Plan the Adventure of a Lifetime…
With our unique small group journeys, you’ll be teamed with a group of travellers seeking the same unforgettable experiences as you.
Each of our itineraries combines must-see sights with off-the-beaten-track adventures and friendly, comfortable places to stay. All without the stress of navigating an unfamiliar country on your own.
Our experienced driver-guides add their own twist to every journey, too. From taking you to visit their favourite beach to tucking in at a chosen local cafe, or even just pausing to admire a particular view, they want to share their New Zealand with you.
Every one of our escorted trips is unique. By choosing Silver Fern, you can have the holiday of a lifetime without planning stress or travel issues getting in your way.
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Kauri
Auckland > Christchurch
23 Day North & South Island Tour
Our ultimate 23-day tour from the Bay of Islands to the Southern Alps in a comfortable vehicle driven by a superb guide.
Pohutukawa
Auckland > Christchurch
20 Day North & South Island Tour
This Small Group Journey takes you through some of our favourite places and spaces in the North and South Islands, discovering fantastic coastlines and immersing you in Maori Culture and history.
Kowhai
Auckland > Queenstown
19 Day North & South Island Tour
Explore the wide sandy beaches of the Coromandel coastline; dip your toes in the azure blue waters of Abel Tasman National Park after a guided hike through the sub-tropical bush and journey deep into Fiordland National park on the Milford Mariner Nature Cruise – one of our all-time ‘must do’ experiences on a trip to the South Island.
Rimu
Auckland > Queenstown
16 Day North & South Island Tour
Join us for this Small Group Journey to explore the highlights of the North and South Islands. Unleash your adventurous spirit in the adrenaline capital of Queenstown, and make the most of the abundance of walking opportunities the country has to offer as you travel through New Zealand’s fabulous landscapes.
Mount Cook Lily
Wellington > Queenstown
14 Day South Island Tour
This tour squeezes more jaw-dropping scenery into 14 days than any other! If you’re the thrill seeking type, South Island has an unparalleled variety of landscapes – from the majestic Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, to the stunning views over Dunedin harbour and beyond from the Otago Peninsula.
Koromiko
Auckland > Wellington
11 Day North Island Tour
This tour takes in the stunning sights of North Island on a journey past ancient Kauri Trees to the sparkling pacific waters of the Bay of Islands. Further south you’ll visit the Art Deco town of Napier and enjoy the wonderful wines of the Hawkes Bay region before arriving in Wellington, ‘The coolest little capital in the world’.
Why book with Silver Fern Holidays?
- Flights co-ordinated with your Tour Dates
- New Zealand small group tours devised by us, just for you
- No more than 16 like-minded people per group
- See, touch, taste the real New Zealand
- Must-see & off-the-beaten-track sights in one trip
- Great value with choice of included experiences
- Special places to stay from B&Bs to city hotels
- Great driver-guides & local experts
- Every departure date guaranteed to run
Call us on +44 (0) 1636 813 544
Flights Included
As an ATOL bonded tour operator, we can book flights on your behalf with any of the major airlines flying out of the UK – something many New Zealand tour operators don’t offer.
If you would like to book your flights through us, just let us know which route you would like to fly and in which class – Business, Premium Economy or Economy – and we’ll provide you with a quote.
In most cases, you will not have to pay for your flights until your balance is due for the whole holiday.
Stopovers in the Best Locations
For a more leisurely outward journey, we can add a stopover on your journey to New Zealand.
We recommend pausing in a key hub like Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles or San Francisco. We can book excellent hotels in these locations and recommend tried-and-tested sightseeing activities, too.
Pre-Tour and Post Tour Arrangements
We can arrange additional hotel nights, so you can take your time and stretch the holiday to suit your schedule without having to change hotels or rooms.
We can also arrange your transfer from the airport and take all the stress from your planning.
Auckland: M.Social £295 per room per night incl breakfast and Private Airport Transfer.
Wellington: Double Tree by Hilton £295 per room per night incl breakfast and Private Airport Transfer.
