Top North Island Outdoor Activities - page 6

Sip your way around Martinborough — a once sleepy colonial town that’s now a prominent wine village at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail — on this private day trip from Wellington. Following hotel or port pickup and a scenic drive through the Wairarapa, you’ll visit three of Martinborough’s renowned wineries. Enjoy a guided wine tasting at each and a lunch platter with wine at Poppies Martinborough. Then, choose to continue hopping around Martinborough’s wineries or travel to nearby Greytown, whose pretty streets are thronged with cafes and antique stores.

Much of the Napier-Hastings region of the Hawke’s Bay – including wineries, beaches and lookouts – is within cycling distance of central Napier. Skip the tour buses and minivans and head out on your own adventure with this full-day bicycle hire package. All the gear you need, including helmets, locks, maps and mechanical support, is provided with your bicycle. Everything else – where to go, what to see and when to get there – is up to you and your group.

Explore the mysterious geothermal landscape of Rotorua with this self-guided tour. After gaining access to the geothermal site, follow the well-marked trails to see colorful steaming lakes, thermal pools, geysers and more. As you wander, enjoy being immersed in native forest, with the chance to also see edible plants. This is a wonderful way to explore the fascinating geothermal world of Rotorua.

This convenient day trip visits two of the North Island’s most popular attractions from Auckland in a single day, which would be difficult if traveling independently. The small-group, fully guided mini-bus tour takes you to several natural wonders, such as rivers, natural geothermal pools, and glow-worm caves. Your guide will tell you all about the natural and cultural history, to help you better understand what you’re seeing.

Steer a stand-up paddleboard through a spectacular display of glow worms on a twilight tour of Lake Rotorua glow worm caves and rock formations. Paddling Lake Rotorua at dusk means the perfect light to see the glow worms at their sparkling, shining best, and you’ll watch the first stars appear over the lake as you return to shore.

Ride along dirt tracks and trails on a 30-minute or 1-hour 4WD adventure in Rotorua, and experience New Zealand off-roading. You’ll explore rolling farmland and scenic native forests with an professional guide who will drive you to a viewpoint overlooking Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island. This small-group 4WD tour is limited to five participants per buggy.

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.

Active travelers who want to experience a combination of Rotorua’s best attractions will love this kayaking tour. While paddling a kayak around the beautiful shores of Lake Rotomahana, you’ll also get the chance to stop and bathe in natural outdoor hot springs. These are not a commonly known tourist attraction, and don’t get the same crowds as hot springs in central Rotorua. As numbers are limited to six on this tour, you can enjoy a peaceful wilderness-like experience.

Get out of the tour bus and create your own journey on this self-guided scenic bike ride to coastal wineries. Spend some time outdoors on the beautiful coast near Hawke’s Bay, riding beachside roads and a cycle trail to three wineries. The wineries are all located towards the end of the trail, so you won’t have to worry about riding bikes while drinking wine. When your winery visits are over, a shuttle takes you back to Napier. Shuttle pick up time departs Elephant Hill at 4pm and subject to change if there's an additional shuttle.

Take in the scenery of Lake Taupo during this half-day kayaking tour from Taupo. After a brief paddling lesson, set out in your kayak from Jerusalem Bay. Follow your guide along the shoreline of New Zealand’s largest lake to rock cliffs where you can see Maori carvings. Stop at a scenic spot for snacks and an optional swim on a tour that is suitable for all levels of experience.

This private tour ensures visitors their own dedicated driver/guide for the entirety of the experience. This tour captures the best of Wellington, including scenic drives of the bays; a visit to the famous Weta Cave and Workshop; a variety of memorials and monuments; the Parliament buildings; and Old St. Paul’s Cathedral. This tour is filled with history and culture.

If you want to see Auckland's nature and gardens, this is a must-buy. We take you not only to Auckland's representative attractions, but also to the hidden gem-like places of Auckland.

