Top Tauranga Full-day Tours

Take a shore excursion to the Hobbiton Movie Set and sightsee Rotorua with a guide when your cruise ship pulls into port at Tauranga. Journey to Middle-earth and The Shire of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fame, featured in the popular LOTR trilogy and ‘The Hobbit.’ Then learn traditional customs at the Maori village of Whakarewarewa before strolling past the spouting geysers and steaming hot springs of thermal Rotorua. Numbers are limited to 19 participants in this small-group tour to the land of hobbits and hot pools.

See the highlights of Rotorua on a full-day shore excursion from Tauranga. You’ll travel to one of New Zealand’s famed regions in the North Island, observing otherworldly landscapes and Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa’s thermal springs. Visit Okere Falls at the Bay of Plenty; receive a traditional welcome at an authentic Maori village where you’ll watch a 'haka' (war dance); and view the Government Gardens, a historic bath house and more in Rotorua.

Visit an authentic Living Maori Village deep in the geothermal region of Rotorua on this full-day excursion including a Hangi Lunch. Tour with a local Maori guide and learn about how the villagers have adapted to the harsh geothermal environment. You tour will also include visits to the famous Government Gardens and Rotorua Lake. This is a small group tour with a group size up to 18. Please note that the ticket sent to you by Viator/TripAdvisor will show the standard tour departure time. As the ships arrival time in port varies so much, we adjust the start and end times each day to suit the ships time in port. When your booking is accepted by us, we will confirm the true start time for the day, which overrides the time printed on your voucher. We use the correct times for the ship which we take from the Port of Tauranga web site and details provided to us by the ships booking agent as we also provide some of the official tours to the ship, so trust us.

On this full-day shore excursion, take a journey deep into Middle Earth without the stress and strict scheduling of a large group tour. Drive from Tauranga into the heart of the Waikato with a small group and guide and visit Hobbiton, the iconic filming location from Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. But this is more than just a there-and-back-again Lord of the Rings tour: also spend some time in the secluded New Zealand bush at McLaren Falls Park and see the striking titular waterfall.

See, hear, smell, touch and taste on this full-day shore excursion from Tauranga. Experience the unique and special natural beauty of The Bay of Plenty. You will visit some out of the way spots that not everyone knows about and will go where the big buses don't. This tour is not a shuttle and will not drop you off anywhere to explore on your own. It is a fully guided small-group tour with a knowledgeable, fun and friendly tour guide. Along the way you will see and learn about the uniqueness that is New Zealand and you will learn about the geothermal region of Rotorua and its significance to the Maori people. We do not visit the commercial geothermal reserves on this tour, but we do see boiling mud pools, crystal clear bubbling hot springs, volcanic lakes and picturesque forests.  Please note that the ticket sent to you by Viator/TripAdvisor will show the standard tour departure time, we will advise an updated time when you book the tour which may be different, this is the one to use.

Swap the Tauranga cruise port for the Shire, featured in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies, on a Hobbiton Movie Set shore excursion. Your tour includes movie structures such as hobbit holes, the party tree and the Mill. Sip a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and then suit up in a favorite LOTR costume with a stop at McLaren Falls Park.

Easily explore the area outside the Port of Tauranga during this guided tour that includes port pickup and drop-off. First visit a New Zealand kiwi orchard, and get the chance to taste the native fruit yourself. Catch sight of natural wonders such as Okere Falls, Blue Lake, and Whakarewarewa Forest before going to taste New Zealand honey at a local farm (time permitting).

Experience the magic of New Zealand’s North Island on this evening glow-worm kayak tour in Tauranga. Begin your tour with refreshments and delicious New Zealand cheeses on the banks of Lake McLaren. As day turns to night, hop into your kayak and paddle with your guide to the glow-worm canyon at the head of Lake McLaren. Marvel at the millions of bright green glow-worms clinging to the towering cliff sides, and gain insight into the life cycle of these fascinating creatures.

Explore one of the North Island’s most impressive natural wonders and see the national symbol of New Zealand on this shore excursion from Tauranga. Walk through the caves to see stalagmites and stalactites before boarding a small boat to the incredible Waitomo Caves, filled with glittering glow-worms. Then visit the Otorohanga Kiwi House to learn more about the native birds. Port pickup and drop-off is included.

When your cruise ship docks in Tauranga, gain insight into New Zealand’s natural and cultural heritage on a shore excursion to Rotorua. At the Te Puia Maori cultural center, discover boiling mud pools and Pohutu Geyser on a walk through the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley; learn about Maori customs at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute; and spot the elusive kiwi bird.

When your cruise ship docks in Tauranga, head out for a full-day tour of Mt. Maunganui and Rotorua. In Rotorua, learn about Maori culture, and see geothermal hot pools and the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa—The Living Maori Village. Sample New Zealand specialties such as manuka honey and kiwi fruit, and spend time checking out highlights including Lake Rotorua and Government Gardens.

