Auckland · TOURS

The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips in Auckland

374 tours  ·  from $12 a head

Everything with a guide, a coach or a boat attached, in one list. The 15 below are worth a full day, priced and timed, with the rest of the catalogue underneath.

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

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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Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland - Walking among hobbit holes and gardens
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland

Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland

2.Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland

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

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
Auckland Wine Tours, Food & Drink, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Waiheke Island

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

3.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
Auckland City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland

Auckland Explorer: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Tour

4.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

5.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
Auckland City Tours, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland

Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour

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

7.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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Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Cave 1.5 Hour Guided Tour - Limestone folds, crystal shapes and named passages
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Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Cave 1.5 Hour Guided Tour

8.Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Cave 1.5 Hour Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 985 reviews · from $66

Walk through Ruakuri Cave with a local English-speaking guide on a 90-minute tour. Expect a striking spiral entrance, limestone formations, underground water and glowworms, plus stories about places such as Holdens Cavern and The Drum Passage. Guides vary, with past tours led by people including Wi, Ellen and Aria. Transport is not included.

“This was magical. So cool. Never have I seen glow worms before. Thank you.”

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From Auckland: Waiheke Island Wineries' Tour - Four wineries, with a changing lineup
Auckland Wine Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland

From Auckland: Waiheke Island Wineries’ Tour

9.Waiheke Island Wineries’ Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 934 reviews · 6 hours · from $110

Catch the 10am ferry from Auckland to Waiheke, then meet an English-speaking local guide for transport to four wineries and tastings. Expect island views, time for a pay-your-own-way lunch, and a group capped at 10. Stops can vary: past outings have included Mudbrick, Batch, olive oil tasting and a brewery.

“Everything was perfect for this day trip - communication beforehand, pick up, commentary, the wineries. Such an easy way to explore Waiheke.”

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Wētā Workshop Unleashed Tour - Auckland - The guide shapes the whole visit
Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland, Workshops

Wētā Workshop Unleashed Tour – Auckland

10.Wētā Workshop Unleashed Tour – Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 903 reviews · from $40Best value

At Wētā Workshop Unleashed in Auckland’s SkyCity complex, a guide leads you through three horror, sci-fi and fantasy film scenarios, with creatures, a giant, a galactic robot and hands-on effects. Expect a lively 90-minute tour rather than a working workshop visit. Guides such as Ellie, Ema, Mac and Kris have been praised for bringing the creative process to life.

“There are jump scares, kids be warned and a section that is a tight squeeze not good if u are claustraphobic.”

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Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland - A rainforest walk among ferns and native life
Auckland West Coast Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland

Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland

11.Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 807 reviews · from $124

Head west from central Auckland with Bush and Beach for an afternoon at the Arataki Visitor Centre, in the Waitakere Ranges rainforest and on Piha’s black-sand shore. Expect a guide-led nature walk, sweeping coastal views and tea, coffee, juice and cookies. Guides vary, with names including Isla, Ian, Meredith and Leon.

“It was a full immersion into New Zealand. History and culture all wrapped up in a beautiful trip through a rain forest and gorgeous black sand beach. Would highly recommend. Our guides Isla and Ian were incredible. They loved sharing their country and it showed!”

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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch - Leaving Auckland for the Waikato
Guided, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch

12.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 796 reviews · from $271

Leave Auckland at 7:45 am for a full-day coach trip to Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hobbiton near Matamata. Expect guided cave and movie-set visits, a simple picnic lunch, a complimentary Green Dragon drink and commentary on the North Island. The drive is long, and guide names vary, with David, Rachel and Nicky among those leading tours.

“Amazing experience hobitton was more than I expected this experience will live forever. Our guide was great energetic and knowledgeable. Highly recommended this tour.”

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From Auckland: Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch - Waitomo’s caves finish in darkness
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

From Auckland: Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch

13.Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 789 reviews · 11h 30m · from $261

Travel from Auckland by premium coach to Waitomo’s limestone caves for a guided visit and a silent boat ride beneath glowworms, then tour Hobbiton’s hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn and Party Tree. The day includes a picnic lunch and commentary from a driver-guide. Guides such as Rachel and Dave have earned praise for their local stories, but plan for a long day on the road.

“David our driver was amazing , he gave us so much information about NZ, he was like a parents taking care of child perfect. Mu at the waitomo cave was explaining everything in a smooth way. Victoria from the hobbiton let us enter in this magical set with some drop of new movie coming and all the secret about the lord of the ring set from the past . 5 stars”

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Waitomo Caves & Rotorua - Te Puia Small-Group Tour from Auckland - Waitomo’s glowworms and limestone chambers
Rotorua Day Trips from Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Waitomo Caves & Rotorua – Te Puia Small-Group Tour from Auckland

14.Waitomo Caves & Rotorua – Te Puia Small-Group Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 681 reviews · from $253

Travel from Auckland in a small group of up to 15, stopping in the Waikato countryside before a guided visit to Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Te Puia in Rotorua. Expect cave formations, a glowworm boat ride, Māori cultural interpretation, geothermal features and a city drive. Your guide handles the long return journey; lunch is at your own expense.

“I thought this tour was excellent the caves were amazing and the Glowworms , the tour guide was very informative and a lovely lady .”

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Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour & Lunch - Hobbiton’s paths, gardens, and hobbit holes
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Auckland, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour & Lunch

15.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 607 reviews · 13 hours · from $226

Travel from Auckland in a minibus for up to 16, with a guide sharing stories about New Zealand along the way. Explore Hobbiton on a 2.5-hour guided visit, stop at Lake Karapiro, then take a guided walk and quiet boat ride beneath Waitomo’s glowworms. Lunch and a Green Dragon Inn beverage are included.

“Grant was an absolutely amazing tour guide!! He was friendly, prompt, efficient, and incredibly knowledgeable. We highly recommend this tour and make sure you get Grant as your tour guide!! Also Hobbiton and the Waitomo caves are a must see while in the North Island of New Zealand.”

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