Top North Island Food Tours

Walk into the real-world landscape of Middle Earth on a walking tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, where you get a behind-the-scenes look at ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit.’ Pause at the Green Dragon™ Inn to for a draft of Hobbit™ Southfarthing™, see the remarkable detailing that brought Hobbiton™ to life on screen, and visit the places where key scenes were created.

Indulge in the succulent tastes of Waiheke Island on a 5.5-hour food and wine tour. An informative guide picks you up from your island accommodation or the wharf — if you’ve taken the ferry from Auckland — and takes you to boutique wineries. Taste wine accompanied by locally produced specialties such as award-winning olive oil, fresh-shucked oysters and artisan cheese. Then settle in for a platter lunch at a vineyard restaurant. If you like, stay longer and make your own way back to Auckland at your leisure.

Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set on a full-day tour from Auckland that explores New Zealand's 'Middle-earth,' where 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' came to life on film. Travel through a landscape of lush farms, then take a guided tour of the 12-acre (4.8-ha.) Hobbiton Movie Set, from hobbit holes to gardens and the Green Dragon Inn. With free time to shop and explore, this tour includes transport from selected locations in Auckland, and it's limited to 16 travelers to ensure personalized service.

Escape the bustle of Auckland for a day on this convenient day trip to the Coromandel Peninsula. A variety of activities are included, to make the most of your time in this naturally beautiful area: hike to Cathedral Cove, swim in the crystal waters, climb Mount Paku, and dig your own spa bath at Hot Water Beach. All on a handy organized day trip.

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.

The Waitomo Caves and Rotorua rank among New Zealand’s top attractions, offering natural beauty, geothermal features, and native culture in equal measure. Ideal for travelers short on time, this adventurous tour takes in both sites in the same day, with entry fees plus round-trip transport from Auckland included. Discover subterranean stalagmites at the famous Waitomo Caves and hit top Rotorua attractions including the Government Gardens and Lake Rotorua.

Volcanic beaches, native rain forest, and vineyards abound on this full-day tour of West Auckland. Begin with a wine tasting in Henderson Valley, then continue to the Waitakere Ranges, where more than 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) of coastline and forest await you. Get elevated views of the reserve from the Arataki visitor center, explore the black-sand beaches of Piha and Karekare, and get close to the Karekare waterfalls. Then, enjoy an included lunch before finishing your tour with more wine tastings.

While in Rotorua, see a cultural performance and take part in a traditional Maori ‘hangi’ feast at Tamaki Maori Village. A local guide escorts you by coach to the ‘marae’ (Maori village) for an immersive evening that begins with a welcome ceremony by New Zealand's indigenous people. Learn about local customs and watch a powerful display of song and dance before a hangi dinner.

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.

Sail away on a harbor cruise in Auckland and enjoy a 3-course dinner during a memorable tour of Waitemata Harbour highlights, including the Sky Tower and Auckland Harbour Bridge. Set out aboard a sailing yacht from Viaduct Harbour, then enjoy service in the dining room while at anchor in Westhaven Marina. As evening falls, your expert captain shares informative facts about Auckland and its iconic sights.

Come visit a New Zealand attraction that’s sure to have you ‘glowing’ during this 45-minute small-group guided boat ride through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Glide by boat through this underground complex, enjoying a light show put on by the millions of tiny bioluminescent insects hanging above. As an added bonus, many of the trip guides are of Maori descent, adding unique historical context to your visit.

Discover Auckland’s food and wine on a half-day tour with a local insider who shares the region’s freshest seafood, baked goods and other delectable treats. Enjoy morning tea, a light lunch and wine tasting of superb varietals; visit the Auckland Fish Market and meet the talented artisan producers at a farmers’ market; and travel by minivan to key landmarks including Ponsonby Road, Mt Eden and the Auckland Domain. You’ll discover a wealth of epicurean delights in Auckland on this small-group tour, limited to six people for personalized attention.

The fictional, yet globally famous, village of Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves rank among the most popular sites of interest in New Zealand. On this tour, visit both sites in one day—see the home of Bilbo Baggins and explore Waitomo’s subterranean caverns—and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour—limited to 12 people.

