Awards

Supreme Tourism Award Winner (2024)

Tourism Industry Aotearoa - Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award

RealNZ provides authentic nature experiences in the South Island and has been awarded this year’s highest accolade, the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award. This operator provides authentic nature experiences in the South Island.

RealNZ’s purpose is to “help the world fall in love with conservation through extraordinary experiences in nature” with offerings including water adventures, dining, eco-experiences and skiing.

Tourism Environment Award (2024)

Tourism Industry Aotearoa - KiwiRail Tourism Environment Award

RealNZ leads efforts like ‘Predator Free Maunga’ at Cardrona and Treble Cone, the Kārearea Project, ‘Plant a Seed,’ and partnerships with the Kea Conservation Trust. It has a memorandum for a predator-free Rakiura Stewart Island, with its Fiordland and Rakiura teams actively trapping predators. At Walter Peak High Country Farm, environmental restoration programmes include wilding pine removal, trapping, re-planting, soil health, organic farming, and eco-tours.

Judges commended RealNZ’s strategic approach, of identifying where they need to get to, with real data and numbers to back it up. This is an exemplar of how to shift your business to achieve change.

Tourism Excellence Award (Large Business) (2024)

Tourism Industry Aotearoa - Johnston's Coachlines Tourism Excellence Award (Large Business)

Since its founding in 1954 by conservation pioneers Les and Lady Olive Hutchins, RealNZ maintains a rich heritage of fostering appreciation for New Zealand’s natural places, while working to regenerate ecosystems and protect Aotearoa’s natural treasures for future generations.

Qualmark Bed & Breakfast 4 Star Plus 2019

Our Stewart Island Lodge boutique bed and breakfast accommodation on Stewart Island was assessed by Qualmark, New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation.  We were awarded a silver - "a silver award shows a real focus on delivering a constantly improving sustainable experience which consistently exceeds visitor expectations". 

• 4 Star Plus Bed & Breakfast Silver grade Sustainable Tourism Business Award

TripAdvisor (2019)

Based on worldwide travellers' reviews uploaded to the TripAdvisor website, the following trips were awarded “Certificate of Excellence 2019” rating.
In addition we also received the "Hall of Fame" for earning a Certificate of Excellence for the past five consecutive years.

•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship Cruises*
•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – Walter Peak Evening Dining*
•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – Te Anau Glowworm Caves*
•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – Real Journeys Manapouri *
•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – Real Journeys Milford Sound*
•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – Real Journeys Queenstown*
•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – Real Journeys Te Anau
•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – Stewart Island Ferry*
•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – Wild Kiwi Encounter
•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – Stewart Island Lodge*
•Certificate of Excellence 2019 – Stewart Island Experience Rentals.

* denotes also received Hall of Fame accreditation

100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards 2019

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise wins the inaugural Qualmark '100% Pure New Zealand Experience Award'.  Companies were recognised for their excellence in visitor experiences and tourism sustainability and is bestowed by Qualmark - New Zealand’s official tourism quality assurance body. Only seven companies received this award - from 41 finalists and over 100 entrants. Real Journeys Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch was a finalist.

Qualmark Gold 2018

Our Real Journeys activities were assessed by Qualmark and were awarded Gold under the Sustainable Tourism Business criteria and classified as "Endorsed visitor activity".  Our Walter Peak Horse Trek activity was given Silver.

Qualmark Gold 2018

Our Stewart Island Experience activities were assessed by Qualmark and were awarded Gold under the Sustainable Tourism Business criteria and classified as "Endorsed visitor activity".

Qualmark Bed & Breakfast 4 Star Plus 2018

Qualmark, New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation has accessed our Stewart Island Lodge boutique bed and breakfast accommodation on Stewart Island and awarded a silver - "a silver award shows a real focus on delivering a constantly improving sustainable experience which consistently exceeds visitor expectations". 

• 4 Star Plus Bed & Breakfast Silver grade Sustainable Tourism Business Award

TripAdvisor (2018)

Based on worldwide travellers' reviews uploaded to the TripAdvisor website, the following trips were awarded “Certificate of Excellence 2018” rating.
In addition "Real Journeys Manapouri*" also qualified for the "Hall of Fame" for earning a Certificate of Excellence for the past five consecutive years.

