Best Day Trips from Auckland

Auckland, located in the north of New Zealand, is one of the main cities of the country, one of the most visited places by tourists and also an ideal place to use as a base to visit some of the main attractions outside the most famous New Zealand cities.

Among the best things to see and do in Auckland to discover the surroundings of the city, you can take a trip to Hobbiton, which is the natural setting of The Lord of the Rings, book a tour to Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu, visit the Coromandel Peninsula, tour the Bay of Islands and visit the Waitomo Caves.

If you want to know one of the most beautiful places outside Auckland and you are also a fan of the saga of The Lord of the Rings, you can visit Hobbiton, which is located in Matamata and is a tourist destination that offers a total immersion in the Middle Earth created by the writer J.R.R. Tolkien.

These full-day tours usually include hotel pick-up transfers and a guided tour through the picturesque trails of the film set of the saga in Hobbiton, where you can admire the 44 hand-built Hobbit houses. Each has its own personality and unique details, from the gardens to the clothes hanging on the clotheslines.

During these tours you will learn about how the film set was created and how the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies were filmed at the site. You'll also get to take some of the best photographs of your trip with the original props and sets, such as the round door of Bilbo Baggins' house.

On these tours you'll also discover the open views from the hill that was used as the main set for the first film, giving you a fantasy experience of Tolkien's Middle-earth. You will get the best views if you travel to Auckland in August or during the spring months.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately €131 per person, including round-trip transfers with hotel pick-up and guided tour.
• Duration: between 8 and 9 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in the outskirts of Auckland.
• Disadvantages of these tours: it is a tour focused on the story of The Lord of the Rings, so if you do not have a previous knowledge of the saga, you could miss some important details.

Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu are the two most famous tourist destinations in the North Island of New Zealand. If you are in Auckland and are looking for a day trip to explore the natural and cultural beauty of this region, these tours will offer you some of the best alternatives.

Rotorua is a geothermal city known for its geysers, hot mud pools and hot springs. Upon arriving in the city, you will see the Pohutu Geyser and the Prince of Wales Feathers Geyser, which emanate hot water and steam at regular intervals. You can also visit the mud pools and thermal pools. Some of the Auckland cruises also include stops at these tourist areas.

In addition to the geothermal attractions, Rotorua is also an ideal place to explore the Maori culture, which is characteristic of New Zealand. On these excursions, you will usually be able to attend a dinner and performance of traditional Maori dances and songs.

The next stop on the tour will be at Wai-O-Tapu, a geothermal area with impressive brightly colored pools, bubbling waters and fumaroles. You will be able to walk along demarcated trails and discover attractions such as the Champagne Pool and the Gold Water Pool, which are known for their orange and golden hues.

In Wai-O-Tapu you can also find the famous Sulfide Pool, which has a bright green color and an unearthly appearance. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best alternatives for your trip, especially if you plan to visit Auckland in summer.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an approximate initial cost of 175 euros per person, including round-trip transfers with hotel pick-up, guided tour and Maori show.
• Duration: approximately 11 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to get to know in depth one of the most famous regions of New Zealand.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they usually last all day, so they may not be compatible with a short stay in Auckland.

If you're looking for an adventure tour in New Zealand, a tour from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula might just do the trick. This region of the North Island offers a wealth of outdoor activities, breathtaking scenery and plenty of exploration options.

On these tours, which start in Auckland and usually include round-trip transfers with hotel pick-up, you can see the east coast all the way to the Coromandel Peninsula and take in the views of the Pacific Ocean and the green hills of the region. You can also book a guided bike tour.

On the peninsula you can do different activities depending on the chosen excursion. If you are a hiking enthusiast, you can hike to the top of Mount Pauanui, from where you can enjoy some of the best panoramic views of the area. You can also go kayaking or boating, visit the white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters or take a dip in the natural pools that form at low tide.

If you are a nature lover, do not miss the Coromandel National Park, where you can see species of plants and animals unique to the region. You can also visit Cathedral Cove, a beautiful beach characterized by the natural arch carved by the sea in the rock. If you plan to visit Auckland during Christmas, you can also discover the site illuminated with eve decorations forming a magical atmosphere during the night.

Interesting details

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 171 euros per person, including round-trip transfers with hotel pick-up and guided tour.
• Duration: approximately 12 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: it is one of the most interesting adventure alternatives in the north of New Zealand.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you may not be able to do a complete tour of the site or enjoy all the excursions in a full day tour.

If during your trip to Auckland you are looking for a beach option, you can't miss the Bay of Islands tour. This place is known for its crystal clear beaches, beautiful panoramic views and a wide variety of wildlife.

