Port call · NEW ZEALAND SHORE EXCURSIONS

The 15 Best Shore Excursions in New Zealand

72 tours  ·  from $25 a head

Tauranga, Picton and the Fiordland calls, each a long way from the sight that sells them. These 15 are priced and timed with the drive included, not tucked into the small print.

Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Highlights - Te Puke and the kiwifruit orchard
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Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Highlights

1.Rotorua Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 427 reviews · from $152Our pick

Travel from Tauranga to Rotorua for geothermal springs, bubbling mud, Pohutu Geyser, a Māori village welcome, song and haka, kiwi fruit tasting, redwoods, Government Gardens, and Kaituna Falls. Guides such as Stephen, Rolf, and John provide commentary, while lunch is purchased separately. The tour lasts about seven hours.

“Great experience. Really enjoyed having Rolf as our guide. He facilitated and conducted a great overview of the area and put us in the hands of an excellent guide for our tour of the Maori Village. Took us to a kiwi farm and provided a personal tour plus taste testing. Most excellent, all the way around. Thank you, Rolf.”

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Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion - A short walk among ancient kauri
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Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion

2.Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 317 reviews · from $139

Travel from Waitangi Wharf or your Paihia hotel to Haruru Falls, Kawiti Glow Worm Caves, Manginangina Kauri Walk, and Makana Chocolate Boutique. A guide such as Dyson, Rob, or Gareth provides live commentary in an air-conditioned vehicle. The small-group tour suits cruise passengers with limited time.

“Dyson (like the vacuum cleaner) was our tour guide. He was amazing. Absolutely knew his stuff and made our trip unforgettable.”

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6.5 hour Small-Group Rotorua Naturally Shore Excursion - Tauranga - Kuirau Park: Rotorua’s free geothermal introduction
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6.5 hour Small-Group Rotorua Naturally Shore Excursion – Tauranga

3.6.5 hour Small-Group Rotorua Naturally Shore Excursion – Tauranga

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · from $135

Travel from Tauranga to Rotorua in a small group with a local guide such as Simon, Richie, or Alistair. See bubbling mud and steaming lakes at Kuirau Park, soak your feet, stop near a Maori village, and finish with Rotorua’s Redwoods Treewalk and Glow Worm Cave. Port pickup, snack, towels, and admissions to the redwood attractions are included.

“Wonderful excursion! Each stop was so interesting. Favorite was the treetop walk through the huge beautiful trees. The bubbling mud and steaming lakes of Kuirau Park along with birdsong as we walked was such a delight. Our guide AlastaiRead more”

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Dunedin Shore Excursion: Small-Group Tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula - Baldwin Street: a five-minute look at Dunedin’s famous slope
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Dunedin Shore Excursion: Small-Group Tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula

4.Dunedin Shore Excursion: Small-Group Tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 270 reviews · from $86

From Port Chalmers, you’ll tour Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula in an air-conditioned minivan for about three and a half hours. Stops include Baldwin Street, Dunedin Railway Station, a beach walk for sea lions and fur seals, and harbor lookouts. Guides such as Chris add local stories and flexible photo stops, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Very,very small bus. Seating is for little children. No room at all for legs and knees. Tour was ok .”

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Hobbiton Movie Set Shore Excursion from Tauranga (6 Hours) - Walking through Hobbiton’s 44 Hobbit holes
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Hobbiton Movie Set Shore Excursion from Tauranga (6 Hours)

5.Hobbiton Movie Set Shore Excursion from Tauranga (6 Hours)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · from $198Top rated

Travel from Tauranga port through Mount Maunganui and the Waikato to Hobbiton. A local guide handles the drive and timing, while a Hobbiton guide leads the 2.5-hour set visit, including a furnished Hobbit home and a drink at the Green Dragon Pub. Allow for hills, gravel paths, sun, and changing weather.

“We had a wonderful experience, the bus driver Isabel was very knowledge about the area and also about the Hobbiton experience. She had lots of great stories and was an excellent tour guide of the Tauranga area. We loved the Hobbiton mRead more”

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Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour - Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake
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Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour

6.Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 228 reviews · from $89

Travel from Akaroa through Banks Peninsula to Christchurch in an air-conditioned coach with a local driver-guide. Walk through the Botanic Gardens, see earthquake-damaged landmarks, stop for lunch, and return via Sumner, Lyttelton, and the Port Hills. Guides such as Scotty, Ian, Phil, and Bruce are known for strong local commentary.

