Top Auckland Shore Excursions

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—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.

For fans of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, visiting the official Hobbiton Movie Set is a truly unforgettable experience. On this tour, enjoy comfortable round-trip transport from Auckland and extra attention from your guide thanks to the small group size. On arrival, explore the famous film set on a guided tour, hear behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the movies, and see the Hobbit Holes, The Mill, and the Double Arched bridge. There will also be free time to shop for souvenirs or purchase lunch at the Shire’s Rest Café.

Make the most of your time in Auckland with a small-group tour that crams all the city’s best bits into just one day. Snap photos of Auckland Harbour Bridge, the Sky Tower and One Tree Hill; take in the views from Tamaki Drive and Mission Bay; explore vibrant neighborhoods like Ponsonby; and visit off-the-beaten-track attractions like Muriwai Beach, the Auckland Domain and Parnell.

Uncover the magic and mysteries of Middle Earth on a visit to New Zealand’s most iconic 'Lord of the Rings' film site — Hobbiton. Explore the film set on a guided tour, pose for photos in the Hobbit Holes, enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and tuck into lunch (own expense) at the Shire's Rest Café. Hotel pickup and round-trip transport from Auckland is included.

Volcanic beaches, native rain forest, and vineyards abound on this full-day tour of West Auckland. Begin with a wine tasting in Henderson Valley, then continue to the Waitakere Ranges, where more than 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) of coastline and forest await you. Get elevated views of the reserve from the Arataki visitor center, explore the black-sand beaches of Piha and Karekare, and get close to the Karekare waterfalls. Then, enjoy an included lunch before finishing your tour with more wine tastings.

Discover the best of urban and rural New Zealand on this full-day Auckland city and West Coast tour. Travel by luxury vehicle through attractive districts such as Devonport, Titirangi, and Tamaki Drive, and admire colonial homes in Parnell. Check out views over the Waitakere Ranges and explore black sand beaches and dense rainforests, where pohutukawa trees thrive. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.

The Waitomo Caves and Rotorua rank among New Zealand’s top attractions, offering natural beauty, geothermal features, and native culture in equal measure. Ideal for travelers short on time, this adventurous tour takes in both sites in the same day, with entry fees plus round-trip transport from Auckland included. Discover subterranean stalagmites at the famous Waitomo Caves and hit top Rotorua attractions including the Government Gardens and Lake Rotorua.

While your ship is in port in Auckland, combine sightseeing, a boat cruise and sky-high views from the Sky Tower so you can see the city from all angles. A professional guide points out popular attractions such as Quay Street, the Auckland Museum, and Dominion Parks and Gardens. You’ll visit the Tamaki waterfront and glide under the Harbour Bridge during your 90-minute cruise on Waitemata Harbour. This shore excursion shows you the many sides to Auckland, New Zealand’s premier city.

Get a personalized introduction to Auckland’s most important sights on a half-day tour for your group of up to 11 people. Make the most of your time in Auckland with a convenient trip that includes round-trip hotel transfer from centrally-located Auckland hotels.

Experience two of the North Island’s highlights the easy way on a day trip from Auckland. After a handy CBD hotel pickup, head to the Hobbiton film set, where you’ll learn all about The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. Continue to the Waitomo Caves and be amazed by the underground caverns of twinkling glowworms. Take it all in without the stress of having to drive yourself.

Discover the produce and panoramas for which New Zealand’s North Island is famous on this 5.5-hour winery and black-sand beach tour from Auckland. Visit the Kumeu River Winery with your guide and learn of New Zealand’s early winemaking pioneers. Sample award-winning wines made from pinot gris, gewürztraminer and pinot noir grape varietals at the Coopers Creek and Matua wineries. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Provenance Matua Valley eatery, and perhaps try local Manuka honey. Explore the black sands of Muriwai Beach where the west coast meets the Tasman Sea.

Get out of the city without traveling too far by visiting four West Auckland wineries over the course of a day. Sip your way along the Kumeu Wine Trail, where you’ll receive tastings at each. You’ll also stop at one for longer, to enjoy a delicious three-course meal. Learn which grape varieties grow best in this part of New Zealand, among other interesting wine-making facts, from your knowledgeable guide.

Black sands, native wildlife, and award-winning wine awaits you on this tour of Auckland’s wild west coast. Following pickup from your central hotel, you’ll travel to Muriwai, a coastal enclave whose windswept beach and waves draw surfers and visitors from miles around. Stroll the beach and visit the cliff-top gannet colony, then continue to a nearby wine estate, where you’ll taste a selection of local varietals and blends.

