Click Here to order our latest brochures Active holidays in New Zealand - walking, cycling, kayaking, sailing or cruising WALKING HOLIDAYS IN NEW ZEALAND New Zealand offers some of the world's most wonderful and dramatic walking holidays.  Despite the harsh winter seasons in the Southern Alps, we can arrange walks all year round to suit every fitness level and to suit every budget.  Outdoor Travel's Managing Director, Martyn has been there many times and has over 25 years of experience with walking holidays in New Zealand.  Our staff will gladly help you choose the right holiday on both the North and the South Islands. Guided walks in New Zealand can range from 1-day excursions from Queenstown, Taupo or Picton to 3 to 21-day walks in the more remote National Park and wilderness areas - all offer lodge or hotel accommodation, expert guides and a support team. A New Zealand walking holiday is something you really must do. As a 'freedom walker' backpacking your way to Department of Conservation (DOC) huts such as on the Milford Track or Routeburn or on one of the many lodge-based guided walks, there are many hundreds of kilometres of well-maintained wilderness trails for you to choose. Our most popular walk - the Milford Track - is regarded by many as the most challenging and most rewarding, but perhaps one of the most difficult.  On the Guided Walk you are expected to carry a medium sized pack with your personal possessions for 15 - 20 kilometres (6 - 8 hours) per day.  Departures are daily in season (usually from November to April) but demand is high - so early reservations are essential. We offer guided or freedom (self-guided) walks on the Milford Sound Track: CLICK-HERE For 2017-18 Milford Sound Track GUIDED Walk Dates & Prices Information CLICK-HERE For the Milford Track, Grand Traverse, Routeburn GUIDED Walk BROCHURE CLICK-HERE For Milford Track, Routeburn or Kepler Track 2017-18 FREEDOM Walk details Back to the Top of the Page Abel Tasman Wilderness Walk Our favourite walk in New Zealand - operates ALL YEAR ROUND. The Abel Tasman National Park is in the sunniest region of New Zealand's South Island. This world famous coastal track opens up the park's intimate pristine estuaries, golden sand beaches and forested headlands with easy walking - ideal for novice or experienced walkers (or even non-walkers) or those with families. We recommend the 3 and 5-day guided walks or walking plus sea kayaking combinations which allow groups of walkers and families to experience the history, wildlife and natural beauty of this wilderness park. The walk combines quality beach front lodges all with en-suite accommodation, bus and launch transport from Nelson into the National Park, guided walking or sea-kayaking and of course relaxation. CLICK-HERE For the Abel Tasman - 5-day multi-activity cycle walk kayak holiday 2016-17 or CLICK-HERE For the Abel Tasman GUIDED walk or sea-kayaking holiday 2017-18 or CLICK-HERE  For a wonderful news story on the Abel Tasman National Park. Back to the Top of the Page Hollyford Track Walk - Fiordland Located in the spectacular Fiordland National Park, the dramatic Hollyford Track guided wilderness experience is one of New Zealand’s great walks. Explore undisturbed and inspiring scenery that has remained largely untouched for thousands of years, from the snow capped mountains of the majestic Southern Alps, ancient native rainforest, pristine rivers and lakes to the remote sand dunes, reef and surf of the rugged West Coast. Your expert guide will bring to life the diversity of landscapes, vegetation and wildlife within this beautiful valley, as well as the captivating stories of the original Maori and early pioneers. The experiences are just as diverse and include hiking through 'World Heritage Area' wilderness, native wildlife encounters, wilderness jet-boating, exploring historical sites, and a scenic flight to Milford Sound. On this 3 day / 2 night all inclusive experience you'll enjoy cuisine prepared and served by our friendly lodge hosts while relaxing in our well-appointed and comfortable private lodges. A maximum number of 16 people in your group provides for a personal experience, and with your guide sharing their intimate knowledge of the area with you, it’s a wonderful way to explore the very essence of New Zealand’s wilderness. PLUS the added advantage of a scenic helicopter flight over Milford Sound at the end of the walk