Top North Island Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Beat the crowds with early access to the Hobbiton Movie Set, where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies were filmed. Your guide gives you a behind-the-scenes peek at places normally only visited by the film crews. This small group includes round-trip coach transport from your Auckland hotel and breakfast at the Green Dragon Inn.

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.

Walk among towering kauri trees in the Puketi Rainforest on a half-day, full-day or nighttime guided hike, starting from Okaihau in the Bay of Islands. A knowledgeable guide points out rare bird and plant species while you trek past thundering waterfalls on a moderately strenuous footpath though the subtropical rainforest — suitable for strong hikers. Numbers are limited to a maximum of six people to ensure a small-group experience. Morning or afternoon tea with optional lunch are included, depending on tour selected.

Visit the home of Bilbo Baggins on a small-group shore excursion to Hobbiton, a New Zealand farm-turned-filming site for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogies. While your cruise ship is docked in Auckland, embark on a Hobbiton Movie Set tour of the Mill, the party tree and the Green Dragon Inn. Crouch next to hobbit holes and enjoy lunch at the Green Dragon Inn on this must-do tour.

Join a Bay of Islands sightseeing tour from the Waitangi Port. See some of the best locations that this region has to offer while your ship is berthed in the harbour, including a guided tour of Kawiti Glowworm Caves, a stop at the picturesque Kerikeri, with tastings at Makana Confections, and a visit to the beautiful Haruru Falls and lookout point over Waitangi and the Bay of Islands.

The Hahei Explorer is one hour long, travels up to 14kms, and takes the visitor into coastal islands of the marine reserve, reefs, massive sea caves and bays, including the world famous Cathedral Cove. The magnificence of this natural volcanic scenery is legendary and the approach by sea, combined with an insightful yet relaxed commentary further enhances the experience. Seating only ten passengers, this personalised tour caters for all age groups.

The Delicious Whangarei tour takes you on a tasty journey around our beautiful region, tasting coffee, honey, cheese, olive oil, wine and chocolate. You will meet wonderful local providers and hear how they are producing the good stuff!

Looking for a genuine connection with a local Maori family? We welcome you to step off the tourist trail and come join us for a personal and meaningful life-time experience. Embrace the warmth of true Maori culture through our family. You will immediately feel welcomed and at ease with your hosts as you experience our culture, land, nature, amazing stories and food on this unforgettable experience. Sure to create friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Experience a mystical journey through the sacred forests of New Zealand’s Maori people during this 4-hour evening forest walk in Waipoua with an indigenous guide. Walk beneath the giant Kauri trees of this forest sanctuary, including the majestic ‘Te Matua Ngahere’ tree, absorbing the site’s spiritual energy as you learn about the site’s significance to Maori beliefs.

We provide door to door transport. Our tours are only small groups in late model Mercedes. Children 14yrs and under are HALF PRICE (of adult prices). You will be visiting one of the unique caves in the Waitomo complex which allows PHOTOGRAPHY. We operate everyday except Christmas Days.

Travel over New Zealand's largest privately owned wildlife sanctuary, learn about a working farm, local history, legends and the geology of the area. Stop at lookout point with spectacular views. Be within a few feet of the remarkable gannet birds with stunning golden crowns where 20,000 gannets nest - its the largest accessible mainland colony in the world.

We offer personalised tours with local guides who understand and appreciate the history and ecology of this beautiful natural harbour. We share stories of the land and sea and offer you the opportunity to participate in pest species control to help protect New Zealand's natural flora and fauna. Photographs are taken by our guides and supplied to you by email, free of charge.

Not only do we have the right bikes for the trail, but we can get you there in comfort with one of our new shuttles and bike trailers. Our mountain bike with knobbly tyres and a minimum of front suspension is recommended for riding the Timber Trail. At Timber Trail Shuttle & Bike Hire, you can now hire the right bike for the terrain, along with a helmet, spare tubes and other required gear. You have a choice of one of our 40 excellent Trek Roscoe Mountain Bikes or one of our 10 Trek Powerfly E-Bikes. Bringing your own bike, not a problem. Enjoy our purpose built bike trailers, bike wash down bay with water blaster and shower facility to freshen up after your ride. Timber Trail Shuttle & Bike Hire. We Will Get You There

The Waipoua Forest is one of the best places to see New Zealand's ancient kauri trees and visiting with a local Maori guide offers the chance to learn the secrets of the mysterious forest. Enjoy a guided 3.5-hour walk through Waipoua, hear Maori legends and admire the native wildlife, and marvel at the famous trees Te Matua Ngahere, 'The Four Sisters', and Tane Mahuta.

