Shore Excursions in New Zealand

Combine top Dunedin experiences into a single day of sightseeing on a Port Chalmers shore excursion that includes a city tour, Larnach Castle, and a 90-minute ride on a coastal train through the scenic Otago Peninsula. A flexible mix of guided and independent activities gives you the best of both worlds: you'll get a fascinating, guided introduction to Dunedin highlights, but enjoy the freedom to explore on your own.

Discover golden sand beaches, kiwi fruit orchards, historic buildings and traditional New Zealand culture on this 3-hour Tauranga shore excursion including Mt. Maunganui. Travel along Pilot Bay with your guide and gaze across Tauranga Harbour to Matakana Island. Discover evidence of ancient Maori settlements near Mt. Maunganui. Soak up the sunshine at Mt. Ocean Beach, admire the affluent Marine Parade and visit a kiwi orchard. Then, head into the hills for panoramic city and harbor views.

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.

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.

Receive a cruise terminal pick up and discover the locally made treats and secret foodie spots in Petone, one of the oldest settlements in Wellington. This 5-hour tour gives your taste buds a thrilling journey through the history and produce of local food and beverage artisans and importers. Get an exclusive behind the scenes look at a local specialty coffee roastery, taste freshly made cheeses, sample local craft beers, visit a chocolatier, try Martinborough's fine wines or have a tasting platter at an Italian restaurant and cafe. A different tasting experience at every location. Itinerary varies daily! Return drop off at the cruise ship terminal available at the completion of the tour.

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.

Wellington's sprawling coastline can be intimidating to explore. This guided tour will take you around all the highlights in around five hours. Starting with views of the harbour and the sprawling Wellington region at the Mount Victoria lookout, you'll be driven around Oriental Bay, the Miramar Peninsula and the winding southern coastline. In between, enjoy stops at Weta Workshop's Weta Cave shop, the Wahine Memorial Park and Taputarenga Marine Reserve.

Maximise your time in port in Dunedin with this shore excursion and take in the highlights of the Otago Peninsula. See city sights including The Octagon, Dunedin Harbor, Baldwin Street, and Larnach Castle (which for an added fee, you may enter the castle and learn the interesting history of this stately home). Port pickup and drop-off included.

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.

When your cruise ship docks in Tauranga, head out for a 7-hour tour of Mt Maunganui and Rotorua. In Rotorua, learn about Maori culture, and see geothermal hot pools and the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village. Sample New Zealand specialties such as manuka honey and kiwi fruit, and spend time checking out highlights including Lake Rotorua and Government Gardens.

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.

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.

Maximise your time in port in Wellington with a 6-hour shore excursion and take in the highlights of the New Zealand capital. Ride the Wellington Cable Car, take in the views from Mount Victoria, visit the famous Weta Cave, and enjoy free time to explore independently. Port pickup and drop-off is included.

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.

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.

Whether it's your first time in Wellington or you just want to see as much as possible during your time in port,, this half-day sightseeing tour offers a great introduction to the city and a diverse range of sights. Visit the iconic Weta Studios and the historic Old St Paul's Cathedral, ride the cable car to the top of the city, and enjoy panoramic views of Wellington Harbor from the Botanic Gardens and the top of Mount Victoria.

Get to know the highlights of the Bay of Islands on this tour with a small group, which ensures personalized attention and an intimate atmosphere. Stops include one of New Zealand's oldest pear trees, Haruru Waterfall, the Paihia waterfront, the Makana Chocolate shop, and the Stone Store at Kerikeri. Round-trip transportation from the cruise port makes for a seamless shore excursion.

Spend your Waitangi port day exploring the Bay of Islands best attractions on this jam-packed shore excursion. From natural wonders like Haruru Falls and the Kawiti Glowworm Caves to cultural gems including the historic Te Waimate Mission House and famous Hundertwasser Toilets, make the most of your time on New Zealand's North Island while traveling with a guide and small group.

Just a short drive from Wellington lies Martinborough, a country town nestled among some of the country's best wineries. Don't worry about rental cars and petrol prices: on this tour, your guide will pick you up direct from your cruise ship and transport you across the Rimutaka Ranges to three world-class Martinborough wineries. Sample their signature wines and be back in Wellington in time for dinner.

Combine a tour of Wellington and the Lord of the Rings locations during this half-day excursion from Wellington port. Follow your guide, a LOTR specialist, to locations including the Weta Workshop, the LOTR filming and post-production facilities, and Mt. Victoria. Entrance fees and round-trip transportation from Wellington port provided. This small-group tour, limited to 15 people or fewer, ensures an intimate experience.