Top New Zealand Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises - page 2

Journey from Auckland to the enchanting Hobbiton™ Movie Set on a full-day tour. Enjoy a scenic drive with photo stops before immersing yourself in the world of Middle-earth. Explore the famous hobbit holes on a guided tour, then unwind with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. With hotel pickup, Hobbiton guide, and all entry fees included, this tour offers a seamless experience for film lovers and adventurers alike.

Located on the eastern shores of New Zealand’s South Island, Kaikoura is famous for the spectacular array of marine wildlife living off its shores—but to see the best of it, you have to take to the waves. On this tour, cruise into Kaikoura’s deep waters by speedy catamaran with running commentary throughout from your guide, and spot dolphins, seals, and sperm whales in their natural habitat.

Immerse yourself in movie history with this tour of Wētā Workshop. Follow your guide as you see props, costumes, and more from blockbusters including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Learn how everything is made and other behind-the-scenes facts as you go. Perfect for movie buffs.

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.

Avoid the stress of self-driving through distractingly beautiful landscapes on a full-day tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Peer through the panoramic windows of a luxury coach as you travel through UNESCO World Heritage–listed Fiordland National Park with a guide, stopping at sites of interest en route. At Milford Sound, board a catamaran for a memorable sightseeing cruise past Mitre Peak and magnificent cliff-side waterfalls. Look out for wildlife, too.

Glenorchy sits along a stunningly beautiful stretch of road from Queenstown to the (aptly named) rural settlement of Paradise. Instead of trying to negotiate these unfamiliar country roads on your own, get a driver who knows the region on a half-day trip. Spend time exploring Glenorchy’s shops and café, take advantage of some remarkable alpine photo ops, and see some of the locations where scenes from famous movies were filmed.

Cruise Auckland's Hauraki Gulf Marine Park on a 4.5-hour eco safari to spot whales, dolphins, seals, and rare seabirds. Enjoy expert commentary and close encounters with diverse marine wildlife in stunning island scenery, departing from downtown Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.

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.

Enjoy a magical 6-6.5 hour tour to the Hobbiton Movie set, used for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series, which has made NZ famous. Leaving the port, we first travel past the stunning beaches of Mount Maunganui, a top NZ holiday destination, across the harbor bridge and into the country, over the Kaimai mountain ranges, into the lush farming district of the Waikato, the location of Hobbiton. At Hobbiton you can visit the Shires Rest Cafe, browse the souvenir shop or just take in the stunning views before joining the 2.5 hour guided tour, explore inside a Hobbit home and finish at The Green Dragon Pub with a complimentary Ale. As Cruise ship arrival times varies so much, we adjust the start time to suit, which we confirm to you when your booking is accepted, always having you back at the ship in good time for its departure. Please see the Additional Info section for details of our cancellation policy should the ship cancel its port of call within 24 hours of arrival.

Board the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamship or the modern Spirit of Queenstown for an evening cruise on Lake Wakatipu. Sail to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a buffet dinner featuring local meats, salads, vegetables, and desserts, then watch farm demonstrations or relax in the bar. The cruise returns to the same central Queenstown location. The TSS Earnslaw undergoes winter maintenance, when the Spirit of Queenstown is available instead.

The TranzAlpine train is often referred to as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, and this tour will allow you to experience it. Enjoy the convenience of a day trip where all transport is taken care of— round-trip transfers in a luxury minivan, and a TranzAlpine train ticket are included. See Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, Lake Pearson, and get the chance to walk in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

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.

Explore Fiordland National Park's Doubtful Sound on this full-day cruise from Manapouri. Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Manapouri, then a short coach journey over Wilmot Pass, with stunning views. Cruise the 25-mile (40-kilometer) stretch of Doubtful Sound, looking out for fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins while listening to your naturalist guide’s commentary. A highlight is when the engines are cut so you can appreciate the silence.

Wildlife enthusiasts will love this full-day nature-focused tour to Kaikoura from Christchurch that avoids the need to self-drive along winding coastal roads. Look out for sperm whales, migrating humpbacks, southern right whales, orcas, and dolphins on a cruise with live commentary. Visit a fur seal colony on land, glimpse the snowy peaks of the Kaikoura Ranges during your free time.

Visit two of the North Island’s most popular attractions in one day on this small-group tour from Auckland. First, hear behind-the-scenes stories from the making of "The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films on a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. In the afternoon, continue to Rotorua to explore the city and visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland where highlights include geysers, volcanic mud pools, and geothermal craters.

If you’re short on time but want to see the most impressive landscapes of the Southern Alps, this twelve-hour group guided tour packs in the best. Starting in Queenstown, you’ll travel over the Lindis Pass into Canterbury and onward to dazzling Lake Pukaki and Mt. Cook Village. Enjoy views of New Zealand’s highest mountain and spend free time exploring the village of the same name.

See the highlights of Rotorua on a full-day shore excursion from Tauranga. Travel to one of New Zealand’s most famous places, Rotorua. Spend the day exploring the otherworldly geothermal landscapes, visiting the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa, towering redwood trees, and the beautifully manicured Government Gardens. Also receive a traditional welcome at a Māori cultural village, and more. Guaranteed return to your ship at the end of the day.

Cruise Lake Wakatipu on a vintage Edwardian steamship with tickets for a cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown. Watch the stokers feed the TSS Earnslaw’s coal fires and enjoy views of the mountains and the lake. This scenic cruise departs from a central location in Queenstown, with multiple sailings throughout the day.

See the glowworm caves of Te Anau on an underground adventure sure to charm visitors of all ages. An informative guide joins you on the tour, which starts with a cruise across Lake Te Anau. Then marvel at the shimmering illumination of thousands of glowworms as you glide through the quiet darkness of this magical underground world.

Make the most of a short time on land with a handy shore excursion from the cruise port at Mt. Maunganui to geothermal Rotorua. Skip the big, impersonal group tours in favor of an intimate small-group tour. In Rotorua, spend the day at Te Puia, a park full of natural geothermal attractions, including the enormous Pohutu Geyser. Round-trip port transfers ensure you don’t get lost, or miss the boat.

Enjoy an America’s Cup sailing experience aboard an authentic racing yacht on Auckland's scenic Waitemata Harbour. Feel the exhilaration of yachting as you take the helm and participate with the professional crew, or just sit back and soak up the harbor views. No sailing experience is necessary and this is a fun activity for keen sailors and complete beginners alike. Wet-weather jackets and sunscreen keep you comfortable.

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.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of the mountain scenery without having to self-drive to Milford Sound from Queenstown in a glass-roofed coach. Your driver will provide commentary along the way, to keep you informed. At Milford Sound, embark on a cruise on the water, all the way out to the Tasman Sea. Relax and take in the views as you enjoy lunch on board, too.

This is a tour by bus around some of the main attractions of Dunedin. It is aimed at cruise ship passengers and only runs on cruise ship days. The tour stops regularly at locations with a chance to get off and have a walk around. As well as the regular stops there is an option to go to either Larnach Castle or Sandly bay track whilst on Otago Peninsula Comfortable vehicles with Aircon and a commentary is provided. A full refund is offered if the ship cancels its port call for any reason or if at the conclusion of the tour the customer is dissatisfied with any part of the experience that is an error or omission within the operator's control so long as the issue is raised first with the operator before any other party. (Subject to tripadvisor complying with operator request) Operator reserves the right, without liability, to alter or amend the tour time and destinations to fit in with the time window available for the ship's visit.