included in the program CLICK-HERE  For the Hollyford Track GUIDED Walk Dates & Prices Information 2017-18 Back to the Top of the Page OTHER NEW ZEALAND WALKS FROM OUTDOOR TRAVEL Outdoor Travel has a wide range of Guided & Self-Guided tours on both the North and South Islands. Follow these links to explore the many options that are available:  NZ - Akaroa - Explore the Banks Peninsula GUIDED walk 2016-17 NZ - Queen Charlotte GUIDED walk 2016-17 NZ - Queen Charlotte SELF-GUIDED walk 2016-17 NEW Back to the Top of the Page CYCLING IN NEW ZEALAND SMALL GROUP CYCLING HOLIDAYS Outdoor Travel offers a wide range of small group cycling (road touring) holidays mostly staying in good quality accommodation with expert guides & facilities. The North Island tours offer a great diversity of scenic beauty and interest, ranging from wonderful coastal biking on the Coromandel to the volcanic plateau, forests and lakes on the 15-day North Island highlights tour. The South Island offers some of the best cycling in the world, with quiet sealed roads, spectacular alpine scenery, rain forest, glaciers, fiords and wild deserted beaches – a must do destination. What’s Included in your tour - Three good meals most days, all accommodation to a very good standard, transport by mini-bus, a tee-shirt or road jersey and commemorative certificate, detailed daily maps with ride profiles, experienced guides and support staff. Quality bike hire is available if required with well-serviced road touring, hybrid or tandem bikes available. Is this the holiday for you? - If you have an active lifestyle and enjoy the outdoors, then these holidays are for you. Our support vehicles enable everyone to be uplifted at any stage. The trailers take everyone's bicycles, luggage and spares. Each trip meets in a city from where we drive to a quiet country road to commence biking. Everyone cycles as much as they wish each day with the option of the comfort of the back-up vehicle at any time. We recommend a minimum age of 14 when accompanied by parents, 18 when unaccompanied. There is no maximum age. Where do we stay? - small country inns, lodges and hotels chosen for their character, location and comfort. They range in New Zealand for example from Mt. Ruapehu's Grand Chateau, to the isolated comfort of Lake Moeraki Lodge. Many tours include a farm stay - a highlight in itself - where you will meet the people who are the backbone of the country. Our tour accommodation is based on twin share or double rooms. Single accommodation is available on payment of a supplement. We cannot guarantee a single room on all trips each night unless you book early. If you wish to share a room and we are unable to place you in share twin accommodation there will be no additional charge for a single room. On some occasions in remote areas it may be necessary for two rooms to share a bathroom. What’s the food like? - Excellent meals are a feature of our trips. Cyclists' hearty appetites are well catered for. Three meals a day are provided most days with some lunches and evenings free. Breakfast is a choice of cooked or continental. Lunch is often a picnic provided by your guide at a scenic location. Evening meals are at good restaurants and inns offering a wide selection of local cuisine. Vegetarians are readily catered for. DOWNLOAD NZ, AUSTRALIA, VIETNAM, INDIA, CZECH REPUBLIC GUIDED TOUR BROCHURE Or call Outdoor Travel Pty Ltd on 1800 331 582 and speak to our Travel Consultants Back to the Top of the Page OTAGO RAIL TRAIL Cycling along rail trails is great fun and has become very popular. The most popular in New Zealand is the self-guided ride over five days along the former Otago Central Branch railway line from Clyde to Middlemarch on the South Island. For a truly authentic experience this tour also includes a train ride along the only section of the original track still in use, the Taieri Gorge Railway tourist train ride to Dunedin. The railway once provided a vital link between Dunedin, at that time New Zealand's largest city, and the major goldfields of Central Otago. The line was closed after 83-years and the Department of Conservation acquired the disused railway in 1993 and spent six years preparing and upgrading the route for use as a walking and cycling trail. The riding is generally easy to moderate with the trail surface similar to a good unpaved road with some rougher loose blue-stones in places. Highlights of