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GudiedbySam
Welcome to your ticket to a deeper more relaxed understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand. GuidedbySam is an audio tour of New Zealand that uses GPS. So you can travel at your own speed in your own vehicle. The GuidedBySam app will tell stories and provide insights into the environment around you from professional local tour guides. Avoid the crowds and take your time with the GuidedBySam app.
For when you want to be on a tour for the information, but you want to travel at your own tempo? Maybe you like to sleep in or like to start early. What if you want to photograph in the golden hour or change your itinerary with the weather…
Today, you travel your way
Welcome to GuidedBySam.
A tour that moves at your pace and your timing with information on geology, ecology, anthropology, ‘filmology’ and more.
Understand More
Don’t just stare out the window as you explore Aotearoa/New Zealand. Let us interpret the landscape as you drive. Learn about the geology, history, mythology, wildlife, plantlife, conservation and more. We use professional local guides who live and play in the areas we guide.
Travel At Your Tempo
The GuidedbySam app uses your GPS location to provide commentary as you drive the tour. Once you start the tour, there is no need to start, stop or pause the commentary. The commentary will kick in at the right time to highlight what you are seeing at the right time.
Listen Anywhere
The GuidedbySam app uses an offline mode meaning you don’t need wifi or data to learn more as you travel. Download, switch your phone to airplane mode and listen to the tour as you explore New Zealand/Aotearoa. Trips run in multiple directions and cover main routes.
How It Works
The GuidedbySam app is the new way to get the most from your self driven trip around Aotearoa New Zealand. Simply download the app, choose your tour, download and hit play. As you drive, the GPS triggered commentary will activate giving you insights into the environment around you. You can stop for photos at any time, break the journey up, even continue your tour on a later day. Choose where you start and stop, travel in whichever direction you prefer. All the advantages of being on a tour, all the advantages of self driving your holiday.
Some tours have a pre tour information audio file – both on our website as a sample file and in the app. These are designed to get the most out of your journey, providing information on potential stops and detours along the way so you can best plan your day to maximize your experience (especially where you have a boat to catch). We want you to reach your destination safely, without being in a hurry.
New Zealand’s premier round-trip and our most comprehensive tour. Understand the geology, see the forest and hear the birds. Find out why Milford/Piopiotahi is so special and why it has been described as the 8th wonder of the world. The Milford Road is busy, give yourself plenty of time to drive yourself and get ahead of the crowds for the best photos and walks! Learn More about The Milford Road Tour
Crown Range and Cardrona
Take the Crown Range road between two of New Zealand’s most scenic locations, Queenstown/Whakatipu and Wanaka/Oanaka. Glacially carved lakes surrounded by rugged mountains. Learn how a seemingly barren mountain valley is a hotspot for diversity such as the New Zealand Falcon/Karearea. In recent times the Cardrona Valley has become a hotspot of economic activity, unnoticed to the casual observer. Learn about the innovations that drive the popularity and growth of the Cardrona Valley. Learn More about the Queenstown to Wanaka Tour
It breaks our heart to see visitors to New Zealand drive past the intersection for state highway 80 to Aoraki/Mount Cook and not visit. This tour starts or finishes in Christchurch/Ōtautahi or Queenstown/Tāhuna. Even if you are not stopping in Mount Cook and are travelling between Christchurch and Queenstown this tour is great. Learn about the braided river systems unique to New Zealand and North America. Hear the story of Jock Mackenzie, a thief who’s name now brands the center of the South Island/Te Wai Pounamu. And of course be entranced by the majesty of Aoraki/Mount Cook
The West Coast/Te Tai Poutini of the South Island/Te Wai Pounamu of New Zealand is epic. But what are those mountains, don’t the trees look different to the rest of the island? Where are the glaciers and are they melting or growing… It is rugged, windy and incredibly photogenic. Get the most of your West Coast adventure with the GuidedbySam app. Learn More about this tour running from Wanaka/Oanaka to Westport.
SPECIAL: All New Zealand Tours for $10
Travelling throughout New Zealand? Buy the tour package to hear and experience New Zealand with a local guide, at your own pace. This includes all of our paid commentary routes and free routes. Avoid the coaches and crowds. Travel in your own car, learn more and see more, on your terms.
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