New Zealand · TOURS

The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips in New Zealand

298 tours  ·  from $16 a head

Everything with a guide, a boat or a coach attached, in one list. The 15 below are worth a whole day, priced and paced, with the rest of the catalogue below them.

Hobbiton Movie Set: Guided Tour Ticket - The short bus ride sets the mood
Guided, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Matamata

Hobbiton Movie Set: Guided Tour Ticket

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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Waitomo: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour by Boat - Starting on foot in the upper cave
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Waitomo, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Waitomo: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour by Boat

2.Glowworm Caves Guided Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,908 reviews · 1 hour · from $48

Walk through Waitomo’s limestone chambers with an English-speaking guide, then board a boat beneath a ceiling of glowworms. The tour includes Cathedral Cave, famous for its acoustics, and guides such as Ace, George, and Big T are known for adding Māori stories, songs, and humor. Cameras and phones must stay outside.

“As always, wonderful guide and always amazing to see the lovely caves and their glow worms.”

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Rotorua Canopy Tours: 2.5Hour Native Forest Zipline Adventure - What happens before the first zipline
Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Rotorua, Zip Lines

Rotorua Canopy Tours: 2.5Hour Native Forest Zipline Adventure

3.Rotorua Canopy Tours: 2.5Hour Native Forest Zipline Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,563 reviews · from $123Top rated

Spend 2.5 hours moving through Rotorua’s 1,000-year-old native forest on ziplines and canopy bridges. Two local guides, such as Josh, Dylan, Travis, or Emma, handle safety and explain the forest, birdlife, and restoration work. Expect a small group of up to 10, short walks, stairs, wet-weather gear when needed, and free digital photos.

“Such a fun and meaningful experience! I came for the thrill, but left with a deep appreciation for this ancient forest and the incredible conservation work the team is doing to protect and restore it. Highly recommend!”

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Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest - Seeing inside a furnished Hobbit home
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest

4.Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,577 reviews · from $74

Walk through Hobbiton’s 12-acre Shire with a professional guide, passing Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn. The 2.5-hour tour includes shuttle transport around the grounds and a complimentary Southfarthing beverage. Morning and afternoon departures are available, and the route is wheelchair accessible.

“Absolutely wonderful experience…can’t say enough about it. If you love Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, or even just know about the movie/book, the tour and the delightful tour guides (in our case Taylor) will fill you with wonder and wanting to read the books or see the movies all over again. The Hobbit holes are great fun and the stories behind the movie set fascinating. Beautiful grounds (100s of acres) and lots of picture-ready opportunities. We even got to go into a fully imagined and decorated Hobbit Hole. Just wonderful. We took the evening tour and it was great because it wasn't too hot and the lights and…”

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Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown - Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes bring the best photo stops
Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Milford Sound

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

5.Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,001 reviews · from $216

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a small group of up to 15, with hotel pickup, live commentary, scenic stops, snacks, water, lunch, and a two-hour cruise. Guides such as Andy, Jess, Joe, Danny, and Dean bring local stories and Maori folklore to the long road journey. The drive is winding but avoids the stress of self-driving.

“Excellent small group tour . Felt more intimate Excellent guide Drop off and pick up excellent Guide Dean was excellent”

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Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour - Starting at RealNZ on Lake Te Anau
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Te Anau, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

6.Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,611 reviews · 2h 15m · from $77

Take a scenic catamaran across Lake Te Anau, then follow a guide through young limestone caves shaped by fast-flowing water. After an underground waterfall and low passages, board a small boat in total darkness to see New Zealand glowworms. Guides such as Emma and Nathan have led recent tours, with tea or coffee served afterward.

“What a great experience… I think everyone should know and experience this. Can’t describe more coziness I’d spoil it for you. Do yourself a favor. Book n experience it for yourself. Today is summer 7th Jan 2026”

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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown - Leaving Queenstown above Lake Wakatipu
Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

7.Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,792 reviews · from $462

Fly with True South Flights over Lake Wakatipu, the Southern Alps, snowy peaks, valleys, and waterfalls before landing at Milford Sound. Enjoy a roughly 1-hour-45-minute cruise, then return to Queenstown by a different scenic route. Small groups, window seats, commentary, and selected central hotel pickup make this a time-saving choice.

“We had an outstanding experience today. The pick up and drop off was on time, very easy to register, flight was amazing and the cruise was spectacular. Bravo!”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour - Starting at 88 Beach Street in Queenstown
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour

8.Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,681 reviews · 12 hours · from $162

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a glass-roof coach with a local English-speaking guide, stopping at Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek, and other scenic points. Then take a two-hour cruise toward the Tasman Sea for waterfalls, cliffs, seals, dolphins, and possible penguins. Guides such as Paulie, Levi, Craig, and Brian are known for lively commentary.

“We had Levi as our driver on the bus. He made the long drive a pleasant experience by sharing his knowledge about the country and other stories. It was noticeable thst he really cares about making the trip special and enjoyable for the passengers! Thank you so much !”

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Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland - Arriving at Hobbiton Movie Set
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland

Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland

9.Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,380 reviews · from $183

Travel from Auckland to Matamata in a small group of up to 15, with hotel pickup at selected central locations. Your driver shares Auckland, Waikato, and New Zealand stories before you join Hobbiton’s guided 12-acre set tour. See hobbit holes, gardens, and the Green Dragon Inn, then return to Auckland with snacks and possible scenic stops.