Similarly, at the end of your holiday, extra nights can be added to your tour itinerary. More extensive arrangements are also possible, just get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Queenstown: Scenic Suites Queenstown £295 per room per night incl breakfast and Private Airport Transfer
Christchurch: Distinction Hotel, Christchurch £295 per room per night incl breakfast and Private Airport Transfer
The Buck Stops With Us!
All our small group trips are operated by us through our Hamilton Office under our brand, Pure Discoveries.
No third parties are involved, which means if you have a problem, an issue to sort out or a question, we’re always on hand to find the answer.
Small Group Means Small Group
We keep our small groups small – the maximum size is sixteen, but in practice the average group is between eight and ten people.
Comfortable Travel Close Up
Our coaches are very comfortable and well maintained, with great legroom, headroom and panoramic windows so you can really take in the beauty of New Zealand.
We think New Zealand should be experienced up close, so we always encourage you to get out of your seat and into the landscape to explore at every opportunity – with a local guide on hand to tell you all about it, too!
Good Company
In a small group, it’s easy to find common ground with fellow travellers and enjoy a variety of dinner table conversations.
We dispense with “coach tour” admin, like asking you to wear a name badge, we think good manners and good humour are more important than strict timekeeping.
Discovering New Zealand in this way creates opportunities for serendipitous surprises – and a lot of fun.
Great Leaders, Expert Guides
New Zealanders are rightly proud of their country and aware that visitors have travelled a long way.
Kiwis are passionate about showing visitors the best of New Zealand. So not only are our hand-picked tour leaders safe drivers in all conditions, but they are also bright personalities, full of knowledge and enthusiasm, insights and practical advice.
At certain points on the tours, we meet up with local guides to add their expertise to enhance your experience. These include Kiwis who are wildlife, eco, geothermal or Māori specialists with whom you can engage on a personal level and really find out what New Zealand has to offer.
Ready to plan the trip of a lifetime?
Combine Independent Travel with a Small Group Tour
Want the freedom of an independent tailored holiday with the support of an escorted group holiday?
We can help you build your own unique trip that embraces the benefits of both types of holiday. Take a guided tour of the North Island by joining our Koromiko Tour, then head out on your own after we arrive in Wellington to see the sights that matter most to you. Or make your own way around the North Island before joining our Mount Cook Lily tour to see the South Island.
Whatever you want to see, however you want to see it, we can make it happen.
Your Choice
Our tours include a choice of experiences in four key locations: in the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Abel Tasman National Park, and Wanaka. For example, if you are a fan of all things Middle Earth, you can visit Hobbiton from Rotorua while your partner marvels at the geothermal sights of Waimangu Volcanic Valley– and these are included in the tour price.
In other locations, we give you free time to enjoy optional experiences at your own cost.
The choice is yours
Be Sure of a Warm Welcome
By booking our tours with fewer people, we’re able to choose from a wonderful mix of accommodation. Rather than being tied to big mass-market hotels, we can choose the best option in any location.
In a bustling city centre, this might mean a large hotel, but wherever possible, we opt for tried-and-tested, family-run properties. We’ll find you a place to rest with its own character, run by passionate people invested in making your stay the best it can be.
Guaranteed Departures
We guarantee departures on all our small group tour dates. You can trust your holiday will go ahead, whether we have half a dozen travellers or a full complement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Group Journeys
Touring Questions
- Your tour includes all your New Zealand land travel, plus the care and attention of your driver guide. If other transportation is mentioned in the itinerary (such as a ferry crossing or train journey) this is included in the price of your tour
- Breakfast is included every morning, as are any special meals mentioned in the daily itinerary.
- All activities and entrance fees for everything explicitly outlined in the itinerary are covered.
- International air fares are not included.
We understand that you want to take in as much as possible during your journey, so we make frequent stops when traveling between destinations. As a general guideline, we aim to stop at least every 2 hours for opportunities to take photos, use restrooms, and address urgent needs like grabbing a coffee. Our goal is to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience while exploring New Zealand’s stunning landscapes.
It does vary. We like to get you out of the coach as much as possible – so even on the longer drives there will be frequent stops. An average daily drive would be 4 hours. There are longer drives, closer to five hours from Napier to Wellington, from Fox Glacier to Wanaka and from Mount Cook to Christchurch.
