10 Private Shore Excursions in New Zealand You Can Do Before All-Aboard

1.Private Tour Rotorua Shore Excursion up to 8 Passengers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews Our pick

Join Wendy of Independent Tours Tauranga for a six-hour private drive from Tauranga to Rotorua. You can see Mount Maunganui, kiwifruit orchards, redwoods, geothermal pools, Pohutu Geyser, Māori arts, and a cultural show, with optional attraction fees extra.

“We really had a fun day with Wendy as our guide. There were 5 of us on this trip. It advertises 8 but we never would have fit in the van with 8. Wendy was organized and ready for us to have a good day. She took us to see the geothermal geysRead more”

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2.Private Shore Excursion Rotorua/ Tauranga Maori culture, Geyser & concert

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews

Travel from Tauranga Port to Rotorua in a private minivan with guides such as Toby, Steve, or Thierry. Visit Te Puke’s kiwifruit country, Whakarewarewa’s geothermal village and cultural show, forest and lake viewpoints, and Okere Falls. The route can be adjusted to fit your group and ship schedule.

“Absolutely fabulous day with Toby — Fantastic overview and information from Toby !!! Highly recommended!!!!”

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3.Tauranga Private Shore Excursion: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews

Travel from Tauranga to Rotorua in a private vehicle with a guide, then walk Wai-O-Tapu’s colored pools, watch Lady Knox Geyser, visit Whakarewarewa, and stop at Rotorua highlights before returning to port. Guides may include Marina, Steve, or Phillip.

“Amazing trip. Saw so many gorgeous natural sites. Driver/ guide Steve very knowledgeable and personable.”

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4.Wellington Shore Excursion: From Cave to Coast Highlights Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $159Best value

Explore Wellington by private vehicle with a local guide such as Athena, Phil, Gary, Aaron, or Tom. You’ll see Mount Victoria, Wētā Cave, Shelly Bay, Cook Strait viewpoints, and city sights, with lunch included and optional cable car and cathedral visits.

“We had guide Aaron and in the comfort of his car we had a most enjoyable and informative tour ever. There was a question he couldn’t answer. The lunch at the Loose Goose hit the spot. Thanks so much. One of the best cruise tours ever”

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5.Akaroa & Banks Peninsula from Lyttelton(Private Shore Excursion)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $496

Spend 6 to 7 hours with a private local guide from Lyttelton to Akaroa. You’ll see volcano-shaped terrain, stop for morning tea in native bush, visit the Giant’s House, and have time for lunch, shops, and local art. Guides include Jared, Gemma, and Ollie.

“Super fun and interesting tour! Beautiful scenery, lovely drive to Akaroa. Jared, our tour guide, was great! Laid back, informative and enthusiastic! Delicious lunch in Akaroa. The Giant’s House is amazing.”

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6.Auckland Private City Tour. Cruise port or Hotel pick up.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 reviews · from $345

See Auckland with a private guide and driver, starting at Mount Eden’s volcanic summit and continuing through the Domain, Parnell, Tamaki Drive, the Harbour Bridge, and Wynyard Quarter. Mike may add Devonport if time allows. Cruise port and hotel pickup are included.

“Tour locations and vehicle were great! Mike, our guide and driver, was excellent and fun. Good way to start our trip to Auckland with this four hour tour.”

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7.Private Transfer From Auckland CBD Hotels To Cruise Ship

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews

Travel from your Auckland CBD hotel to the cruise terminal in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with Shine Shuttle. Your driver and support team help confirm a pickup time, handle roomy luggage, and provide direct door-to-door service for up to two people.

“Excellent service all around. From communication, timeliness, friendliness, and he went above and beyond in changing up our scheduled time due to my scheduling error. Highly recommend.”

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8.Private Cruise Ship Passengers Tour, Sightseeing in Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews

Meet at Lyttelton Bakery for a private Christchurch tour in a Canterbury-built V8 Chevrolet trike. Ride over Evans Pass, choose the Gondola, explore the city at your own pace, then return via the Port Hills and Sign of the Kiwi.

“Very nice experience. We saw breathtaking scenery. The driver was careful and very kind. He knows his subject.Auto-translated”

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9.Private Castle Hill & Inland Canterbury Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $496

Take a private, seven-hour trip from Lyttelton to Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti with a local guide, lunch, snacks, and transport. Stop at Darfield, Springfield’s giant doughnut, Lake Lyndon, and the limestone boulders. Guides such as Anna and Lachie add a personal touch.

“Perfect day spent with Anna! Easy pick up at the port of Lyttleton and headed out of town to Darfield Bakery. Best meat pies ever! And nice selection of GF baked goods.”

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10.Catlins Cruiser Private Tour from Dunedin Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 2 reviews · from $297

You’ll travel by private vehicle from Dunedin cruise port to Tunnel Beach, the Awakiki Bush Track, Kaka Point, and Nugget Point Lighthouse. Expect coastal views, a guided bush walk, possible wildlife sightings, and about 6.5 hours on tour. The guide’s name is not provided.

“We were very disappointed as it cost a lot of money and we spent the majority of the time in the van traveling and not much time actually doing stuff or being told about any of the sights.”

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