Cultural & Theme Tours in North Island

Take an evening tour of the Weta Workshop, a leading special effects and prop studio co-founded by director Peter Jackson, where you'll learn about Wellington's movie-making history. Discover the creative film production process from skilled technicians at the Weta Cave. You may recognize blockbusters such as 'Avatar,' 'The Amazing Spider-Man' and - of course - 'The Lord of the Rings.' Finish with a 3-course dinner at CoCo at the Roxy in the heart of Miramar. Round-trip transport from the Wellington CBD included.

Explore New Zealand's Maori culture, and marvel at geysers and mud pools beneath Mt Maunganui on this full-day Rotorua tour. Travel from Tauranga Port by coach with your guide and discover some of the North Island's top attractions. Admire pristine beaches and million-dollar homes in Mt Maunganui. Visit the Kiwi 360 Visitor Centre to sample homegrown wine and fruit. Discover dense forests, shimmering lakes and rolling farmland, and immerse yourself in Maori culture in Rotorua. See bubbling mud pools and shooting geysers, and gain insight into traditional Maori crafts.

Walk into the real-world landscape of Middle Earth on a walking tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, where you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at "˜The Lord of the Rings' and "˜The Hobbit.' Pause at the Green Dragon™ Inn to for a draft of Hobbit™ Southfarthing™, see the remarkable detailing that brought Hobbiton™ to life on screen, and visit the places where key scenes were created.

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, which translates as 'the place of treasures of this land,' is Wellington's must-visit attraction. Popular with tourists and Kiwis alike, Te Papa "” or Our Place "” is a treasure trove of New Zealand history and art, Māori culture, the Pacific and the natural environment. On this 45-minute express tour, you'll explore the museum in the early evening, when the daytime crowds have thinned. Check off the main highlights on each of the museum's six floors, and gain additional insight into New Zealand's land and history from your guide's commentary.

Take a trip through Middle Earth on a small-group shore excursion to the Hobbiton Movie Set from Tauranga. You'll duck into hobbit holes, learn the secrets behind the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, then belly up to the bar at the Green Dragon Inn. With round-trip, climate-controlled transport from the Port of Tauranga, this is a convenient way to experience one of New Zealand's top sites, and group size is limited to 15 people for personal service from the guide.

See more of New Zealand's top attractions with a small group on this full-day tour from Rotorua. Take a scenic drive to Lady Knox Geyser in time to see it erupt mid-morning, then spend time at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland - one of the North Island's largest geothermal systems. Continue to the Agrodome for the farm show, and top off your day with a city tour of Rotorua.

The fictional, yet globally famous, village of Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves rank among the most popular sites of interest in New Zealand. On this tour, visit both sites in one day with pickup and drop-off at selected Auckland hotels included. See the home of Bilbo Baggins and explore Waitomo's subterranean caverns, and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour"”limited to 12 people.

Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set on a full-day tour from Auckland that explores New Zealand's 'Middle Earth,' where 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' came to life on film. You'll travel through a landscape of lush farms, then take a guided tour of the 12-acre (4.8-ha.) Hobbiton Movie Set, from hobbit holes to gardens and the Green Dragon Inn. With free time to shop and explore, this tour includes transport from selected locations in Auckland, and it's limited to 11 travelers to ensure personalized service.

Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glow Worm Cave on this full-day tour from Auckland. Experience an important Middle-earth and 'Lord of the Rings' location on the guided tour of Hobbiton, and sip a refreshment at The Green Dragon Inn. Afterward, take in the twinkling light of glow worms at Waitomo. Ensure your admission to two of New Zealand's top destinations by booking this tour in advance.

While in Rotorua, see a cultural performance and take part in a traditional Maori "˜hangi' feast at Tamaki Maori Village. A local guide escorts you by coach to the "˜marae' (Maori village) for an immersive evening that begins with a welcome ceremony by New Zealand's indigenous people. Learn about local customs and watch a powerful display of song and dance before a hangi dinner.

Go behind the scenes of 'The Lord of the Rings' and other blockbusters at Weta Workshop, the world's leading special effects and prop studio. The informative and entertaining Weta Cave Workshop Tour gives you a glimpse into the film production of your favorite movies including the LOTR trilogy, 'Avatar' and 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2.' Your 2.5-hour tour includes convenient round-trip transport by minivan from central Wellington, eliminating the hassle of driving and parking.