Disability tourism information New Zealand

For disability tourism information New Zealand, Ability Adventures has put together this useful list of links to New Zealand organisations and websites to help you access information and support during your travels or as a handy reference for New Zealanders with a disability.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.

MakingTrax Foundation Making Trax provide adaptive adventure experiences and fully guided tours, whilst developing inclusive adventure tourism operators. As experts in this field they are New Zealand’s number one when it comes to Inclusive adventure consulting and services. They aim to do whatever you need, give you advice, lead tours, develop an adaptive product for your business or simply give you advice to make someone else’s dreams come true.

Mobility parking permits online application for international visitors –travellers with an overseas issued mobility parking permit can apply to CCS Disability Action for a visitor permit to use during their stay. Visit this page and scroll down to the Visitor Permits section;
Mobility Parking Permits – CCS Disability Action
DoC accessible nature trails – New Zealand’s Department of Conservation has over 50 public tracks throughout New Zealand listed as wheelchair and buggy accessible. Choose the level of access and difficulty and search the easy access tracks category in their nationwide directory:
Dept of Conservation – easy access tracks
Family travel group including wheelchair traveller enjoying access walking track in New Zealand

Getting into the wilderness is an inclusive experience

Ability Adventures Accessible Travel partners

As accessible travel specialists, Ability Adventures is committed to delivering exceptional experiences for every traveler. We continually research and carefully select accommodation providers, transport companies, and tourism operators that meet our high standards for quality and inclusivity. Our dedication ensures our clients enjoy great service and seamless travel experiences, no matter their needs

 

Useful disability information sites include:

General information on travel to and within New Zealand

Worldwide tourism for the disabled

What our guests are saying

'A gift I though was near impossible'

"Something I thought would never happen actually happened by finding you, thank you all for such amazing memories. Definitely epic!"

- Sandie DM, Feb 2025 (23 day Guided Tour)

Incredibly Thoughtful and Detailed!

"We had so much fun seeing the beautiful sights of New Zealand. Sandie and Ability Adventures were also amazingly adaptable."

- Bethany Russell, Jan 2025 (17 day Guided Tour)

I'm very glad I found you!!
I am very glad I found you, 😊, it has made these Group arrangements much less stressful having the expert at the other end

Claire, Tour Wholesaler, Australia/New Zealand, March 2023 (private self-drive group tour)

The planning, accommodation, and itinerary were superb!!
Thank you so so much for a really wonderful trip.  The planning, accommodation, and itinerary were superb.  I really appreciate the work you put into making everything work for me, and will definitely recommend you to others.  Take care and heartfelt thanks

Bernadine, New Zealand, October 2022 (private guided tour)

Our guys had such a wonderful holiday!!
I absolutely loved looking through the photos!  Thank you for being so easy to contact and supporting our guys to have such a wonderful holiday.  You can see the joy in these photos!  I would definitely recommend Ability Adventures to anyone looking for this kind of service.

Service Manager, Idea Services New Zealand, September 2022 (private guided group tour)

Thanks for going the extra mile!!
Thanks for going the extra mile at every stage!  You delivered great support from beginning to end, and I would highly recommend Ability Adventures, unreservedly.

Niz - New Zealand, November 2021 (private self-guided tour)

We had an awesome time!!
Thank you so much.  We had an awesome time and appreciate your fab organizational skills.

Sue - New Zealand, March 2021 (private guided tour)

Wonderful Self-drive Tour 
We have just come back from a 21 day self-drive tour around New Zealand perfectly organized by Ability Adventures. We got married two months ago and being two wheelchair users we chose this tour operator to organize our honeymoon. We wanted to visit the country by ourselves and Marina organized for us a wonderful self-drive tour caring about every aspect: from renting a car with hand controls to booking wheelchair accessible accommodation and activities. All was fantastic

Alessandra - Italy, Dec 2019 (private self-drive tour)

Exceptional experience 
Thank you for an amazing journey through New Zealand. You have outdone our expectations and we have enjoyed an exceptional experience.

Debra Kerper - Easy Access Travel, USA, 2019 (group tour)

We had the most amazing time
"Your input has enabled us to have the most wonderful holiday. You certainly live up to your name of "Ability Adventures". Many, MANY thanks!"

M & M Gates, UK, February 2018 (tailored, accessible self-drive tour)

Five stars - Ability Adventures provided us with the holiday of a lifetime.
"Our 2.5 week tour surpassed our expectations and took our family on adventures we never thought were possible or achievable. We would recommend Ability Adventures to anyone wanting a fully inclusive holiday experience."

Silberstein Family, Sydney, Australia, Dec/Jan 2018 (guided, accessible, multi day tour)

Truly remarkable holiday

It has been so delightful to experience the beauty of New Zealand with you. You made this a truly remarkable holiday for us. Thank you for all your hard work, attention to detail and careful driving 🙂

Scott, Mel and Eric - USA, February 2024 (private guided tour)

Ability Adventures Enabled New Zealand Holidays