Top North Island Wildlife Encounters

Enjoy one of New Zealand’s original tourist attractions: a tour of the magnificent Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Your guide—who may be descended from the Māori chief who first discovered the caves—leads you underground and tells you about the cultural significance of this site. Hop into a boat and glide on an underground river, enjoying the light show put on by millions of tiny bioluminescent insects hanging above.

Visit two of New Zealand's must-see attractions on this combo tour from Auckland to the Hobbiton™ Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Peek into Hobbit holes, frolic in the Shire, and get a drink at the Green Dragon Inn on a guided tour of Middle-earth, followed by a café lunch. In the afternoon, explore Māori myths and history on an underground boat ride at Waitomo, surrounded by thousands of glowworms.

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.

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.

Come and experience a truly unique northern New Zealand attraction. Noted for pottery and conservation efforts, the train provides a scenic journey to EyeFull Tower. Traversing through native New Zealand forest, learn about Barry Brickell who founded the iconic railway, and the important role pottery and conservation played in its creation.

Soar through a 1,000-year-old native New Zealand forest on six ziplines reaching speeds up to 37 miles (60 kilometers) per hour. Cross suspended swing bridges and explore treetop platforms while looking out for native birds such as toutouwai and kererū. This half-day guided eco-adventure includes free digital photos, wet-weather gear, and return transport, with every booking supporting forest restoration. Suitable for families and groups of all ages.

Many people walk to beautiful Cathedral Cove, but a cruise lets you enjoy views of the whole coastline. Sail from Whitianga to the marine reserve on a catamaran designed to reduce emissions. Enjoy snorkeling and swimming amid volcanic landscapes, isolated islands, and pristine beaches. A guide shares insights via onboard speakers, enhancing your understanding of the area's natural wonders and history. Onboard refreshments and warm showers enhance your comfort.

A half day cruise on our spacious 18 metre vessel with 360° outdoor views. Comfortable fully enclosed seating downstairs and a large open sun-deck for wildlife watching. Some of the best marine diversity in New Zealand. Close-up encounters with seasonal marine wildlife – penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, sunfish, school fish, seabirds, sharks, turtles and orca.
 Onboard commentary and references with facts on the Bay and local marine wildlife. Photos of a lifetime!

Discover the enchanting Pūkaha forest on a 1-hour guided tour led by knowledgeable rangers. This immersive experience unveils the hidden stories of local flora and fauna while allowing you to appreciate the natural beauty surrounding you. Participants will have the opportunity to visit the visitor center and gain insights from experts who are passionate about the forest's ecosystem. - 1-hour guided tour through the Pūkaha forest with expert rangers - Learn about unique birds and plants, enriching your understanding of the ecosystem - Family-friendly with a maximum of 10 participants, ideal for family outings - Daily departures at 10:00am and 2:00pm, advance booking required 24 hours ahead

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.

The Starburst Cathedral tour is the premium option in the Milky Way Glowworm Cave. There is 2 tour options, the shorter Milky Way tour is suitable for all ages and while very beautiful and there are thousands of glowworms which are very close, you only get 30 minutes in the cave. This Starburst Cathedral tour provides twice the time, twice the distance into the cave, less people, no children, more information. It is the most educational glowworm tour with the most close up opportunities with glowworms and lots of photo spots. If you are want to take high quality photos on a tripod, this is the tour to do. You get about 20-30 minutes in the dark with the glowworms, some close and some far.

Soar through the trees and experience New Zealand’s ancient native forest like never before on an incredible must-do adventure. You'll soar along several ziplines, experience New Zealand’s one-and-only volcanic cliff walk above the forest floor, incredible swing bridges, controlled descent, and an impressive tandem zipline so you can share the experience with a friend or partner.

Get a close-up view of some of New Zealand’s most beautiful marine life on this half-day dolphin-watching tour from Tauranga. As well as graceful dolphins, you’re likely to spot penguins, seals, whales, sharks, orca, and maybe even turtles. This is an ideal family activity, as the boat is small and your tour personalized. Learn about the marine environment from the crew, and also enjoy views of Mt. Maunganui and Moturiki Island.

The Kiwi Night Encounter offers one of the best chances in New Zealand to see kiwi up close, an experience many describe as a must-do in New Zealand. Your evening begins in the visitor centre, where experienced guides introduce you to kiwi and the conservation work behind their protection. You’ll then be guided to a purpose-built habitat designed to support natural kiwi behaviour while allowing for quiet, respectful observation. As darkness falls, a resident pair of North Island brown kiwi emerge to forage — probing the ground, moving through the undergrowth, and displaying their natural nocturnal behaviours. Small group sizes ensure a calm, low-impact environment throughout the experience. While kiwi are the focus, Ruru (morepork) are often seen and heard overhead and may be observed flying through the habitat as they feed — offering a glimpse into the wider nocturnal ecosystem. Ngā Manu is a working conservation reserve, and all encounters are shaped around the wellbeing of animals.

A half day cruise on our spacious 18 meter vessel with 360° outdoor views. Comfortable fully enclosed seating downstairs and a large open sun-deck for wildlife watching. Some of the best marine diversity in New Zealand. Close-up encounters with seasonal marine wildlife – penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, sunfish, school fish, seabirds, sharks, turtles and orca. Onboard commentary and references with facts on the Bay and local marine wildlife. Photos of a lifetime!

Refresh the dive theory through online learning, and update your skills at our local marine reserves! Our instructor will take you through the equipment setup, basic dive skills and theory. Once the skills have been completed, you'll have a chance to use them during a dive, and explore New Zealands underwater world. By booking this activity you confirm you have read and agree with our Terms & Conditions. If we have to cancel the activity, we will contact you to reschedule, or you receive store credit. You'll have to complete the dive medical declaration before participating in any in-water activities, and might need to be signed off by a dive doctor before being allowed to dive.