15 Tickets & Entry Passes in New Zealand to Build a Day Around

1.Hobbiton Movie Set: Guided Tour Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8,167 reviews · 2h 30m · from $71Our pick

Walk through the 12-acre Hobbiton Movie Set with an English-speaking guide, see Hobbit Holes and the Mill, enter a Hobbit house, and finish with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn. The 150-minute tour includes a short bus ride from the car park and works well for film fans, families, and curious first-time visitors.

“We liked everything. Our guide was lovely and very informative. An excellent tour and highly recommended”

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2.Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,311 reviews · 1 day · from $59

Take a Fullers360 ferry from Auckland to Waiheke, then use the Explorer Bus to visit 16 stops at your own pace. Choose wineries such as Mudbrick, Batch, Cable Bay, or Stonyridge, plus Oneroa shops, beaches, galleries, olive groves, and forest walks. Guides including Kira, Ruth, Aaron, and Chris add useful island commentary.

“The proximity to the ferry is great!. If you have mobility issues there is a lot of walking to really enjoy all the stops.”

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3.Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,601 reviews · 3 months · from $28

Visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland at your own pace, with full-day park access, three walking loops, a map in 11 languages, and the Lady Knox Geyser presentation. Arrive by 10:15 AM for the geyser, then return to the main park for Champagne Pool, Artist’s Palette, Devil’s Bath, bubbling mud, and well-marked trails through native bush.

“The commentary at Lady Knox Geyser was excellent. We also loved wandering through the park, with its amazing natural features, at our own pace.”

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4.Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,064 reviews · 1 day · from $38

Ride Auckland’s Explorer Bus for one day and set your own pace. The Red route runs year round through downtown, Parnell, Newmarket, Bastion Point, and SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s. From October to April, the Blue route adds Mount Eden, Auckland Zoo, and MOTAT. Expect English commentary, free WiFi, clean buses, and helpful staff.

“Very helpful for a person with disabilities it’s a pity the walk from the stop to the zoo was quite long”

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5.Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 997 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

At Wētā Workshop on Wellington’s Miramar Peninsula, an English-speaking guide leads you through props, costumes, creatures, and movie-making techniques from The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, District 9, and more. Meet an artist at work, handle selected pieces, and explore the Wētā Cave store. The tour lasts 90 minutes and does not include transport.

“Great Tour! Our guide Holly showed us around and did a fantastic job explaining to us how the different costumes and props are made, what the process looks like etc. and always made sure to answer any questions we had. We also got to talk to one of the artists working there. Can definitely recommend!”

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6.Auckland Sky Tower General Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 805 reviews · from $24

Visit Auckland’s 328-meter Sky Tower for wide views over Waitemata Harbour, Mount Eden, the Harbour Bridge, and Waiheke Island. Your ticket covers the observation decks and free WiFi, with time to explore at your own pace. The tower is central, wheelchair and pram accessible, and open daily, though food, photos, SkyWalk, and SkyJump cost extra.

“It was so safe everywhere. My partner is usually scared of heights but he was fine and did not feel at all anxious.”

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7.Return Cable Car Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 714 reviews · 183 days · from $7Best value

Ride Wellington’s short historic funicular from Cable Car Lane on Lambton Quay to Kelburn. The trip passes through three tunnels and over three bridges, with access to the Botanic Garden, Cable Car Museum, Space Place, cafés, and hill walks. Choose a one-way or return ticket, and exchange your voucher at the ticket counter before boarding.

“Great experience for all ages. Recommend this to anyone visiting Wellington or just a family activity to do.”

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8.Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 682 reviews · 1h 30m · from $28

At the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony, you’ll watch the world’s smallest penguins come ashore after fishing and hurry toward their nesting boxes. Local guides explain their biology, breeding, and conservation work during this 90-minute evening visit. Bring warm clothes, leave cameras and phones away, and arrive 10 minutes early.

“The tour was everything we expected and more. It was amazing to see the penguins' heads appear over the top of the beach and watch them scoot over through the tunnels into the safety of their nesting boxes. We were one of the last to leave and the guide spent time with us showing where the penguins were nesting and by being quiet we could see them so clearly. It was a magical experience.”

