Top New Zealand Bus Tours - page 6

Make the most of your time in port in Christchurch with a half-day shore excursion that takes in all the highlights. Explore downtown Christchurch, stroll around Monavale Gardens, and learn how the city was rebuilt after the devasting earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Continue along the scenic Summit Road, stopping to admire the views from the Sign of the Takahe, and stop at Riverside Market for a lunch break (own expense).

See and experience Napier’s highlights on this half-day shore excursion designed for travelers with limited time. Explore Art Deco Napier and Hastings, learning about the events behind this artistic style. Continue up Te Mata Peak by road for sweeping views of Hawkes Bay. The tour also includes a visit to Hastings, awarded NZ's best town, with drives through orchards and vineyards explaining the fruit industry.

Learn the secrets to great wine on this full-day wineries tour of Marlborough, guided by a winemaker. Visit 4–6 wineries in New Zealand’s largest wine region, including a behind-the-scenes winery tour and tastings at every stage. Wine-tasting fees are included and you can purchase lunch at a top winery restaurant. Transfers and hotel pickup from the Blenheim and Renwick areas are included.

Get a comprehensive tour of Milford Sound with this combination coach tour and boat cruise from Te Anau. Avoid the hassle of self-driving along the mountainous Milford Road by going with a guide and group in a low-emission vehicle. Stop for photo ops and short walks en route. Then, transfer to a boat for a scenic cruise on Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch and unlimited coffee and tea on the water.

Maximize your stay in Auckland with a full-day combo tour to two of the North Island's top attractions: the Hobbiton™ Movie Set and Rotorua’s Te Puia Geothermal Park. Depart from Auckland after a hotel pickup for a scenic drive to Hobbiton, where you enjoy a guided tour of the famous film set. Then take in the geothermal activity and Māori culture of Te Puia, an only-in-New-Zealand experience.

Make the most of a travel day between Christchurch and Queenstown by taking an action-packed tour through the Southern Alps. Instead of just catching an uninteresting long-distance bus, take a guided tour via Mt. Cook, the Tasman Glacier, and the scenic Mackenzie Country. Admire the views along the way and make plenty of stops, including brief stops at Wānaka and Cardrona. The tour ends in Queenstown.

Make the most of a short time on land on a shore excursion deep into the Southern Alps. You’ll be picked up from the port in Lyttelton and driven to Arthur’s Pass Village, a handy base for exploring the mountains of the central South Island. Enjoy lunch available for purchase with a view and time to explore the village and surrounding alpine scenery.

Explore the serene waters of Lake Mapourika on this kayak adventure from Franz Josef town. Paddle with your guide out onto Lake Mapourika, avoiding the risk of getting lost and learning about the landscape and geology as you go. Enjoy uninterrupted views and marvel at the reflective views of the Southern Alps. Head into a kiwi sanctuary in a protected estuary and explore some of the country’s oldest untouched rainforest.t.

Whether you’re on a shore excursion or just want to get away from the crowds at the most famous attractions in the Bay of Islands, this half-day tour is ideal. You’ll visit the Kawiti Glowworm Caves with a local Maori guide, take a leisurely walk along boardwalks in Opua Forest, and make a comfort (and photo) stop at Kawakawa’s quirky Hundertwasser Toilets. Admission fees are included in the price.

Experience the thrill of New Zealand’s volcanic landscapes on a self-guided tour of the Orakei Korako geothermal area. Follow the 1.5-mile (2.5km) boardwalk around the park and stop to admire startling silica terraces, peer into bubbling mud pools and watch hissing geysers. Be sure not to miss the Ruatapu Cave, one of only two geothermal caves in the world and home to a mesmerizing thermal mirror pool.

Experience the diverse geographical landscapes of the Milford Sound fjord by both land and water on this full-day, private tour from Te Anau. Start your journey by hopping aboard a cruise vessel and exploring the deep-blue waters around the fjord before joining your driver-guide to explore Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu). A great way to explore without having to navigate yourself.

Instead of rushing to keep up with a group, this self-guided e-bike adventure is a peaceful way to explore the cycle paths between Arrowtown and Queenstown at your own pace. Begin with a pickup at a time that suits your schedule—with e-bike rental included—then, get taken to the start point in Arrowtown. After that, independently explore the local area’s bridges, mountains, and stunning trails with breaks whenever you like.