During our tours, each hotel we stay in offers complimentary Wi-Fi, although in one hotel, Wi-Fi is not available in the bedrooms. In remote areas like the West Coast of the South Island, internet connections and download speeds may be intermittent. If you have any crucial online tasks to attend to during your stay, please inform your driver guide beforehand, and they will assist you in getting connected.
All our tours have breakfast included every morning. Please note if your tour includes an overnight stay in Whitianga, breakfast is included at a local café – not the accommodation property.
Additionally, special meals at specific locations are included throughout the tour, as clearly indicated on the daily itinerary. In instances where a meal is not included, your knowledgeable driver guide will be able to offer recommendations for the finest cafes or restaurants in the area.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in your tour meals; all drinks are at your own cost. The exception to this is the meal at Mission Estate, Napier which includes a glass of wine with your dinner.
If you are joining a tour that visits Marlborough, you will have a wine tasting included at one of the region’s premier wineries.
Many of our tours offer several Your Choice options; exciting choices included in your tour (NO extra cost) that you can choose between. Once you have a confirmed booking in place we will provide selection details for the Your Choice options available for your specific tour, you simply need to choose between the options! Please note that when taking part in one of our Your Choice activities, you will be joining a shared public tour that is operated by one of our trusted supplier partners.
Our tours cater to a range of activity levels to accommodate various preferences and fitness levels. Whether you’re seeking an adventure or more leisurely exploration, there are options available to suit your needs. Whenever possible we encourage guests to join activities at a level appropriate to their preference and abilities. Additionally, our knowledgeable driver guides are always on hand to offer recommendations and assistance, ensuring that everyone can fully enjoy their New Zealand experience.
To enable our guests to see as much of New Zealand as possible, we do have some early starts and busy days of travel.
Not necessarily. Some of our tours are modular and form part of an extended itinerary. This means guests may join or leave the tour at different points. While you’ll share parts of the journey with fellow travellers, their overall itinerary may begin earlier or continue beyond your travel dates. This flexible design allows for a more personalised travel experience with a wider range of tour durations for guests to choose from
We use small, agile motor coaches, granting us the flexibility to explore locations typically inaccessible to larger touring vehicles. Our purpose-built small coaches prioritise safety and comfort, boasting features such as reclining seats equipped with seat belts, adjustable footrests, USB charging ports, and movable armrests. With well-spaced seating arrangements, passengers enjoy ample legroom, while individual adjustable air-conditioning vents ensure personalised comfort throughout the journey.
Throughout your tour, our knowledgeable driver/host provides insightful local commentaries delivered clearly over the PA System, complemented by our proprietary GPS commentary system. As you traverse local highways and byways, our large tinted panoramic windows offer unparalleled viewing opportunities, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the scenic beauty of each destination.
Recognising the significance of a rejuvenating sleep following a day of exploring New Zealand, we have meticulously selected all our accommodations. We opt for four-star properties, ensuring access to expected amenities and private ensuite bathrooms. Please refer to the accommodation tab on your selected tour.
There are launderettes in nearly all the accommodations where you’ll stay. All you need is plenty of 20c coins!
Absolutely no problem. The key is to inform us in advance, and we can assist with virtually anything. If you have any inquiries, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Absolutely! We understand that everyone has unique preferences. Some may appreciate a little more solo time, while others enjoy the camaraderie of the group as much as possible. That’s why we incorporate free time into our trips, allowing you to tailor your experience according to your preferences as much as possible.
Most evenings are intentionally left free for this very reason. It’s common to see some people wander off on their own adventures while others gather for dinner or other activities together.
One of the major benefits of having a tour guide when travelling around New Zealand is the insider knowledge they’re able to share with you. At Silver Fern Holidays, we work closely with hand-picked tour guides to ensure you’re going to be travelling with passionate Kiwis who are excited to share their beautiful country with you.
They’re also experts so they will take you to underappreciated local spots as well as celebrated attractions, so you get a unique look at this amazing country.
Finally, guided tours take away all the admin of transport. Our guides are experienced drivers who are completely comfortable on the roads so you can just sit back, relax and soak up the scenery while they take you where you need to go.
