Top Auckland How to Get Around

Experience two of the North Island’s highlights on a small-group day tour from Auckland with hotel pickup. Visit the Hobbiton™ Movie Set for a guided tour of filming locations; note that maintenance and restoration work from June to September 2025 will cause construction noise and alternate routes. Then head to the Waitomo Caves to observe resident glowworms underground. Enjoy a relaxed pace without the stress of self-driving from Auckland.

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.

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s is one of Auckland’s must-visit family attractions, home to over 1,500 marine creatures and a range of exciting interactive experiences. Explore themed zones featuring sharks, rays, penguins, turtles, jellyfish, seahorses, starfish and hundreds of colourful fish, while learning about New Zealand’s unique marine environment. Families and children will love walking through the famous Shark Tunnel, meeting penguins at Antarctic Ice Adventure, getting hands-on at the Sea Cave Adventure and touch experiences, creating virtual sea creatures in the interactive Art Aquarium, and discovering fascinating marine life in the World of Jellyfish and Seahorse Kingdom. Younger visitors can also enjoy the indoor Shipwreck Shores playground and splash table.

Get your bearings in Auckland or make the most of a short stay on a half-day small-group city tour. Visit several of central Auckland’s highlights, including Mount Eden, Auckland Domain with its winter garden, Bastion Point memorial park, Mission Bay, and Ponsonby. Learn more about the city’s unique geography and culture, and see for yourself why it’s nicknamed the City of Sails.

Simplify your arrival in Auckland and enjoy the reassurance of a private transfer from the airport to the city, or vice versa for the return trip. Your driver will be waiting for you in the airport arrivals area with a named sign. There’s no need to line up for taxis or self-drive after a long flight. Your driver will take you directly to your central-city hotel or the cruise port.

Discover highlights of the North Island on this jam-packed four day tour. Travel from Auckland to discover the bubbling mud pools and astonishing natural geysers of Rotorua, with cultural Maori performances. Cruise beneath the glistening glow worms at Waitomo Cave. Explore the amazing Hobbiton movie set and finish your trip with a tour of vibrant Wellington. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for all transfers and activities.

Visit two of the North Island’s most popular attractions on this full-day tour. First, head to Middle-earth and take a guided tour around the otherworldly Hobbiton™ Movie Set. Then, make your way to Rotorua to the incredible Geothermal Valley. See the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, bubbling mud pools, native kiwi birds, and learn about the Māori people. Hotel transfers from central Auckland are included for added convenience.

This small-group day trip from Auckland features the highlights of Rotorua. Visit the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute of Te Puia and tour the city with a knowledgeable guide. Opt for free time to explore on your own or upgrade with several options, including spa time, a Māori concert, geothermal wonders, or a walk among the redwood trees. A buffet lunch at Te Puia is included.

Explore the Shire and Middle-Earth on this full-day Hobbiton and Rotorua tour from Auckland. Travel through Waikato with a guide and admire panoramic views over the Hauraki Plains. Enjoy a guided tour of Hobbiton — made famous in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ movies. Learn how the set was created, and discover sites you love including the Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, and the Mill. After lunch in Te Puia, enjoy a bit of sightseeing in Rotorua.

Honey Tasting and Education: Visit the Honey Centre to learn about beekeeping and sample a variety of local honeys, offering a sweet and educational addition to your tour. Hands-on Farm Experiences: Get up close with New Zealand’s rural life at Sheep World, including sheep-shearing demonstrations, sheepdog displays, and opportunities to interact with friendly farm animals. Scenic City Highlights: Explore Auckland’s top sights, from panoramic city views at Mt Eden to the stunning coastline of Mission Bay, with plenty of photo stops along the way. Small Group Setting: Enjoy a more personal and immersive experience with a knowledgeable guide in a small group. Diverse and Comprehensive: This tour combines the best of New Zealand’s countryside charm, natural wonders, and urban attractions—all in one unforgettable day.

Fans of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” won’t want to miss this private day tour from Auckland to the Hobbiton™ Movie Set. After a hotel pickup, head south to the rolling farmland of the Waikato, the backdrop to some of the films’ most beloved scenes. Tour the hobbit holes on the movie set, learn more about movie-making history, and admire the beautiful landscape of Middle-earth.

Ideal for first-time visitors to Auckland, this all-day sightseeing tour helps you check off the city’s most popular attractions, such as One Tree Hill, Cornwall Park, the Auckland Museum, and Viaduct Harbor. Ride seamlessly and enjoy the sights, and depending on the season, a visit to Parnell Rose Garden, which contains over 5,000 roses, may also be included.

