New Zealand · AUCKLAND TOURS

The 15 Best Auckland Tours & Day Trips

483 tours  ·  from $12

A third of the country lives here and most of the good stuff is a ferry or a coach ride out. These 15 cover Waiheke and the gulf islands, the Hobbiton and Waitomo runs south, and the harbour days that need nothing more than a ticket.

Waiheke Island: Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Tickets - Starting at Auckland Ferry Terminal
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Waiheke Island: Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Tickets

1.Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Tickets

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

Take the ferry from Auckland’s Quay Street terminal to Waiheke Island, then use the Explorer Bus to visit 16 stops at your own pace. Expect winery views, beaches, galleries, shops, and nature walks, with helpful guides such as Ruth, Aaron, Minnie, and Chris sharing island stories along the way.

“Fun and easy way to see Waiheke without the expense of a private tour. Stop off as much as you like, do a few wine tastings (we just walked in-no reservations) and see the sights. Note we did make a reservation for lunch at The Heke which we also highly recommend!”

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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch - The 6:30 a.m. departure from Auckland
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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch

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

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

Travel from Auckland to Hobbiton and Waitomo with guides such as Liam, Shelley, Martin, or Matt. Walk through the Shire, enjoy a Green Dragon drink and café lunch, then glide beneath Waitomo’s glowworms on a boat tour.

“Well managed, very informative tour guide, ran on schedule, and delivered on what was promised in the viator agenda. Hobbiton was super cool even if you don’t know the movies, and having a driver to get you there was worth every penny. Only complaint was lunch - which was overall unsatisfying.”

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From Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch - The road south through Waikato country
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From Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch

3.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch

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

Spend 11 hours traveling from Auckland to Hobbiton and Waitomo, with a 2.5-hour movie-set tour, Green Dragon drink, Kiwi-style lunch, and a 45-minute glowworm cave boat ride. Guides such as Danny, Shelley, Stephen, Nelson, and Mike are known for lively commentary and smooth timing.

“I loved Hobbiton, but I really would have liked more time to use the restrooms and go to the gift shop. 20 minutes to foboth for us females is NOT enough time, especially if you have lines to wait in. Waitomo caves was nice but we didn't see much once in the boat.”

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Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise - Auckland Harbour Bridge and the first views
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Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise

4.Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise

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

Join Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari at Viaduct Harbour for a 4.5-hour cruise on a 65-foot catamaran. Marine research scientists explain the gulf’s wildlife and conservation work as you search for dolphins, Bryde’s whales, seals, blue penguins, and seabirds.

“Enjoyed dolphins , glimpses of penguins but no whales despite valiant attempt by crew. Great education!”

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Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip with Festive Lunch - Entering the Shire on the official walking tour
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Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip with Festive Lunch

5.Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip with Festive Lunch

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

Travel from Auckland to Hobbiton by air-conditioned GreatSights coach with WiFi, then tour the Shire with an English-speaking guide. Enter a Hobbit hole, enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and eat a generous buffet lunch in the Party Marquee. Guides such as Rachel, Marty, and Anna are often praised for their humor and local knowledge.

“We had a perfect day .Hobbiton was exceptional,the coach driver and guide were excellent and the meal we had was the best meal I have eaten for a long while.”

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Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland - Arriving at Hobbiton Movie Set
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Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland

6.Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland

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

Spend about nine hours traveling from Auckland through Waikato farm country to Hobbiton. A small Cheeky Kiwi group rides in a van, then joins Hobbiton’s 2.5-hour guided set tour, including a Green Dragon Inn drink. Guides such as Grant, Wyatt, and Geoff add local stories along the way.

“Our driver Grant from Cheeky Kiwi tours was excellent and highly recommend him! The tour of Hobbiton movie set was very good.”

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Auckland Explorer: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Auckland Museum, Parnell, and the city’s grander side
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Auckland Explorer: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Tour

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

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

Explore Auckland by air-conditioned hop-on hop-off bus, with optional open-air seating, English commentary, and stops at the Sky Tower, Auckland Museum, Mount Eden, Parnell, Bastion Point, Kelly Tarlton’s, and Auckland Zoo. Choose a one or two-day pass and build your own route.

“Easy to redeem voucher at one of two places in the city. Great way to get around and learn about a new city.”

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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland - Hobbiton: more than a movie souvenir
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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland

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

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

Travel from Auckland in a small group of up to 15 with guides such as Timmy, Pearl, Ari, or Simon. Visit Hobbiton for a guided walk through the 12-acre movie set, enjoy lunch, stop at Lake Karapiro, then take a boat through Waitomo’s glowworm caves.

“Great trip. Simon was a perfect guide and very knowledgeable. We got to see a lot of the countryside via back roads. Stopped for some really good ice cream on the way back.”

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Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour - Starting at the Ferry Building and Queens Wharf
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Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour

9.Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour

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

Spend four hours touring Auckland in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide such as Josh, John, or Paul. Cross the Harbour Bridge, stop at Mt Eden, Shoal Bay, Westhaven Marina, and Achilles Point, then return downtown with useful city commentary and pickup options.

