Tours and Trips in New Zealand

Ride the Taieri Gorge Railway on a 4-hour round-trip route from Dunedin to Pukerangi, and take a guided tour of the Otago Peninsula by minivan in the afternoon. The train steams through vivid South Island landscapes including the Taieri Plains and Taieri Gorge, stopping en route for photo ops plus a leg stretch in Pukerangi. Then dig your toes in the sand at Otago's gorgeous beaches and keep a lookout for oceanic wildlife. Upgrade to include a gourmet boxed lunch.

Swap the Tauranga cruise port for the Shire, featured in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies, on a Hobbiton Movie Set shore excursion. Your tour includes movie structures such as hobbit holes, the party tree and the Mill. Sip a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and then suit up in a favorite LOTR costume with a stop at McLaren Falls Park.

Enjoy a family-friendly half-day shore excursion to Waimarino Adventure Park when your ship docks in Tauranga. You can splash into the water as a human catapult, zip down the kayak slide, practice your climbing skills on the rock wall, jump on a water trampoline or take a relaxing spin in a kayak. Nibble on chocolate to keep your energy up for the fun while visiting New Zealand.

Take a scenic round-trip through the wilds of New Zealand's South Island on this 4-hour Taieri Gorge railway journey from Dunedin. Depart from downtown Dunedin's attractive railway station and head deep into the Taieri Gorge by train. Gaze out over ever-changing corners of the New Zealand countryside inaccessible by road. With informative and entertaining live commentary on board, gain insight into the railway's construction and the challenges faced by the engineers. Enjoy sightseeing stops on route and discover top attractions around Dunedin.

Explore Lake Taupo and the Tongariro National Park with this combination adventure tour. Cruise on Lake Taupo to learn about its geology and history from a guide, then take to the sky for a helicopter ride over Wairakei Geothermal Fields and Huka Falls. Finally, transfer to a jet boat to navigate the waterfalls on the scenic Waikato River.

Explore the thermal wonderland of Wai-O-Tapu and see Pohutu Geyser blow its top at Whakarewarewa during this full-day private Tauranga shore excursion to the Rotorua region. Witness colorful thermal springs, hissing steam vents and bubbling mud pools as your guide details the area's geothermal activity, then discover traditional customs at New Zealand's only living Maori village. Port pickup and drop-off by private vehicle included.

This 5-hour shore excursion from New Zealand's Bay of Plenty highlights the rural riches of the Tauranga region. Enjoy samplings of manuka honey in this tranquil corner of the North Island where rolling farmlands dot the landscape. Head into the Kaimai mountains and follow your guide on an easy walk to the waterfall at McLaren Falls Park. A maximum of 19 participants ensures a small-group experience.

Take a shore excursion to the Hobbiton Movie Set and sightsee Rotorua with a guide when your cruise ship pulls into port at Tauranga. Journey to Middle-earth and The Shire of 'The Lord of the Rings' fame, featured in the popular LOTR trilogy and 'The Hobbit.' Then learn traditional customs at the Maori village of Whakarewarewa before strolling past the spouting geysers and steaming hot springs of thermal Rotorua. Numbers are limited to 19 participants in this small-group tour to the land of hobbits and hot pools.

See the highlights of Rotorua on a full-day shore excursion from Tauranga. You'll travel to one of New Zealand's famed regions in the North Island, observing otherworldly landscapes and Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa's thermal springs. Visit Okere Falls at the Bay of Plenty; receive a traditional welcome at an authentic Maori village where you'll watch a 'haka' (war dance); and view the Government Gardens, a historic bath house and more in Rotorua.

When your ship pulls into port at Tauranga, take a shore excursion to McLaren Falls Park for a kayaking adventure on Lake McLaren. Paddle on the serene lake with an expert guide and look for myriad birds within reach. Peer at gentle streams that lap the tranquil water's edge and find photo ops against the scenic backdrop of steep-walled Mangapapa Canyon. A chocolate bar, bottled water and dry bag are provided along with round-trip port transport.

