Top New Zealand Unique Experiences

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.

Travel the full circuit of the Christchurch Tram, which departs about every 15 minutes from stops around the central city. Use your ticket to hop on and hop off at 18 stops and create your own sightseeing itinerary, or stay onboard for a comprehensive tour with live commentary. The ticket lasts all day so you can get on and off where you want.

The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are New Zealand’s most accessible glaciers, and many visitors find it hard to choose between them. This helicopter tour takes in both with a thrilling flight over snowy peaks and frozen waterfalls, and an unforgettable snow landing overlooking one of the glaciers. You’ll enjoy views of the mountainous landscape that you can’t get any other way.

Cover more ground without the hassle of navigating unfamiliar roads on your own and visit four Napier wineries on this half-day Hawke’s Bay tour. Explore New Zealand food and wine, enjoying tastings at each destination, as you visit the largest wine-producing region in the North Island. Tour with a small group for more personal service and learn about the local wine history and production from your guide.

Experience the magic of the Bay of Plenty on this evening glow-worm kayak tour of Tauranga’s Lake McLaren. Avoid getting lost as day turns to night by kayaking with a guide. Marvel at the bright green glow worms clinging to the towering cliffs and gain insight into the life cycle of these fascinating creatures.

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.

The Hobbiton movie set and the Waitomo glow-worm caves are two of the most popular attractions on New Zealand’s North Island. Visit both in one day and enjoy a more personalized experience on this small-group tour. Discover behind-the-scenes of the legendary LOTR films during a guided tour of Hobbiton, then cruise the underground river of the Waitomo Caves, beneath a glittering canopy of glow worms.

There’s no need to travel far out of Auckland to see glowworms as there are great places to see them right in the city. On this small group tour, you’re taken to a hidden glowworm dell in a bush reserve. The walk is easy, once your eyes adjust to the dark. Learn more about the cool little creatures on a short evening tour that leaves time for other activities.

See two remarkable glaciers from the air on a 30-minute helicopter tour of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. Lift off from a helipad at Fox Glacier twon, then fly across ice falls, formations, and crevasses on your way to Franz Josef Glacier, and touch down on a glacial snowfield for a photography session. Departures are available throughout the day for this 30-minute helicopter tour of two New Zealand glaciers.

Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s top wine regions, producing well-respected reds and whites in alpine vineyards, but it’s risky to sample wines and drive around the region. On this afternoon tour, visit four boutique wineries and taste some of their award-winning offerings. Learn the secrets behind the wines from the winemakers themselves, and enjoy a platter lunch matched with award-winning wines. The small-group tour provides an intimate atmosphere.

The Monteith’s Brewing Company is one of New Zealand’s oldest beer-makers and a West Coast icon. Go behind the scenes at the company’s Greymouth brewery on this exclusive tour and learn about the history behind West Coast brewing. See how Monteith’s make their beer and cider and sample some of it for yourself during a hands-on beer-tasting lesson with tasting notes to help you out.

With innovative brewers, New Zealand’s biggest craft beer festival, and a craft beer bar around every corner, Wellington is an exciting destination for beer lovers. With new breweries always popping up around the city, it can be hard for hop heads to know where to go. On this private tour, check out some of the city’s most successful craft breweries and brewpubs.

Discover some of Central Otago’s top wineries on this small-group wine tour from Queenstown. Enjoy guided tastings at three wineries, including Gibbston Valley Winery, Kinross, and a boutique winery in Gibbston. Sample delicious regional wines and cheese, and gain insight into the delicate balances of scent and flavor at play in your glass.

Wellington, long-celebrated for its bohemian liberal arts and cafe culture, is fast-becoming renowned as New Zealand’s capitol of craft beer. Visit four Wellington and Hutt Valley breweries, tasting a range of tasty local beers at each establishment on this small group day tour designed for lovers of ales, stouts, lagers and everything hoppy in-between.

Enjoy an afternoon of drinking local wines and/or craft beers without worrying about getting home safely on this wine and craft beer tour. This small-group tour will take you to three wineries or breweries in the Gibbston region, with tastings at each and shared antipasto platters are provided at one of the locations. As you go, your guide will tell you all about the region’s history on the way, for an enjoyable and informative evening trip. Transfers from central Queenstown are included.

