Tours and Trips in New Zealand

A hop-on hop-off bus tour of Auckland is a great way to see the vibrant city when you're short on time. After your ship pulls into port, use your unlimited Day Pass or Family Pass on a shore excursion to the "˜City of Sails.' Buses depart every 30 minutes, with stops near the cruise port. Enjoy the flexibility and ease of creating your own sightseeing itinerary as you're free to hop on and off at your leisure. Listen to audio commentary en route to Auckland's main attractions.

Take advantage of InterIslander daily ferry service from Picton to Wellington. Swap New Zealand's South Island for the North Island, crossing Cook Strait to the capital city. The Picton-to-Wellington ferry departs one way, gliding over the serene waters of Queen Charlotte Sound on a 3-hour cruise that offers stunning views of both islands "” the perfect entry to the colonial port city.

While your cruise ship is in port in Auckland, experience the thrill ride of your life with a heart-racing jet-boat ride on Waitemata Harbour. This exhilarating shore excursion takes you on an adrenaline-charged jet-boat tour past city landmarks such as the Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge. Your driver expertly maneuvers Auckland's fastest jet boat into fishtails and 360-degree spins.

Taste an array of New Zealand wines on this Auckland shore excursion to North Island wineries. Your half-day winery tour with a knowledgeable guide includes a lookout point over the Tasman Sea en route to two or three wineries by minivan. With a choice of morning and afternoon options, you can choose the tour that best suits your schedule. Port pickup and drop-off at Prince's Wharf is included.

Sail Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, and get up close to the Māori Rock Carvings on this 2.5-hour sailing tour. Aboard Fearless, a sleek ketch boat, you'll set sail on the impossibly blue Lake Taupo at the heart of the North Island. Choose to rig and hoist the mainsail with the crew, or sit back and let the views wash over you as you sail to the secluded spot where Māori figures have been etched into the rock face. This sailing trip is limited to just 14 people, ensuring a more intimate experience.

Explore the Marlborough region on a full-day tour that combines a visit to Havelock and the Queen Charlotte Sound with an afternoon wine tour. Motor along the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive and have lunch at a restaurant in Picton, then stop at four wineries for a comprehensive experience of New Zealand's famous Marlborough region wines.

If you're planning to hike in the Marlborough Sounds, this local boat service ensures easy round-trip transport from Picton to the Queen Charlotte Track. Choose from three self-guided walks of varying length and challenge. Hop on the boat in the morning to the start of your route at Ship Cove, Endeavor Inlet or Torea Bay, then be picked up at the other end of your hike in the late afternoon. Enjoy complimentary coffee and tea on board as you take in the natural beauty of Queen Charlotte Sound. 

Discover Rotorua on a 1.5-hour duck tour. This sightseeing adventure takes you aboard a World War II amphibious vehicle "” able to travel on land and water. Start with a city tour past Government Gardens, the Blue Baths and more before splashing down into Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Okareka. Enjoy family fun along the way with a provided duck caller, and listen to live commentary about Rotorua's history and local landmarks.

View Franz Josef Glacier and experience a Milford Sound cruise on this 4-day semi-independent tour of New Zealand's South Island. You'll travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown via the Canterbury Plains, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo, then motor up the west coast to Greymouth before riding the TranzAlpine train on the return to Christchurch. Listen to narration on board as the driver highlights this scenic region from picturesque mountain peaks to deep fiords. Overnight accommodation and round-trip hotel transport are included.

Visit the home of Bilbo Baggins on a small-group shore excursion to Hobbiton, a New Zealand farm-turned-filming site for "˜The Lord of the Rings' and "˜The Hobbit' trilogies. While your cruise ship is docked in Auckland, embark on a Hobbiton Movie Set tour of the Mill, the party tree and the Green Dragon Inn. Crouch next to hobbit holes and enjoy lunch at the Green Dragon Inn on this must-do tour.

Take in the sights of Queen Charlotte Sound and visit Ship Cove on a morning boat tour from Picton. The 3.5-hour journey follows a network of waterways as your captain narrates the highlights of the Marlborough Sounds. During free time while anchored at Ship Cove, see Maori wood carvings and a Captain Cook memorial, and explore the sheltered beach. Be on the lookout for marine life and other natural features of this breathtaking region while you sip complimentary tea and coffee on board.