“I was on the Christchurch City Sights Tour today and had a delightful and informative 6 1/2 hours. Scottie was the tour guide and driver and was one of the best I ever had. Great sense of humor and actually brilliant on his knowledge base of Christchurch. His pride of the city made it all the more special. Of course his recommendation to have a meat pie at THE BUTCHERS PIE was spot on. Great job today, Scottie!”

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Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights - Mona Vale Gardens: the tour’s quiet pause
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Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights

7.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 209 reviews · from $62

Travel from Lyttelton port into Christchurch with a local driver-guide such as Scotty, Joseph, or Larry. Visit Mona Vale Gardens, pause at the Sign of the Takahe, hear how the city rebuilt after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, and enjoy free time near Cathedral Square and Riverside Market. Lunch is at your own cost.

“Good tour, got to see places i wouldn't have on my own unfortunately restricted by cruise ship schedule”

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Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour - Heading toward Otago Harbour and the peninsula
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Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour

8.Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 207 reviews · from $86

Andrew drives a powerful V8 trike through central Dunedin, past First Church, Speight’s Brewery, St Clair, and the Otago Peninsula. In about an hour, you get city history, harbour and beach views, a five-minute photo stop, and an open-air ride for a maximum of four people. Sunglasses and warm jackets are available.

“The bike ride and the amazing views , Andrew was great and full off information , it a great way to see the Dunedin city”

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Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center - Mona Vale Gardens, ponds, and quiet paths
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Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center

9.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 194 reviews · from $114

This 6.5-hour Lyttelton shore excursion combines city views, Mona Vale Gardens, Cathedral Square, Riverside Market, and the International Antarctic Centre. Your driver-guide may be Scotty, Joseph, or another Leisure Tours guide. Expect a Hagglund ride, Antarctic cold room, penguins, commentary, and coach transport back to the ship.

“This was an excellent tour and Scotty was an excellent tour guide. The Antarctica experience was amazing and now I want to visit.”

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Shore Excursion: Scenic Rafting from Napier - The one-hour ride from Napier matters
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Shore Excursion: Scenic Rafting from Napier

10.Shore Excursion: Scenic Rafting from Napier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 179 reviews · from $139

Travel about an hour from Napier to the Mohaka River for a scenic two-hour float through native bush, canyon walls, birdsong, and easy class II rapids. Deon and his team provide transport, rafting gear, safety equipment, photos, and a homemade lunch. You can stay mostly dry or swim in the clear river.

“Had a great day with fun, laughs, great people and great hosts. Highly recommend this activity and this operator Thanks again it was fun”

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Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour - What makes Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc special
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Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour

11.Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · from $155

From Picton, ride a comfortable minibus through the Koromiko Pass to Marlborough’s cellar doors. Visit four or five wineries when time allows, taste local wines, walk through a vineyard, stop for lunch at your own cost, and finish with handmade chocolate. Guides have included Bruce, Lucinda, John, Marsley, Lisa, Mike, and Chris.

“An absolutely wonderful day! Marsley picked us up at the Picton Isite which is where the cruise ship shuttle buses dropped us off. So very easy. The tour group is small, no more than 10 people. The van is comfortable and clean. Marsley gave us a clear plan for the day and off we went. It is about 35 minutes to the first Winery. We visited 4 Wineries with tastings at Spy Valley Winery, Framingham and Jackson. They were all beautiful and the wines very good. We had sufficient time at each to enjoy the tastings and the winery grounds. The fourth winery we visited, Allan Scott, was where we…”

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Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve - Guides who make the difference
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Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve

12.Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · from $83

Paddle a tandem sea kayak through Akaroa’s sheltered volcanic harbor with guides such as Jake, Joey, John, James, Allie, and Seamus. Expect about three hours on the water, basic instruction, spray skirts, jackets, and stories about local geology and wildlife. Sightings are possible, not promised, and some departures remain within the harbor rather than reaching the marine reserve.

