Tours and Trips in New Zealand

Ride the Queenstown gondola to a skyline restaurant for a midday or evening meal, and enjoy scenic views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables range. At Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar, perched on Bob's Peakat Skyline high above the mountain town, settle in for a 4-course buffet lunch or 6-course buffet dinner of local specialties. Each table in the restaurant's tiered seating area boasts prime views, including Coronet Peak. On Christmas or New Year's Eve, enjoy a themed buffet, live entertainment and two luge rides.

Learn how New Zealand's Maori people have adapted to life among the geothermal activity of Rotorua on this small-group shore excursion from Tauranga. At the Living Maori Village, see how residents integrate natural elements like bubbling geysers, mud pools and steam vents into daily tasks, and watch a live cultural performance. You'll also drive past gorgeous beaches, walk through an ancient redwood forest, and taste local kiwi fruit fresh from the farm on this immersive Bay of Plenty highlights tour.

Explore the volcanic terrain of Rangitoto Island aboard a 4WD tractor-pulled tram on this half-day guided tour. Depart Auckland for Rangitoto on a ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf, and be rewarded with 360-degree views of the water and city skyline after a short walk to the island's summit. During your 2-hour off-road adventure, hear commentary about the island's history, geology and rich plant life, including the largest preserved pohutukawa forest in the world.

Soar through the Queenstown forest on the world's steepest tree-to-tree zipline, plunging 30 stories down from the Skyline Gondola summit on a 3-hour tour. Tone down the adrenaline a notch on a 2-hour course, perfect for families with kids aged six and up. Expert guides supervise your launch from each aerial platform, so all you have to do is take in the panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the snow-capped Remarkables mountain range.

Take in two of New Zealand's top attractions in one day on this Rotorua and Waitomo Caves day trip from Auckland. Visit Rotorua with a guide and take in key sites including Te Puia and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. After lunch, admire fine views over Lake Rotorua on route to the famous Waitomo Caves. During your boat ride, gain insight into the caves' geological significance and marvel at the luminescent glow worms illuminating the dark caves. Upgrade to include the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to your small-group tour.

Experience the adrenaline-pumping rapids of the Shotover River, which runs through Skippers Canyon. Start your half-day trip from Queenstown with a coach drive into the steep canyon via historical Skippers Road, famous for its gold-mining past. The tranquil waters of Deep Creek soon give way to exhilarating white-water rapids, but rest assured you'll be rewarded with a sauna and hot shower afterward.

Take a 75-minute journey across the Hauraki Gulf aboard the Rotoroa Island ferry. Your round-trip ticket allows you to explore the island's arts, history and conservation park, including sandy shoreline, hiking trails and an award-winning museum. Opened to the public in 2011, Rotoroa Island was the longtime home to an addiction treatment center run by the Salvation Army. Visit the heritage buildings and a Rotoroa wildlife sanctuary for endangered New Zealand species. Spend about 6 hours at your leisure before returning to Auckland.

See the geothermal attractions of Rotorua on a half-day morning tour that fits into most travel schedules. Your guide takes you to Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, which is famous for bubbling hot springs, the largest mud pool in New Zealand, and Lady Knox Geyser. Have time to explore the site at your own pace, then have the option to purchase lunch before your guide returns you to Rotorua.

Head inland for the day without the hassle of organizing tickets and rental cars on this Rotorua day trip departing from the Port of Tauranga. Visit a number of Rotorua highlights between your departure and return, including the Te Puia Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Explore Te Puia's bubbling geothermal valley, see the explosive Pōhutu Geyser, and experience a kapa haka cultural performance performed by local Māori.

Swap Queenstown for Aoraki/Mt Cook on a one-way coach tour through the spectacular South Island countryside. The 4.5-hour journey north passes lush farmland and follows the winding Kawarau Gorge to Central Otago then over Lindis Pass and into the Mackenzie Basin. You'll skirt the shores of Lake Pukaki where you can set eyes upon Mt Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain. Opt for a three-course lunch at the Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook Village before hotel drop-off.

