Top North Island Classes & Workshops

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.

Driving Creek’s pottery classes offer an authentic, hands-on creative experience in one of New Zealand’s most iconic pottery settings. Built on the legacy of Barry Brickell and a thriving community of local artists, these workshops invite you to slow down, connect, and create with clay surrounded by native forest. Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced potter, you’ll learn real techniques in a working studio that continues to inspire generations of makers. Every class directly supports Driving Creek’s not-for-profit mission to nurture creativity, art, and the environment.

Bring a fantastical character to life: Be led through sculpting basics by Wētā Workshop crew & bring a 3D character to life! Learn how to craft a sculpture: From household materials and modelling clay. Take your sculpture home to finish and display!

Discover Waiheke Island's wine scene on a small-group tour starting at Matiatia Ferry Terminal. Visit Oneroa Village for coffee, then explore family-owned boutique wineries off the beaten path along native bush-lined roads. Taste up to 15 premium handcrafted wines from sustainable vineyards, enjoy lunch options, and experience the island's authentic charm in a relaxed setting.

- Learn to surf at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand’s most iconic and beginner-friendly beach. - Enjoy small group sizes (max 8) for personalised guidance from expert, certified instructors. - Perfect for beginners, with step-by-step lessons in a safe, fun, and supportive environment. - All equipment provided, including surfboard and wetsuit—just bring swimwear and a towel. - Gain ocean awareness and master essential techniques, from paddling to standing on your board. - Create unforgettable memories as you connect with the ocean and ride your first waves. - Experience the thrill of surfing while surrounded by stunning coastal scenery.

Sip and savor your way around Waiheke Island on this small-group wine tasting tour with a local guide. Enjoy pickup from the ferry or your accommodations and travel by air-conditioned vehicle, soaking up the scenic views and learning about the island and its inhabitants on the drive. Visit three different vineyards for wine tastings and food pairings, and enjoy a shared platter lunch with a glass of wine.

Sail away on a harbor cruise in Auckland and enjoy a 3-course dinner as you sail past Waitemata Harbour highlights, including the Sky Tower and Auckland Harbour Bridge. Board your yacht at the Viaduct Harbour and enjoy a welcome drink. Learn about Auckland and its scenic sights from your captain. As evening falls, dinner is served onboard while you sail.

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.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to create a gruesome wound and use prosthetic effects to apply it to your arm? Learn the art of crafting convincing special effects by mixing blood and sculpting your own scars and scrapes at our Intro to SFX workshop.

Unleash your creativity at the Stencil Portrait Workshop, where you’ll design a striking portrait using vibrant colors and custom stencils. This two-hour session welcomes all skill levels, providing step-by-step guidance to help you craft a unique masterpiece. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with drinks and a shared platter while creating your art on an A3 canvas panel. With limited spots available, this workshop ensures personalized attention, allowing you to fully explore your artistic expression and take home your finished piece.

- Discounted Family rates. - Small group sizes (max 8) with expert, certified instructors ensuring a safe experience. - Tailored for ages 10+, and all skill levels - making it perfect for beginners and kids alike. - All equipment provided, including boards and wetsuits—just bring swimwear and a towel. - Learn ocean safety and master basics like paddling and standing on the board together. - Bond as a family while creating fun, unforgettable memories in the surf. - Soak in stunning coastal views as you share the joy of catching your first waves. - Widely regarded as the safest place to learn to surf in New Zealand. - Ideally situated right next to the best beach in the area. - Coaches with years of experience.

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 Waitomo Caves and Rotorua rank among New Zealand’s top attractions, offering natural beauty, geothermal features, and Māori culture in equal measure. Ideal for travelers short on time, this adventurous small-group tour takes in both places in the same day, with entry fees plus round-trip transport and hotel pickup from Auckland included. Discover subterranean stalagmites and glowworms at Waitomo Caves and hit top Rotorua’s attractions, including Te Puia Geothermal Park.

Skip the taxi line or car rentals on arrival at Auckland Airport with a handy shared arrival transfer to your Auckland hotel by comfortable minivan. Simply book your transport, look out for the meeting spot outside the arrivals hall, and begin your hassle-free vacation with a professional and courteous driver. Airport transfers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so are ready whenever you land.

Book a shared departure transfer from your Auckland hotel to the airport for a hassle-free end to your vacation. Skip the stress of hiring a taxi or waiting for public transportation. Instead, let a professional and courteous driver pick you up curbside and transfer you to the domestic or international terminal by comfortable minivan. Transfers operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The fictional, yet globally famous, village of Hobbiton™ and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves rank among New Zealand’s top attractions. Visit both sites in one day on a small-group tour that includes hotel pickup, a delicious lunch, and personal attention from your guide. Avoid the hassle of self-driving from Auckland and admire scenic views en route. A must-do tour for nature and movie lovers short on time in the North Island.

Auckland’s East Coast is known for its calm and consistent surf, and the sandy beach of Te Arai is the ideal spot for beginners. Learn the basics of surfing or hone your existing skills under the guidance of a professional instructor with this 2-hour surf class. Your private lesson can be completely tailored to your ability, allowing you to learn at your own speed and benefit from one-on-one instruction.

Aaron's Kosher tour Is an Historical inspired tour for you to see the best of Wellington. On tour you will experience Colonial and Māori heritage from the great Polynesian migration in the 10th century to the land wars in 1862 and the integration/fusion of early European culture into the Wairarapa region. Hand-picked dining and brasserie style restaurants with set menus that will inspire the foodie in you. Tour 6 hours

The black-sand Piha Beach lies along Auckland’s West Coast and is renowned for its legendary surf. With this tour, learn to surf under the guidance of a private instructor and fast-track your learning with one-to-one tuition. Whether you are a complete beginner or want to hone your surf skills, this private 2-hour class will be tailored to your ability and help you achieve your goals.

Create a one-of-a-kind wine blend in a hands-on session led by an experienced wine host. This interactive Wine Blending Experience, set in the serene surroundings of Matakana, invites participants to craft their own unique red wine blend while discovering the intricacies of wine blending. Enjoy a welcome glass of rose upon arrival, share a beautifully curated platter, and leave with a personalized wine blending booklet and a 375ml bottle of your own crafted blend. Perfect for creating memorable moments, this experience is ideal for special occasions, team outings, or a delightful afternoon with friends.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, the North Auckland east-coast beach of Te Arai is an ideal place to do so. In a two-hour, small-group lesson you’ll learn everything you need to feel confident on a surfboard, including positioning, paddling technique, ocean awareness, and timing. Lessons can be designed for beginner, intermediate, and more advanced surfers.

Tour Napier’s distinctive Art Deco heritage in style on this vintage car tour of the city. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the 1930s as you drive past some of the city’s must-see buildings in a vintage Packard car. Your local guide will tell you all about the earthquake of 1931 and the Art Deco architecture that emerged afterwards, so you can just relax in the back seat.

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.