Just steps from your cruise ship lies a coastal path to Mt Drury and Moturiki Island. Embark on an easy 2.5-hour walking tour while you're in port at Tauranga, exploring sacred Maori sites and natural history with an informative guide who points out a petrel colony and breeding little blue penguins. After your walk, rejuvenate in the outdoor saltwater pools at Mount Hot Pools in Mount Maunganui.

Explore New Zealand's magical North Island on this 7-hour Tauranga shore excursion. See the golden sands of Mt Maunganui's Marine Parade and stroll along Papamoa Beach as local fishermen haul in their catches. Learn about traditional Maori arts and crafts, culture and history in Te Puia, and watch a performance of the Maori war dance. Explore Rotorua's geothermal valley, famous for its steaming geysers and bubbling mud pools, and admire New Zealand's national bird in the Kiwi House.

Visit the 'Lord of the Rings' movie set on this small-group Hobbiton tour from Auckland. At the Hobbiton Movie Set, you'll visit the home of Bilbo Baggins and peer inside other hobbit holes of the Shire - filming site of 'The Hobbit' and the 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Your knowledgeable guide points out the party tree and the Mill. Enjoy cider, ale or ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn, and recharge with lunch at The Green Dragon marquee - both included.

Discover the famous cities, natural wonders, and national parks of New Zealand's South Island with a great-value yearlong travel pass. Enjoy unlimited access to the hop-on and hop-off buses, stopping at destinations including Christchurch, Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier, Mount Cook National Park, and Abel Tasman National Park.

Explore the Rotorua lakes district and learn about its history on a 2-hour tour duck boat cruise from Rotorua. Travel on land and by water in the amphibious World War II vehicle, visiting four lakes including Lake Tarawera, located at the foot of Mt Tarawera. Hear about the devastating 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera and other aspects of local history on this family-friendly tour.

Get of the beaten track and head for Taranaki.Trip Highlights- Local Guide-Small Group-Climb to the Summit of Paritutu Rock-Explore Back Beach and the Sugar Loaf Islands-Tour of New Plymouth City-Walk from the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge to the Wind Wand on the Coastal Walkway- Festival of Lights (Summer only)-Walk through Goblin Forest up Mount Taranaki-See a live Kiwi Bird at the Otorohanga Kiwi HouseNote Minimum number for this tour to be confirmed is 4 passengers.

Enjoy a thrilling combo of 2 of Taupo's best water activities. You'll have the time of your life with each adrenaline-charged experience: Spin out to Huka Falls on a Waikato River jet-boat ride and go whitewater rafting on the Tongariro River. With professional guides and all equipment provided, you'll see all angles of Taupo's great outdoors.

When your cruise ship docks in Tauranga, gain insight into New Zealand's natural and cultural heritage on a shore excursion to Rotorua. At the Te Puia Maori cultural center, discover boiling mud pools and Pohutu Geyser on a walk through the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley; learn about Maori customs at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute; and spot the elusive kiwi bird.

Take to the skies on a 50-minute Queenstown helicopter flight that includes a snow landing on Jura Glacier. Soar above Lake Wakatipu's northern shores and discover unparalleled views of New Zealand's Southern Alps from an aerial perspective. After your pilot lands atop the glacier, snap photos of surrounding alpine peaks, such as Mt Aspiring, before the return helicopter ride over glacier-fed lakes and the Rees and Dart River valleys.

Gain entry to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia on a guided tour of this geothermal hot spot. Take a walking path up to steaming vents, boiling mud pools and erupting Pohutu Geyser at Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley; observe the emblematic kiwi bird; and discover Maori traditions at the cultural center. Upgrade to include a 45-minute cultural performance of Maori song and dance, including the warlike 'haka.' Showtimes are available several times a day during admittance.