The Bay of Islands is located in the north of New Zealand and, during the tour, you can enjoy the views of the coast, see the famous Auckland Harbour Bridge and pass through the Northland wine region, which is the main wine region of its kind in the country.

In the Bay of Islands, you can usually get to know the site on a boat ride and learn about the history and legends of the area. During the tour you will have the opportunity to see dolphins and whales, as well as take some of the best photographs of your trip. This area also offers some of the best gastronomic tours.

In addition, one of the highlights of the tour is a visit to Urupukapuka, which is the largest island in the bay. There, you can hike the trails, take in the panoramic views and visit the remains of a historic fortress. You will also have free time to relax on the beach or explore the island on your own.

Details of interest

• Price: these excursions have an approximate initial cost of 199 euros per person, including round-trip transfers with hotel pick-up and guided tour.
• Duration: between 12 and 13 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: they are the best alternative to visit some of the best beaches in New Zealand.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are tours focused on a natural tour, so although you will have time to relax on the beach, they are not recommended if you want a relaxed visit.

If you want to combine a visit to Hobbiton, which is the natural setting for the Lord of the Rings saga, with an experience at one of New Zealand's most striking sites, these tours may offer the solution, as they also include a tour of the famous Waitomo Caves.

Hobbiton is the home of J.R.R. Tolkien's hobbits, so the tour will take you through the hobbit holes, Sam and Rosie's garden, the water mill and the Green Dragon tavern. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy the best beer tours in a hobbit pub and buy souvenirs in the gift store, in a magical experience that will transport you to Tolkien's world.

In addition, these tours will also take you to the Waitomo Caves, which are known for their glow worms. The caves are filled with these insects that create a stunning and surreal natural spectacle.

During your visit you can enjoy a boat ride on the subway river and watch the worms light up the cave like a starry sky. You will also have the opportunity to explore the cave on foot and see impressive rock formations. If you plan to visit Auckland in winter, you will also be able to discover the worms' illumination exalted in the darkness of the night, as the sunset is usually early.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 185 euros per person, including round-trip transfers with hotel pick-up and guided tour.
• Duration: approximately 10 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you can combine a visit to the scenes of the saga of The Lord of the Rings with one of the most striking sites in New Zealand.
• Disadvantages of these tours: it is a very intense tour with very little free time for rest.

You can book a tour from Auckland in advance online or in the city once you are there, although I advise that to avoid delays or sell out, make an itinerary prior to your trip and book the tours in advance.

Also, if you plan to visit Auckland in February or during the summer months, keep in mind that it is part of the high season, so prices may increase. If you book in advance you will be able to freeze the rate and avoid last minute increases.

On these tours you can discover some of the major sites in northern New Zealand, from the settings of the Lord of the Rings saga in Hobbiton to the natural hot springs and Maori culture of Rotorua, which also has one of the largest geysers in the world.

You can also visit Wai-O-Tapu, which is another of the most famous geothermal areas of the country, and which also adds the bright colors of its lakes to the hot springs.

On the other hand, in the Bay of Islands and the Coromandel Peninsula you can visit some of the best beaches in Oceania and natural must-see sites, which are usually included in the best tours of Auckland.

If you visit Auckland, using the city as a base for excursions to nearby sites is one of the best alternatives that this destination offers, although it can be a bit cumbersome to develop the tours if you do not have enough information. Here are some tips that might be useful:

• Plan your trip: make sure you know how to get to your destination, how long it will take and what activities are available, even if you plan to join a tour, since most of them offer free time. It is important to have a clear idea of what you want to do in order to make the most of your time.
• Be prepared for the weather: the temperature in New Zealand can be unpredictable, so be prepared for any eventuality. Bring warm clothes and rain gear in case you need to, especially if you plan to visit Auckland during the winter months.
• Learn about the destinations: many of the places you will visit, such as Hobbiton, are very beautiful to look at, but they also require you to have some prior knowledge in order not to miss some attractions, so I recommend you to study some characteristics of the destinations beforehand.
• Don't forget your camera: The landscapes in New Zealand are breathtaking, so be sure to bring a camera to capture your memories, as you will come across some of the best landscapes of your trip.

Auckland is a vibrant and diverse city, but it is also surrounded by natural beauty. Taking a day trip from the city will allow you to explore New Zealand's landscapes and wildlife.

In addition, there is a wide variety of outdoor activities available around Auckland, from hiking and boating to surfing and mountain biking. This makes it easy to find something to suit your interests and abilities, even when you need to fill in free time on tours.

There are many tour options to choose from, so you can visit everything from nearby islands to exploring beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Finally, taking a tour from Auckland will also allow you to learn about Maori culture, and New Zealand's colonial history. There are many opportunities to visit sacred sites and learn about New Zealand's rich history.