Things to do in New Zealand
Milford Sound Tours18 optionsZiplining5 optionsDay Trips from Auckland12 optionsAuckland Harbor Cruise22 optionsAuckland Airport Shuttle11 optionsWaiheke Island Wine Tour15 optionsAuckland City Tour22 optionsWaitomo Caves Tours13 optionsQueenstown Wine Tour14 optionsWhite Water Rafting5 optionsWaiheke Island Tours13 optionsWaitomo Caves from Auckland11 options
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Mt Tarawera Helicopter Tour with Volcano Landing from RotoruaA 40-minute helicopter tour from Rotorua that takes you over the Northern Lakes district and lands on Mt Tarawera volcano for a 20-minute walking tour of the crater. The pilot-guide provides commentary on the region's eruption history and geothermal geology as you fly, then you step out onto the volcanic landscape for photographs of the surrounding crater lakes. Infants sit on an adult's lap; the maximum weight per seat is 297 lbs (135 kg).Is it for me?Most helicopter tours over Rotorua stay in the air the whole time. This one lands you on the volcano itself, so you walk the crater rim and photograph the geothermal landscape from ground level instead of only seeing it from above.
Auckland: City sights tour with guide & hotel pickupYou’ll see Auckland’s best-known sights with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. From Queen Street’s bustle to Devonport’s village charm and North Head’s windswept views, you’ll taste real city life — all with easy pickup and time for coffee breaks you’ll remember long after the trip.
Wine Tasting Wanaka & Central Otago: Meet the WinemakersA wine tasting and sightseeing tour of Central Otago's five key regions—Wanaka, Pisa, Cromwell, Bannockburn and Bendigo—with tastings at local wineries, a shared gourmet lunch platter, and a guide who drives. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included; minimum age is 18.Is it for me?Hotel pickup means you don't need a rental car or navigate the five wine regions yourself—the day unfolds from your accommodation, and the guide handles the route while you focus on the tastings and the winemakers.
Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike: Land on New Zealand's longest glacierA 3-hour heli-hike combines a scenic helicopter flight to Tasman Glacier with a 2-hour guided walk on the ice itself, landing at 1200m above sea level in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. The helicopter passes the Tasman Glacier Lake and the Hochstetter Icefall on the return. All gear—crampons, walking boots, waterproof layers and poles—is provided, and the guide is live and in English. Children from age 10 are welcome, though moderate fitness is required and the tour depends on weather conditions.Is it for me?The three-hour window—helicopter, hike and return flight combined—fits a free afternoon without eating into a full day, so you can explore the glacier and still have time for other stops in the Mount Cook region. If you need a longer glacier experience or prefer to walk from the valley floor, a different tour may suit you better.
Auckland Sunset Harbour Cruise: Harbour Bridge & Sky TowerYou board at Westhaven Marina and cruise beneath the Auckland Harbour Bridge as the sun drops, passing the Sky Tower, Devonport's seaside village, and the working Ports of Auckland. The crew gives live commentary while you move between indoor and outdoor decks, with access to an onboard bar for drinks and snacks. As darkness falls, the city lights come up across Viaduct Harbour, and you return to the marina after two hours with the light show complete.Is it for me?Book this if you want Auckland's main harbour views and the golden-hour light show without arranging your own boat or timing the sunset yourself — the fixed departure and two-hour route handle both, leaving you free to just watch.
Auckland City Highlights: 75-Minute Private Tour & Harbour ViewsYou get picked up from your hotel or cruise port and spend 75 to 90 minutes driving through Auckland's main neighbourhoods — Viaduct Harbour, Westhaven Marina, Ponsonby, K Road, Sky Tower, Albert Park, Auckland Domain and Parnell — with an English-speaking driver and multilingual audio commentary. Two photo stops let you capture the marina and the Domain. You leave with discount vouchers for top attractions and a sense of how the city is actually laid out.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Auckland's main neighbourhoods and understand how the city connects without arranging separate transport or timing multiple stops yourself — the fixed 75-90 minute loop and included discounts mean you can explore on your own terms after.
