The Best Tours And Excursions From Auckland

With so much natural beauty surrounding Auckland, it’s easier than ever to escape the urban centre and enjoy the great outdoors. Fortunately, those without their own vehicle can choose from an array of guided trips departing from the city. Spend the day sampling wine and cheese or roaming the rugged West Coast, and sit back in your seat and let someone else take the wheel as you travel between the sights.

2. Coromandel Day Trip

Tours, Activities

For those short on time and eager to discover this stunning peninsula, this guided day trip explores the best of the area in one easy excursion. From Cathedral Cove to Hot Water Beach with its natural hot springs, you’ll be able to swim at both and still have time to hike up Mount Paku for breathtaking views over Pauanui. As the sun goes down at the end of this action-packed day, you’ll feel sure that you’ve experienced the best of the Coromandel Peninsula, with some incredible memories to take home.

3. Food and Wine Tasting Tour of Waiheke

Tours, Activities

Just a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, and yet seemingly a million miles away, Waiheke Island is its own microcosm of a wine region. The sprawling island is home to some of the country’s best wineries, but also has heavenly beaches and jaw-dropping real estate courtesy of its wealthy residents and holiday home owners. Your driver-guide accompanies you by coach for cellar door visits where you indulge in tastings of wine, microbrews, olive oil and a delicious lunch. Be sure to finish up the day by visiting some of the island’s best beaches with a free bus pass.

4. Matakana Coastal Getaway From Auckland

Tours, Activities

Matakana is a thriving area for produce just north of Auckland. Home to award-winning wineries and bespoke cheese makers, this bucolic area is perfect for a day of drinking and dining. On this day trip, your knowledgeable guide will provide expert insight as you taste local wine, honey and cheese, and take you through the history and topography of the area too. You’ll also enjoy lunch at The Plume – a top-rated local restaurant – and discover what makes each product you’re tasting so special. You’ll likely leave with a fuller understanding and appreciation for Matakana’s homegrown produce.

5. Rotorua Highlights Small Group Tour From Auckland

Tours

The geothermal town of Rotorua provides a breathtaking look into the workings of mother nature – from erupting geysers to bubbling mud pools. On this guided tour, you’ll witness incredible volcanic activity up close, before immersing yourself in Māori culture with a visit to The National Māori Arts School. During the visit, your guide will explain the historical significance of the area, before taking you to a number of significant towns on the way back to Auckland to round off the day.

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.