Top North Island Walking Tours

Visit a pair of New Zealand's must-see attractions with this combo tour from Auckland to the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Peek into Hobbit Holes, frolic in the Shire, and get a drink at the Green Dragon Inn on a guided tour of Middle-earth, followed by a Kiwi-style lunch. In the afternoon, explore Maori myths and history on a boat ride through mesmerizing caves lit by thousands of glowworms, and finish with a drive through some of the North Island’s most majestic scenery.

The fictional, yet globally famous, village of Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves rank among the most popular sites of interest in New Zealand. On this tour, visit both sites in one day—see the home of Bilbo Baggins and explore Waitomo’s subterranean caverns—and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour—limited to 12 people.

Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set on a full-day tour from Auckland that explores New Zealand's 'Middle-earth,' where 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' came to life on film. Travel through a landscape of lush farms, then take a guided tour of the 12-acre (4.8-ha.) Hobbiton Movie Set, from hobbit holes to gardens and the Green Dragon Inn. With free time to shop and explore, this tour includes transport from selected locations in Auckland, and it's limited to 16 travelers to ensure personalized service.

The Waitomo Caves and Rotorua rank among New Zealand’s top attractions, offering natural beauty, geothermal features, and native culture in equal measure. Ideal for travelers short on time, this adventurous tour takes in both sites in the same day, with entry fees plus round-trip transport from Auckland included. Discover subterranean stalagmites at the famous Waitomo Caves and hit top Rotorua attractions including the Government Gardens and Lake Rotorua.

See the untamed beauty of New Zealand’s west coast on this North Island day trip from Auckland. Travel with a guide to the Waitakere Ranges, with a stop at the Arataki Visitor Centre overlook for views of the Tasman Sea out to the Pacific Ocean. Admire Maori carvings before a guided rainforest walk, then visit giant kauri trees and one of the area’s magnificent black sand beaches. Picnic lunch and light refreshments are included.

Come visit a New Zealand attraction that’s sure to have you ‘glowing’ during this 45-minute small-group guided boat ride through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Glide by boat through this underground complex, enjoying a light show put on by the millions of tiny bioluminescent insects hanging above. As an added bonus, many of the trip guides are of Maori descent, adding unique historical context to your visit.

Soar through the trees and experience New Zealand’s ancient native forest like never before on this incredible must-do adventure – Voted TripAdvisor’s #11 Adventure Experience in the world! You'll soar across 1200m of ziplines, experience New Zealand’s one and only cliff walk 50m above the forest floor, incredible swing bridges, controlled descent and an impressive 400m long tandem zipline so you can share the experience of our longest zipline together!

Visit the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie set on this small-group Hobbiton tour from Auckland. At the Hobbiton Movie Set, visit the home of Bilbo Baggins and peer inside other hobbit holes of the Shire—filming site of ‘The Hobbit’ and the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogies. Your knowledgeable guide points out the Party Tree and the Mill. Enjoy cider, ale, or ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn, and recharge with lunch at Party Marquee—both included.

Visit the Coromandel Peninsula renowned for its idyllic beaches, rugged terrain, and pristine rainforest—on this day trip from Auckland. Ride a narrow-gauge railway through native kauri forest to a viewing platform where you’re rewarded with views over the Hauraki Gulf. Your professional guide takes you to Cathedral Cove and to soak in a thermal pool at Hot Water Beach. A cafe lunch plus round-trip hotel transport are included on this small-group tour, limited to nine people.

Experience the majesty of Mt Tarawera and gain insight into New Zealand’s rich geology on this 4-hour hike from Rotorua. Travel by off-road 4x4 vehicle into the North Island wilderness with a guide. Follow winding hiking trails from the base of Mt Tarawera up to the crater’s edge, and learn all about the mighty volcano’s 1886 eruption. From your vantage point near the crater, admire panoramic views over the geothermal valley of Waimangu. This exciting hiking tour is suited to adventurers of all ages.

Experience the warmth of our Legacy Guided Tours through New Zealand’s iconic Maori village. Our village guides are direct descendants of the early Māori guides who’s legacy shaped tourism in New Zealand for generations. Their insights, knowledge and legendary hospitality (manaakitanga) adds depth and richness to the experience you’ll have at Whakarewarewa.