Go on an adrenaline-filled rafting excursion down the Kaituna River during this 3-hour adventure tour from Rotorua. Here, white-water rapids flow past a subtropical rainforest lining a deep canyon. See stunning waterfalls, including rafting over Tutea Falls, and jump at the opportunity for exhilarating cliff diving. Tour operates winter and summer. Wetsuit, booties and helmet are provided. No experience necessary!

Benefit from a small-group experience of Auckland at night on a half-day tour that visits night markets, viewpoints, and other scenic destinations. Have time to enjoy the night market, watch the sunset from Mount Eden, and snap photos of the twinkling Harbour Bridge, and also check out the Auckland Domain, Mission Bay, and Wynyard Quarter. Your guide shares commentary along the way, and hotel transfers are provided.

Explore the Waitakere Ranges rain forest and Auckland’s rugged west coast, including Piha Beach, during an afternoon tour with a guide who is knowledgeable about New Zealand flora and fauna. From the Arataki Centre, admire sweeping views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Learn about Maori history, stroll the beach, and take a nature walk through a lush rain forest while you experience Auckland's largest regional park.

Go Waitomo black-water rafting (cave tubing) for a memorable adventure in the Waitomo Caves. Choose a 3-hour Labyrinth experience that takes you floating underground on an inner tube, including a small waterfall jump. Or upgrade to the 5-hour Black Abyss for an exhilarating abseil (rappel) down limestone walls; instruction and equipment included. The resident glowworms, stalactites and stalagmites will amaze you! Finish with a hot shower, soup and bagel.

Visit the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie set on this small-group Hobbiton tour from Auckland. At the Hobbiton Movie Set, visit the home of Bilbo Baggins and peer inside other hobbit holes of the Shire—filming site of ‘The Hobbit’ and the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogies. Your knowledgeable guide points out the Party Tree and the Mill. Enjoy cider, ale, or ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn, and recharge with lunch at Party Marquee—both included.

Taste a sampling of craft brews on a 2-hour walking tour of Auckland. An in-the-know guide leads your small group of beer-lovers to three watering holes, with four to six beer tastings included at each historical pub or newer brewhouse. Enjoy a food pairing at the last stop and learn about Auckland’s burgeoning beer scene — proving it’s not all about wine in New Zealand! Numbers are limited to 14 people to ensure an intimate experience.

This small-group day trip from Auckland features the highlights and hospitality of Rotorua. Visit the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute of Te Puia, witness the thermal activity of the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, and tour the city with a knowledgeable guide. Opt for additional free time to explore on your own, or upgrade for a private soak at the Polynesian Spa, a visit to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, or a Maori concert. You have the flexibility to return to Auckland or end with drop-off in Rotorua.

Discover the wines of Waiheke on a day trip from Auckland with a small-group tour that visits boutique vineyards. It’s easy to hop a morning ferry and cross the Hauraki Gulf for the short ride to the island. Your guide meets you upon arrival and shares lively commentary as you head to local vineyards for tastings. Afterward, transfers to your lunch venue of choice and the return ferry are provided.

Visit Waitomo Glowworm Caves and the Hobbiton Movie Set on a full-day tour from Rotorua that can be customized to your interests. Choose a walking tour of the glowworm caves, enjoy independent time in Waitomo, or splash through the caverns on an adventurous rafting or caving tour. Next, head to the Hobbiton Movie Set to explore hobbit holes and sip a hobbit-themed brew at the Green Dragon Inn. This full-day tour includes pickup at selected locations in Rotorua, with drop-off in Rotorua or Auckland.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are among the most visited attractions of New Zealand’s North Island and Ruakuri Cave is the longest of the underground caves. Explore the magnificent cave on this 75-minute guided walking tour and marvel at the unique rock formations, subterranean rivers, and thousands of glittering glowworms.

Take a premium wine tour of Waiheke Island and sip fine wines at this famed North Island destination, just a ferry ride away from Auckland. An informative local guide accompanies you to award-winning boutique vineyards and shares knowledge of the island and its viticulture along the way. Includes wine tasting fees and round-trip island transport from the ferry terminal by luxury minibus.