Relax with the flexibility of your exclusive tour of the Marlborough wine region.  Taste sensational wines and partake of some of the most delicious gourmet treats.  Enjoy the wineries or mix and match the day with exciting options. From the Port of Picton your local chauffeur/guide will meet you at the Picton Visitors Centre near the vehicle to take you on a scenic journey through to Blenheim and the famous wine region. Savour our local cuisine in a winery garden café or enjoy a wine with a cheese, meat, seafood platter overlooking our stunning Wairau Valley. Later, visit a chocolate boutique. Ride with peace of mind with flexible drop off to suit your ships scheduled departure.This tour has been created due to the demand for larger but small personal groups of a maximum of 11. A comfortable 11 seat Mini Tour Van is provided for your pleasure.

When your cruise ship docks in Picton, take the opportunity to go wine tasting with a tour that visits some of Marlborough's award-winning wineries. Visit up to five wineries in Blenheim for tastings and vineyard tours, discovering both internationally famous wines and lesser-known New Zealand gems. You'll also stop for lunch (own expense) and sample locally made olive oil, liqueurs and chocolates as you head back to Picton at the end of your 5-hour tour.

When your cruise ship arrives in the port of Picton, located in Queen Charlotte Sound, take a shore excursion to Blenheim and the Marlborough wine region with a guide. Enjoy wine tasting while you learn about the area’s cultural heritage. Travel with a small group along a scenic route and relax in winery gardens and cafes overlooking the Wairau Valley. Shuttle transport is included from the port to a bus stop in town for pickup and drop-off.

This guided tour from Christchurch includes a Hagglund snowmobile ride at the International Antarctic Centre and a dinner buffet at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Start with the Snow and Ice Experience and watch the antics of playful arctic birds at the Penguin Encounter, then observe both native and exotic animals "” including the endangered kiwi bird "” at the wildlife reserve after your five-course meal. Round-trip hotel transport is included.

Discover the award-winning wines of the Marlborough region on a private shore excursion from Picton for your group of up to six people. The exact itinerary is tailored to you, with plenty of time to sip locally-made wines, browse art galleries, then pause for lunch and views of Marlborough's rolling vineyards, plus many customizable options. Pricing is per-vehicle, and includes a wine tasting and a chocolate tasting, as well as round-trip shuttle transport from the Port of Picton.

Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound to Motuara Island and Ship Cove on a 4.5-hour boat tour from Picton. Search for birdlife and marine mammals, such as Hector's dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, as your captain details the region's natural and cultural history. Spend time exploring Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary, home to endangered native birds including the South Island saddleback, king shag, little blue penguin and kiwi. Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee on board, with free time ashore in Ship Cove.

Visit three must-see Christchurch attractions in one day: the International Antarctic Centre, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Experience firsthand what life is like on the ice of Antarctica via an all-terrain Hagglund ride; observe native and exotic animals at the wildlife reserve; and discover military history with two dozen fully restored aircraft representing the four ages of flight. Round-trip hotel transport is included.

When your ship docks in Auckland's port, sip wine, taste honey, savor chocolate and indulge in a winery lunch during this 7-hour Matakana Coast day trip. An in-the-know guide accompanies your small group to this premier arts-and-crafts destination on New Zealand's North Island, including stops at two local wineries, the Puhoi Honey Centre, a delectable hand-made chocolate factory and the Brick Bay sculpture park. Numbers are limited to 9 people or fewer to ensure a more personalized experienced.

Explore Tekapo's backcountry wilderness on a Scenic 4WD Tour, offering private access into some of The Mackenzie's most beautiful High Country Stations. Discover the impressive natural beauty beyond Tekapo lakefront for unique photography opportunities, educational commentary and an incredible High Country experience situated in the heart of New Zealand's iconic scenery.  Remote Backcountry 4WD High Country Station Tour through Braemar Station Stunning and unique views of Mt Cook & Mt Tasman, The Main Divide & Lake Pukaki & The Ben Ohau Mountains Breathtaking scenery of New Zealand's most impressive landscapes Educational information on the area's unique landforms & species & ecology within The Mackenzie Feed farm animals such as Sheep, Angus Cattle & Red Deer Refreshments & Home Made Snacks