Enjoy a fantastic route from Auckland City into the Wilderness and back. Fully guided small group (2-4 guests) in English or German language. Muriwai is one of New Zealand's most spectacular black-sand beaches, nestled between Auckland‘s beautiful native rainforest and rock-clashing world-class surf. It‘s a short and easy track up the cliff-tops to the viewing platforms to give you stunning views far over the dramatic coastline of Tasman Sea. You get up close to the colony that you can count the eggs and observe the fluffy chicks. A scenic drive to one of Auckland‘s „Must-Do“ attractions where we found ourselves surrounded by the natural beauty one expects to see in New Zealand. It‘s a nature-related informative and well presented Visitor Center with superb 360 degree panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Auckland area and subtropical rainforest to the ocean. It's an educational area in regards to the regions flora, animals, history and culture of the land.

This Tauranga shore excursion stands out from others by offering a 2-course lunch and a visit to a Polynesian spa. The basics of local shore excursions are included too: travel with a small group to the Rotorua geothermal geyser, mud pools, and steam vents, and then see a Maori dance performance. At the spa, soak in hot mineral springs with views of Lake Rotorua.

Experience two of the North Island’s highlights the easy way on a day trip from Auckland. After a handy CBD hotel pickup, head to the Hobbiton film set, where you’ll learn all about The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. Continue to the Waitomo Caves and be amazed by the underground caverns of twinkling glowworms. Take it all in without the stress of having to drive yourself.

Go Waitomo black-water rafting (cave tubing) for a memorable adventure in the Waitomo Caves. Choose a 3-hour Labyrinth experience that takes you floating underground on an inner tube, including a small waterfall jump. Or upgrade to the 5-hour Black Abyss for an exhilarating abseil (rappel) down limestone walls; instruction and equipment included. The resident glowworms, stalactites and stalagmites will amaze you! Finish with a hot shower, soup and bagel.

Gain entry to Zealandia at night and take a guided tour of Zealandia: The Exhibition, which showcases New Zealand’s natural history. Interact with a life-size model moa and Haast’s eagle — both extinct — and learn about the country’s conservation efforts to preserve other native species. Located just minutes from central Wellington, Zealandia includes a night tour of Sanctuary Valley, a fenced eco-sanctuary and safe haven for endemic animal and bird species such as the nocturnal little spotted kiwi.

Even on the cloudiest night, the New Zealand glowworm lights up the darkness in a lucky few spots across the country. This short evening bush-walk departing from Rotorua involves a short drive, a walk through picturesque native bush and the chance to see these increasingly rare creatures. Tack this tour onto the end of a thrilling day in Rotorua instead of hiring a car for an almost two-hour drive west to visit the exceedingly popular Waitomo Caves. This is one of the easiest ways to experience Aotearoa’s unique glowworm habitats.

With limited time to explore Auckland, this morning discovery tour takes in all the highlights. Visit sights including The Domain, Waitemata Harbour, and Queen Street; cross the Harbour Bridge to the beaches of the North Shore, explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Devonport and Ponsonby, and take in the views from Mount Victoria.

Experience one of the wonders of New Zealand’s natural world on this glowworm caving adventure in Waitomo. Choose a morning or afternoon tour, then pull on your boots and helmet before heading through the pretty Mangapu Gorge to the Mangarongapu Cave with a guide. With your headlamp to light the way, hike around huge boulders and through shallow streams, and marvel at the millions of bright green glowworms illuminating the rocky limestone. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to six people.

Explore the Waitakere Ranges rain forest and Auckland’s rugged west coast, including Piha Beach, during an afternoon tour with a guide who is knowledgeable about New Zealand flora and fauna. From the Arataki Centre, admire sweeping views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Learn about Maori history, stroll the beach, and take a nature walk through a lush rain forest while you experience Auckland's largest regional park.

Visit two of the North Island’s most popular attractions in one day on this small-group tour from Auckland. First, hear behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' films on a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. In the afternoon, continue to Rotorua to explore the city and visit the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, where highlights include geysers, volcanic mud pools, sulphur springs, and geothermal craters.

Enter a world of bubbling mud and powerful geysers with admission to Hells Gate, a geothermal park in Rotorua. Once you’re in the Hells Gate park, you can follow a self-guided walkway through New Zealand’s most active geothermal field, pausing to explore interactive exhibits along the way. After the geothermal walk, take time to visit Hells Gate's native forest on a bush walk, listening for the sound of tropical birdcalls as you pass silver ferns and thick foliage.

Spend the evening in Auckland on this nighttime adventure exploring the city’s bright lights and sights. During the tour, catch views of the illuminated Auckland Harbour Bridge and head to the top of Maungawhau/Mount Eden for panoramic vistas of the city. The group size is limited to four travellers.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are among the most visited attractions of New Zealand’s North Island and Ruakuri Cave is the longest of the underground caves. Explore the magnificent cave on this 75-minute guided walking tour and marvel at the unique rock formations, subterranean rivers, and thousands of glittering glowworms.