Tours and Trips in New Zealand

Marvel at the volcanic wonders of Rotorua on a 6-hour tour that spins you out on the Waikato River with a thrilling jet-boat ride. Start with a guided walk past the Crater Lakes of Rainbow Mountain and check out the mud pools near Wai-O-Tapu. Your jet boat zips through Tutukau Gorge, dropping you off to explore the steaming cliffs and gushing geysers of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park on foot before completing your high-speed ride with fishtails and tight turns. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

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.

Biking is a great way to visit wineries and explore Hawke's Bay. With this tour, explore more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) of scenic, bike-friendly paths at your own pace, stopping at some of the region's finest wine producers along the way. Opt for an available wine purchase pick-up service, so you won't have to lug bottles around on a bicycle.

Go behind the scenes at Weta Workshop to see the creative studio behind 'The Lord of the Rings' and other top films. The crew member-led 'There and Back Again' tour gets you access to the Weta Cave Shop, props and costumes from Weta Workshop projects, and priority seating at a documentary screening, along with a round-trip shuttle from central Wellington that saves you the hassle of coordinating separate transit.

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.

Make the most of your trip from Rotorua to Auckland with a tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a fascinating network of flooded caverns lit by bioluminescent glowworms. You'll travel by comfortable minibus from your hotel in Rotorua to your centrally-located Auckland hotel, pausing in Waitomo for a boat tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. This 6-hour tour includes all transport and entrance fees, and it's limited to 15 people for a more personal experience.

Return to nature on the famous Routeburn Track. On this private hike, roam through the ancient undergrowth of the forest and gaze up at snow-capped peaks as your local guide invites you to explore New Zealand's fascinating wilderness. A great walk, a perfect day.

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.

Embark on a one-way tour from Rotorua to Auckland and explore Waitomo Glowworm Caves, one of the North Island's most popular attractions. Be amazed by the illumination of thousands of tiny glowworms on a boat tour through Glowworm Grotto, a subterranean marvel. You'll travel through the Mamaku Ranges and the rural farmlands of Waikato en route to Auckland, admiring highlights such as Fitzgerald Glade. Includes round-trip hotel transport with optional lunch.

Climb to the summit of Mt Ngongotaha on a 10-minute aerial ride aboard the Rotorua Gondola. Soak up panoramic views over the city and Lake Rotorua, and spend leisurely time at the top before making your way back down. Alternatively, opt to include one, three, or five luge rides down one of three purpose-built tracks - basic, intermediate or advanced - including a chairlift between rides.

Visit two natural attractions in Rotorua on this full-day tour. Start off at the Rotorua geothermal geyser where groups of Maori people have lived and worshipped for generations. Learn about the Maori culture and how they use the geothermal geysers, mud pools, and steam vents. Then head to the KiwiFruit Orchard cart for a guided tour and finish off with a complimentary kiwi cream.

Getting around all of Wellington's landmarks and attractions by yourself can be a grind: making sense of bus schedules, working out where the best spots are, finding the time to eat in between activities. This scenic tour offers a chance to visit all the must-see locations highlighted in the travel brochures - the sprawling harbour views of Mount Victoria, the props and memorabilia at Weta Workshop's Weta Cave, the marine life of Te Kopahou Reserve - without having to worry about micromanaging your itinerary.

Swap your cruise ship for a traditional Maori war canoe on this interactive shore excursion from Paihia. The history and ecology of the Bay of Islands is best understood with a local, and you'll paddle with a Ngapuhi guide who shares Maori traditions via the age-old art of storytelling. Learn ceremonial chants and visit a 'marae' (meeting ground) plus receive an all-inclusive day pass to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

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.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of New Zealand's finest hikes, a 12-mile (19.4 kilometer) trail past eccentric volcanic terrain, electric green lakes, steam vents, and springs. More than 100,000 people make the trek annually, but not all of them travel with the convenience of shuttle transport. This round-trip shuttle from National Park Village takes you to the trailhead and picks you up when you've finished the hike - so you can savor the moment and relax on the return journey.

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.

Soak in panoramic views of New Zealand's South Island during your 35-minute one-way flight to Queenstown from the Milford Sound. The scenic flight follows a route over Fiordland National Park, the Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu, and Sutherland Falls, before landing at Queenstown airport, where a driver transfers you to your hotel.

Set anchor at Ship Cove, a sheltered bay of Queen Charlotte Sound where Captain James Cook landed in the late 1700s. During this half-day nature cruise in the Marlborough Sounds, enthusiastic marine biologists point out wildlife including New Zealand fur seals and several species of dolphins: Hector's, bottlenose and dusky. Spot rare seabirds and learn about the history between Cook and the Maori people of Aotearoa while you're treated to refreshments on board.

Combine hiking on the famous Routeburn Track with a canyoning adventure in Mt. Aspiring National Park on a single active tour from Queenstown. Hike along the Routeburn Track while a guide points out the endemic flora and fauna, then reach the canyonlands, where you will rappel and swim through the caves, canyons, and pools. Refuel with a picnic lunch to wind up your strenuous tour.

Ever wanted to visit a real shooting stage? Blast off on an incredible journey and discover the Weta Workshop miniatures behind the popular TV series, Thunderbirds Are Go. Enjoy a rare photo opportunity, and get a collectable Thunderbirds Are Go pin to take home.