Private tour: exclusive to your group only. See two world-famous attractions in one day. Te Puia Geysers: Heartland of Rotorua's geothermal activity & Maori culture. See and experience 'Pohutu' geyser the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere in action rumbling away as it erupts boiling water and steam up to 100 feet. An awesome sight. See & smell boiling mud pools, hot water pools, steam vents, a steaming volcanic landscape. HOBBITON: A Visit to Middle Earth - Escape into the enchanting world of JRR Tolkien’s famous stories. A world of enduring fantasy where the amazing films were brought to life. Set across the 12 acres Hobbit Village. See Bilbo’s house, The Water Mill, Green Dragon Inn, the Arched Bridge, 44 Hobbit houses, gardens, wandering pathways, The Party Tree, lakes. If you haven’t read the books or seen the movies you will still love it.

Private Tour: Exclusive to your group only On this tour you will see "The Mount Main Beach" home of surfing & surf lifesaving competitions. Kiwifruit & avocado orchards, lakes district, lush farmland, native bush, waterfalls & pine forest plantations. Redwoods Canopy Walk: World's Longest Tree Walk, 700 meters. 28 bridges.27 platforms. A majestic and magical adventure, the Redwoods Tree walk experience is truly a walk to remember. Suspended high above the forest floor, encounter 75-meter tall giant redwoods as you walk eco-suspended bridges & platforms. Te Puia 1. 5hr guided tour: Get up close to erupting geysers, steam vents and boiling mud pools. See the elusive nocturnal Kiwi Bird, traditional wood & greenstone carving. Your Maori guide explains the history of this volcanic wonderland. We explore downtown Rotorua, the beautiful park like Government gardens and lakefront - before we return to Port.

Leaving Tauranga you head south through rolling farmland and forestry, past Lake Rotorua and on to the magical Waimangu Valley where your guide will take you through the world’s youngest geothermal valley. Starting at the head of the valley you will wind your way down, passing a range of geothermal activity, hot springs, volcanic craters, nature and wildlife. Some highlights to look out for include the world's largest hot spring, and the brilliant blue Inferno Crater. The trails ultimately lead you down to the lake, where you’ll enjoy a relaxing 45 minute cruise around the tranquil waters of Lake Rotomahana. Throughout the cruise, you'll encounter stunning geothermal activity only accessible by boat, as well as rare native birdlife, and stunning views across the lake at the imposing Mount Tarawera. You can also listen to the onboard commentary of the historic stories of the lake, and hear about the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption that covered and destroyed the pink and white terraces.

Private tour: exclusive to your group only. The amazing Waitomo Glow-Worm Caves. Want to do something different? Take this awesome day trip to explore these deep underground glow worm caves that will take your breath away. After an early start from the Port, we travel over the Kaimai Ranges into the Waikato region through New Zealand's best farmland, dairy farms, horse studs, and hydro dams - plenty to see on this trip! As you descend into the world-famous caves you can only marvel at the thousands of tiny glow worms and the wondrous display as your boat glides silently along the subterranean river. In the dark of the cave, their radiant luminescent lights give the impression of an amazingly clear night sky. An awesome sight! On the return journey, we stop at the rural township of Otorohanga to view our iconic national bird, the Kiwi at the Otorohanga Kiwi and Native bird sanctuary. Please note there is an approx. 2 + hour drive each way through wonderful picturesque country side.

Optional: Buffet lunch at Skyline Gondolas "Stratosphere" Restaurant with panoramic views See Mount Manganui's surf beach, island walk, water falls, geothermal activity, boiling mud & hot water pools. We take a short walk to beautiful Mototuriki Island. On this tour, you will see kiwifruit & avocado orchards, lakes district, lush farmland, native bush, and pine forest plantations as we pass through different regions. See and experience Rotorua's most famed hot spots and highlights as well as its hidden secrets as your tour guide takes you from place to place, I know the area like the back of my hand. A visit to Kuirau geothermal park, boiling mud, hot water pools, steam vents and visit a Maori ancestral house. A short walk through the enchanting giant 75 ft high Redwoods Forest. Explore Rotorua lake front and the wonderful Govt Gardens, Racheal's boiling hot water pool and an architectural gem, the Old Spa Bath House before return to Port Plenty to see and do on this tour.

Private tour: exclusive to your group only. Two of New Zealand's most spectacular Geothermal Parks. Small Groups, Max 4 people. Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland ... A self-guided tour following demarcated tracks through a stunning variety of volcanic phenomena. You’ll see fantastic naturally colored hot and cold pools, the world-famous Champagne Pool, massive craters and New Zealand’s largest boiling mud pool; Wai-O-Tapu was formed over thousands of years of continuous volcanic activity. Te Puia Geysers ... Heartland of Rotorua's geothermal activity & Maori culture. See and experience 'Pohutu' geyser the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere in action rumbling away as it erupts boiling water and steam up to 100 feet. An awesome sight. See & smell boiling mud pools, hot water pools, steam vents, a steaming volcanic landscape.

Spend an afternoon under the stars experiencing one of New Zealand's best natural attractions. Explore a stunning 30 million year old cave system with breathtaking formations and finishing with a boat ride through the glow-worm grotto.