Shore Excursions in New Zealand

When your ship pulls into port, relax on a sightseeing tour of Dunedin and take in the magnificent scenery of the Otago Peninsula by rail. Start your shore excursion with a guided 1-hour tour of the Olveston Historic Home, a 35-room mansion with fine art and furnishings. Then soak up the views of the Pacific Ocean during a 1.5-hour round-trip train journey. See the city highlights on an afternoon coach tour including steep Baldwin Street and St Clair Beach.

Dunedin is a city full of culture and history and also conveniently close to wildlife reserves and unspoilt nature. See both sides of the city in one day on this small-group tour. Take in the central sights, such as the Railway Station and the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street. Stroll through the manicured gardens of Larnach Castle on the way to the Otago Peninsula, home to albatross, seals, penguins, and sea lions.

Be immersed in New Zealand's indigenous 'tikanga' (culture) on this Auckland shore excursion with a knowledgeable Maori guide. Travel through the countryside and rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges on a small-group tour outside the North Island city, including Mt Victoria and the west coast. You'll watch a live Haka (war dance) performance at the Auckland Museum and learn firsthand about Maori cultural heritage dating back hundreds of years. Snacks, beverages and lunch are included along with port pickup and drop-off.

See New Zealand's coastal rainforest and black-sand beaches on a full-day shore excursion from the Auckland port. Visit Waitakere Ranges Regional Park for a guided bush walk and marvel at traditional Maori carvings and thousand-year-old kauri trees. Enjoy views over the Tasman Sea and savor a Kiwi-style picnic lunch on this small-group tour, with personalized attention from your professional guide.

Swap the cruise port for the Dunedin countryside on a half-day shore excursion that includes the Otago Peninsula. Your sightseeing tour covers highlights of the city center such as the Dunedin Railway Station, then travels to several village suburbs, stopping en route at scenic lookouts and for a beachside view of basking sea lions. Enjoy the personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 19 people.

See the central sights of Dunedin and visit the Olveston Historic Home on a shore excursion of Dunedin attractions. When your ship pulls into port, a professional guide escorts you through the city by coach. View the University of Otago, Dunedin Botanic Garden and stately historic buildings before a 1-hour guided tour of Olveston, which includes the mansion and its landscaped gardens.

When your cruise ship docks in Akaroa, take a shore excursion to Christchurch for a sightseeing tour, followed by an adrenaline-charged jet-boat ride on the Waimak River. Escorted by a knowledgeable guide, you'll combine a drive through the Banks Peninsula with the city landmarks of Christchurch and an exhilarating jet-boat ride. Round-trip port transport is included.

Board the Taieri Gorge Railway for a legendary trip on this train-lover's shore excursion from Dunedin, which includes a 2-hour sightseeing tour by coach. You'll journey by rail through stunning scenery surrounding the Taieri River, passing over century-old viaducts. Then see Otago University, the Dunedin Botanical Gardens, stately homes and other historical sites of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula before you're returned to the Dunedin port.

When your cruise ship docks in Dunedin, take a full-day excursion that combines two South Isalnd highlights: a scenic round-trip ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway, and an afternoon tour of the Otago Peninsula. The train steams from Dunedin to Pukerangi, passing through Taieri Plains and Taieri Gorge, and stopping en route for photo ops. Then dig your toes into the sand of Otago's beaches and keep a lookout for marine wildlife.

Visit the historic city of Christchurch on a full-day trip from Akaroa Wharf. With drop-off at a location in the heart of Christchurch, you'll have three hours of independent time to explore Christchurch on your own: visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, book a boat ride on the Avon River, or just browse the shops in the city center. This full-day Christchurch excursion includes pickup and drop-off at the port in Akaroa Wharf, and it's a convenient way to add New Zealand's "Garden City" to your time at Akaroa Wharf.

Travel from Akaroa Harbour on a 6.5-hour shore excursion through the Banks Peninsula to Christchurch, whose city center was devastated by the 2011 earthquake. Drive past city landmarks in the old CBD and stroll the Christchurch Botanic Gardens with a knowledgeable guide. En route, you'll take in the scenic splendor of the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Region, including Little River, Lake Forsyth and Lake Ellesmere.

When your ship docks in Auckland, take a ferry across the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island for a zipline adventure, soaring above the forest. Enjoy a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants along three zipline rides. Your shore excursion includes a round-trip ferry ticket plus an interpretive bush walk and a brief guided tour of the island by minivan.

Hop in a helicopter for a 20-minute aerial tour over the Hole in the Rock at Cape Brett. When your cruise ship docks at the Bay of Islands, enjoy a bird's-eye view over the historic townships of Russell, Paihia and Waitangi. View the iconic natural landmark from above while your professional pilot narrates the sights on this scenic helicopter flight.

Maximise your time in port in Akaroa with a 6-hour shore excursion to Christchurch and take in the highlights of the Garden City. Admire city landmarks such as Christchurch Cathedral, enjoy lunch (own expense) at a riverside restaurant, then choose one of three tour options (for an added fee): a punting cruise along the Avon River, a tour of the Botanic Gardens, or a ride on the Christchurch City Tram.

Spend time at the EcoWorld Aquarium & Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre when your cruise ship pulls into port in Picton. You'll see ancient reptiles called tuataras and get acquainted with little blue penguins rescued from the Marlborough Sounds. On-site staff take you behind the scenes to discover New Zealand's conservation in action.

When your ship docks in Waitangi Wharf, explore the beautiful Bay of Islands and see the best of New Zealand's spectacular North Island. Travel through the Bay of Islands with your guide and take in top attractions including Kawakawa and the Kawiti glowworm caves. Explore the Puketi Forest's rich ecological diversity, sample New Zealand sweet treats at the Makana Chocolate Factory, and gaze out over the Haruru Falls and the Waitangi River.

This Akaroa shore excursion takes you sightseeing in Christchurch via a scenic drive through the Banks Peninsula. See the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and other city highlights before a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch's top attraction. Feel arctic winds at the Snow and Ice Experience and observe New Zealand wildlife at the Penguin Encounter. Finish with an all-terrain adventure on a thrilling ride by amphibious Hagglund vehicle.

See the sights of Auckland on a 3-hour small-group shore excursion in the 'City of Sails.' A knowledgeable guide takes you by mini-coach across the Harbour Bridge to tour the city center. You'll drive along Queen Street and the suburb of Ponsonby, take a stroll at Devonport's Narrow Neck Beach, visit the Auckland Fish Market and see the city spread out before you from the summit of Mt Victoria. Numbers are limited to 18 people to ensure personalized attention.

This 6-hour Akaroa shore excursion takes you on a scenic journey into Christchurch via the Banks Peninsula with a visit to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Your tour of the 'Garden City' includes a stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and a look at earthquake recovery efforts in the city center. You'll find exotic critters such as wallabies, gibbons and lemurs at the wildlife reserve, and meet the elusive but iconic kiwi, New Zealand's national bird.

Explore Auckland and the yacht-filled harbours of the ‘City of Sails’ on this full-day shore excursion, including wine tasting on Waiheke Island. In the morning, an informative guide takes you sightseeing in the city center — including Queen Street and the Tamaki Drive waterfront — followed by a ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf for a relaxing afternoon at three notable vineyards. Port pickup and drop-off are included.