•Certificate of Excellence 2018 – TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship Cruises
•Certificate of Excellence 2018 – Walter Peak Evening Dining
•Certificate of Excellence 2018 – Te Anau Glowworm Caves
•Certificate of Excellence 2018 – Real Journeys Manapouri *
•Certificate of Excellence 2018 – Real Journeys Milford Sound
•Certificate of Excellence 2018 – Real Journeys Queenstown
•Certificate of Excellence 2018 – Stewart Island Ferry
•Certificate of Excellence 2018 – Wild Kiwi Encounter
•Certificate of Excellence 2018 – Stewart Island Lodge

"People's Choice" winner at NZ Tourism Industry Awards (2017)

Real Journeys has won the popular People’s Choice Award at the 2017 Tourism Industry Awards (TIA) event in Christchurch which recognises the leaders of New Zealand’s tourism industry.  Customers voted for their favourite tourism experience from the 15 eligible Business Awards finalists, that included the Haka Tourism Group, Skyline Queenstown and YHA New Zealand.  Real Journeys was also a finalist in the TIA Business Excellence and Environmental categories.  Learn more

Supreme Winner at 20th Diversity Awards NZ (2017)

Real Journeys was named the Supreme Winner at the 2017 Diversity Awards NZ at a ceremony in Auckland for a number of diversity and inclusion initiatives that include being a signatory to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, running Unconscious Bias workshops and setting up a Diversity and Inclusion Council.  The company was up against some stiff competition including Air New Zealand, The Warehouse Group, ANZ and Coca-Cola Amatil.

For an initiative to solve an industry-wide shortage of qualified skippers and to address a lack of career pathways for maritime staff, Real Journeys won The Tomorrow’s Workforce Award and the training initiative has seen it become the country’s biggest maritime training employer after the New Zealand Navy. Real Journeys is utilising its experienced launch masters who are close to retirement to train the next generation of skippers and crew.  So far over 200 Real Journeys staff have gained one or more of the qualifications.  Learn more

Grand Pacific Tours - Best Hotel for Escorted Coach Tours (summer 2016/2017)

Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise was awarded "Best Hotel for Escorted Coach Tours" at this year's Grand Pacific Tours Awards held at the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch.  The award winner is determined by the result of a score system which collates customer feedback.  Grand Pacific Tours, one of Australia’s largest coach tour operators to New Zealand, surveyed all of its passengers for this award.

TripAdvisor (2017)

Worldwide traveller reviews uploaded on the TripAdvisor website ranked the following excursions with a “Certificate of Excellence 2017” rating.
•Certificate of Excellence 2017 – TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship Cruises
•Certificate of Excellence 2017 – Walter Peak Evening Dining
•Certificate of Excellence 2017 – Te Anau Glowworm Caves
•Certificate of Excellence 2017 – Real Journeys Manapouri
•Certificate of Excellence 2017 – Real Journeys Milford Sound
•Certificate of Excellence 2017 – Real Journeys Queenstown
•Certificate of Excellence 2017 – Stewart Island Ferry
•Certificate of Excellence 2017 – Village & Bays Tours
•Certificate of Excellence 2017 – Stewart Island Lodge

Viator Travel Awards (2016)

Real Journeys has been awarded Viator's Top Rated Award status in the Viator Travel Awards for 2016.
Viator customers around the globe consistently rated Real Journeys tours and activities with an average of 4 stars or higher (highest being 5 stars).
Viator (a TripAdvisor company) is one of the world's leading resources for researching and booking travel experiences worldwide.

TripAdvisor (2016)

Worldwide traveller reviews placed on the TripAdvisor website ranked the following excursions with a “Certificate of Excellence 2016” rating.
•Certificate of Excellence 2016 – TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship Cruises
•Certificate of Excellence 2016 – Walter Peak High Country Farm
•Certificate of Excellence 2016 – Walter Peak Farm & Gourmet BBQ Lunch
•Certificate of Excellence 2016 – Walter Peak Evening Dining
•Certificate of Excellence 2016 – Te Anau Glowworm Caves
•Certificate of Excellence 2016 – Real Journeys
•Certificate of Excellence 2016 – Milford Sound Scenic Cruises
•Certificate of Excellence 2016 – Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruises
•Certificate of Excellence 2016 – Stewart Island Ferry
•Certificate of Excellence 2016 – Stewart Island Lodge

Grand Pacific Tours - Best Hotel for Luxury Coach Tours (summer 2015/2016)

Real Journeys Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise was awarded "Best Hotel for Luxury Coach Tours" at this year's Grand Pacific Tours Awards held in Melbourne.
Grand Pacific Tours, one of Australia’s largest coach tour operators to New Zealand, surveyed all of its passengers for this award.

