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Beyond where most travel, with the people who know it best!

Small-group, all-inclusive journeys into remote parts of New Zealand – guided by locals who bring each place to life

From stockyards in the high country to remote coastal inlets and
island communities, Driftwood Eco Tours connects you to the
people and places that make New Zealand truly special.

Our tours

Each of our tours is carefully designed to take you deeper into a region – combining remarkable landscapes, local connections, and time to enjoy the experience.

What makes us different?

Why travel with Driftwood

Private tours, walking tours, escorted tours, tailored tours
Small groups, personally hosted

Travel with a small group and a dedicated guide who looks after everything, so you can simply enjoy the journey. The perfect size to be personal, while offering the satisfaction of shared experiences and connection.

Professional guides, photography tours, 4WD tours, bird watching tours,
Professional & friendly guides

We'll support the interests that brought you here, be it history, culture, geology, wildlife, photography, or just a love for exploration and fun. 

High Country Station Tours, Farm Tours, Off Road Adventures
Access you won’t find on your own

We take you beyond the usual routes – onto private stations, into remote locations, and to places that are difficult to reach independently.

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Meet the people who live and work in these places – hear their stories, share meals, and experience a side of New Zealand most visitors never see.

Community, conservation, sustainability, eco tour

Accommodation, meals, comfortable transport, and experiences are all taken care of – so you can relax knowing everything is organised.

How our tours work

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Small groups

Typically 6 - 8 guests (12 on Chathams)

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From start to finish

Short walks & activities

At a relaxed pace

Travel

By private comfy 4WD vehicle, boat and occasionally small aircraft

Our process
  1. Book tour

  2. Receive email within 5 minutes to confirm receipt of your booking

  3. Pay deposit within 5 days to confirm your booking

  4. Pay full amount 90 days prior to tour departure

  5. Receive tour documents 30 days prior to tour departure

"Driftwood Eco Tours provides the means to visit a really interesting and remote part of New Zealand, D'Urville Island, in a tour led by Rose and Will, both knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides. The tour was conducted in comfort with delicious food. Driftwood's local knowledge enabled access to meet several of the islanders and gain an insight into life on the island that no casual visitor could ever experience. It was an outstanding and memorable tour and I would recommend it to anyone of any age who is interested in visiting an exotic, historic and beautiful New Zealand island." 

- Roger Hanson

Good things take time

For more than 20 years, we’ve built genuine relationships with the people and communities we visit. The trust we've gained lets us take you to places that most people simply never see.

 

A journey with Driftwood gives you a unique opportunity to explore those special landscapes, with a small group of like-minded people, all while enjoying the warmth of rural kiwi hospitality. 

Whether you’re soaking in the beauty of a rugged coastline, having a yarn over a hot cuppa, or spotting wildlife in untouched habitats, the experience is meaningful, unhurried, and truly immersive.

Sharing your stories over a glass of wine and delicious local cuisine is the perfect way to end each day, building a genuine connection with your hosts and new friends.

Join us on an experience that is unique and authentic.
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Experience the places and people that make New Zealand truly special

Driftwood Eco Tours South Island nature, heritage & histroy tours

Our destinations

​A log of driftwood begins its journey in the mountains, carried by the wind, streams, and rivers to the sea.
Like driftwood, our tours take you on a journey through remote landscapes, from rugged high country to wild coastlines, exploring hidden places, meeting incredible people, and embracing the spirit of discovery.​​
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Get in touch

Connections are what make our journeys special.

 

If you've got any questions, or just want to talk to us, please pick up the phone, or drop us a line.

You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, to get the latest stories from New Zealand's rural heartland, offers and giveaways right to your inbox.

We look forward to connecting with you!

Julian and Maree

Co-owners of Driftwood Eco Tours

P: 021 399 137

E:  info@driftwoodecotours.co.nz

Driftwood Eco-Tours Commited to Sustainable Tourism
Driftwood Eco-Tours DOC Approved
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Finalists in the Cawthron Environment Awards 2017
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© Driftwood Eco Tours

​Sustainable Small Group Guided Eco Tours of the South Island

Connecting you to rural NZ

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