Top 10 Shore Excursions in Auckland, New Zealand
If you’re looking for the best shore excursions in Auckland, New Zealand, there’s plenty to choose from.
One popular option is a tour of the city, which includes a visit to the Sky Tower, Auckland Harbour Bridge, and other landmarks.
For something a little more relaxed, you can take a stroll through one of Auckland’s many parks, or explore the city’s vibrant markets.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can your hand at kayaking, e-bike, or take a segway tour of Auckland.
Whichever excursion you choose, you’re sure to have a great time.
Table of Contents
Auckland City Tours Starting from the Cruise Ship Port
Auckland Private Shore Excursion: City Highlights & Cultural Performance
Make the most of your time in port in Auckland with a private shore excursion that takes in all the highlights.
Visit viewpoints such as Achilles Point, One Tree Hill, and Mt Eden; learn more about Auckland’s history at Bastion Point; and admire the landmarks of downtown Auckland. Along the way, discover New Zealand’s Maori history and heritage, and head to the Auckland War Museum for a thrilling cultural performance, featuring the famous HAKA dance.
- Spectacular views of Auckland from Mt Eden
- Experience the HAKA during a Maori cultural performance
- Hassle-free pickup and drop-off from Auckland port
- Private tour ensures the undivided attention of your guide
Read more about Auckland Private Shore Excursion: City Highlights & Cultural Performance
Auckland City Small-Group Morning Discovery Tour
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.
- Comprehensive tour of Auckland ideal for first-time visitors Magnificent views of Auckland from Mount Victoria
- Hassle-free pickup and drop-off from your Auckland hotel
- Small-group tour with a maximum of 16 people
Read more about Auckland City Small-Group Morning Discovery Tour
Waiheke Island Private Luxury Experience
Visit Waiheke Island and its top 3 Vineyards in this once in a lifetime luxury experience. Tour starts with pick up from your accommodation in a luxury Mercedes Vehicle by an experienced tour guide.
Enjoy a scenic Ferry ride from Auckland City across the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island. Travel to the top 3 Vineyards on the Island and taste what they have on offer. Once all 3 Vineyards have been visited, the next stop is the beach from some relaxing, sightseeing and a picnic Lunch.
Make your way back on the ferry through the beautiful islands where you will dropped off back at your shore accommodation or the Port.
Read more about Waiheke Island Private Luxury Experience
Active Auckland: E-bikes, Kayaks, and Segways!
The Classic: Most popular electric bike tour of Auckland’s Highlights
Enjoy cycling around Auckland without all the effort in the hilly city, on an electric bike tour.
Travelers with varying levels of fitness and cycling experience can ride together, making this a great family trip. You will be fitted with a headset so you can listen to your guide’s commentary as you cycle around the city and learn something new.
- Use of electric mountain bike, helmets, and headsets is included
- Suitable for cyclists of all levels of fitness – the electric bike does the work
- Stay safe cycling in the city with an experienced guide
- Receive souvenir photos to remember your tour by
Read more about The Classic: most popular electric bike tour of Auckland’s Highlights
Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island
Head out to the Auckland landmark of Rangitoto Island on this evening kayaking tour.
After crossing the Waitemata Harbour to Rangitoto, embark on a leisurely walk to the summit to catch the sunset over Auckland and the Waitakere Ranges. You’ll then paddle back in the dark with the help of your guide, taking in the city lights along the way.
- Experience the sunset from the best location in Auckland
- This tour is ideal for adventurous travelers
- All kayaking equipment is provided New Zealand-style
- BBQ dinner is served
Read more about Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island
Guided North Head Fort Segway Tour in Devonport Auckland
Explore the North Head Historic Reserve via Segway on this comprehensive guided tour. Once a defense site, you’ll see military fortifications, bunkers, tunnels, and more. Listen as your guide points out places of historic significance and shares anecdotes about the area.
Dismount briefly for a hike on a volcanic cone, then finish up with a ride past beaches and through parks back into the heart of Auckland.
- Segway tour of North Head Historic Reserve
- Local guide Small group tour—no more than six passengers
- Multiple departure times available
Read more about Guided North Head Fort Segway Tour in Devonport Auckland
Most Popular Day Trips: Hobbiton from Auckland
A visit to Hobbiton is a must for any Lord of the Rings fan. Located outside of Auckland, Hobbiton is the movie set where much of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit was filmed. Today, it is a fully-fledged tourist attraction, with tours departing daily from Auckland.
Upon arrival, visitors are given a guided tour of the movie set, learning about the history of the site and the making of the films. Visitors then have free time to explore Hobbiton at their own pace, taking in the sights and sounds of this magical place.
The tour from Auckland to Hobbiton is an unforgettable experience for any Lord of the Rings fan. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking to take in some of New Zealand’s stunning scenery, this tour is a must-do.
We’ve chosen two tours: one that returns to Auckland in a day, and another one-way to Rotorua, another popular North Island city – gateway to thermal spas, trout fishing, and excellent hiking and mountain biking opportunities.
The best reviewed and most popular tour is this one:
Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland
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.
- Full-day combo tour to the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves from Auckland
- Enjoy a Kiwi-style lunch
- Includes round-trip transport from Auckland CBD hotels
- Small group limited to 14 ensures personal service
Read more about Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland
If this is sold out, try:
Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Day Trip in Luxury Minibus from Auckland
Cover plenty of ground in one day by combining several North Island highlights: Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton, and Rotorua. Ride a boat through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves to see these radiant lights. Take a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, where you find the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and the home of Bilbo Baggins from ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ Enjoy lunch at Te Puia, home to Pohutu Geyser. You can start and finish your tour in either Auckland or Rotorua, traveling one-way or round-trip.
- North Island combo tour of Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waitomo Caves
- Visit structures of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings claim to fame
- View Pohutu Geyser in Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley
- Marvel at glowworms on a boat trip through Waitomo Caves
- Hotel transport available from central Auckland or Rotorua
- Travel one-way or round-trip and be dropped in either city
Read more about Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Day Trip in Luxury Minibus from Auckland
Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton Small Group Tour (One Way)
Make the most of the journey from Auckland to Rotorua by visiting one of New Zealand’s most popular attractions along the way—the Hobbiton Movie Set.
Relive memorable moments from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films on a guided tour of Hobbiton, enjoy free time for lunch (own expense) at the Shire’s Rest Café, then continue to Rotorua, where you’ll be given an introductory tour of the city before being dropped at your hotel.
- Guided Hobbiton tour including a drink at The Green Dragon Inn
- Photo opportunities of Lake Rotorua and the Government Gardens in Rotorua
- Hassle-free hotel pickup and one-way transport from Auckland to Rotorua
- Small-group tour with a maximum of 11 people
Read more about Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton Small Group Tour (One Way)
That’s some of the best Shore Excursions in Auckland – What are you choosing?
How we choose the Best Auckland Activities (Ranking methodology)
Firstly, we’re Auckland locals who have spent years travelling around the world – we’ve even won awards for our travel writing. So we know what’s good here, and what’s good around the world. We ‘travel’ this city and take part in as many opportunities as possible. But we can’t do every experience.
We also use travel reviews from other people, and look for the best reliable reviews, fast-selling tours, and cross-reference online recommendations from several sources.
Finally, we get direct feedback from travellers, friends, industry folks, and readers who help us discover new options, remove options that are no longer as good as they were, and generally make Discover Auckland a better resource for you.
We may earn income if you book through links on our site, but we never recommend things that are poor value. It’s really important to us that you enjoy your trip, recommend us to friends, and come back to Discover Auckland to plan your next adventure.
