Top New Zealand Likely To Sell Out - page 2

As New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington has a long history filled with stories of both Maori peoples and Western settlers. Explore the city on this half-day tour, riding the steep cable car to the summit to take in stunning views, discovering hidden gems around the city, and passing by some of Wellington’s most popular tourist attractions.

The Tasman Glacier—located in the Mount Cook (Aoraki) National Park—is the longest in New Zealand. Take in views of the glacier from the skies with a helicopter ride on this half-day tour before landing 1,200 meters above sea level to explore the ice formations up close, with the towering Southern Alps in the distance.

Experience Auckland’s spectacular golden hour on a relaxing Sunset Harbour Cruise across the sparkling Waitematā Harbour. Departing from Westhaven Marina, cruise beneath the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge and enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline, Sky Tower, Rangitoto Island and Devonport as day turns to night. Relax on spacious indoor and outdoor viewing decks while your local crew shares engaging live commentary about Auckland’s harbour and history. Visit the fully licensed onboard bar for drinks and light snacks, then sit back and enjoy one of Auckland’s most memorable and photogenic harbour experiences.

Fiordland is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful destinations, but self-driving through the landscape of snow-capped mountains, towering waterfalls, and emerald greenery can be challenging—and distracting. Eliminate the hassle when you travel with a small group by coach from Queenstown. Pass Lake Te Anau, the South Island’s largest lake, and enter the hand-carved Homer Tunnel on your way to Milford Sound, where you relax on a scenic nature cruise.

There are many great places to enjoy the mountain views in Queenstown, but the best are undoubtedly from the air. Catch views of the Remarkables you can’t get any other way on a scenic helicopter flight. The pilot selects the route on the day. Hover close to peaks and land high above Lake Wakatipu, with unparalleled views of the Southern Alps. The package includes hotel transfers for your convenience.

Step into Peter Jackson's Middle-earth with this guided group tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set from 'The Lord of the Rings' film trilogy. Learn more about the movies than you ever would by exploring by yourself with the help of your local guide. And with a shuttle service at your disposal, you enjoy a truly seamless Matamata experience.

A Milford Sound cruise is a must-do activity in southern New Zealand, but getting there independently can be stressful because of the rugged mountain roads. This full-day tour from Te Anau includes a hotel pickup and picnic lunch, so you don’t need to pack your own. Watch the views rather than the road by going with a guide and driver. See many spectacular sights along the way, including Mirror Lakes.

*WORLD EXCLUSIVE FLIGHT* Join this tour for the unique opportunity to fly in both a Ski Plane and Helicopter, the only flight like it in the world! Fly up in either a ski plane or helicopter on this incredible 45 minute flight which includes a Tasman glacier landing (10-15 minutes) we switch aircraft for the flight home! Flying through the remarkable Tasman Valley and landing on the snow covered peaks with this scenic option is an unforgettable experience and a WORLD EXCLUSIVE FLIGHT with both the ski plane and helicopter! Get your camera ready!! Check in closes 30 minutes prior to the flight time

Active travelers will love exploring beautiful Cathedral Cove–the Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve–by kayak. Get an up-close view of the rock formations and sea caves from your kayak, and look out for marine life, including stingrays, many fish species, and possibly dolphins. Receive personalized attention and the chance to ask your guide questions on a small-group tour.

Embark on a thrilling Blackwater Rafting adventure in Ruakuri Cave. Choose between two exhilarating tours: the original Black Labyrinth, where you'll float under glowworms and jump off waterfalls, or the longer Black Abyss, which includes abseiling, ziplining, and cave exploration. Both experiences offer unforgettable encounters with the natural beauty of the cave and take you to places impossible to reach on your own.

Travel along the spectacular Milford Road on a full-day Milford Sound tour from Te Anau. See native wildlife such as the endangered kea (an alpine parrot), seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. Enjoy short walks to beautiful sights including the Chasm and Marian Cascade, and take a sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound. Includes entrance fees, boat cruise, morning tea, and hotel transfers.

Fly to a landing point high on Tasman Glacier on a helicopter tour that includes a spectacular fly-by of Mount Cook (Aoraki). A guided hike on the glacier explores remote snow fields and ice formations at roughly 4,265 ft. (1,300 mt.), where you’ll use crampons or snow shoes to cross terrain that’s otherwise only accessible with an arduous overland journey.

