Quad Biking & Buggy Tours in Franz Josef
Highlights & inclusions
1. Select date
August 2026
2. Select participants
What you can expect
Join a quad bike tour with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours in the small, glacial village of Franz Josef for an action-packed adventure surrounded by rugged mountains, rainforest and rivers. This is the ultimate way to view Franz Josef's varying terrain, come rain or shine! All levels of experience are welcome, with no previous quad biking experience necessary. Your knowledgeable and professional guide will provide you with a full briefing on how to use the quads before your adventure begins, as well as kitting you out in your safety gear.
During the tour, you will enjoy incredible views as you drive your ATV Quad Bike along glacial pathways, carved into the landscape over thousands of years. Your quad biking tour guide will provide a fascinating commentary on the local Maori Legends and history of the Southern Alps and Franz Josef Glacier. Following the gnarly twists and turns of your route, the landscape will change from riverbeds to ancient forests, lush grasslands, sand and muddy pools. The ride will be exhilarating for both drivers and passengers (double quads available) with the thrill of fresh air blasting your face as you tackle the route!
Location
What you need to know
- Full training on how to use the quads
- Knowledgeable & professional guide
- 2 hour Quad biking or Buggy tour (including gear up & instructions)
- Panoramic views of the Franz Josef Glacier & surrounding snow capped peaks
- Protective helmet, boots, gloves & jacket
- Tours sessions may vary throughout the year. See booking calendar
- Allow 2.5 hours
- 8:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm & 5:30pm in summer (Nov-Mar)
- 10:30am & 1:30pm in winter (May-Sep)
- 10:00am, 1:00pm & 4:00pm in October only
- Departs from 30 Main Road, central Franz Josef
- Operates daily all year
- __Is it possible for two people to share one quad bike on the Franz Josef Quad Bike tour?__ Yes, it is possible to share a quad bike between two people on the Franz Josef Quad Bike tour, if you’re not confident riding alone. There are also 4WD buggies available on request to accommodate for one or two passengers, plus the driver. This allows you to enjoy the Franz Josef ATV experience together with a friend, partner or family member. __Can children do the Franz Josef Quad Bike tour?__ The minimum age for the Franz Josef ATV tour is 16 years old. __Is it possible to take a quad bike tour at 5 PM in Franz Josef during winter?__ During the colder winter months (May-Oct), the sun sets early in Franz Josef, which affects the operating hours for the quad bike tours. Typically, tours are only available at 10 AM and 2 PM during this time.
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Clothes that you don't mind getting wet
- Wear sturdy shoes & bring a warm top
- Don't forget your camera
- No drivers license or previous riding experience required
- Minimum age for drivers is 16yrs. Drivers with children passengers must be a minimum of 18yrs.
- Minimum age of passengers for buggies is 4yrs.
- Passengers on the quad bikes must be able to reach the passenger footrests
- Please note, passengers are not able to swap with the driver mid-tour
- Drivers must be a minimum of 16 years of age
- Drivers with minors as passengers must be a minimum of 18 years of age
- Passengers on the quad bikes must be tall enough to reach the passenger footrests. Minimum 145cm
- Passengers in the buggy's must be a minimum of 110cm
- Drivers and passengers cannot swap during the tour
Recent reviews
Great fun. Although was a large group so could only go as fast as the slowest person. And it was super dusty.