What we have found during our years organising tours and tailor-made holidays in New Zealand, is that there’s no ‘better’ way to travel. It will just come down to how you enjoy travelling.
There are, however, a number of advantages to travelling in a group. It allows you to experience New Zealand with other like-minded travellers. We also purposefully keep our groups small so you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and have time on your own to enjoy the sights.
On the other hand, travelling alone can give you more freedom to curate your own holiday schedule. This means if you plan to visit somewhere like Hawkes Bay and decide you need longer to see it all, you can! If you feel that you’d prefer to travel alone, we can help you build your perfect itinerary filled with unforgettable New Zealand experiences.
A tour guide’s main job is to ensure that you have an incredible time exploring New Zealand. Of course, it takes a lot of work behind the scenes to make this happen.
Our driver guides will transport you in one of our 16-seater vehicles. Where possible, we take the roads less travelled so you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. They’ll also make sure you keep to your itinerary so you’re able to see everything you’re meant to, and maybe even some hidden gems along the way.
All of our drivers are hand-picked by us and love sharing their beautiful islands with travellers. As you travel, our drivers will be able to tell you local stories, show you their favourite places, and importantly, give you a true taste of Kiwi humour.
Yes! If you’re looking to make friends with other passionate travellers, tour groups are a great way to meet and explore with like-minded people.
That’s not to say you need to be a social butterfly to enjoy a group journey as all of our small group tours have a maximum of 16 travellers per group. This means you can still have an intimate travel experience with time to explore the sights by yourself.
A tour group ensures you have an itinerary planned by expert travel guides to get the most out of your time in New Zealand. All of our drivers have experience sharing their beautiful islands with travellers and can offer a unique, local perspective you can’t utilise when travelling solo.
To fully explore both islands, we recommend longer than 14 days. From the vibrant capital Wellington to the unforgettable nature and wildlife of Dunedin, New Zealand is filled with breathtaking sights and rich culture.
Getting even a glimpse of all it has to offer will take more than a fortnight. Our 23 day Kauri small group tour is perfect for taking you through the snow-capped alps, tropical rainforests and everything in between. A real exploration of New Zealand that showcases some of the country’s most beautiful parts.
If you’re tight on time (or budget) narrowing your visit to a single island is a better solution. The Koromiko 11 day tour focuses on the stunning sights of the North Island from the Bay of Islands down to Wellington, limiting your list of destinations but not your enjoyment.
Struggling to decide which approach is best for you? Get in touch with a member of our team and we’ll be happy to talk through your travel needs. Whichever group journey you choose, we’re sure you’ll fall in love.
Understanding our tour groups
We’ll email you an itinerary and any vouchers required approximately 30 days before your trip. You will also receive a physical copy of your travel documents once you meet your driver guide. If there’s anything extra or special you need at any time, just let us know and we’d be happy to help.
Our tours are designed to be enjoyable for individuals in good health with an average level of fitness. Some days involve a fair amount of walking and there are generally opportunities to do more if you want to. Often the level of activity is up to you with options to adjust your participation to suit your preferences, whether you prefer a more relaxed pace or are eager for more adventure.
Our tours in the past have attracted participants spanning from 35 to 85 years old, with the majority typically in their 60s. However, we prioritise attitude over age! We firmly believe that a positive mindset and an adventurous spirit are paramount on our journeys.
While we welcome individuals of all ages who share our outlook, we do not actively promote bookings from those under 30 years old. Additionally, we have an age policy where children under the age of 18 are not permitted to join our tours.
That’s the beauty of travelling with Pure Discoveries® – you are participating on a small group tour with like-minded individuals, so you are not on your own! Our tours consistently attract a mix of single travellers, couples, and friends, so travelling alone is perfectly comfortable. One of the highlights of our tours is the opportunity to meet fascinating individuals from different parts of the world. Take the leap and join us – it will likely become one of the most rewarding experiences you’ve ever had.
Small Group Tours by New Zealand Experts
Choosing a small group tour means you don’t have to worry about organising travel at all. With every one of our small group tours, we’ll arrange all of your transportation. We can even organise your initial flights to New Zealand! If you’d like to find out more about any of our tour packages, please do get in touch.