Auckland · TOUR REVIEWS

Auckland’s 15 Best Tours, from Harbour to Hobbiton

570 tours  ·  from $12 a head

Auckland splits its visitors between the water and the long drive south. The 15 below cover both, each with its price, its length and the thing worth knowing before you pay, with the full catalogue underneath.

Hobbiton Movie Set: Guided Tour Ticket - From Shire’s Rest to the Hobbit Holes
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Hobbiton Movie Set: Guided Tour Ticket

1.Hobbiton Movie Set: Guided Tour Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8,167 reviews · 2h 30m · from $71Our pick

Spend about 2.5 hours on a guided walk through Hobbiton, the only intact set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your English-speaking guide leads you past Hobbit Holes, the Mill and famous filming spots, sharing set stories and behind-the-scenes details. Finish with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn. The tour costs $71 per person, with transport to the site not included.

“Our guy did a fantastic job and we really enjoyed our Hobitton experience!”

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Waiheke Island: Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Tickets - Choosing your stops instead of racing through them
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Waiheke Island: Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Tickets

2.Waiheke Island: Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,311 reviews · 1 day · from $59

Take a return ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island, then use a one-day Explorer Bus pass to visit 16 stops at your own pace. Choose from wineries such as Mudbrick, Cable Bay and Batch, or make time for beaches, shops and nature walks. Tastings and winery tours cost extra.

“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 recommended.”

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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch - A light lunch between the stops
1-Day Tours, Guided, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours in Auckland, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch

3.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,677 reviews · from $229Top rated

Leave central Auckland early for a guided walk through Hobbiton’s hobbit holes, mill, and Green Dragon Inn, then enjoy a light café lunch and a boat ride beneath Waitomo’s glowworms. The small-group drive includes scenic country roads and commentary. Expect plenty of walking, a long day, and no glowworm photography.

“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”

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From Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch - From Auckland through the Waikato
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From Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch

4.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,505 reviews · 11 hours · from $221

Travel from central Auckland to Hobbiton and Waitomo in a small group, with a driver-guide sharing stories along the way. Explore the Shire on an official 2.5-hour tour, enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn and have a light Kiwi-style lunch before a guided boat ride beneath Waitomo’s glowworms. Guides include Shelley, Danny, Stephen and Nelson.

“Great day out, everything went like clockwork. Stephen was an excellent guide and driver, welcoming and engaging.”

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Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise - The wildlife search, and what you may see
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Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise

5.Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,790 reviews · from $135

Sail from Viaduct Harbour aboard a 65-foot catamaran for a 4.5-hour search of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The captain and onboard marine research scientists explain local wildlife and research as you look for whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and seabirds. Sightings are not guaranteed, but if you see no marine mammals, you can take the trip again at no extra charge.

“Nice views of the harbor and seeing dolphins. No whales however. All over a worth while and fun experience.”

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Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience - Scramble through Ruakuri’s limestone passages
Tour Reviews, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

6.Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,673 reviews · 3 hours · from $115

In Ruakuri Cave, you’ll climb through limestone passages, jump small underground waterfalls and float by tube beneath glowworms. Guides provide wetsuits, boots, helmets and safety instruction. The three-hour trip costs $115 per person, with a hot shower and snacks afterward. Bring swimwear and a towel; cameras are not allowed.

“Great time in the caves! Glowworms were absolutely beautiful to see and the guides made it super fun, thank you :)”

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Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip with Festive Lunch - Walking through the Shire
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Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip with Festive Lunch

7.Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip with Festive Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,431 reviews · 8 hours · from $182

Ride from Auckland to Hobbiton with a driver-guide, then follow an official English-speaking guide around the Shire. See the hobbit holes and enter a Bagshot Row interior, enjoy one drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and sit down to a buffet lunch in the Party Marquee. The 8-hour trip includes return transport and WiFi.

“Rachel the guide was knowledgeable and funny, making the 2 hour trip out to Hobbiton go fast. After the fantastic tour and feast, we were so tired, everyone on the coach was asleep for the ride back. Everything in-between was breathtaking 😍”

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Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland - Walking among hobbit holes and gardens
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Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland

8.Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,380 reviews · from $183

Travel from Auckland to Matamata in a group of up to 15, with a driver-guide sharing stories and countryside views along the way. At Hobbiton, join a guided 2.5-hour visit to the 12-acre set, see hobbit holes and gardens, and enjoy an included themed drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Lunch and souvenirs cost extra.

“A must for fans! Transport and tour was awesome! Our driver was friendly, had great information, entertaining and on time! Extra trip for ice cream was great”

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Waiheke island Wine Tours - PREMIUM wine tasting MAX 11 clients ! - Tastings before lunch: plan your pace
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Waiheke island Wine Tours – PREMIUM wine tasting MAX 11 clients !

9.Waiheke island Wine Tours – PREMIUM wine tasting MAX 11 clients !

