Top North Island Layover Tours

See and experience Napier’s highlights on this half-day shore excursion that’s especially designed for travelers with limited time on land. You’ll be picked up at the port and taken on a tour of Art Deco Napier and Hastings, learning about the events that led to this artistic style dominating. Continue up Te Mata Peak by road, to enjoy sweeping views of Hawkes Bay.

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.

Experience all that Hobbiton has to offer free of time pressures on this full-day tour. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how the movie set was created, and see one of the few film sets maintained long after shooting has finished. This tour is great for both diehard fans of The Lord of the Rings and those who just want to enjoy a unique day out.

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.

Explore Auckland and its surroundings with your own private guide for a personalized look at this beautiful part of New Zealand’s North Island. Tour the city center and see Waitemata Harbour from MJ Memorial Park. Check out Auckland Domain and take a walk on Mt. Eden. You'll go to rainforest, volcanic sand beaches, and waterfalls, and hear informative commentary from your guide throughout the tour.

Enjoy two North Island highlights on an easy day trip from Auckland. Avoid the hassle of self driving or taking public transport when you join a guided tour. Tickets to the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves are included. Participate in guided tours of both attractions so you can learn more about the cultural and natural significance of these memorable places.

Discover the movie magic at Hobbiton Movie Set featured in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies on a day tour from Auckland. Take 2.5-hour guided walking tour of the movie set to see locations from the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, including the Hobbit Hole doors in the hillside. End your Hobbiton tour with a visit to The Green Dragon Inn including a complimentary beverage. After Hobbiton, Lunch at Hobbition cafe shop or at Waitomo Homestead for lunch before continuing to Waitomo Caves. Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glowworm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms, and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history. The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are made up of two levels. The upper chamber is dry and decorated with stunning, delicate cave formations, and the lower level consists of stream passages, glowworms, and the Cathedral, the tallest chamber in the cave. drop-off at the Grand hotel.