Tours and Trips in New Zealand

Glenorchy sits at the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu, along a stunningly beautiful stretch of road that runs from Queenstown to the (aptly-named) rural settlement of Paradise further north. Instead of trying to negotiate these unfamiliar (and sometimes dangerous) country roads on your own, get a driver who knows the region on this half-day drive. Spend some time exploring Glenorchy's shops and cafes, and take advantage of some remarkable alpine photo ops.

Taste your way from one top Auckland restaurant to the next on this 3-hour gourmet food and wine tour. Together with a food-loving guide, you'll seek out downtown Auckland's finest - and often hard to find - foodie hotspots on foot. Taste a variety of food spiced with Māori, European, Asian and Pacific Islander flavors, and savor some of the award-winning wine for which New Zealand is famed. You'll also gain insight into how the area's evolved and its colonial history. Numbers limited to 10, ensuring a small-group experience.

Nestled in the mouth of Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, Little Barrier Island is a protected reserve known for its undisturbed wildlife, both on land and underwater. On this full-day dive trip designed for experienced divers, sail out from Warkworth and go on two separate tank dives in the waters around Little Barrier Island. Swim with the wide range of marine life that lives in the area - you might get to see dolphins or even whales!

Hike a section of the Routeburn Track, one of the New Zealand Great Walks, on a guided day trip from Queenstown. This premier tramping trail is located in Mt Aspiring National Park, part of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Te Wahipounamu. You'll trek at a moderate pace up a gradual incline toward the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, learning about the regional flora from your informative guide. Numbers are limited to 12 on this small-group tour, which includes snacks, lunch and round-trip hotel transport by mini-coach.

Observe yellow-eyed penguins in their nesting habitat on a small-group tour from Dunedin to the Otago Peninsula. Hear informative narration about this wildlife sanctuary and enjoy great photo ops from various lookouts. First, take a sightseeing tour of Dunedin's main landmarks including the University of Otago and Dunedin Botanic Garden. Upgrade your experience with a 1-hour stop at the Royal Albatross Center for a look at a royal albatross colony nesting area with a specialist guide. Includes pickup and drop-off from your hotel or cruise port.

Make the most of your time at port in Dunedin with one of these customizable Dunedin shore excursions. Get your bearings at your own pace with a Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour, or choose between outings to Larnach Castle and Gardens and the magnificent Taieri Gorge Railway. If desired, the shore excursions can be combined with some of Dunedin's top sites, including Cadbury World Dunedin, Speight's Brewery, or the Olveston Historic Home. All shore excursions include pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers.

Discover some of New Zealand's finest wines on a full-day tour of the Central Otago wine region from Queenstown. Visit five wineries, sip wine in Australasia's largest wine cave, enjoy a gourmet lunch, and sample locally made cheeses. You'll also visit the Cromwell Heritage Precinct and learn about the Otago Gold Rush. Numbers are limited to 12 people on this small-group wine tour that includes wine tastings, lunch, transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Enjoy two dives in the Hauraki Gulf on this charter scuba diving tour from Warkworth. As you explore the waters off the coast of New Zealand's North Island, you'll have the chance to see juvenile hammerhead sharks who migrate past the outer islands on their way to the Pacific. This dive is designed for open-water-certified divers who have logged at least 10 dives; beginner divers may participate only if you pay for a dive guide (own expense).

Spend your time in Christchurch with tickets and transport to four top attractions. Enjoy a punt ride down the Avon River, a shuttle tour of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, a Christchurch Gondola ride to the Port Hills, and an independent hop-on hop-off tour of the city center aboard the Christchurch Tram. Visit the affluent coastal suburbs of Sumner and Redcliffs, or hop off at any of the 17 stops that showcase the highlights of New Zealand's second-largest city. Hotel pickup is included.

Trek across stark volcanic terrain on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand's Great Walks. This independent day hike takes you past Mt Tongariro with an optional side trip to the summit of Mt Ngauruhoe, located within the World Heritage area of Tongariro National Park. You're provided with a round-trip transfer, map and information sheet to prepare you for the 6- to 10-hour trek. Early morning shuttle service is available from your accommodation in Taupo or Turangi, or from the Base Camp or Ketetahi parking lots.

