NEW ZEALAND · GUIDED
A South Island fortnight has room for only so much. These 15 guided tours earn their slot, each with its price, its rating and the detail that decides it.
Tour Hobbiton’s 12-acre Shire set, hear film secrets, photograph Hobbit Holes, and enjoy a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
“We liked everything. Our guide was lovely and very informative. An excellent tour and highly recommended”
Glide beneath thousands of glowworms at Waitomo, with a guided cave walk, Cathedral acoustics, and a silent underground boat ride.
“It was absolutely amazing! I did not expect a lot on this activity but we were in awe. It was almost magical. It’s definitely one of the highlights of our trip and highly recommended.”
Review of Auckland’s Hobbiton and Waitomo day trip, with transport, lunch, movie-set details, glowworms, costs, timing, and practical tips.
“Very good experience overall helped by the wonderful bus tour guide we had in Matt and the guides at both the Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves tours. Lovely weather for it on the day too definitely helped.”
Review the Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour, with a scenic lake cruise, limestone caves, underground waterfalls, glowworms, tips, and honest value advice.
“I highly recommend taking the nighttime tour of this cave. It was absolutely stunning to see all the glow worms. Me and my husband thought this tour was more spectacular than the north island caves too! Very intimate and intense with the water rushing inside. You also get to see the glow worms very close up.”
Explore Ruakuri Cave on a 90-minute guided walk with glowworms, rivers, limestone formations, local stories, and photo access.
“Our tour was well advised and our guide informative with humour and precise directions. The walkways and stairs gave a great sense of security. Lighting was very adequate for moving through the caves and great for photographs. A memorable experience and well worth recommending. My son and I were most impressed.”
Review of Rotorua’s Hell’s Gate geothermal walk, Māori carving, mud bath, and sulphur spa, with practical tips on timing, value, and what to bring.
“We loved it. It’s something you can’t experience anywhere else.”
Review of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour, with boat ride, cave acoustics, practical tips, access notes, and honest value advice.
“Very entertaining and informative guide. Wonderful experience visiting the caves, going on the boat trip and viewing the glowworms.”
Explore Wētā Workshop in Wellington with a 90-minute guided tour of movie props, costumes, creatures, and hands-on creative work.
“We absolutely enjoyed the whole experience. Everyone we dealt with at Weta were fall enthusiasm and extremely passionate about their industry.”
Review of the Auckland to Hobbiton and Waitomo tour, with practical advice on timing, lunch, transport, guides, value, and what to expect.
“This excursion focuses more on Hobbiton. There is less time to explore the Waitomo Caves. But both stops were absolutely amazing! Bus was clean and comfortable. Driver was entertaining and knowledgeable.”
See the southern Milky Way, planets, and nebulae through a 14-inch telescope on a guided Lake Tekapo stargazing tour.
“We appreciated the loan of the parkas to wear during the program. It would have been nice to have more time for stargazing and more telescope time.”
Ride a WWII amphibious duck through Rotorua, then splash into Lakes Tikitapu and Okareka on a lively, family-friendly tour.
“Lived up to expectations, great guide loved the lake journey excellent commentary. Good local knowledge.”
See Wellington’s coast, Mt Victoria, film district, landmarks, and Cable Car on this friendly three-hour city tour for $53.
“Tour guide (chewy) was very knowledgeable and lovely. Good tour to get to know about Wellington.”
Review of Hobbiton from Matamata, with bus transfers, guided Shire walk, filming stories, Green Dragon drink, practical tips, and value advice.
“I have not seen any of the movies or read the books but I enjoyed the tour alot and was amazed at the attention to detail throughout the displays. I felt like I was in a fairyland!”
Review of Kapiti Island’s private guided day tour from Wellington, with ferry transport, native birds, a guided walk, lunch, and practical tips.
“Our guide Tim was awesome, very knowledgable and passionate about the island’s history, fauna and flora.”
Tour Speight’s historic Dunedin brewery, learn New Zealand brewing stories, then sample beers and cider for excellent value.
“Interesting overview about how beer was brewed "back in the day". Annika was a great tour guide. She told some fun stories about the original owners of the brewery.”
Sorted by what you actually want to do that morning.