Searching for a convenient and relaxing way to explore the longest river in New Zealand, the Waikato? Discover the secret beauty of the river on this kayaking tour. Spend roughly two hours winding through the river’s slow-moving waters past forests, islands, swimming holes, and the famous Taupo Bungy platform. Finish the tour by soaking in natural hot springs and a enjoying a refreshment at a riverside campground.

Get a close-up view of some of New Zealand’s most beautiful marine life on this half-day dolphin-watching tour from Tauranga. As well as graceful dolphins, you’re likely to spot penguins, seals, whales, sharks, orca, and maybe even turtles. This is an ideal family activity, as the boat is small and your tour personalized. Learn about the marine environment from the crew, and also enjoy views of Mt. Maunganui and Moturiki Island.

Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing through Tongariro National Park on a full-day guided trek that explores a spectacular volcanic landscape. Cover several miles of trail as you pass volcanic craters, mountain springs, and vivid alpine lakes, with views across a range of active volcanoes. Traveling with a guide means you are fully prepared and equipped for the rugged terrain of Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's gorgeous under winter snows or summer wildflowers.

Kayak down the beautiful crystal-clear waters of the Waikato River on this small two hour guided kayaking tour. Drift path various islands, nature reserves, and locations of interests and soak in the natural geothermal hot pools. This tour will let you uniquely experience the river and its surroundings.

Cruise ship passengers who want an active adventure while on land will love this white-water rafting expedition from Napier. The rapids are an easy class II, so even first-timers and older kids can join in. Admire the views of the native bush, listen to birdsong, and even go for a swim in the gentle river if you like. Photos of your trip will be provided after.

Hike across Waiheke Island, stopping at vineyards on the way, without the risk of getting lost on this half-day guided walk. Your guide will help you spot native wildlife—which is notoriously shy in New Zealand—and lead you to the best lookout points on the island. Sample some of Waiheke Island’s famous wines and have lunch at a vineyard.

Across the Cook Strait is the Marlborough Sounds, a cluster of picturesque bays, inlets and islands. Set in one of these bays is the Bay of Many Coves Resort, a luxury hotel that can only be accessed by boat or helicopter. Your helicopter will leave the Wellington waterfront and fly you over the Cook Strait to the Resort. Once there, you’ll be treated to a three-course lunch at the resort’s gourmet restaurant The Foredeck.

Take a Bay of Islands shore excursion to the Puketi Rainforest for a half-day guided hike from Waitangi Wharf. You’ll follow a moderately strenuous footpath though a subtropical rainforest of lofty kauri trees and pass by cascading waterfalls as your guide shares local knowledge of rare bird and plant species. Enjoy morning tea on this small-group tour, limited to eight people for a personalized experience. Port pickup and drop-off included.

Sail the Bay of Islands on a working tall ship aboard the famed ‘R. Tucker Thompson,’ built in the tradition of a 100-year-old Northland schooner. Ply the waters of the pristine bay, where you can help hoist the sails, climb the rigging or simply relax on board, then swim while anchored in a sheltered bay in the maritime park. Enjoy morning tea and a barbecue lunch, with an optional complimentary ferry ride from Paihia to Russell, where your vessel departs.

Spend a day cruising through the Bay of Islands aboard a deluxe sailboat that sets sail from Russell. Your captain stops at a picturesque island where you have lunch, and time to snorkel, kayak, swim, and walk to a lookout point. Cruise over to The Black Rocks for photo ops of the volcanic formation, keep an eye out for marine life, and hear commentary from your captain about the region.

If you’ve always wanted to surf, Omaha Beach is a great place to do it. It’s not far from central Auckland, so makes a great day trip for visitors to the city. Small groups (max. 12) mean instructors can tailor the lesson to your needs. Start with beach-based activities before taking your board into the ocean. Learn a range of essential skills, including safety, board use, and paddling techniques.

When your cruise ship arrives in the Bay of Islands, escape the crowds with a small-group half-day tour to two gorgeous islands. Go snorkeling at pristine island reefs, try stand-up paddle boarding, take a short hike to viewpoints, and look for New Zealand wildlife. You’ll ride on a small motorboat that can access places that large ships cannot go, and hear live commentary from your guide about the region.