The Routeburn Track is one of the most beautiful - and popular - trails in New Zealand, a great gateway to the country's mountain lakes, river valleys, waterfalls, and forests. With this tour, let someone else take care of driving to the trailhead and packing lunch, and head out on a moderately difficult portion of the trial that takes you to the western end of Lake Wakatipu.

Step into the magical world of Middle Earth on this full-day tour of Hobbiton from Auckland. Benefit from a more personalized experience on a small-group visit, enjoy a guided tour of the famous film set including lunch at the Shire's Rest Caf e, and hear all about the filming of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies.

Tick off the top attractions of the Windy City on this private full-day tour of Wellington. Experience the myriad delights of New Zealand's capital as you take in the views from Mt Victoria, spot seals at Red Rocks, then go behind-the-scenes with a 45-minute tour of the Weta Cave, where the special effects for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were created. After a scrumptious lunch at the Chocolate Fish Caf e (included), ride the cable car over Wellington and visit landmarks like the Botanical Gardens, the Parliament Buildings and the Beehive.

Experience one of the wonders of New Zealand's natural world on this 3-hour glowworm caving adventure in Waitomo. Choose a morning or afternoon tour, then pult on your boots and helmet before heading through the pretty Mangapu Gorge to the Mangarongapu Cave with a guide. With your headlamp to light the way, hike around huge boulders and through shallow streams, and marvel at the millions of bright green glowworms illuminating the rocky limestone. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to six people.

Explore pretty Waiheke Island's beaches, vineyards, and rolling scenery on a full-day, small-group tour that includes tastings at three boutique vineyards. You'll get an overview and orientation of the island, stopping for great views and sandy beaches, and learn about local wine production as you sip Waiheke vintages. Group size is limited to five people to ensure personal service, with pickup and drop-off at the Matiatia Ferry Terminal or island hotels.

This full-day itinerary combines two North Island destinations: Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Rotorua. Marvel at the tiny lights of thousands of glowworms on a boat ride through the tranquil caverns. Then choose from several Rotorua attractions, including an Agrodome farm tour, Skyline Gondola ride or Polynesian Spa experience. In the afternoon, visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia. Picnic lunch and round-trip hotel transport are included from Auckland.

This Queenstown helicopter flight makes a grand circle over the Wakatipu Basin with a mountain landing in the Remarkables Range. Your 30-minute aerial tour covers scenic vistas above the wild Shotover River, which thunders through the sheer gorge walls of Skippers Canyon. Stand in the snow 5,045 feet (1,528 meters) above Queenstown for a not-to-be-missed panorama of Lake Wakatipu and beyond.

Photograph your way around Auckland's rugged West Coast during this full-day tour. With a professional photographer guide, visit the coastline's black sand beaches, like Karekare and Piha. Trek through rainforests filled with 1000-year-old Kauri trees. Get as much photographic advice as you like, and listen to commentary about the area's ecology, culture and history. Lunch and round-trip transportation from Auckland are included.

When your cruise ship docks in Tauranga, experience the wonders of New Zealand's North Island in a small group on this full-day tour to Rotorua. Take in sights such as Mount Maunganui, Sulphur Bay on Lake Rotorua, hot springs around Rotorua, and places of importance to the Maori people. Taste fresh kiwi fruit at an orchard, stroll through the Redwood Forest, and admire the manicured grounds of Government Gardens. Your small-group tour includes guide, entrance fees, air-conditioned transportation, and port pickup and drop-off.

Visit 'The Lord of the Rings' filming locations in Glenorchy, traveling by 4WD with an informative guide. Departing Queenstown for Middle-earth in the morning or afternoon, this half-day tour includes stunning countryside landscapes chosen by director Peter Jackson. See where famous scenes were filmed, such as the Fortress of Isengard, Lothlorien, Ithilien Camp and Forest of Amon Hen. Enjoy light refreshments and personalized attention on this small-group tour, limited to six passengers per vehicle.