Day Tours from Auckland: 5 Top Destination Options Made Easy

If you are headed to New Zealand, chances are high that you will be coming into the country in Auckland, our home city. From here, you can explore on your own, or if you have limited time, we recommend several amazing tours from Auckland that let you hit some of the must-sees in one day.

The real advantages of a tour over self-driving are that someone else does the planning and the driving. Plus, we are the type of travellers who often prefer to be based in a central location over having to move every day.

If you are coming from just about anywhere other than the UK or Australia, we drive on the other side, so a few one-day tours from Auckland will give you a chance to begin to feel comfortable with the roads before you later rent a car (or not). And, one look at Auckland traffic and you will again know you made the right choice.

Of course, nothing is perfect, so the key downsides of one-day tours from Auckland are that you are on someone else’s timeline, no opportunity to add extra time at a favourite spot, and you may have to wait or miss something if other guests are inconsiderate. But we think the benefits outweigh the downsides.

Below, we feature popular day tours from Auckland that include everything from glowworms to geysers, beaches to caves, Māori culture, and Hobbit holes.

Where will Auckland day tours take me?

Day tours from Auckland range from adventurous to relaxing. Some take you to one highlight, but we think the best Auckland one-day tours maximize your time and hit more than one location. After all, if you had more time, you probably wouldn’t be trying to squeeze it all in a day. We have listed these combination destination tours below.

Let’s start with a brief overview of the top five most popular places to visit near Auckland: the Bay of Islands, Coromandel, Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton, and Rotorua.

Which type of Auckland day tours are right for me?

A few things to consider before signing up for a tour:

• Bus tours are usually the most economical option. The advantages depend on the tour and often include commentary, large windows, wifi, and toilets onboard. They are a good choice for scenic tours or places like Hobbiton that require bus entry. The downside is less personal attention.
• Small group tours cost a bit more, but they have a personal flair. Also, when walking, hiking, or doing other active tours, it is easier for a small group to stay together and hear the guide.
• Private tours are fully customizable. They cost more, but they generally allow you to see more. You move at your own pace, and there is no waiting on strangers.
• Active tours: In addition to group size, you need to think about the activity level of a tour. Does it include adventure that excites or terrifies you?
• Scenic tours: At the other end of the spectrum, scenic tours will allow you to enjoy the spectacular landscapes that New Zealand offers with very little effort.

1. Hobbiton Movie Set

176 km from Auckland, a bit over two hours each way

A middle earth destination that needs no introduction to Lord of the Rings fans. Hobbiton visits are only available via guided tour. Each two-hour tour of the 12-acre Hobbiton Movie Set takes visitors to Hobbit holes, the Old Mill, and the Double Arched Bridge.

You will discover details about the movie set and how it was created. The set tour concludes with a complimentary drink at The Green Dragon Inn. Hobbiton is as touristy as one would expect, yet movie fans love it.

One-day tours from Auckland to Hobbiton

We know several people who have taken tours from Auckland to the Hobbiton Movie Set. As the actual tour is provided by Hobbiton, the main difference is the transport. If you travel like us, a hotel pick-up is preferred to a central location.

With that as one of our guidelines, this nine-hour small group tour from Auckland consistently has great reviews. The trip is limited to 16 people, so you will want to book as soon as you decide so you don’t miss out. Reserve your Auckland to Hobbiton tour here.

2. Rotorua

228 km from Auckland, nearly three hours each way

If you have never been to New Zealand before (and, if you haven’t been to Yellowstone in the States), Rotorua is really a must-see. This geothermal wonderland and centre for Māori culture is like few other places on the planet.

If you have more time, we recommend spending a few days exploring the many fascinating things to do in Rotorua. The town is also known for its extreme adventure options, but you won’t have time for that on a one-day tour.

With limited time, our top pick is Te Puia as it will give you the highlights, including Pohutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere, erupting once or twice each hour. Te Puia also has bubbling mud pools, hot springs, silica formations, kiwi birds, and the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone, and bone carving.

One-day tours from Auckland to Rotorua

While there are lots of interesting Auckland one day tours to Rotorua, our favourite offers several options, and is the most customizable tour on this page. This 13-hour, small group tour includes entry to Te Puia and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, buffet lunch (with vegetarian and gluten-free options), and pick up and drop off from your central Auckland accommodation.

Options (reflected in the price) include free time, a 2-hour private soak at the Polynesian Spa, or a visit to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Finally, you can choose to return with your guide or end your tour and stay in Rotorua. Reserve your Auckland to Rotorua tour with options here.

3. Waitomo Glowworm Caves

197 km from Auckland, a 2.5 hours one-way

Glow worms are pretty unique to New Zealand, and one of the best places to see glow worms is Waitomo Caves.

Entry into the caves is only via a 45-minute guided tour. Starting on foot, admire stalagmites and stalactites before boarding a small boat and drifting through the glowworm grotto in near silence. The caves are lit by thousands of phosphorescent lights from a species of glowworm found only in New Zealand (Arachnocampa luminosa).

One-day tours from Auckland that visit only Waitomo

Believe it or not, this is not that easy to find. Most day tours from Auckland that visit the Waitomo Cave also go somewhere else, most often Hobbiton Movie Set or Rotorua. See below for the combination tours.

If you really only want to go to the caves from Auckland, we only know of this small group tour.

4. Coromandel Peninsula

173 km from Auckland, with a one-way drive time of two hours twenty minutes

If you are looking for something a bit less touristy than some of the above options, the beautiful Coromandel peninsula might be just your thing. We love it for bushwalks, forest hikes, natural hot springs, beaches, and the rugged coastline. One of the more popular activities is to dig your own ‘spa’ at the natural hot springs of Hot Water Beach (at low tide).

One-day tours from Auckland to Coromandel

This 11-hour small group coastal experience tour is for active nature lovers. It includes hiking and the opportunity to sit in your own ‘spa’ at Hot Water Beach. You will travel up through Thames to Coromandel town, visit the Driving Creek Railway for a ride on New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge railway system, dig your own spa at Hot Water Beach, and take a small boat to stunning Cathedral Cove (a film location used in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian). Reserve your Coromandel Coastal Experience tour from Auckland here.

5. Bay of Islands

232 km north of Auckland, with an over three-hour one-way drive time

Historically important, the Bay of Islands is home to both the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the town of Russell, which is New Zealand’s first colonial capital. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is the founding site of modern New Zealand. It is here that the first accord between the British and the 43 Maori chiefs was signed. In addition, it is the 140 islands and beaches that keep locals visiting here when we find time to relax.

One day tours from Auckland that visit only Bay of Islands

It is my opinion that you need at least two days to visit the Bay of Islands from Auckland, as otherwise, you will spend more time travelling than seeing the sites. However, if you only have one day, you can take an all-day private tour from Auckland. You will travel via private vehicle from Auckland with a personal guide, seeing giant Kauri trees and visiting waterfalls along the way, visit the Waitangi Treaty grounds, then take a boat out to the Hole in the Rock before your return to Auckland.

Tips – what to look for when comparing tours

Don’t just look at venues and prices when comparing. A few other things to consider:

• What type of transportation is provided?
• Where is the pick-up location (central or my hotel)?
• Are meals included in the price, and if not, do they stop and allow time for meals?
• Does the price include entrance fees?
• What did others say about it? (check the ratings and reviews)
• Are there any prerequisites for physical abilities?
• If it’s a private tour, is the price per person or per tour?

Read next: 17 Exciting Auckland Day Trips: Nearby Adventures Within 2 Hours of CBD

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Which of these tours from Auckland top your list?