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9.Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 608 reviews · 1 day · from $68

See Christchurch three ways with an all-day vintage tram ticket, a 30-minute guided punt on the Avon, and a round-trip Gondola ride to Port Hills. You can board the tram at 18 stops, including Riverside Market and the Botanic Gardens. Reserve your punt time in advance, and budget separately for transport to the Gondola.

“We had a great day in ChCh, the tram was fun, and the driver pointed out interesting landmarks and had a lot of knowledge about the city. The gondola was great, you got to see breathtaking views of the city. The punt ride was fun the guide was a laugh. We enjoyed our day in ChCh.”

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10.Guided City Tour with Cable Car Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 553 reviews · 3 hours · from $53

Settle into an air-conditioned vehicle for a three-hour Wellington overview with local guides such as Jack, Gina, Sarah, and Chris. You’ll stop at the Wellington sign, South Coast, and Mt Victoria, then ride the cable car and pass Te Papa, the Beehive, Old St Paul’s, Cuba Street, and Courtenay Place. Cruise-port pickup is available.

“The tour was great value. Saw a lot of Wellinton we hadn't seen before. Gina was a great guide with her local knowledge & humor. She is a very capable driver making sure her passangers had a smooth ride. James was amazing giving us a lift to the pick up spot where Gina was when we were stuck at the cruise termianal. Thank you James.”

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11.International Antarctic Centre General Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 484 reviews · from $45

Spend 2 to 3 hours at Christchurch’s International Antarctic Centre with a storm simulator, Hägglund off-road ride, 4D film, rescued little blue penguins, Antarctic science exhibits, and huskies in the Cuddle Zone. The centre is beside Christchurch Airport, making it handy before a flight or as a family activity.

“Fun to learn a bit about Antarctica. We especially enjoyed the simulation room with cold temperatures and wind! And also, seeing the blue penguins and the beautiful huskies. It was all well worth the time spent!”

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12.Wētā Workshop Unleashed Guided Tour Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 406 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38

At Auckland’s SkyCity, a live guide leads you through three original film worlds built by Wētā Workshop. Expect fantasy castles, horror creatures, a towering alien robot, practical effects, set-making activities, and plenty of photo chances. Guides such as Kat, Adam, Rachel, and Bailey bring the workshop process to life.

“Great! Christine was an amazing guide. All the activities were so fun, loved it!!”

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13.Christchurch International Antarctic Centre Entry Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 347 reviews · 1 day · from $44

Visit Christchurch’s International Antarctic Centre for a hands-on half-day of polar exhibits, rescued Little Blue Penguins, huskies, a -18°C storm chamber, Hägglund all-terrain ride, and 4D Antarctic cruise. Allow at least two hours, and closer to three or four if you want time for feeding sessions, films, displays, and lunch.

“Totally worth the experience which was both engaging and informative. The staff were friendly and fielded just about any question on topic. Food was pretty good at the cafe w/reasonable prices. The hagglund ride was a wonderful adrenaline rush through the training obstacle course. The windstorm chamber immersion was way cool, no pun. Chilled out in the chamber twice. 4D Extreme theatre was a nice sensory play of sights, sounds and touch. Be prepared to get wet. Overall, a truly physical and mental stimulating moment and would recommend it to anyone curious about Antarctica. It may be the closest you'll get to the frozen continent.”

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14.Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 293 reviews · 1 day · from $16

Spend a full day at Auckland Museum, Tamaki Paenga Hira, inside one of Auckland’s finest heritage buildings. Your general admission covers three floors of Māori, Pacific, natural history, cultural, and military displays. Optional rooftop and gallery tours cost extra, while the Tuitui café and museum store make it easy to stay longer.

“Enjoyable. I would have liked more available information on the pacific voyages to New Zealand and things like star charts etc to help better understand”

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15.Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · from $26

Take the 10-minute Christchurch Gondola to Mt. Cavendish, where you can see Lyttelton Harbour, the Canterbury Plains, Christchurch, and the Southern Alps. Walk the crater rim, visit the short Discovery ride, and use the café and shop. Add a 30-minute Avon River punt ride if you contact the provider to reserve a time.

“The kids really loved it. Although the weather wasn’t perfectly clear, we were still able to see most of Christchurch. In particular, the complimentary Level 1 attractions included in the ticket were very engaging for the children, which made tRead more”

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