Exploring Marlborough’s wine scene on your own means designating a driver and juggling reservations. This full-day tour from Picton removes the hassle, taking you to a curated selection of local wineries for guided tastings and insight into what makes this region one of New Zealand’s most celebrated wine destinations. Along the way, learn about Marlborough’s winemaking style as you sample its wines, and enjoy free time to purchase lunch at a winery restaurant.

Explore New Zealand's premier wine region on this morning wineries tour from Blenheim. Visit four wineries, each internationally acclaimed for their red and white wines, particularly sauvignon blanc grapes that flourish in the sun-drenched alluvial soils of Marlborough. Stroll through the vines and contemplate the meaningful things in life. The practical things, like your round-trip transport and hotel pickup, are all taken care of for you.

Enjoy a unique opportunity to visit the home of a local and cook delicious vegetarian cuisine with this private cooking class. Step into the beautiful 140-year old villa of your host Anna and learn to cook a range of vegetarian dishes in her wonderful kitchen. After you have finished cooking, enjoy your meal alongside the family at either the dining table or, in summertime, on the vine-covered deck.

Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Whakatipu, Walter Peak High Country Farm is the perfect place to spend a relaxing few hours. Immerse yourself in nature and learn about conservation throughout New Zealand. Begin your trip with a 45 minute cruise aboard the Vintage TSS Earnslaw, an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history and to this day a Queenstown icon. You will be greeted by our rural host, who will give you a tour of the stunning Restaurant Garden and showcase the beautiful native plants. Sample fresh produce straight from the veggie beds and orchard! Next savour a delicious garden platters made with with ingredients just harvested during your visit. This is the perfect adventure for those who want to give back to the environment while immersing themselves in New Zealand’s native scenery. You will then have the opportunity to have a hands on role in Walter Peaks land restoration project by planting a native tree or shrub from our nursery.

Sip your way around Martinborough — a once sleepy colonial town that’s now a prominent wine village at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail — on this private day trip from Wellington. Following hotel or port pickup and a scenic drive through the Wairarapa, you’ll visit three of Martinborough’s renowned wineries. Enjoy a guided wine tasting at each and a lunch platter with wine at Poppies Martinborough. Then, choose to continue hopping around Martinborough’s wineries or travel to nearby Greytown, whose pretty streets are thronged with cafes and antique stores.

Start your day exploring the stunning Rere Falls, a beloved natural wonder just outside Gisborne. Capture the magic of the cascading water and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Next, venture to Eastwoodhill Arboretum — a magnificent 131-hectare sanctuary boasting over 8,000 trees from across the globe, including rare and endangered species. Wander through scenic trails tailored for all fitness levels, from easy walks to rewarding climbs with breathtaking panoramic views. For a truly unique experience, ask about our popular Jeep Tour add-on, a favourite among our guests. After your arboretum journey, unwind with delicious light refreshments — whether tea, coffee, a slice, or similar — while basking in the serene setting and vibrant birdlife. With complimentary pick-up and drop-off within Gisborne city limits and refreshments included, this is the perfect way to enjoy a relaxed and unforgettable day out.

Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class and home cooked meal with your host Joe in the comfort of your own residence. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Joe brings a diversity of culinary experiences unseen before in a local New Zealand chef – he was crowned Chef of the Year in 2013 specializing in Oriental cuisine in the UK, and awarded the privilege of overseeing the Relais and Chateaux Kitchen as sous chef. Joe is passionate about sharing his deep culinary knowledge to create fun and relaxing dining experiences for his guests. Joe's cooking focuses on gastronomic fusion delivered in a down-to-earth, socially interactive, and family friendly setting. Most of all, Joe loves creating memories with travelers from all over the world. He looks forward to teaching you and introducing you to the flavors of the region.

Visitors to the Marlborough region often visit some of the region’s many wineries, but there’s always someone who draws the short straw and has to be the sober driver. On this private tour, visit the wineries you want without anyone missing out on the samples. Taste various types of wine at several wineries, all selected by your guide based on your tastes and your preferences.