Our story

Calder & Lawson Tours is a New Zealand owned and operated company with more than three decades of experience of operating small group tours.

Our team is made up of our tour managers and the office team all of whom are committed to ensuring you have an exceptional travel experience. Our tour managers have excellent organisational skills and are specially chosen for their social skills and the genuine care they give to all their tour participants. Their knowledge and skill can take the hassle out of travelling to unfamiliar destinations and make a world of difference to your enjoyment.

The company is fortunate to continue to have the continued involvement of the founding directors: Alastair Calder, John and Rosanne Matheson and Leen Van Duin as tour developers and managers.

Our office team have vast travel knowledge and genuine pleasure in getting to know you. They enjoy being part of your travel planning and decision making and value the personal service they can offer each of our travelers.

You get good value for money as our tours include almost everything and there are no hidden costs. You won’t have to drive, navigate or find your way in new places – often a source of tension! You will travel with people with similar interests and many of you will return home having made new friendships

See what our customers love about travelling with us.

Travelling to Borneo in 2019 with Calder & Lawson Tours was a first with this company. From first contact, 17 days of tour, 12 days of ‘add-ons’; our journey went without a hitch. Their staff live and breathe travel; and that enthusiasm is shared with their clients. Our next holiday with C & L was booked within a month of returning home.

Tony & Janette Larrington-Lewer , – Borneo – Sabah & Sarawak, July 2019
Yet again C&L Tours have surpassed themselves in providing an adventure for seniors that surpasses expectations. After a very hesitant start for the bike and barge tour in Europe last year after two hip replacements the year before, I’ve been delighted with the confidence that installed remained and went from strength to strength this trip – with the undoubted help of an e-bike of course.

Valda Kirkwood, – Biking in Sweden & the Baltics, August 2019
Calder & Lawson’s tour, Alpine Walks in Three Countries, exceeded my expectations in every respect, particularly with regards to the leadership of the group and their attention to detail which made the trip stress-free and enjoyable.

Sandra Carden, – Alpine Walks in Three Countries, August 2019
The Taranaki and Forgotten Highway tour was excellent. It was very informative with lots of variety. We had a great tour leader who pulled it altogether. This was a well organised trip and would highly recommend it to anyone considering a visit to this area of New Zealand

Lynda O'Callaghan, – Tongariro, Taranaki & the Forgotten World, October 2020
Love how Calder & Lawson Tours take care of everything. I just needed to arrive at the airport with my bag and knew I was going to be well taken care of during the entire holiday.

Joanne Johansen, - Walking in Japan - November 2019
I appreciate that I always was able to talk to someone on the phone and get answers to any queries cheerfully and quickly.

Liz Taylor, – Bike & Barge Five Countries 2019
We like small group travels with Kiwis and lead by good Kiwi tour leaders. C&L Tours ticks this box for us.

Ian & Helen Patience, - Cruise & Bike the Danube - September 2019
We very much enjoyed the Calder & Lawson Tours Borneo trip. It was a well designed and well organised trip and gave a good opportunity to learn of the history, people and wildlife of this unique island. Thanks to our guide Kevin.

David & Irene Muller, - Borneo - Sabah & Sarawak - 2019

The Top of the South tour was one of the best things we’ve done. The comprehensive itinerary surpassed anything else we’d considered and the experiences it offered were so varied and exciting. Calder & Lawson Tours took all the hard work out of travelling in terms of planning, organising and delivery. The accommodations and meals were superb too! It felt like the tour company’s mission was to ensure we had the best possible experience, both in seeing the best of what this part of New Zealand has to offer and how we were looked after.  We liked the size of the group and felt that the tour was greatly enhanced by the manner and professionalism of the tour leader and driver who worked so well together. They did their utmost to give us a wonderful time. This tour far exceeded our expectations and we hope to travel with Calder & Lawson Tours again. Thank you!

Gary & Felicity Baillie, Top of the South - March 2021

Meet our tour managers

Feedback from our clients tells us that our group of tour managers are special people. Knowledgable, personable and highly organised, they are here to make sure your tour runs smoothly and you get the best experience possible. They are great fun to travel and socialise with but calm and reassuring should the unexpected pop up on tour.