Backpacking through New Zealand is an epic adventure—but sometimes, planning every bus, bed, and hike can be a bit much. That’s where backpacking tours come in. Whether you want to meet other travellers, cover heaps of ground, or just let someone else handle the logistics, joining a tour is a handy way to explore Aotearoa.
Picking the perfect backpacking tour isn’t about rankings—it’s about your travel style. Do you want the freedom of a hop-on hop-off bus, or the connection of a guided small-group adventure? Whether you’re after total flexibility, a party vibe, or a route packed with bucket-list stops, these are the best backpacking tours in New Zealand right now. 🔥
Stray Travel
You can think of Stray Travel as Kiwi Experience’s slightly more off-the-beaten-path cousin. Stray is known for taking backpackers to places most buses skip—think remote beaches, national parks, and small towns where you’ll meet real locals. Stray’s network covers both the North and South Islands, with tours ranging from 9-23 days.
You’ll live your best life on their Select Tours which are designed for comfort. Whereas their Adventure Tours are activity-packed and include budget-friendly accommodation. They still hit the big-name destinations. You’ll visit iconic spots like Rotorua and Queenstown, but also hidden gems like Blue Duck Station (Whakahoro), and the wild West Coast of the South Island. They offer a good mix of classic highlights and authentic Kiwi experiences.
Stray offers both flexible passes and guided small-medium group tours. The guided tours include accommodation, some meals, and a set itinerary—perfect if you want everything sorted. The hop-on-hop-off option gives you more freedom to explore at your own pace.
Their vibe is friendly and adventurous, and the guides are passionate about showing you the real New Zealand. If you want to go deeper than the usual tourist trail, Stray is a solid choice.
🌄 Pro tip: Stray Travel is ideal for travellers who want a more immersive, all-inclusive experience, which includes off-grid travel and hidden gems.
Contiki
Contiki is a global legend in the youth travel world, and their New Zealand tours are no exception. Designed for 18–35-year-olds, Contiki offers fully guided group trips that combine adventure, culture, and a whole lot of social fun and nightlife. If you’re looking to travel with a crew, have everything sorted for you, and party along the way—Contiki is your vibe.
Their New Zealand itineraries range from short North Island trips to full-on 10+ day adventures covering both islands. You’ll hit all the major highlights—Rotorua, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Lake Taupō—and enjoy curated experiences like Māori cultural nights, scenic cruises, and adrenaline activities. Accommodation, transport, and most meals are included, so you can focus on having fun.
Contiki tours are fast-paced and packed with activities, making them ideal for backpackers who want to see and do as much as possible in a short time. The guides are energetic, knowledgeable, and great at bringing people together. Expect late nights, early mornings, and lifelong friendships. Contiki are a top choice if you love travelling in a lively group with lots of social fun and nights out.
🎉 Pro tip: Contiki’s “Sun & Steam” tour hits some major North Island highlights in just 6 days. It’s perfect if you want to explore the geothermal wonders and beaches in one go.
Kiwi Experience
These guys are the OG of New Zealand backpacking tours. If you’ve seen bright green buses cruising around the hot spots packed with happy travellers, that’s Kiwi Experience. Known for their fun, flexible, and social vibe, they’ve been helping backpackers explore New Zealand for over two decades.
Their hop-on hop-off model means you can choose your route, travel at your own pace, and stay longer in places you love. Whether you’re doing the “The Whole Kit & Caboodle” (23+ days) or just hitting the highlights, Kiwi Experience makes it easy to meet people and see all the popular spots. Plus, they offer plenty of optional stops and activities along the way.
They also have a range of all-inclusive, fixed-length tours for travellers who prefer a structured itinerary with zero planning. These include hostel accommodation, transport, and some meals. The drivers double as guides, sharing local stories, and helping you book activities like bungy jumping, skydiving, and dolphin cruises. Kiwi Experience are ideal for solo travellers, first-timers, and anyone who wants a social vibe.
🚌 Pro tip: Check out “The G.O.A.T.” It’s the Godfather of Kiwi Experience tours. You’ll discover all the greatest hits in both islands across 24 days. Hand-picked stays and activities are included, plus breakfast each day.
Haka Tours
Haka Tours is a proudly Kiwi-owned company offering small-group adventures with a strong focus on culture, nature, and authentic experiences. Their tours are ideal for backpackers who want to see more than just the popular spots, with itineraries that include Māori cultural experiences, epic hikes, and off-the-grid locations.
Groups are capped at around 16 people, which means you get a more personal experience and plenty of time to connect with your expert guide and fellow travellers. Haka Tours covers both islands, with options ranging from 5-day regional highlights to 24-day full-country explorations. Accommodation is included (usually in boutique hostels or lodges), and you can choose activities like skydiving, glacier hikes, and surf lessons.