Waiheke Island: Private Vineyard Bush Walk & Wine TastingYou walk through regenerating bush up to a headland overlooking the Hauraki Gulf, then descend through established tracks with vineyard and sea views. Two wine tastings at different vineyards are included, with lunch available at either stop. The guide interprets the landscape and the vines as you go, and the route works for any fitness level in any weather — just bring walking shoes and layers.Is it for me?This suits anyone who wants to walk Waiheke's landscape and taste its wine without arranging transport between vineyards or timing the stops themselves — the guide handles the route and the pace, leaving you to focus on the views and the vines.
Glacier Helicopter Mt Cook: 55-minute flight with landingYou board at Mount Cook Airport, circle the Southern Alps for 55 minutes with live commentary, and land on the Tasman Glacier for photos and a short walk on the ice. Headsets let you hear the guide, and small groups mean you're not crammed in. Departure time is confirmed the day before, and weather can cancel the flight, so flexibility matters.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see the Southern Alps and three major glaciers without spending a full day on the ground. The 55 minutes and small-group format mean you're not rushed, and the glacier landing gives you time on the ice itself—just plan for weather delays, since mountain conditions can shift fast.
Kayaking Lake Rotoiti: Glowworm cave and hot pools soakAn evening kayaking activity on Lake Rotoiti in Rotorua where you paddle toward a glowworm cave, paddle to the Manupirua Hot Pools accessible only by water, eat a gourmet BBQ dinner, and soak in geothermal springs under the stars. The 4.5-hour outing includes a live guide, all meals and drinks, and a lengthy soak in the thermal waters.Is it for me?The evening timing is what makes the glowworm display visible and the stars bright above the soak — if you want both the cave's bioluminescence and the night sky, this is the only window. The water-only access to Manupirua means you experience the remoteness without driving; the kayak is the transport and the activity at once.
Franz Josef Glacier Helihike from Queenstown: Glacier ice walkA day trip from Queenstown combining round-trip scenic flights to Franz Josef Glacier with a two-hour guided hike across the ice. You fly north over the Pisa Mountains and Southern Alps, land at the glacier base, strap on crampons, and spend two hours exploring ice formations with an experienced guide before a helicopter lifts you back to the airstrip and a return flight to Queenstown. The glacier is the fastest-moving commercially guided glacier in the world, so the ice features change constantly. Collections from Queenstown hotels are included, as is all hiking gear.Is it for me?This tour suits small groups and solo travelers who are comfortable with moderate physical activity and want to experience a glacier without arranging flights or transport themselves. The fixed itinerary and included pickups mean the day holds together without building it piece by piece.
Kayaking Motukorea / Browns Island, AucklandSea kayaking to Motukorea (Browns Island) in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf combines paddling across sheltered waters with a guided trek to the summit of one of the region's best-preserved volcanic cones. The island holds three ancient pā sites (Māori fortified villages), and the largest occupies the slopes of the main scoria cone. No previous kayaking experience is necessary, and small groups mean you paddle with an experienced guide who knows the island's history and the gulf's conditions. Light refreshments are provided on the island before the return paddle.Is it for me?Small groups and a relaxed pace make this kayak a good fit if you want to paddle and trek without the intensity of open-water conditions or the crowds of a larger tour. The four-hour span works if you're fitting an activity into a morning or afternoon in Auckland without committing your whole day.
Auckland City Highlights: Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge & Mount EdenYou're picked up from your hotel and driven across the Harbour Bridge with views of the Sky Tower and city skyline; you climb Mount Eden for 360-degree views of both harbors and volcanic landmarks; you drive the scenic Tāmaki Drive coastal route with stops at Michael Savage Memorial Park and the Winter Gardens; the tour wraps in 3 hours with all entry fees included, returning you to your hotel by mid-morning.Is it for me?Book this if you're new to Auckland and want to see the main landmarks and viewpoints without arranging your own transport or spending a full day sightseeing — the 3-hour window and hotel pickup mean you're back by mid-morning with the city's geography clear in your head.
