Top New Zealand Day Trips & Excursions

Q: Got any more New Zealand trip ideas?

We sure do. Check out our curated lists of hand-picked New Zealand Tours. Top 10 New Zealand 2026 Senior-friendly tours New Zealand The best tours and activities for culture lovers in New Zealand Top Day Trips from New Zealand Things to do in New Zealand this summer View all New Zealand Trip Ideas →

Q: What are the most popular styles of Tours and Activities in New Zealand?

Based on our sales data over the past year, the most popular styles of tours and activities in New Zealand are: New Zealand Luxury & Special Occasions New Zealand Luxury Tours New Zealand Tours & Sightseeing New Zealand Outdoor Activities New Zealand Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours View all tour styles in New Zealand →

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Premium small group tour including a boutique Milford Sound cruise designed for an immersive viewing experience, and picnic lunch from Queenstown. There is no better …More

Fiordland & Milford Sound, New Zealand

4.9 (3,761)

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Premium small group tour including a boutique Milford Sound cruise designed for an immersive viewing experience, and picnic lunch from Queenstown. There is no better...

13 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (3,761)

from
$209

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch

Join this tour to visit two of New Zealand’s most famous attractions, Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves, in one easy day trip from Auckland. …More

Auckland, New Zealand

5.0 (3,150)

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch

Join this tour to visit two of New Zealand’s most famous attractions, Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves, in one easy day trip from Auckland....

11 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (3,150)

from
$212

Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Milford Sound is arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand and a must-see for any traveller. Whether seen in sunshine or rain, the incredible …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.9 (2,625)

Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Milford Sound is arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand and a must-see for any traveller. Whether seen in sunshine or rain, the incredible...

13 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (2,625)

from
$238

Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Day Tour from Auckland

Join a magical journey to the heart of Middle-earth with an intimate small group tour to the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set. Immerse yourself in the …More

Auckland, New Zealand

4.9 (1,629)

Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Day Tour from Auckland

Join a magical journey to the heart of Middle-earth with an intimate small group tour to the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set. Immerse yourself in the...

9 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (1,629)

from
$181

Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

Discover the spectacular beauty of Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park on an extended 9-hour small-group tour from Te Anau, limited to 16 guests. Travel …More

Te Anau, New Zealand

5.0 (1,297)

Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

Discover the spectacular beauty of Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park on an extended 9-hour small-group tour from Te Anau, limited to 16 guests. Travel...

9 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (1,297)

from
$179

Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour with Lunch from Auckland

One day. Two worlds you won't find anywhere else. Above ground, step into the storybook setting of Hobbiton Movie Set, where rolling green hills and …More

Auckland, New Zealand

4.9 (1,264)

Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour with Lunch from Auckland

One day. Two worlds you won't find anywhere else. Above ground, step into the storybook setting of Hobbiton Movie Set, where rolling green hills and...

12 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (1,264)

from
$243

Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

Premium small group tour including boutique Milford Sound cruise onboard a Milford Sound Cruise, and picnic lunch from Te Anau. There is no better way …More

Fiordland & Milford Sound, New Zealand

4.9 (980)

Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

Premium small group tour including boutique Milford Sound cruise onboard a Milford Sound Cruise, and picnic lunch from Te Anau. There is no better way...

7 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (980)

from
$181

Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland

Explore and admire Auckland's largest regional park, the Waitakere Ranges, on this 5 hour afternoon eco-tour. The perfect way to get out of the city …More

Auckland, New Zealand

4.9 (923)

Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland

Explore and admire Auckland's largest regional park, the Waitakere Ranges, on this 5 hour afternoon eco-tour. The perfect way to get out of the city...

5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (923)

from
$119

Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

Embark on an awe-inspiring day excursion to Milford Sound from Te Anau, where you'll be part of a friendly, intimate group of no more than …More

Te Anau, New Zealand

5.0 (780)

Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

Embark on an awe-inspiring day excursion to Milford Sound from Te Anau, where you'll be part of a friendly, intimate group of no more than...

9 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (780)

from
$186

Waitomo Caves, Rotorua and Te Puia Small Group Tour from Auckland

New Zealand’s most remarkable landscapes aren’t always found in plain sight. Journey from Auckland to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where thousands of tiny lights illuminate …More

Auckland, New Zealand

4.8 (738)

Waitomo Caves, Rotorua and Te Puia Small Group Tour from Auckland

New Zealand’s most remarkable landscapes aren’t always found in plain sight. Journey from Auckland to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where thousands of tiny lights illuminate...

13 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.8 (738)

from
$232

Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries

Voted the World’s Best Wine Tour Begin your day with a warm welcome from your wine-certified guide at (or near) your Queenstown accommodation before setting …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (718)

Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries

Voted the World’s Best Wine Tour Begin your day with a warm welcome from your wine-certified guide at (or near) your Queenstown accommodation before setting...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (718)

from
$158

Hobbiton Movie set & Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour From Auckland

Visit two of New Zealand’s most iconic attractions in one unforgettable journey through movie magic and natural wonders. Begin at the Hobbiton Movie Set with …More

Auckland, New Zealand

4.9 (697)

Hobbiton Movie set & Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour From Auckland

Visit two of New Zealand’s most iconic attractions in one unforgettable journey through movie magic and natural wonders. Begin at the Hobbiton Movie Set with...