Always fancied cycling again but felt you couldn’t cope with the hills. Electric Assist takes the hardest part out of cycling, and makes easy work of those hills and gradients. They are super comfy and feel safe because of the BFT’s (Big Fat Tyres)!!

A mountain bike with knobbly tyres and a minimum of front suspension is recommended for riding the Timber Trail. At Timber Trail Shuttle & Bike Hire, you can now hire the right bike for the terrain, along with a helmet, spare tubes and other required gear. You have a choice of one of our 30 excellent Trek Roscoe Mountain Bikes or one of our 10 Trek Powerfly E-Bikes.

The Hauraki Rail Trail is one of the easiest and most satisfying trails in the North Island. Its predominantly wide, flat and smooth terrain makes it suitable for everything from children’s bikes and uprights, to Touring bikes, Mountain bikes and e-bikes. Hauraki Bike Hire offer a premium service for Bike Hire and support with transport from our convenient rental location at the Paeroa Information Hub. The wide range of cycles for hire come in various sizes with something to suit everyone. All bikes are thoroughly maintained ensuring a smooth ride when you hire from us. Paeroa is centrally located for your Hauraki Rail Trail adventures, just minutes from beautiful bush, river walks and the spectacular Karangahake Gorge. Offering art galleries, antique shops, golf, river cruises, trout fishing, delicious eateries and accommodation, you’ll want to linger longer. Come and see us, and we’ll promise the adventure of a lifetime.

A beautiful and historic tour in one of Whangarei's most significant areas. This tour has a bit of local flavour, some geology and some of the best-kept secret views Whangarei has to offer.

This full day, catered tour takes you to one of the quiet, hidden gems of Tai Tokerau (Northland). Definitely special and well off the beaten track and general tourist route! Leave the hustle and bustle that is summertime in the Bay of Islands behind and embark on an authentic New Zealand adventure. Your guide for the day has spent 15 years lecturing NZ’s ecology, natural and social history as well as guiding and sharing some of the rare encounters only to be found in the Far North’s treasure trove of experiences. With a bit of “something for everyone” this trip combines; A truly scenic drive along the North East coast layered with stories and history An easy going coastal walk (approximately 45 mins each way) An interesting archaeological talk with the opportunity to view and taste wild indigenous foods Time to relax on the beach, swim and experience some of New Zealand’s rare and endemic wildlife A delicious picnic lunch using the best locally available produce

An intrepid trek through cliff tops, private beaches, farmland, native bush, pine forest and estuary mudflats. This tour has it all!

Inclusions One way or return ferry transfers from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula. Buy online and redeem through mobile easiest way

Our grade 5, white water rafting trip is often recognised as one of the best half day trips in the world! It was recently voted in the top 8 white water trips in the world by Red Bull. With 10 major rapids on this 11 km run, plus numerous smaller rapids, there is plenty to get excited about. This is a very active trip and you will need to work as part of a team to navigate your way through steep drops, chutes and major rapids in the grade 5 gorge. The trip starts off with some mellow grade 1-3 rapids, which are great practice for what lies ahead. Throughout the trip you will see some amazing New Zealand scenery along the way. And the trip finishes back at River Valley Lodge, for hot showers! You can also choose to add on meals or accommodation at the lodge after your trip.

With over 30 Grade 2 (easy) rapids, amazing scenery and a riverside lunch, the 13 km section of the Rangitikei River downstream from River Valley Lodge is perfect for all ages.   On the way down the river, immense cliffs cradle the river canyon. It is in one of these sections that we stop and have a picnic lunch. From there it is a relaxing float out to the take out, followed by a scenic drive back to River Valley Lodge. For those wanting more of an adventure, we can run this trip with inflatable kayaks. Or, for those who are less active we can take oared rafts. This is a full day trip, departing from River Valley Lodge at 9.30am.  You will be spending approximately 4 hours on the river, plus a stop for your picnic lunch along the way.

Discover the beauty of the Waitangi River estuary and experience Maori traditions during a 3-hour cruise in a traditional canoe (waka) with a local Maori guide. Learn traditional paddling techniques in the calm waters of the estuary and make your way to Haruru Falls. Your guide shares informative commentary about Ngapuhi customs and history, and points out wildlife as you glide along. Disembark to visit a Ngapuhi meeting house and perhaps meet people from this Maori community. You'll also learn the moves of a 'haka' — an ancient Maori war dance.