Partners - Ability Adventures

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.

Makingtrax Foundation is the Benchmark of Inclusive Tourism Aotearoa New Zealand – After a life changing canyoning accident in the Swiss Alps, Jezza looked into the adaptive adventure industry. Blown away at the lack of opportunities and infrastructure, Makingtrax was born. Makingtrax

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 chooses carefully on behalf of our clients to find accommodation providers, transport companies and tourism operators that offer great service for all travellers. Here is a list of our preferred accessible travel partners:

Other useful disability information sites include:

General information on travel to and within New Zealand

Worldwide tourism for the disabled

What our guests are saying

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)

Dream Holiday
"With my wife and I being dependent on electric wheelchairs for mobility we thought a dream holiday to NZ's South Island was impossible, or completely inaccessible for our family. We then enlisted Marina's support and she made it all happen - an amazing action-packed holiday for my family. From the moment we arrived at the airport we were in Marina's safe hands and we were able to completely relax without having to worry about a thing."

Kevin, Australia, Sept 2018 (private guided tour)

Thank you so much for a fabulous, fun, physical and exciting week.
"It exceeded our expectations. The organisation has been brilliant."

Sue Thoms, NZ, February 2018 (tailored tandem cycling adventure)

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)

Amazing time
"We can't thank you enough for the amazing time."

USA guests, Nov 2017 (guided, accessible, multi-day tour)

Highly recommend to anyone needing assistance. Making the impossible possible!
"We had an amazing experience with Marina and would highly recommend her to anyone needing assistance. Her background as an occupational therapist and her love of the outdoors are a winning combination!!!"

Barbara Starr, USA April 2017 (guided, accessible, multi-day tour)

Just great!
"Good choice of venues visited, great access and very interesting. Tour manager, Marina, was excellent as was tour guide Gary. Very friendly and helpful. We had a wonderful day."

Ros Wallace, Assist Travel, Nov 2016 (cruise ship excursion)

Thanks for your professionalism
"I really enjoyed working with you. Thank you for your professionalism and all your help."

Carol, Travel Agent, Germany, Nov 2016 (Self-drive tour)

Exceeded expectations
"I can't thank you enough for the tour you planned and executed for me. The trip exceeded my expectations."

Joy, South Australia, Jan 2016 (guided multi-day tour)

Thank you
"My clients where very happy with the journey! Thank you very much! "

Patricia, Travel Agent from Switzerland, Dec 2015 (self-drive tour)

Recommend Ability Adventures
"Kay loved her time in Queenstown and would recommend Ability Adventures to her friends"

Kay - Auckland, 2014 (Self-drive 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)