“A knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. A good length, not too quick, not too long. Covers the main areas. Plenty of chances for pics.”

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

10.Whale and Dolphin Watching Half-Day Eco Cruise

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

Join the Dolphin Explorer at Auckland’s Eastern Viaduct for a 4.5-hour Hauraki Gulf safari. Your crew, including marine biologists such as Emily, Sanaa, John, and Joseph, combines wildlife viewing with research, conservation, and clear commentary. Dolphins are common, but whales remain a lucky sighting.

“Lovely seeing the dolphins and nice boat trip! Just a bit over priced”

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Auckland: Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket - Starting downtown at Customs Street or Sky Tower
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Auckland: Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket

11.Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket

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

Use Auckland’s Explorer Bus for one day of flexible sightseeing. The Red route runs year round through downtown, Parnell, Newmarket, Bastion Point, and Kelly Tarlton’s. From October to April, the Blue route adds Mt Eden, Auckland Zoo, and MOTAT. English commentary, WiFi, and wheelchair access are included.

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

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From Auckland: Waiheke Island Wineries' Tour - Starting with the Auckland to Waiheke ferry
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From Auckland: Waiheke Island Wineries’ Tour

12.Waiheke Island Wineries’ Tour

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

Meet your English-speaking guide at Waiheke Ferry Terminal, then visit four or more wineries by small van. You will taste wines at each stop, enjoy at least 90 minutes for lunch at your own cost, and hear island stories from guides such as Justin, David, Luca, and Sherrie.

“I had a fantastic day. We hit 4 really great wineries and got to try several wines that were all super. We learned a lot about all of the wines. All the people on our tour were so fun and it was great to meet so many people from all over. It was also a small bus group so it felt more personal. Our tour guide was so nice. Totally recommend!”

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Wētā Workshop Unleashed Tour - Auckland - Why the interactive parts matter
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Wētā Workshop Unleashed Tour – Auckland

13.Wētā Workshop Unleashed Tour – Auckland

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

At Auckland’s SkyCity, Wētā Workshop Unleashed takes you through three original horror, sci-fi, and fantasy film worlds. Your guide reveals practical effects, costumes, props, animatronics, miniatures, a giant, and a galactic robot, with hands-on activities throughout the 90-minute tour.

“Great interactive experience. Pacing was well and was interesting to see how some of the magic was produced.”

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Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland - Arataki Centre: Māori carvings and two-ocean views
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Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland

14.Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland

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

Leave Auckland at 12:30 p.m. for the Arataki Centre, a guided rainforest walk, and Piha Beach’s black sand. Your Bush and Beach guide, such as Annie, Leon, or Ian, shares local Māori history, plants, birds, and coastal lore. Hotel pickup, raincoats, and tea with biscuits are included.

“Great half day outdoor experience including a stop at a nature visitor center, walk on Piha black sand beach and rain forest walk. Our guide Leon was great. He is a local with good knowledge of the area and its environment. We totally enjoyed the 5 hour experience.”

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Auckland Sky Tower General Admission Ticket - What the three viewing levels add
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Auckland Sky Tower General Admission Ticket

15.Auckland Sky Tower General Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 805 reviews · from $24Best value

Visit Auckland’s Sky Tower in the city center and view Waitemata Harbour, Mount Eden, the Harbour Bridge, and Waiheke Island from decks 220 meters high. Your ticket covers the observation areas, while SkyWalk, SkyJump, dining, photos, and SkySlide VR cost extra.

“Lovely experience great views of a beautiful city. Extremely easy to exchange our voucher and even had a drink at the top.”

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New in Auckland Tours

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★ 5.0Vineyards Honey and Black Sand Beaches from AucklandFrom $18393 reviews
★ 5.0Auckland’s Wild West Coast & Black Sand Beaches Tour inc LunchFrom $10812 reviews
★ 4.5Kumeu Wine Region Shuttle from AucklandFrom $6819 reviews
★ 5.0Wētā Workshop Unleashed – Intro to Scars and Scrapes WorkshopFrom $405 reviews
★ 5.0West Coast Discovery TourFrom $14237 reviews
★ 5.0Hobbiton Movie Set Day TourFrom $2136 reviews
★ 3.5West Coast Discovery – Piha Beach or Muriwai Beach from AucklandFrom $1236 reviews
★ 5.0West Coast Discovery Piha Beach Private TourFrom $35114 reviews
★ 5.0Twin Caves Discovery – Private Day Tour from AucklandFrom $4823 reviews
★ 5.0Waitomo Glowworm & Ruakuri Twin Cave Small Group Tour Ex-AucklandFrom $21325 reviews
★ 4.5Waitomo Caves & Hobbiton Small Group Tour inc Lunch from AucklandFrom $23527 reviews
★ 4.5Waitomo Glow Worm CavesFrom $17345 reviews
★ 5.0Waitomo Glow Worm Caves & Te Puia (Rotorua) Private TourFrom $58813 reviews

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