New Zealand · CITY TOURS
20 reviewed
Here are the 15 best city tours anywhere in New Zealand, set out with the price, the running time and the town each one leaves from. The one at the top earned its place.
Half-day Auckland highlights by small group: Mt Eden views, Auckland Harbour Bridge, North Shore photo stops, and a smooth city orientation.
“Pick-up location easy to find. Tour is informative and interesting. It’s a good way to orientate yourself and discover things to do so as to get the most from a stay in Auckland. Tour is good value too”
Hop on an antique tram and take the Christchurch Gondola for roundtrip panoramic views from Mount Cavendish, plus summit time to explore.
“The Combo is a good idea as it’s definitely a must going on the iconic tram tour to explore the. The drivers explain all the sites and what can be seen and explored at every stop. The gondola up the mountain is a great experience and there are various trails to walk around at the top. The view is amazing especially if the weather is great and the visibility is as good as it was today.”
A 3 hour Wellington guided city tour with 4 photo stops and a Cable Car ticket, plus local stories from Te Papa to Cuba Street.
“This was a really good introduction to Wellington with a ‘warts and all’ commentary by our knowledgeable guide. He gave us facts as well as interesting snippets which you wouldn’t find in guide books.”
Auckland in 4 hours with Harbour Bridge and Mount Eden views, quick waterfront photo stops, and funny local stories.
“Given my short stay in Auckland, the tour was informative and excellent value.”
A small-group half day tour that strings together Auckland Harbour Bridge, North Head, Mount Eden, and more, with pickup and local guide stories.
“Our cruise ship stopped here and we were looking for a great option to visit most of the main sites in Auckland. This tour was amazing! They had many audio guides playing with fun facts based on what you were near, and it included several stops that really made us feel like we got to see a good chunk of the city. Highly recommend!”
Shared Auckland Airport to city centre minivan transfer with a mobile ticket, fast hotel drop-offs, and city-only pricing around $26.
“P/u point is a bit of a hike, and we would have had a problem finding it if the driver hadn't texted us while we were getting baggage to say "go to the far left" gate 11 (we came out at the left "end" which was gate 8, so we had to figure it out. Driver did connect with us while we were going through customs/baggage, etc and that was very helpful.”
Auckland’s Flavours of our City Food Walk is a 3-hour small-group tour with guided tastings, artisan stops, and a final wine or beer.
“We enjoyed our tour with Alex. She was a lot of fun and we loved trying the various foods. We even had a stop to get chocolate bon bons.”
Rotorua Duck Tour is a 90-minute amphibious WWII landing craft ride over land and onto three lakes, with live commentary.
“My grandkids loved the whole experience. They would like the boat to drive faster into the water so it splashed over the roof🤣🤣🤣”
Akaroa to Christchurch by coach, with Banks Peninsula scenery, Botanic Gardens, earthquake history, and coastal breaks at Sumner and Lyttelton.
“We were on a 50 passenger bus, so that eliminates the opportunity to ask questions. it was a long day of driving to see Christchurch, but I wanted to go there, so I don't know how it could have been otherwise - except others on our ship saw Christchurch AND stopped to see a sheep shearing and dogs working sheep. I was envious of them. We saw all that was advertised in the tour and it was very good.”
Discover Wellington in 3 hours by cable car, from the Beehive Parliament to harbor lookouts, with cruise pickup and picture stops.
“Excellent tour, outstanding knowledge of the subject — there wasn’t a single question our guide couldn’t answer. 10/10.”
Cruise-friendly half-day Christchurch sights from Lyttelton, with Summit Road views, Mona Vale Gardens, and earthquake rebuilding stories.
“Check the *Exact* meeting point. We went to Fisherman’s Wharf as instructed, but the coaches were parked further down the road. We came very close to missing the trip. Other than that it was an excellent trip with a very knowledgeable local driver.”
One-hour V8 trike tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula, cruise-friendly, with jackets and photo stops, plus fast, fun city views.
“An absolute blast! Andrew was a great guide. Was a little tough hearing his commentary in the back seat but otherwise it was fabulous! Beautiful scenery! Highly recommend!”
A 3-hour Auckland CBD walking food tour with local cheeses, Kiwi classics, award-winning dishes, artisan chocolate, and city history. $122
“This was a really well planned food tour. The tour guide was knowledgeable and made the effort to get the group to gel. We got introduced to some great food venues within a small part of the CBD, giving us the confidence to scratch beneath the surface ourselves. There was enough food to cover us for lunch but not so much that we didn't have room for dinner. We took away some top tips that we used later in our holiday. A great tour.”
Small-group Auckland highlights in 3 to 4 hours, with cruise or CBD pickup, city viewpoints, gardens, and heritage stops for $99.29.
“Amazing guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Couldn’t have asked for anything more. Lovely traveling companions who were all getting on a cruise.”
Five-hour small-group Wellington Heights tour with hotel pickup, Cable Car and Parliament, Weta Cave photos, and nonstop lookout stops.
“This was a fabulous tour; it really covered Wellington in 5 hours. We returned to the ship feeling that we had seen and learned all we could in the time about this lovely city. The driver/guide, Emile, did a terrific job; safe, helpful, knowledgeable, and even tried his range of jokes to keep us amused. Well done. Highly recommended.”