“Geoff at Cheeky Kiwi did a really nice job of providing information and details on the New Zealand, Auckland, and Hobbiton on the way there. He also did a good job driving there and back. He had the process worked out and everything ran smoothly. I was impressed with the tour and highly recommend Geoff and Cheeky Kiwi.”

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Waiheke island Wine Tours - PREMIUM wine tasting MAX 11 clients ! - The scenic drive comes before the wine
Food & Drink, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Waiheke Island, Wine Tours, Wine Tours in Waiheke Island

Waiheke island Wine Tours – PREMIUM wine tasting MAX 11 clients !

10.Waiheke island Wine Tours – PREMIUM wine tasting MAX 11 clients !

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,378 reviews · from $155

Meet your guide at Matiatia Wharf after the morning ferry and spend about six hours touring Waiheke, with scenic stops, commentary, and premium tastings at three vineyards. Guides such as Oliver, Glenn, and Melita lead groups of up to 11. Tastings, water, island transport, and a food pairing are included. Ferry fare and lunch are extra.

“A wonderfully personal, irreverent and well-diversified day outing. We had excellent commentary on Waiheke’s history, a solid tour of the lovely island and stops at three vineyards with different strengths. Our guide, Glen, was engaged and fun, making sure we got a lunch table at the place we fancied amongst his recommendations. A winter visit yielded an extra-small group tour for us, which was a plus. Small groups are definitely the way to visit vineyards! Recommended.”

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Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown - Twelve Mile Delta adds a short walk
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

11.Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,285 reviews · from $123

Travel from central Queenstown to Glenorchy and Mount Aspiring National Park with a small group of up to 11 people. Visit Isengard, Glenorchy Wharf, Bennets Bluff, and private filming sites, while guides such as Amy, Tristan, Dan, Max, Tom, and Solomon share movie details, local stories, costumes, and swords.

“Amy is wonderful!!! She was very informative about New Zealand and The Lord of the Rings. The tour showed me parts of New Zealand I would have not seen otherwise. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are favorites so it was great to see the location sites and hear stories about the production.”

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Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Guided Walking Tour - The spiral entrance sets the tone
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Waitomo, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours, Walking Tours

Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Guided Walking Tour

12.Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,249 reviews · 1h 30m · from $69

Walk through Ruakuri Cave with an English-speaking guide such as Anna, Jayden, Garth, or Jetta. Expect a spiral entrance, limestone shawls, stalactites, underground water, and glowworms close enough to see their fine fishing threads. Small groups, photo-friendly stops, and wheelchair access make this a gentle alternative to more active Waitomo cave trips.

“Amazing cave with beautiful rock formations, glowworms and a river. Great experience overall, our guide was stellar! It is a bit pricey, but worth the money. As a note, definitely do check out the Ruakuri Bush Walk nearby (it's free) - it takes you through a beautiful fores, inside a large cavern with river and some waterfalls .”

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Queenstown Segway Tour - The one-hour Queenstown Bay ride
Segway Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown Segway Tour

13.Queenstown Segway Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,235 reviews · from $61

Meet guide Kevin at One Mile Car Park for a short lesson, then ride Queenstown’s lakefront, Queenstown Gardens, and nearby trails. Choose a 1-hour bay ride or a 2-hour tour with more scenery, gentle hills, photo stops, and a brief off-Segway activity. Groups are limited to eight.

“Fun way to get a glimpse of Queenstown! Kevin was great at ensuring we were safe and able to handle different terrains and speeds.”

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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau - Cascade Creek, Hollyford Valley, and Marian Cascade
Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Te Anau

Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

14.Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,198 reviews · from $185

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a small group of up to 16, stopping at Mirror Lakes, Hollyford Valley, Marian Cascade, The Chasm, and more. Guides such as Tania, Gary, Andy, and Allan add local insight before your two-hour cruise among waterfalls, seals, dolphins, and penguins.

“Absolutely delightful and a wonderful trip up to Milford Sound. I think the drive up there and all the information we learned from Tania was as enjoyable as the boat ride itself.”

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Auckland Explorer: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Tour - The central loop: Sky Tower, art, shopping, and the museum
City Tours, City Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland

Auckland Explorer: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Tour

15.Auckland Explorer: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,180 reviews · from $43

Build your own Auckland sightseeing day aboard an air-conditioned Explorer Bus with English commentary, WiFi, and one or two days of travel. Ride the full loop in about an hour, or hop off at the Sky Tower, Auckland Museum, Mount Eden, Parnell Village, Bastion Point, Kelly Tarlton’s, Auckland Zoo, and other major stops.

“You have to go to the Sky City Tower to exchange your voucher. I wish that had been listed in the booking. We had to ask several people before we got the correct directions. The summer tour is 2 hours and you see a lot of the city. Buses Read more”

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Milford Sound Cruises61Hobbiton Movie Set Tours37Wine Tours54Scenic Helicopter Flights34Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours30Walking Tours40
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Two islands, end to end

Pick a coast, a summit or a cellar door.

The set pieces

HobbitonGlowworm CavesMaori EveningsLarnach CastleRail Journeys

On the water

Milford CruisesHole in the RockSea KayakingWhale WatchingSailing Days

In the air

Helicopter FlightsSkydiving & BungyGlacier CountryDark Sky NightsAoraki & Tekapo

Slow days

Cellar DoorsFood WalksHot SpringsWildlife ToursCycle Trails