Instead of trying to work out how to fit in a visit to all the Auckland landmarks you’re hoping to see, on this private half-day guided tour, join your guide and visit a curated selection of sights. Take in the city views from Mount Eden, stroll along the waterfront at Westhaven Marina, relax in the Domain Wintergardens, and enjoy views of Rangitoto Island from the shore.

Escape the tourist trail and zip around Auckland’s atmospheric neighborhoods on this small-group e-bike tour. Follow the scenic Grafton Gully Cycleway, soak up the atmosphere along Karangahape Road (known as K’ Road), explore the Ponsonby district and Wynyard Quarter, and admire views of Auckland Harbour as you glide across Te Wero Bridge. The tour starts and ends at Princes Wharf for easy access.

The golden beaches, forested peaks, and laid-back seaside towns of the Coromandel Peninsula lie a couple of hours’ drive from Auckland, so self-driving requires navigating both city highways and winding rural roads. Simplify your day trip with this small-group tour around the Firth of Thames, with magnificent views over the Hauraki Gulf. Visit the world-famous Cathedral Cove, followed by Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own private spa.

Explore J.R.R Tolkien’s vivid imagination in real life on this afternoon trip to the Hobbiton™ Movie Set from Auckland. Unlike most tours, this one starts late-morning, meaning you can sleep in. Get an up-close view of Hobbit holes and filming locations at Hobbiton™ and feel the magic of New Zealand’s very own Middle-earth on a guided walking tour, followed by a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.

See more of New Zealand on this full-day small-group trip from Auckland to Rotorua to see the Wai-O-Tapu thermal gardens and the Polynesian Spa. Explore Wai-O-Tapu’s colorful hot springs, bubbling geysers, and primordial pools shaped by geothermal energies. Then, relax in the Polynesian Spa’s soothing, mineral-rich waters, in pools overlooking Lake Rotorua.

See the best of Auckland's skyline on this scenic harbor cruise. Set out from 107 Quay Street and glide past the Sky Tower, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Bean Rock Lighthouse, and Devonport Naval Base. As you take in the views, listen to insightful commentary about the history of the area and experience the city from a new vantage point.

Follow an indigenous Maori guide around Auckland (Tamaki Makaurau) and the west coast of New Zealand on this full-day tour. Learn about Maori culture, myths, legends, and history. Lunch and round-trip transportation from your Auckland hotel included.

Witness the magical beauty of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on an unforgettable journey from Auckland. Enjoy complimentary pick-up and drop-off from one of four main hotels in Auckland CBD, followed by a scenic 2.5-hour drive through South Auckland and the picturesque Waikato countryside, with photo and comfort stops along the way. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to browse the Gift Shop or purchase refreshments before beginning your one-hour guided tour through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Learn about the fascinating history of the caves, unique limestone formations, and the native Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms that illuminate the underground chambers. Complete your experience with a peaceful boat ride along the underground Waitomo River, gliding silently beneath thousands of shimmering glowworms. Afterwards, relax on the scenic return journey to Auckland, completing a remarkable day filled with natural beauty, underground wonders, and unforgettable New Zealand scenery.

Experience Auckland after dark on a relaxing 2-hour Night Lights Harbour Cruise across the sparkling Waitematā Harbour. Departing from Z Pier at Westhaven Marina, cruise beneath the illuminated Auckland Harbour Bridge and enjoy spectacular views of the Sky Tower, Viaduct Harbour and the city’s glittering waterfront. Your experience includes a complimentary welcome drink and delicious canapés as you unwind with carefully selected background music in a relaxed atmosphere. With spacious indoor and outdoor seating plus a fully licensed onboard bar, it’s the perfect evening for couples, friends, families and visitors looking to experience Auckland from the water. Capture unforgettable photos of the city lights reflecting across the harbour and discover why Auckland is known as the “City of Sails” on this unique nighttime cruise.

Auckland is well-situated for visiting some of the North Island’s top attractions, so make the most of your time in the city by visiting three in one day. On this small-group combination tour, experience the cobalt waters of the Blue Spring, see the thundering beauty of Taupo’s Huka Falls, and walk in awe among the towering redwoods in Rotorua’s Redwood Forest. Avoid the stress of self-driving with round-trip transportation including hotel pickup.

Enjoy flexibility and personalized attention from your guide on this private tour. You’ll join a group while touring the Hobbiton Movie Set, located in Matamata, and learn about the filming process for “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies. Then head for Hunua Falls in Hunua Ranges Regional Park, a spectacular cascade formed as the Wairoa River courses through an ancient volcano. Round-trip transport from Auckland is included.

Combine several experiences into just one tour on this full-day small-group adventure. Set out from Auckland and take in the dramatic scenery within the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, including hot springs and bubbling mud pools. Unwind with a relaxing stop at the Polynesian Spa near Lake Rotorua, and enjoy a traditional cultural performance at the Te Aronui a Rua meeting house.