NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand's best.
The 15 most popular things to do in New Zealand. Fiord cruises, glacier hikes, glowworm caves and a Maori welcome, with what each one is like and what it costs.
Guided Hobbiton Movie Set tour in Matamata, Waikato: 150-minute walk, Hobbit Holes, Green Dragon Inn drink, and movie secrets.
“Good opportunity to see the places and the props used in the filming of Lord Of The Rings. Pleasant and relaxing experience.”
Glide through Waitomo Glowworm Caves by boat, then walk the Cathedral. Learn geology and Māori lore on a 1-hour guided trip.
“Very interesting and enjoyable with excellent guide”
Rotorua canopy ziplines over 1,000-year-old native forest. Small group, expert guides teach ecology, plus free photos and wet gear.
“I was a bit hesitant to book this at first, but I’m so glad I did! Easy to find a car spot at the Centre, the team were easy to chat with, professional and always ensured we felt comfortable at all times. Travis and Emma were fabulous guides and fRead more”
Hobbiton Movie Set walking tour from Shires Rest in Matamata. Guided 12-acre walk, Southfarthing drink, shuttle help, and easy timing.
“Our tour guide Liam is very accomodating and knowledgeable. The great part is get in to a furnitured hobbit hole and experiencing the real hobbit life.”
Mitai Maori Village in Rotorua pairs a bush-walk canoe arrival with haka and a hangi buffet, with optional pickup and a 3-hour schedule.
“it was very good s9 well organised and lovely food and service thank you”
Fullers360 ferry from Auckland plus a Waiheke hop-on hop-off bus with 16 stops for wineries, beaches and villages. $59.
“We have done a lot of tours in our travels and this tour was one of our favourites. It was very informative and fun. The property that the set is on is really beautiful. Not a difficult walk for most people but there are some hills and stairs that could be troublesome for others. Highly…”
Join a Kaikoura catamaran cruise for giant sperm whale sightings, plus dolphins, seals and seabirds, with expert onboard narration.
“Really good. It was really choppy water and the team were really friendly and helpful”
Small-group Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown with hotel pickup, UNESCO Fiordland stops, and a Cruise Milford fjord cruise.
“The trip and the experience and the scenery were all superlative. I do have a bit of a hearing problem, but with the fan motor going at the back of the van and the young lady, talking in a high-pitched voice may be a bit too fast and a lot of strange names and never…”
Half-full Milford Sound cruise with lounge seating, hot drinks, live skipper narration, and close wildlife and Mitre Peak photo stops.
“We had a fantastic time visiting Milford Sound. We were able to see many waterfalls throughout the sound. We also were very fortunate to see a pair of dolphins following our boat cruise, as well as seals resting on the rocks. Well worth the money.”
3.5-hour catamaran whale watch from Kaikoura with live commentary, sperm whale sightings, and an 80% refund if no whale appears.
“The trip is well organised and the boat crew very professional. Trip well worth the value and the knowledge of the crew made the trip both interesting and memorable.”
Cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak for a wood-fired BBQ feast, farm dog and sheep show, and optional woolshed tea in Queenstown.
“We are so happy we booked this tour for our last day in Queenstown. The food was amazing - could not have asked for anything better. I am a vegetarian and had such a full plate to eat and my husband says the meats were cooked to perfection. The service of the workers both on…”
Hobbiton and Waitomo glowworms in one full day from Auckland, with hotel pickup, guided tours, and lunch included.
“I don't often leave reviews, but this was a great experience. If you are a LOTR fan, the hobbiton is a must see. We went on a rainy day and the staff provided umbrellas for everyone and still provided a phenomenal tour. The tour guides were Read more”
Cruise Lake Te Anau, tour 12,000-year-old limestone caves, then raft into a pitch-dark glowworm grotto on a guided small-group night trip.
“We really enjoyed the Glowworm Caves tour in Te Anau. The experience was unique and beautifully organized, combining a guided walk through the cave system with a quiet boat ride through the glowworm grotto. The glowworms were absolutely mesmerizing like looking at a starry sky underground! The guides were friendly, informative and made the visit…”
Full-day Wai-O-Tapu geothermal entry near Rotorua with Lady Knox Geyser, colorful hot pools, and easy trails. Parking included.
“Beautiful and interesting Park. Very well laid out with information readily available.”
A 2-hour small-boat cruise in Milford Sound with close-up waterfalls, wildlife sightings, and live skipper commentary plus warm drinks.
“We had the best time!!!! Went on a super rainy day and it was absolutely lovely. Got wet, enjoyed every second. Stunning. The check in process was easy—- the boat was a good size to move about but didn’t feel overly crowded. We did the first tour of the morning and let’s just say—- the…”