“This was a great tour. Allie was very kind and worked with us even when the ship’s tenders were late. John was our tour guide and was very patient and informative. Good for beginners and experienced kayakers. Had a wonderful time!!”

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Tauranga Shore Excursion: Top Half Day Curated Highlights Tour - Te Puna shows the fruit behind the label
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Tauranga Shore Excursion: Top Half Day Curated Highlights Tour

13.Top Half Day Curated Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 152 reviews · from $69

Join a small-group Tauranga shore tour with guides such as Jan, Duncan, Terry, or Stephen. You’ll visit Gate Pa, a kiwifruit orchard, Minden Lookout, and McLaren Falls Park, with a short bush walk, coffee and muffin, fruit and honey tastings, and hokey pokey ice cream. Port transfers are included.

“This tour is highly recommended as the 5 hours were fully utilized with sceneries and snacks - muffin, kiwi fruits and ice cream 😋👍.”

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Auckland Shore Excursion: Half-Day Guided City Tour - Queen Street and the central city
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Auckland Shore Excursion: Half-Day Guided City Tour

14.Auckland Shore Excursion: Half-Day Guided City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · from $65

This three-hour Auckland shore excursion uses a comfortable mini-coach for a compact tour of the city and North Shore. You’ll walk Narrow Neck Beach, see Rangitoto, climb Mount Victoria, and pass Queen Street, Ponsonby, Auckland Domain, Parnell, and Westhaven Marina. Guides such as Jason, Murray, Wayne, and Kelly have led past departures.

“Wayne was both my travel guide and driver. He shared a wealth of information and a lot of "dad" style jokes. His sense of humor made the time fly on the tour. I appreciated that he gave us a laminated tour sheet with most of the stops we made.”

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Tauranga Shore Excursion: History & Kiwifruit Tasting – 4 Hours - Tauranga harbor and the Port of Tauranga
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Tauranga Shore Excursion: History & Kiwifruit Tasting – 4 Hours

15.History & Kiwifruit Tasting – 4 Hours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 146 reviews · from $65

Spend four hours with a local driver-guide such as Russell or Emile, visiting Mount Maunganui, Tauranga’s harbor and port, Minden Lookout, and a working kiwifruit orchard. Expect small-group transport, local history, photo stops, and tastings of kiwifruit, avocado, and locally sourced tea.

“It’s a good experience to get to know the area if your here for a short time.. I think it could be done on less than 4 hours but Russell didn’t want to rush they. He was pleasant.”

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New in New Zealand Shore Excursions

★ 4.5Quickie Tours 1 Hour City Sights Tour Cruise Ship days OnlyFrom $246 reviews
★ 4.5Otago Peninsula & Larnach Castle Shore ExcursionFrom $17938 reviews
★ 3.5Catlins Cruiser Private Tour from Dunedin Cruise PortFrom $2972 reviews
★ 5.0Private Castle Hill & Inland Canterbury Shore ExcursionFrom $4962 reviews
★ 3.5Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa)From $1674 reviews
★ 5.0Akaroa & Banks Peninsula from Lyttelton(Private Shore Excursion)From $4966 reviews
★ 4.5Lyttelton Shore Excursion – Waipara Wine Tour With LunchFrom $11719 reviews
★ 5.0Inland Canterbury & Castle Hill Tour (Lyttelton Shore Excursion)From $3095 reviews
★ 5.0Akaroa & Giants House Garden tour ex Lyttelton (Shore Excursion)From $3403 reviews
★ 4.0Lyttelton Shore Excursion – City Highlights & Waipara Wine TourFrom $13917 reviews
★ 4.5Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Arthur’s Pass Day TourFrom $18514 reviews
★ 5.0Private Cruise Ship Passengers Tour, Sightseeing in Christchurch2 reviews
★ 5.0CRUISE SHIP DAY LYTTELTON Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours to WaiparaFrom $803 reviews
★ 5.0Bay of Islands Shore Excursion: Puketi Rainforest Guided WalkFrom $15727 reviews
★ 5.0Shore Excursion: Half-Day Auckland Volcanoes TourFrom $17939 reviews

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