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,378 reviews · from $155

Meet your guide at Matiatia Wharf for a six-hour Waiheke tour with scenic stops and tastings at three vineyards, including a food and wine pairing. Oliver, Glenn, Glen, or Melita may lead the day. Wine tastings, bottled water, and island transfers are included; ferry tickets and lunch are not.

“Lovely day with our guide and the others in our group. The wineries were good, especially Goldie's. Our guide was lovely and very helpful in regard to making lunch reservations, etc.”

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Auckland Explorer: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Start downtown, then choose your pace
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Auckland Explorer: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Tour

10.Auckland Explorer: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,180 reviews · from $43

Use Auckland’s hop-on hop-off bus to link the Sky Tower, Auckland Museum, Parnell, Bastion Point, Kelly Tarlton’s, Mount Eden and more. Stay aboard for the city loop or hop off to explore. The pass is available for one or two days, with English commentary and buses running on a seasonal daytime schedule.

“Great way to see Auckland, be sure to allow time for both routes and to climb to the top at the park on the blue route. We did not have time, but wish we could have seen Auckland form that perspective.”

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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland - Hobbiton: a village built to be explored
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland

11.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,117 reviews · from $235

Leave Auckland at 6:00 am for a full-day trip through Waikato farmland to Hobbiton’s carefully built movie village and Waitomo’s glowworm caves. A guide handles the long drive and shares local stories, while included entry, lunch, water, and snacks simplify the day. Groups are capped at 15, and both main attractions involve walking, stairs, or uneven ground.

“This was a great day out to see the sights of the North Island. Whilst it is a very long day, there is sufficient time to relax on the bus before anything of substance happens in the morning. The caves were lovely, but the real attraction was Hobbiton. We hadn't really watched the movies, other than quickly watching the first one prior to the trip. This didn't really matter at all, as Hobbiton is just wonderfully quaint and beautiful on its own accord. A lot of care has gone into the upkeep of the little village, and it takes a surprisingly long time to get around it all. The tour…”

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Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour - Mt Eden rewards a short uphill walk
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Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour

12.Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,080 reviews · from $46

In about four hours, a guide such as Josh, John or Paul takes you from central Auckland over the Harbour Bridge, up to Mt Eden, and along the eastern beaches. Expect short photo stops, plenty of live commentary and a group capped at 18. It’s a practical first look at the city, not a series of long visits inside attractions.

“This tour gives you a very informative introduction to Auckland. it covers many aspacts from first settlement to today. We hihly recommend this tour”

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Auckland: Whale and Dolphin Watching Half-Day Eco Cruise - North Head, Devonport and Rangitoto Island
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Auckland: Whale and Dolphin Watching Half-Day Eco Cruise

13.Whale and Dolphin Watching Half-Day Eco Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,072 reviews · 4h 30m · from $130

Spend 4.5 hours aboard the 65-foot Dolphin Explorer, sailing past North Head and Rangitoto Island into Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Look for dolphins, orcas, whales and seabirds while the crew shares marine science and research. The $130 fare includes a second cruise if you see no marine mammals.

“The guides were really friendly and knowledgeable. Great experience!”

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Auckland: Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket - The seasonal Blue route: Mt Eden, the zoo and MOTAT
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Auckland: Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket

14.Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,064 reviews · 1 day · from $38

Spend a day exploring Auckland by hop-on hop-off bus. The Red route runs year-round through central Auckland and the waterfront, while the Blue route adds Mt Eden, Auckland Zoo and MOTAT from October to April. English commentary and WiFi are included. Start downtown at 23 Customs Street East or near the Sky Tower.

“Great to do our own thing & visit the tourist attractions”

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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour - What happens during the 45-minute visit
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

15.Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,027 reviews · from $50

At Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a local guide leads you through Cathedral Cave before a quiet boat ride beneath Arachnocampa luminosa, New Zealand’s native glowworm. The 45-minute tour combines cave formations, Māori and geological history, and the grotto’s star-like lights. Guides such as Cohen and Corey have led tours, though your guide may differ. Arrive 30 minutes early; photography is not allowed inside.

“We had an excellent and knowledgeable guide. Also the Filipino picture taking lady was very energetic and friendly. She made us excited for the tour.”

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New in Tour Reviews

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Tours in AucklandHobbiton Movie Set ToursWaitomo Glowworm Caves ToursTours in Waiheke IslandAuckland Harbour CruisesAuckland City Tours
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Beyond Queen Street

Pick a harbour, a vineyard or the long road south.

Harbour and gulf

Harbour SailingWhales & DolphinsSea KayaksRangitotoGoat Island

In the city

City HighlightsSky TowerVolcano WalksMuseumsWalking Tours

Cellar doors and kitchens

Waiheke WineFood ToursWaiheke IslandFood & Drink

Days south

HobbitonWaitomo CavesRotoruaMāori Culture