Authentic Experiences connecting you with Rural New Zealand
From high country stations to the outer Marlborough Sounds and the Chatham Islands, Driftwood Eco-Tours specialises in small group multi-day tours into some of New Zealand’s most beautiful but remote places.
Based in Kaikōura, and New Zealand-owned, we have a deep knowledge and passion for the places we visit. For years, we have fostered close relationships with local landowners, who have become our friends and opened their gates for us, inviting you into slices of rural New Zealand few have the opportunity to see.
Our inclusive tours are suitable for anyone with a sense of adventure, a love of nature, and of learning about the world around us. In our comfortable vehicles, we will guide you into locations of rugged, untamed beauty and splendid isolation. There, you’ll meet the remarkable people who choose to work and raise their families in often challenging but always rewarding landscapes, and you’ll hear their stories.
And in the evenings, at our accommodation - some rustic, some like home - we share stories over a home-cooked dinner and strike up new and lasting friendships.
"There are no strangers on our tours, just friends you are yet to meet."
ISLAND TOURS
From the rugged coastlines and sweeping views of D’Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds, to a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the remote Chatham Islands, Driftwood Eco-Tours’ multi-day island experiences are full of history, stories and unforgettable landscapes.
HIGH COUNTRY
TOURS
Explore the vast, historic high country stations of Marlborough with our Molesworth vehicle tour, experience farm life on isolated Muzzle Station in Kaikōura, or witness the iconic, unique biennial wild horse sale at St James Station.
COASTAL TOURS
Visit the unique outer Marlborough Sounds farm of Port Ligar for a walking tour of the surrounding area, taking in the local history, stories, flora and wildlife.
Or join a A 4x4 trek over east coast farms and discover the Cape Campbell light house and other historic and geological landmarks of significance.
SPECIALIST TOURS
Join Rebecca Bowater, award-winning wildlife photographer and alpine flora enthusiast, on a one day tour into Black Birch mountain in Marlborough's Awatere Valley. Or on a multi day, one-of-a-kind photography and alpine flora tour on the peaks around Arthur’s Pass, Canterbury.
INTIMATE
GROUP SIZE
We like to think that traveling with Driftwood is like joining a family. Our tours are small enough to be personal but just large enough to offer the stimulation of shared experiences and knowledge.
Our team of Driftwood Eco-Tours guides will support you to follow the interests that brought you here, be it history, culture, geology, wildlife, photography, or just a love for exploration and fun.
Relationships we have built up with landowners will give you unique permission to access some of New Zealand's most intriguing places
GET OFF THE
BEATEN TRACK
In everything we do, we aim to travel safely, sustainably and responsibly – that’s why we support conservation and community projects in the places we visit, and adhere to our own carefully planned sustainability policies.
Where we journey...
Here's what people are saying...
"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