Skydive in Queenstown—New Zealand’s outdoor adventure capital—and jump from 9,000, 12,000, or 15,000 feet (2,700, 3,600, or 4,500 meters). After a safety briefing, board a small plane and tandem skydive with an experienced guide. Free-fall at speeds of up to 124 miles (200 kilometers) per hour, then relax as you float beneath your parachute high above Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountains.

Avoid the risk of driving on icy mountain roads with this handy shuttle service from central Queenstown to Coronet Peak. Choose from various departure times and enjoy a smooth ride up to the ski field. Play in the snow, ride the lifts, rent some skis (own expense), or relax inside the warm café and admire the winter landscape. The timing of your return shuttle depends on your upward journey time.

Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set on a full-day tour from Auckland that explores New Zealand's "Middle-earth," where "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" films came to life. Travel through a landscape of lush farms, then take a guided tour of the 12-acre (4.8-ha) Hobbiton Movie Set, from hobbit holes to gardens and the Green Dragon Inn. With free time to shop and explore, this tour includes transportation from selected locations in Auckland for your convenience.

Be amazed by Fiordland’s dramatic landscapes on this full-day, small-group tour by coach, boat, and air. This combo tour makes it easy to see a lot in one day. After a Queenstown hotel pickup, admire the dramatic scenery without having to drive yourself. Hop aboard a cruise on Milford Sound, then return to Queenstown by air, flying over Fiordland National Park and seeing views you couldn’t experience any other way.

Embark on a cruise of Fiordland’s Doubtful Sound, starting from an easy-to-find location in Te Anau village. Travel by coach to Manapouri Lake for a short boat ride, followed by a bus trip over Wilmot Pass. En route, stop for alpine views of Fiordland National Park, park of a UNESCO-listed landscape, before taking in the dramatic landscapes, soaring peaks, and wildlife of Doubtful Sound on a cruise.

Set out on a day of adventure and exploration, admiring the beauty of nature on this small-group full-day tour. Wander through the Ruakuri Caves, navigating by the toothlike limestone formations and keeping an eye out for glowworms adorning the walls before visiting the Otorohanga Kiwi House where you’ll have the chance to see New Zealand’s iconic national bird.

Soar through the forest on the world’s steepest tree-to-tree zipline, 1,500 feet (450 meters) above Queenstown. Choose from three different courses, one with a thrilling 68-foot (21-meter) drop. Or, tone down the adrenaline a notch on a longer course, perfect for families with kids. Expert guides supervise your launch so all you have to do is take in the panoramic mountain and lake views.

Time your visit to the Otago Peninsula so you can see hundreds of little blue penguins returning home to roost after a day at sea. The 90-minute evening tour begins with a walk through the penguin reserve, where you’ll learn about the penguins and their environment. Then, watch them waddle up the beach from your hidden spot. This is a must-do tour for nature and bird enthusiasts.

Experience the majesty of volcanic Mt. Tarawera and gain insight into New Zealand’s rich geology on this half-day guided hike from Rotorua. Travel off-road into the central North Island wilderness and follow winding hiking trails from the base of Mt. Tarawera up to the crater’s edge. Learn about its destructive 1886 eruption. Admire panoramic views over the geothermal Waimangu Valley. Enjoy free hotel pickup and drop-off for added convenience.

Sample several of Waiheke Island’s award-winning wines at vineyards across the island before stopping for a gourmet meal at a beachfront restaurant on this half-day tour of the island. Gaze out over the Hauraki Gulf while you dine and then continue your tour, setting off to taste yet more wine.

Enjoy a morning cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound in the Marlborough Sounds, visiting historic Ship Cove, where Captain Cook landed in the 1770s. Disembark to see the memorial on the sheltered beach, as well as Māori wood carvings. On the return journey, cruise through Endeavour Inlet with passenger and freight drop-offs while listening to informative commentary about the marine life, cultural history, and natural features of the Marlborough Sounds.

Make the most of your time in New Zealand's Bay of Islands with a half-day boat tour—the perfect way to experience the area from a vantage point on the water. Cruise by 144 subtropical islands, and visit natural rock formation, Hole in the Rock, plus Cape Brett Lighthouse. Head out on a bush walk on Motuarohia (Roberton) Island and take in scenic views of the area from the island's lookout point. As you travel the waters of the bay, keep an eye out for native wildlife and marine life, and enjoy onboard commentary.