Experience the elation of Rangitaiki River white-water rafting over Grade 3 and 4 rapids on this 6-hour adventure for physically active participants. You'll bounce over whirling white water on a thrilling run through the stunning river valley, including a section of flat water where you can relax before lunch and a hot shower. Includes gear, paddling instruction, and hotel pickup and drop-off from Rotorua.

Tour Wai-O-Tapu with a naturalist guide and discover the bubbling mud pools and hot springs of Rotorua's most popular geothermal park. This full-day tour with a small group delivers you to the shores of several volcanic lakes and includes a bush walk to a waterfall and the Lake Tarawera lookout. Learn about Maori history, volcanology and New Zealand's native flora and fauna along the way. Numbers are limited to a maximum 12 people to ensure an intimate experience.

Bring the family to Rainbow Springs nature park for a behind-the-scenes look at New Zealand's native flora and fauna. Your all-day entrance ticket includes the Kiwi Encounter, a nocturnal enclose for this elusive national icon. Learn about kiwi conservation efforts and be entertained by the antics of parrots and other aviary species at a live bird show. The kids will love unlimited water rides on the Big Splash, a journey that takes you back to the time of the dinosaurs.

Don’t miss the scenic flight of a lifetime while you’re in Queenstown. Board a helicopter for an aerial tour over the Remarkables mountain range and soak up the expansive views of sparkling Lake Wakatipu from above. Your 30-minute tour includes an alpine landing for the ultimate photo ops. Upgrade your experience with a private charter exclusive to your group, with your choice of Squirrel or  Eurocopter EC chopper.

Enjoy a scenic rafting tour on the Rangitaiki River during a laid-back 6-hour tour from Rotorua. Travel over Grade 2 white-water rapids on a gentle ride past tumbling waterfalls, sheer rock cliffs and forest-clad river gorges as you relax and take in the scenery. The rolling rapids make this an ideal trip for families and those looking for a more relaxed experience. Includes lunch, gear, paddling instruction and a hot shower with hotel pickup and drop-off.

Soar to new heights on a 20-minute helicopter tour and alpine landing in the Remarkables, a mountain range that dominates the eastern skyline of Queenstown. Hover up close to the eponymous peaks and land 5,046 feet (1,538 meters) above Lake Wakatipu with unparalleled views stretching all the way to the Southern Alps. Your six-passenger helicopter flight includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Take a narrated coach tour from Queenstown to Christchurch, driving across the Canterbury Plains of the South Island. View the rugged mountain and farmland terrain of Otago as you cross Lindis Pass to Mt Cook Village, located at the base of New Zealand's highest mountain. You'll make several stops, including a church at Lake Tekapo, before arrival at your destination. Opt for an included 3-course buffet lunch at the Hermitage Hotel. If you'd like, take a helicopter or skiplane flight (own expense).

Though not as adrenaline-packed as the Olympic sport, the Queenstown luge winds downhill with stunning 220-degree views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range beyond. Ride the Skyline Gondola up to the top of Bob's Peak where you'll experience the Skyline Luge Queenstown on five rides - sure to satisfy any thrill-seeker. Choose the scenic track or descend a steeper gradient on the advanced track, or switch between the two specially designed routes.

Cruise around two of the South Island's most scenic waterways with this Queenstown Super Saver that takes place over two days. First, cross Lake Manapouri and Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound for a 3-hour catamaran cruise; search for wildlife in the pristine wilderness flanked by forested peaks and waterfalls. The next day, board a vintage steamship for a ride across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy New Zealand hospitality with morning or afternoon tea and get an up-close look at rural life.

Combine three of Rotorua's top attractions with a Hobbiton Movie Set tour on this full-day adventure. In the morning, visit Te Puia Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Rainbow Springs wildlife park and the Agrodome sheep farm with a knowledgeable guide who informs you about New Zealand's indigenous culture, national kiwi bird and most common farm animal. Then travel through The Shire on a tour of filming locations used in 'The Lord Of The Rings' and 'The Hobbit' series.