Dunedin Heritage & Wildlife: Private City Tour with Local GuideYou’ll explore Dunedin’s quirky streets, spot royal albatrosses soaring above Otago Peninsula cliffs, stroll historic gardens or castles at your own pace, and hear local stories from your guide. With hotel pickup and flexible stops included, you’ll get both city heritage and rare wildlife moments you’ll remember long after the trip.
Rotorua Lake Rotoiti Kayak Tour & Hot Pools Half-DayPaddle across Lake Rotoiti with an expert guide from Rotorua, explore glowworm-lit caves only accessible by kayak, then unwind in natural thermal hot pools right by the water’s edge. Small group sizes mean you get plenty of attention—and snacks are included too—for an experience that lingers long after you’ve dried off.
Picton Shore Excursion: Marlborough Wine TourA guided wine tasting tour in Marlborough's cellar doors, departing from Picton's cruise terminal and timed around your ship's schedule. You visit between 3 and 5 boutique wineries over 4 to 6 hours, tasting the region's world-famous wines with a local guide who knows the stories behind them. Transport, cellar door fees and return to the ship are included; lunch at a vineyard restaurant is at your own cost.Is it for me?This is a shared small-group tour with a fixed schedule timed to your ship's departure, which suits cruise guests who want to taste Marlborough wines without arranging transport or worrying about missing the ship — if you prefer a private group or want to customize the stops, the operator offers Premium Private Tours on request.
Christchurch Walking Tour: Hidden Gems & Quake StoriesA two-hour walking tour of central Christchurch led by a local guide who shares first-hand accounts of the 2011 earthquake, the city's rebuilding, and its future direction. The small-group format keeps the pace relaxed and interactive, with time for questions and tailored local recommendations. All sites visited are free to enter.Is it for me?The two-hour pace and flat, accessible route suit anyone wanting an authentic introduction to Christchurch without a heavy time commitment or physical strain. If you're a first-time visitor or returning traveler wanting to understand the city's character beyond the guidebook, the guide's personal stories and local insights are what make this walk different from a self-guided walk through the same landmarks.
Coromandel: Sailing tour to Cathedral Cove with swimYou’ll sail along Mercury Bay’s rugged coast on a small-group catamaran tour from Flaxmill Bay, getting up close to Cathedral Cove and pausing for an optional swim or snorkel in clear waters. Enjoy fresh coffee and a baked snack as you relax on deck with locals guiding you — moments you’ll remember long after heading back to shore.
Marlborough Guided & Self-Guided Wine Bike Tour with TastingsYou’ll get a friendly intro to Marlborough’s wine scene with a local guide in the morning—then spend your afternoon biking at your own pace between cellar doors. It’s relaxed, flexible, and perfect if you want both guidance and independence.
Auckland City Tour: Harbour Bridge, volcanoes & coastal viewsA three-hour guided city tour of Auckland departing from your hotel, visiting the Harbour Bridge, Mission Bay, two volcanic peaks (One Tree Hill and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park), Achilles Point, and Bastion Point for panoramic views across the city, harbour and islands. The guide is a live English speaker; entry tickets, transport, water and snacks are included. A minimum of two people is required for the tour to operate.Is it for me?This is a shared group tour with a set itinerary and fixed stops, so it suits travellers who want to see Auckland's main landmarks without planning the route themselves and don't need flexibility to linger at one site or skip another. If you prefer to move at your own pace or want to customize which volcanoes or coastal points you visit, a private tour would give you that control.
Auckland Wine Tasting Tour with Vineyard Lunch – Kumeu WineriesIf you want to explore Auckland’s wine scene without worrying about driving or planning, this tour covers three unique vineyards—including an award-winning lunch spot—and gives you plenty of time to relax and taste what makes Kumeu special.