12 hours Free Cancellation

4.9 (697)

from
$255

Milford Sound Flight and Cruise ex Queenstown (incl Lunch)

Milford Sound is an area of extraordinary natural beauty. It offers a majestic fiord, dramatic and awe-inspiring scenery and prolific flora and fauna. This tour …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (696)

Milford Sound Flight and Cruise ex Queenstown (incl Lunch)

Milford Sound is an area of extraordinary natural beauty. It offers a majestic fiord, dramatic and awe-inspiring scenery and prolific flora and fauna. This tour...

5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (696)

from
$543

Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch

Enjoy a full day, all-inclusive adventure in Wellington, the home of middle-Earth. Visit some amazing locations from the Lord of the Rings movies, enjoy a …More

Wellington, New Zealand

4.9 (602)

Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch

Enjoy a full day, all-inclusive adventure in Wellington, the home of middle-Earth. Visit some amazing locations from the Lord of the Rings movies, enjoy a...

8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (602)

from
$184

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

Experience stunning scenery on an unforgettable day trip to Milford Sound. The pristine Milford Sound is part of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, in …More

Fiordland & Milford Sound, New Zealand

4.8 (548)

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

Experience stunning scenery on an unforgettable day trip to Milford Sound. The pristine Milford Sound is part of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, in...

13 hours Free Cancellation

4.8 (548)

from
$195

Kapiti Island is one of New Zealand’s best-kept nature sanctuaries and a pest and predator-free haven for native birds. Take the ferry from Paraparaumu Beach …More

Wellington, New Zealand

4.8 (548)

Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour

Kapiti Island is one of New Zealand’s best-kept nature sanctuaries and a pest and predator-free haven for native birds. Take the ferry from Paraparaumu Beach...

5 to 6 hours Free Cancellation

4.8 (548)

from
$184

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

Experience an 8-hour day trip into the remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound, the heart of Fiordland National Park, while nature guides answer questions and point …More

Te Anau, New Zealand

4.8 (542)

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

Experience an 8-hour day trip into the remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound, the heart of Fiordland National Park, while nature guides answer questions and point...

7 hours Free Cancellation

4.8 (542)

from
$204

Small-Group Hobbiton Tour from Auckland with Party Marquee Lunch

Enter the magical world of ‘the Shire’ on this small-group movie set tour to Hobbiton from Auckland. See where the The Lord of the Rings …More

Auckland, New Zealand

4.9 (516)

Small-Group Hobbiton Tour from Auckland with Party Marquee Lunch

Enter the magical world of ‘the Shire’ on this small-group movie set tour to Hobbiton from Auckland. See where the The Lord of the Rings...

9 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (516)

from
$241

Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waiotapu Small Group Tour from Auckland

Want to see more of New Zealand than Auckland? This is the day for it. Start in the rolling countryside of the Waikato at Hobbiton …More

Auckland, New Zealand

4.9 (515)

Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waiotapu Small Group Tour from Auckland

Want to see more of New Zealand than Auckland? This is the day for it. Start in the rolling countryside of the Waikato at Hobbiton...

13 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (515)

from
$255

Half Day Martinborough Winery Tour from Wellington

Experience a 5.5-hour guided tour to Martinborough, one of New Zealand's premier wine regions. Departing from Wellington, the tour follows the Hutt River through the …More

Wellington, New Zealand

4.9 (499)

Half Day Martinborough Winery Tour from Wellington

Experience a 5.5-hour guided tour to Martinborough, one of New Zealand's premier wine regions. Departing from Wellington, the tour follows the Hutt River through the...

5 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (499)

from
$113

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers are based on answers previously given to Cool Shore Excursions customers' questions.

What are the best options for New Zealand Day Trips & Excursions?

What are the best kid-friendly options for New Zealand Day Trips & Excursions Tours?

According to verified reviews on Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor, the best kid-friendly New Zealand Day Trips & Excursions are:

View all kid-friendly Tours →

Which New Zealand Day Trips & Excursions have Instant Confirmation?

New Zealand Day Trips & Excursions with Instant Confirmation include:

View all Tours with Instant Confirmation →

Which New Zealand Day Trips & Excursions have Free Cancellation?

New Zealand Day Trips & Excursions with Free Cancellation (in most cases up to 24 hours in advance of your tour date, check the specific tour page) include:

View all Tours with Free Cancellation →

I need a ride! Which New Zealand Day Trips & Excursions have Hotel Pickup?

No problem. These New Zealand Day Trips & Excursions include Hotel Pickup:

View all Tours with Hotel Pickup →

Got any more New Zealand trip ideas?

What are the most popular styles of Tours and Activities in New Zealand?