One of the standout features of Haka Tours is their flexibility. You can customise your trip with add-ons, and they cater to all fitness levels. They also offer a special range of tours designed for backpackers aged 35 and over. They’re a great choice for solo travellers, couples, or anyone who wants a meaningful, well-organised adventure. The vibe is less party and more outdoors.
🥾 Pro tip: Their “New Zealand Amplified” tour is a 19 day classic dive into many of Aotearoa’s best spots—ideal if you’ve got the time and want to see it all.
Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Cheeky Kiwi Travel is a rising star in the New Zealand travel tour scene. They specialise in small-group day trips and short multi-day tours that are flexible, and packed with local flavour. Their guides are known for being friendly, funny, and full of insider knowledge—and, well, just a little bit cheeky!
Unlike some of the bigger tour companies, Cheeky Kiwi keeps things intimate. Groups are capped at 16 people max, and the vibe is relaxed and personal. You’ll travel in comfortable vans, stay in backpacker-friendly accommodation, and explore places like Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Rotorua, and Hobbiton.
They offer a mix of guided sightseeing and free time, so you’re not stuck on a rigid schedule. This makes them ideal for travellers who want a balance of structure and spontaneity. While their tours are designed for all ages, Cheeky Kiwi is a good option for backpackers 35 and over.
🚐 Pro tip: Their small-group size means they can go places the big bus tours can’t!
RealNZ
RealNZ is one of the most established tour operators in New Zealand, offering everything from scenic cruises to multi-day wilderness adventures. While they’re not a backpacker-exclusive company, many of their experiences are perfect for budget travellers who want to explore New Zealand’s natural beauty in depth.
These guys are best known for their cruises in Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, but they also run guided hikes, wildlife tours, kayaking adventures, and ferry services to places like Stewart Island and Walter Peak. Their tours are well-organised, environmentally conscious, and often include commentary from passionate local guides.
If you’re looking for a tour that’s solely focused on nature, wildlife, and epic scenery, RealNZ is your ticket to experience New Zealand’s most remote and beautiful places. You can book day trips or combine multiple experiences into a longer itinerary.
⛰️ Pro tip: The “Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise” is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—their tours are ideal if you want to explore New Zealand’s wild side.
Compare New Zealand backpacking tours 🧐
| Tour | Best for | Flexibility | Group size | Style of travel | Stays included | Notable highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stray Travel | Off-the-beaten-path explorers (18-40) | Medium–High | Small–Medium (max 24) | Hop-on/hop-off & guided | Optional | Lake Aniwhenua, Blue Duck Station, Tongariro |
| Contiki | Young travellers (18–35), party vibe | Low | Medium–Large (24-53) | Fully guided group tours | Yes | Mitai Māori Village, Kaituna Cascades, Glacier Heli-Hike |
| Kiwi Experience | Social travellers (18-35), first-timers, party vibe | High | Small-Large (max 22-53) | Hop-on/hop-off & guided | Optional | Waitomo Caves, Shotover Canyon Swing, Whale Watching |
| Haka Tours | Small-group tours, cultural experiences, solo travellers (25-40+) | Medium | Small (max 16) | Fully guided group tours | Yes | Hobbiton, Seal Colony, Greenstone Carving |
| Cheeky Kiwi Travel | Travellers of all ages (ideal for 35+), nature lovers | Medium | Small (max 16) | Fully guided group tours | Varies | Catlins Coast, Stewart Island, Milford Sound |
| RealNZ | Pure nature, wildlife, Fiordland National Park | Low | Varies | Scenic tours | Optional | Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound, Stewart Island |
⭐ Looking for travel inspo? Check out our Kiwi-made insider guides to the 25 best things to do in NZ: North Island highlights and 25 best things to do in NZ: South Island highlights.
Choosing the right backpacking tour in New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the best countries in the world to backpack—and joining a tour is one of the best ways to experience it. Whether you want the flexibility of hop-on hop-off travel, the structure of a guided itinerary, or the intimacy of small-group adventures, one of these tour operators will fit your style.
From the legendary party buses of Kiwi Experience and Contiki to off the grid explorers like Stray Travel, each tour offers a unique way to explore Aotearoa. You’ll make travelmates, see jaw-dropping landscapes, and create some really epic memories doing it all.
So whether you’re here for two weeks or two months, consider jumping on a backpacking tour. It’s one of the easiest, most fun, and most rewarding ways to see the best of New Zealand.
🧭 Pro tip: Book early during peak season (December–March) and check for combo deals on activities and accommodation.
👉🏼 For more ways to see New Zealand check out our Beginner’s guide to backpacking New Zealand, or visit our FAQ.
