Day Trips in Auckland

The Bay of Islands is one of the highlights of New Zealand's North Island and a cruise is the ideal way to soak up the scenery. On this full-day tour from Auckland, set sail on a dolphin-watching cruise from Paihia, see the Cape Brett Lighthouse, and glide beneath the Hole in the Rock.

Visit one or two beautiful west coast beaches on a 6-hour small-group tour from Auckland. Beaches that you may visit include Piha, Muriwai, Te Henga (Bethells Beach), or Whatipu. Many of these beaches offer huge stretches of sand with few other visitors. You might see caves, seabird colonies, or sand dunes, depending on the day's itinerary, which your guide customizes to the day's conditions and group.

This full-day Albatross Encounter tour in Kaikoura takes you on a narrated boat ride from the rugged coastline. Kaikoura may be famous for its whale and dolphin sightings, but it's also one of the world's most abundant regions for oceangoing birds like the southern royal albatross. The Kaikoura Peninsula offers spectators a look at petrels, shearwaters, terns, shags and gulls as well as a fur seal colony. Round-trip coach transport from Christchurch hotels is included.

This is a Private Charter Tour just for your group!We pick you up from your accomodation/Hotel in Auckland and board one of our modern 2016/17 small group minivan/bus vehicles.Experience the magic of Hobbiton you will have a fully guided tour around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes, the Mill, the Party Tree and into the world-famous Green Dragon Inn, where you will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit Southfarthing beverage.  Experience erupting geysers, hot bubbling mud pools, steam vents and a Maori cultural show not to be missed including the infamous Haka War dance. This is performed by one of Rotorua's leading Maori cultural performance groups. You will encounter a strange landscape of sights, sounds and smells. Marvel at the way the Maori's have tamed this land for there own purpose.

Escape the concrete jungle of Auckland for a natural adventure along the North Island's west coast during this 6-hour trip to Piha and Waitakere. Explore this eco-region's wealth of rugged sea cliffs, black-sand beaches, towering 'Kauri' trees and gushing waterfalls, learning about local Maori traditions and native wildlife along the way.

Travel with a small group on a guided tour to Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, including a rainforest walk and a stroll on Piha Beach. This day trip heads west from Auckland with a stop at the Arataki Visitor Centre for harbor views. Dig your toes into the black-sand beach pounded by large surf and walk to a cascading waterfall for a swim. Your knowledgeable guide points out native flora and birdlife along the way.

Visit the Coromandel Peninsula - renowned for its idyllic beaches, rugged terrain and pristine rainforest - on this day trip from Auckland. You'll ride a narrow gauge railway through a native kauri forest to a viewing platform where you're rewarded with views over the Hauraki Gulf. Your professional guide takes you to Cathedral Cove and to soak in a thermal pool at Hot Water Beach. A cafe lunch plus round-trip hotel transport are included on this small-group tour, limited to nine people.

Experience country life in New Zealand with a full-day tour to the beachside market town of Matakana from Auckland. See New Zealand's largest display of live bees at the Honey Centre in Warkworth; discover local handicrafts with a tour of Morris & James Pottery; and walk beneath ancient kauri trees in the Parry Kauri Park. After a typical country-style lunch, learn more about the region's fascinating history at Warkworth's Early Settlers Museum and the heritage village of Puhoi.

Escape the bustle of Auckland for a day on this convenient day trip to the Coromandel Peninsula. A variety of activities are included, to make the most of your time in this naturally beautiful area: hike to Cathedral Cove, swim in the crystal waters, climb Mount Paku, and dig your own spa bath at Hot Water Beach. All on a handy organized day trip.

Step into the world of hobbits and wizards on a full-day tour from Auckland to the Hobbiton Movie Set with lunch at The Shire's Rest Caf e. You'll see gorgeous rural scenery on the trip to Hobbiton, learn the inside stories behind the The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and sip a Middle Earth-themed drink at the Green Dragon Inn. This full-day Hobbiton Tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees, complimentary drink at The Green Dragon, and it's limited to 11 people for a fun, personal experience.

See where major scenes from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed during this 4.5-hour Hobbiton movie set tour from Rotorua. Visit the North Island sheep farm chosen by director Peter Jackson to depict the Shire, scattered with charming hobbit holes, such as the earthen home of Bilbo Baggins. Hear fascinating stories from your guide on each epic series as you snap photos of your favorites sights from Middle-earth.

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.

Explore Piha, the West Coast, and the Waitakere Ranges on a tour that includes a surf lesson at a famous New Zealand surf destination. Only 30 minutes drive from Auckland, discover subtropical wilderness, tall waterfalls, panoramic views of the city and Waitakere Ranges, and Maori culture at the Arataki Visitor Centre, and then learn to surf at Piha beach with an expert instructor.

Visit a pair of New Zealand's must-see attractions with this combo tour from Auckland to the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Peek into Hobbit Holes, frolic in the Shire, and get a drink at the Green Dragon Inn on a guided tour of Middle-earth, followed by a Kiwi-style lunch at the "Shire's Rest". In the afternoon, explore Maori myths and history on a boat ride through mesmerizing caves lit by thousands of glowworms, and finish with a drive through some of the North Island's most majestic scenery.

Step into the magical world of Middle Earth on this full-day tour of Hobbiton from Auckland. Benefit from a more personalized experience on a small-group visit, enjoy a guided tour of the famous film set including lunch at the Shire's Rest Caf e, and hear all about the filming of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies.

Explore Cathedral Cove and the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve on this full-day tour of the Coromandel Peninsula from Auckland. Round-trip transportation eliminates the need to rent a car, and lets you focus on the scenery instead of driving directions. Take guided hikes through the wilderness, a dip in beachside hot springs, and other highlights including Mt. Paku and Hot Water Beach.

Beat the crowds with early access to the Hobbiton Movie Set, where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies were filmed. A guide gives you a behind-the-scenes peek at places normally only visited by the film crews. This small group includes round-trip coach transport from your Auckland hotel and breakfast at the Green Dragon Inn.

Watch for whales, seals and dolphins on a full-day wildlife tour of Kaikoura from Christchurch. Enjoy views of surf breaks and vineyards as you cross the Canterbury Plains to Kaikoura Township, then visit a thriving colony of fur seals before browsing downtown shops. Explore the coast by catamaran on a whale watching tour, and try to spot giant sperm whales, endangered albatross and dusky dolphins. See the sun slip behind the mountains on the return trip to Christchurch for the conclusion of your tour.

Photograph your way around Auckland's rugged West Coast during this full-day tour. With a professional photographer guide, visit the coastline's black sand beaches, like Karekare and Piha. Trek through rainforests filled with 1000-year-old Kauri trees. Get as much photographic advice as you like, and listen to commentary about the area's ecology, culture and history. Lunch and round-trip transportation from Auckland are included.

Discover the pristine beaches, lush rainforest and clear waters of the Coromandel Peninsular on a full-day tour from Auckland. Drive from the city to Hahei, then switch to a zodiac boat that takes you to islands and beaches throughout the marine reserve, including Cathedral Cove. Your tour includes lunch and snacks, and round-trip transport from your Auckland hotel.