Travelers in Rotorua don’t need to travel all the way to Waitomo to see twinkling glow-worms: there are groves in forests near the city, but you have to know where to look. Take an evening bush walk to see these increasingly rare creatures, and avoid getting lost as your guide leads the way. The evening timing means you can easily fit the tour into other daytime activities in and around Rotorua.

Discover New Zealand’s geothermal hotspots on a day trip from Rotorua to Lake Taupo, stopping to explore one of two remarkable destinations. Select Orakei Korako to see terraced pools of steaming water, or opt for Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland’s otherworldly colors. Limited to 11 people for more personal service, this day trip includes pickup and drop-off at centrally-located hotels, as well as entrance fees at the geothermal site.

As well as its stunning countryside, Central Otago in New Zealand is known for its world-class wine and adventure tourism. This ‘hop on, hop off’ bus tour lets you experience some of the best wineries and attractions at your own pace without the hassle of driving. Come away knowing a bit more about this slice of paradise, with commentary along the way to educate and entertain you.

Discover New Zealand’s iconic Piha Beach on our West Coast Discovery tour! Starting with a pick-up from the 4 hotels listed in Auckland CBD, enjoy a 30-minute scenic drive through the Waitakere Ranges. Our first stop is the Arataki Visitor Centre, where you’ll learn about New Zealand’s native trees and enjoy sweeping views over the ranges—an ideal start to exploring the west coast. Next, we take a 20-minute drive to Karekare Waterfalls, where a short, easy walk leads you to this stunning natural site, perfect for photos. Then, we head to the famous Piha Surf Beach, known for its black iron-sand and thrilling waves from the Tasman Sea, where you can go for a swim or just relax and enjoy the stunning views. Be sure to visit Lion Rock, located at the heart of the beach, for breathtaking views and unforgettable photo opportunities. After that, we head back to Auckland CBD.

With limited time to explore Auckland, this morning discovery tour takes in all the highlights. Visit sights including The Domain, Waitemata Harbour, and Queen Street; cross the Harbour Bridge to the beaches of the North Shore, explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Devonport and Ponsonby, and take in the views from Mount Victoria.

If you’re short on time in Napier but want to see—and taste—its highlights, join a half-day small-group tour to make the most of it. This guided tour is especially designed for cruise ship passengers. You’ll visit renowned Hawkes Bay vineyards, Art Deco buildings, the rocky wave of Te Mata Peak, and more. Fuel up on wine, cheese, and crackers, too.

Combine award-winning wine and gorgeous scenery on a full-day small-group tour from Wellington to Martinborough that also explores the Hutt Valley, Rimutaka Ranges, Wairarapa coast, and Lake Onoke. You'll visit Martinborough wineries for cellar tours and tastings, pause for lunch in a vineyard restaurant, then eat dinner at the edge of Lake Onoke after a short shoreline hike. The tour includes a platter lunch, restaurant dinner, wine tasting, and hotel pickup.

View Christchurch’s highlights on a half-day sightseeing tour introducing the architecture, gardens, and waterways of “The Garden City” without the hassle of self-driving or catching public transportation. Pass city center landmarks, meander around perennial gardens, visit the seaside, and marvel at views over the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, and opt to upgrade to include the International Antarctic Centre.

For fans of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" films, visiting the official Hobbiton Movie Set is a truly unforgettable experience. On this tour, enjoy comfortable round-trip transport from Auckland without having to organize a rental vehicle. On arrival, enjoy the opportunity to explore the famous film set, have a drink at The Green Dragon Inn, and see Hobbit Holes, and the Double Arched bridge up close.

Enjoy the amazing natural scenery around the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier with this nature-focused tour. Starting out in the town of Franz Josef, drive to the glacier car park and then head off into the forest. Learn about the local environment, as your guide provides lots of information about glaciology, geology, geomorphology, flora & fauna and more.

Strike gold and take in the scenic wonders of Queenstown and Arrowtown on this small-group sightseeing tour. Spend the morning enjoying panoramic lake and mountain views, learning about the rugged alpine region’s historic gold rush and contemporary wine-making industries, and sampling wine at a winery. This tour includes hotel pickup for added convenience.

Indulge in the succulent tastes of Waiheke Island on a half-day food and wine tour. A guide picks you up from the wharf and takes you to boutique wineries. Taste wine accompanied by locally produced specialties such as olive oil, oysters, and artisan cheese. Then settle in for a platter lunch at a vineyard restaurant. Linger on Waiheke and take the ferry back to Auckland whenever you like.