See the sights of Auckland on a 3-hour small-group shore excursion in the ‘City of Sails.’ A knowledgeable guide takes you by mini-coach across the Harbour Bridge to tour the city center. You’ll drive along Queen Street and the suburb of Ponsonby, take a stroll at Devonport’s Narrow Neck Beach, visit the Auckland Fish Market and see the city spread out before you from the summit of Mt Victoria. Numbers are limited to 18 people to ensure personalized attention.

Visit the home of Bilbo Baggins on a small-group shore excursion to Hobbiton, a New Zealand farm-turned-filming site for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogies. While your cruise ship is docked in Auckland, embark on a Hobbiton Movie Set tour of the Mill, the party tree and the Green Dragon Inn. Crouch next to hobbit holes and enjoy lunch at the Green Dragon Inn on this must-do tour.

Experience the North Island's top destinations in one day on a full-day tour to Wai-O-Tapu and Rotorua from Auckland. Have time to walk at your own pace around Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park, then take in the sights of Rotorua on a coach tour with stops along the way. Includes entrance fees, bottled water and snacks, live commentary from the driver-guide, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Discover Auckland in a fun way on a 1- or 2-hour private tour by tuk-tuk. You'll see the sights of the city as you travel aboard an eco-friendly electric tuk-tuk, checking out open spaces such as the Auckland Domain, Judges Bay, and the Parnell Rose Gardens. On the classic 2-hour tour you can get out of the tuk-tuk to walk around a bit; on the 1-hour sprint tour, you'll stay in the tuk-tuk.

If you want the flexibility and freedom of independent travel but the support and structure of a guided tour, create your own private tour itinerary in consultation with your guide. Choose the tour length (1–21 days) and destinations to suit your needs and interests. Perhaps focus on the cultural and geothermal attractions of the central North Island, or the mountains and lakes of the South Island–it’s up to you.

Escape the city and sample the local produce for which New Zealand’s North Island is famous on this 6.5-hour Matakana coastal getaway from Auckland. Travel with your guide through the seaside town of Orewa to the Waiwera Mineral Springs. Sample fine wines in local wineries and discover some of the grape varietals thriving in the fertile soils. Following a delicious lunch in an award-winning local restaurant, sample locally made organic ice cream and chocolate. Taste native Matakana honey and see the busy bees working in their wall hives.

Combine the top sights of Rotorua and Te Puia in a single comprehensive day tour from Auckland. Traveling with a guide and following a carefully curated itinerary means you won't miss any of the important sights. Visit the Maori cultural landmarks and geothermal spots of Te Puia, as well as the city sights in Rotorua, accompanied by insightful guided commentary. Round-trip transportation from Auckland means you can focus on the scenery and the experience instead of driving and directions.

Discover some of the fine wines for which New Zealand is famous on this 3.5-hour winemaking experience from Auckland. Visit the lush vineyards of Villa Maria Estate Winery, nestled beneath a mighty volcano on the Ihimatao Peninsula. Explore the vineyards and winery with your guide, and learn of the different grape varietals thriving in the fertile soils. Gain insight into the workings of a modern winemaking estate and sample seven award-winning wines.

See New Zealand’s coastal rainforest and black-sand beaches on a full-day shore excursion from the Auckland port. Visit Waitakere Ranges Regional Park for a guided bush walk and marvel at traditional Maori carvings and thousand-year-old kauri trees. Enjoy views over the Tasman Sea and savor a Kiwi-style picnic lunch on this small-group tour, with personalized attention from your professional guide.

Make the most of the journey from Auckland to Rotorua by visiting one of New Zealand’s most popular attractions along the way—the Hobbiton Movie Set. Relive memorable moments from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films on a guided tour of Hobbiton, enjoy free time for lunch (own expense) at the Shire’s Rest Café, then continue to Rotorua, where you’ll be given an introductory tour of the city before being dropped at your hotel.

Take a break from the city without the hassle of navigating on a tour of the countryside with round-trip transport from your Auckland accommodation. Going with a guide ensures you have the best views and photo opportunities of the natural landscape and its fluffy four-legged inhabitants along the way. No need to plan logistics: An admission ticket to Sheepworld Farm and Nature Park, lunch, and beverages are included.