Tours and Trips in New Zealand

Swap the cruise port for the Dunedin countryside on a half-day shore excursion that includes the Otago Peninsula. Your sightseeing tour covers highlights of the city center such as the Dunedin Railway Station, then travels to several village suburbs, stopping en route at scenic lookouts and for a beachside view of basking sea lions. Enjoy the personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 19 people.

Spend time at the EcoWorld Aquarium & Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre when your cruise ship pulls into port in Picton. You'll see ancient reptiles called tuataras and get acquainted with little blue penguins rescued from the Marlborough Sounds. On-site staff take you behind the scenes to discover New Zealand's conservation in action.

Take a 3-hour guided hike to the terminal face of Franz Josef Glacier, scrambling along an exclusive pathway over the riverbed of the mighty Waiho. During the interpretive valley walk to the glacier, your guide covers the geographical features of this magnificent alpine landscape. Upon reaching the viewpoint, you're treated to an up-close look at the advancing glacier. Numbers are limited to 13 people per group for a more personal experience.

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.

Waiheke Island is a popular spot for wine tasting and the most atmospheric time to visit is in the evening hours. On this twilight tasting tour from Auckland, enjoy wine tasting among the vineyards of the Onetangi Valley, indulge in a delicious 2-course dinner at Batch Winery, then admire the glittering Auckland skyline as you cruise back to the city.

See the central sights of Dunedin and visit the Olveston Historic Home on a shore excursion of Dunedin attractions. When your ship pulls into port, a professional guide escorts you through the city by coach. View the University of Otago, Dunedin Botanic Garden and stately historic buildings before a 1-hour guided tour of Olveston, which includes the mansion and its landscaped gardens.

Sample the bounty of Waiheke Island on a 5-hour food and wine tour that visits Casita Miro, Mudbrick Winery and the Rangihoua Estate. Hop off your ferry from Auckland for lunch at the award wining Stonyridge, followed by a sampling of wine, beer and olive oils. Nestled in the Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke has the ideal micro-climate for growing grapes and olives. Discover for yourself why Waiheke is renowned for producing some of New Zealand's most acclaimed artisan wines!

See the imposing Southern Alps on an aerial tour with a helicopter landing on the snowfields of Franz Josef Glacier. Your 40-minute helicopter flight soars above the stunning alpine landscapes of the South Island, narrated by the professional pilot. Enjoy prime views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Tasman Glacier from above before descending toward the lush rainforests at the edge of the Tasman Sea.

This 20-minute scenic helicopter flight takes you soaring above Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier with a snow landing at the top - the perfect opportunity to get up close to a glacier in the South Island. You'll be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over towering ice formations before a soft landing in a snowfield. Admire Mt Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand's highest peak, from the glacial summit.

Experience an evening of authentic Maori food, movement, and music paired with the raw power of the Pōhutu geyser with a night at the Te Puia cultural center. Watch an energetic performance inside a carved Maori meeting house, followed by a delicious 'hangi' feast prepared in a traditional pit oven. Later, venture into the geothermal valley to sip hot chocolate under the stars and watch the eruption of the Southern Hemisphere's largest active geyser.

See two remarkable glaciers from the air on a 30-minute helicopter tour of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. Lift off from a helipad at Fox Glacier, then fly across ice falls, formations, and crevasses on your way to Franz Josef Glacier, and touch down on a glacial snowfield for a photography session. Departures are available throughout the day for this 30-minute helicopter tour of two New Zealand glaciers.

See the Franz Josef Glacier from the air on a 20-minute helicopter flight above ice falls, snow fields, and crevasses. Touch down on a snow field to see the icy landscape up close, and take in sweeping views across the 7.5-mile (12-km) maritime glacier. This 20-minute helicopter tour departs from a helipad in Franz Josef township.

Board the Taieri Gorge Railway for a legendary trip on this train-lover's shore excursion from Dunedin, which includes a 2-hour sightseeing tour by coach. You'll journey by rail through stunning scenery surrounding the Taieri River, passing over century-old viaducts. Then see Otago University, the Dunedin Botanical Gardens, stately homes and other historical sites of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula before you're returned to the Dunedin port.

One of the most protected natural sites in New Zealand, the Franz Joseph Glacier is a wilderness of deep crevasses and frozen ice. On this round-trip eco-tour from Franz Joseph, travel lightly through the native rainforest with all equipment provided and admire uninterrupted views over the Waiho River and the Franz Josef Glacier. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour - limited to six people.

Visit 90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga in New Zealand's Far North District. This day trip from Paihia takes you aboard a Dune Rider vehicle, ideal for traversing the gorgeous coastal landscape. Stop at Cape Reinga Lighthouse and the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. Try sandboarding at the Te Paki Stream sand dunes and enjoy a buffet lunch at Waitiki Landing.

When your cruise ship docks in Dunedin, take a full-day excursion that combines two South Isalnd highlights: a scenic round-trip ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway, and an afternoon tour of the Otago Peninsula. The train steams from Dunedin to Pukerangi, passing through Taieri Plains and Taieri Gorge, and stopping en route for photo ops. Then dig your toes into the sand of Otago's beaches and keep a lookout for marine wildlife.

When your ship pulls into port, relax on a sightseeing tour of Dunedin and take in the magnificent scenery of the Otago Peninsula by rail. Start your shore excursion with a guided 1-hour tour of the Olveston Historic Home, a 35-room mansion with fine art and furnishings. Then soak up the views of the Pacific Ocean during a 1.5-hour round-trip train journey. See the city highlights on an afternoon coach tour including steep Baldwin Street and St Clair Beach.

The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are New Zealand's largest and most magnificent glaciers, and many visitors find it hard to choose between them. This 30-minute helicopter tour takes in both with a thrilling flight over snowy peaks and frozen waterfalls, and an unforgettable snow landing overlooking the glacier.

This small-group day trip from Auckland features the highlights and hospitality of Rotorua. Visit the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute of Te Puia, witness the thermal activity of the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley and tour the city with a knowledgeable guide. Opt for additional free time to explore on your own, or upgrade for a 2-hour private soak at the Polynesian Spa or a visit to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. You have the flexibility to return to Auckland or end with drop-off in Rotorua.

Explore the city of Dunedin at your own pace with a 2-hour self-guided audio tour. Learn about the history and heritage of the city as you take in landmarks such as the Octagon, Dunedin Railway Station, and St Paul's Cathedral. You can also find some of New Zealand's steepest streets and local establishments like Speight's Brewery. Simply download the audio file and maps, then begin whenever you like.