the Rail Trail include the tunnels at Price's Creek and Poolburn Gorge, viaducts and wooden trestle bridges – and of course, the absence of motor traffic. The popularity of the Otago Rail Trail has breathed new life into many of the small towns of the Maniatoto and Central Otago and you will be able admire the Art-Deco buildings of towns such as Ranfurly, while enjoying meals at classic country pubs. CLICK-HERE  For Otago Rail Trail SELF-GUIDED Dates and Prices for 2016-17 Back to the Top of the Page EXPLORE THE WINERIES OF MARLBOROUGH & KAIKOURA WHALES - BY BICYCLE! The Marlborough region of New Zealand, without doubt produces some of the finest white wines in the world. The area around Blenheim - easily accessed from Wellington, Nelson or Christchurch - which boasts an array of fine restaurants, arts and crafts is just a short distance from the sea giving it a mild, pleasant, year-round climate. We are delighted to offer a 3 or 4 day stopover program based in quality hotels and upmarket vineyard B&B accommodation. Explore the region by car or for something totally unique explore the back-roads by well-maintained mountain bicycles.  Everything including inn-to-inn luggage transfer and selected meals are pre-arranged in the European tradition. CLICK-HERE For Marlborough Sounds & Kaikoura Whales SELF-GUIDED cycling 2016-17 Back to the Top of the Page SEA KAYAKING The Abel Tasman National Park, located in a gloriously sunny corner of New Zealand, comprises a diverse landscape from native Beech & Podocarp rainforests, ancient fern-filled grottos & mountain streams cascading into clear pools; to impressive granite headlands fringing legendary golden beaches & crystal clear waters. This extraordinary Park provides habitats for a plethora of New Zealand wildlife including forest & sea birds, dolphins & a breeding seal colony on Tonga Island. With a year round mild climate, enjoy sea kayaking the coast. Paddle in a pristine clear water estuary. Come home to one of our private beachfront lodges for a gourmet meal, fine wine and good company. Stay out late, gazing at the stars, then retire to your own room, let the waves soothe you to sleep at the end of a day that can be as relaxing or adventurous as you like. Guided Sea Kayaking or Walking: Highlights include a visit to the seal colony at Tonga Island where you can be entertained by the seal pups. Paddle around stunning rocky cliffs & discover secluded beaches only accessible by water. Our sea kayaking trips are not suitable for children under 12 years. NZ - Abel Tasman GUIDED Sea Kayaking or walking tours 2017-18 Back to the Top of the Page NEW ZEALAND - LUXURY ADVENTURE CRUISES & CHARTERS 6-day / 5-night cruises of Marlborough Sounds, Bay of Islands, White Island & Hauraki Gulf Here is an opportunity to explore New Zealand in the same way as you can on the small luxury cruise boats and barges of France. The ‘Island Passage’ is a beautifully appointed small ship with a stunning interior. Built and equipped to travel to inaccessible areas she offers the highest level of passenger comfort with 10-spacious en-suite cabins, a large dining room/ saloon lounge, a library and generous outdoor living spaces. The Island Passage carries a landing craft, three large tenders, sea kayaks, a five-seat helicopter, fishing and snorkel equipment and for those looking for less strenuous activities lazing in a deckchair is always an acceptable option. During each journey, our eight-person crew is on hand to share their knowledge of the ocean and local landscapes. For those interested in fishing several levels are available during the cruises to suit the novice to the more experienced angler. In the galley, our chef works with the freshest local ingredients and delicacies to create memorable meals that reflect the day’s adventures.         For more information click-on to the following links: CLICK-HERE NZ - Island Adventure Cruises 2016-17 CLICK-HERE For destination details, departure dates and Prices 2016/17 CLICK-HERE to Download a brochure CLICK-HERE to order a brochure CLICK-HERE to email OUTDOOR TRAVEL directly Do you want travel insurance that covers active holidays in New Zealand - call us today on (03) 57 551 743 for a competitive, comprehensive quote FLYING TO NZ HAS NEVER BEEN CHEAPER - CLICK AND ASK FOR AIRFARES NOW Contact OUTDOOR TRAVEL on 1800 331 582 for a brochure or to make a reservation Back to the Top of the Page