Real Journeys named Operator of the Year 2015

Real Journeys was named Tour Operator of the Year 2015 at the annual Tourism Export Council conference held in Dunedin in August.  For the first time this was a joint honour. Real Journeys has won this award more times than any other company.

The Tour Operator of the Year Award is voted by inbound tour operators who are members of the Tourism Export Council.  The intention of the award is to recognise excellence and companies providing outstanding visitor experiences.

Department of Conservation "Certificate of appreciation" (2015)

Real Journeys received special acknowledgment from the Department of Conservation (DoC) for the valuable contribution to the conservation of New Zealand's natural and historic heritage.  
The “Certificate of Appreciation” was awarded for three of Real Journeys Queenstown initiatives:
- Walter Peak Land Restoration Project
- Kākāpō fundraising & awareness projects
- Whio (blue duck) relocation support.
Real Journeys was one of three recipients of the 2015 award, and the only commercial organisation to receive one.

Rankers Traveller Voted Awards (2015)

 NZ-Wide Boat Cruises Finalist 2015: Milford Sound Day Cruises.

Rankers website awards are presented annually to New Zealand tourism experiences and operators which have displayed a consistently high ranking score throughout the year.
Rankers awards are based on a pool of around 4,000 experiences and over 7,000 votes cast for the year.

TripAdvisor (2015)

Worldwide traveller reviews placed on the TripAdvisor website ranked the following excursions with a “Certificate of Excellence 2015” rating.  

The "Hall of Fame" requires additional consistent high achievement - Certificate of Excellence for 5 consecutive years.

- Hall of Fame 2015 – Milford Sound Scenic Cruises
- Hall of Fame 2015 – Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruises
•Certificate of Excellence 2015 – TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship Cruises
•Certificate of Excellence 2015 – Walter Peak High Country Farm
•Certificate of Excellence 2015 – Walter Peak Farm & Gourmet BBQ Lunch
•Certificate of Excellence 2015 – Walter Peak Evening Dining
•Certificate of Excellence 2015 – Te Anau Glowworm Caves
•Certificate of Excellence 2015 – Real Journeys Day Tours
•Certificate of Excellence 2015 – Milford Sound Nature Cruises
•Certificate of Excellence 2015 – Milford Track Guided Day Walk
•Certificate of Excellence 2015 – Stewart Island Ferry
•Certificate of Excellence 2015 – Stewart Island Lodge

Outside Magazine (March 2015)

Outside – one of America’s leading active lifestyle magazines has selected Real Journeys Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise as the best small cruise for 2015 and features it on its April cover.
Every year the magazine (which has over 2.5 million readers and over 4 million visits online each month) names the 30 most incredible trips to take in the world.

TripAdvisor (2014)

Worldwide traveller reviews placed on the www.tripadvisor.com website ranked the following excursions with a “Certificate of Excellence 2014” rating.

• Certificate of Excellence 2014 – Milford Sound Nature Cruises
• Certificate of Excellence 2014 – Milford Sound Scenic Cruises
• Certificate of Excellence 2014 – Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruises
• Certificate of Excellence 2014 – Stewart Island Lodge

Viator Travel Awards (2014)

Real Journeys has been awarded Viator's - "Best Local Operator 2014".

Viator base this on customers consistently rating activities with an average of four stars or higher (highest being 5 stars).  The award covers a variety of our excursions including Milford and Doubtful Sounds, Walter Peak and Te Anau Glowworm Caves.  Viator is one of the world's leading resources for researching and booking travel experiences worldwide.

Rankers Traveller Voted Awards (2013)

NZ-Wide Boat Cruises Finalist 2013: Real Journeys Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises.
Rankers awards are based on a pool of 4,000 experiences and over 8,000 votes cast for the year.

Rankers Traveller Voted Awards (2010, 2011, 2012)

NZ-Wide Boat Cruises Winner: Real Journeys Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises.
Rankers awards are based on 10,000 votes cast for the year.