - no licence or experience needed, expert guide throughout - Two different off-road machines in one session - Return transfers from central Queenstown and all gear included

Enjoy your perfect day exploring the history and heritage of Dunedin City and the landscape of the Otago Peninsula. Your local guide will ensure you leave Dunedin having had a wonderful day in New Zealand's southern City - Dunedin.

Visit "The Lord of the Rings" filming locations in and around Glenorchy, traveling by 4WD from Queenstown with a guide. This half-day tour includes stunning landscapes chosen by director Peter Jackson. See where famous scenes were filmed, the landscapes representing the Fortress of Isengard, Lothlórien, Ithilien Camp, and Forest of Amon Hen.

Highlights - Experience two of the South Island’s most iconic regions in one unforgettable private day - Wanaka charm in the morning and Scenic Glenorchy lakes and valleys in the afternoon - Discover hidden gems, short walks, peaceful lakesides, and breathtaking lookouts - Balance adventure and relaxation with cafés, hikes, photo stops, or local attractions - Fully customisable itinerary with your own local guide and private vehicle

Skip the rush of buses and shuttles and enjoy a fully private, scenic transfer from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo, designed to turn your travel day into part of the adventure. With alpine lakes, heritage towns, and flexible photo stops along the way, you’ll experience the South Island at a relaxed, personal pace — not just pass through it. - Private one-way journey with no strangers or shared transport - Scenic stops at Lake Pukaki, Lindis Pass, and Cromwell’s historic precinct - Flexible timing for photos, short walks, and comfort breaks - Travel in modern, clean, and comfortable vehicles - Friendly local driver-guides sharing stories and regional insights - A stress-free alternative to long direct transfers or taxis - Door-to-door drop-off in Lake Tekapo Beautiful landscapes, fresh alpine air, and total comfort — this is the most enjoyable way to travel between Queenstown and Lake Tekapo.

Enjoy a 2-hour stargazing experience with an experienced guide. We keep the tour to a maximum of 10pax adults for best experience. Learn about the night sky, see constellations, and use a 16" telescope to see planets and stars. Snack on a platter of nibbles and sip on a hot drink while you stargaze. Get picked up from your accommodation in Lake Tekapo and be driven to a private stargazing site out in the farm with zero light pollution. Sit back in a comfortable moon chair and wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Use a modern 16” telescope to see the night sky for deep sky objects. Take a photo of you and your friends & family under the stars! *Please note: we can only cater snack platters provided we are given 48 hours notice before the tour. We can cater non-allergen, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free and gluten-free platters. **Pickups are only offered to accommodation locations within Lake Tekapo township